Possibly Going Single - Should I be Worried?

[BeckWhy]

So just to make a long story short, it looks like I may be going to Disneyland by myself. Should I be worried or scared because I'd have to walk to and from my hotel alone?

Here's some details:
I'd be arriving on a Wednesday and leaving on a Tuesday.
I'll be staying at The Disneyland Hotel.
I'll be spending two days in Disneyland, two days in Disney California Adventure, and have one day to relax.
I'll probably take the shuttle from LAX to the hotel and back.

I've gone to Walt Disney World by myself before, and it was actually the best trip I ever had. But it's so sheltered, whereas Disneyland sits in the middle of a city.

Am I just being paranoid?

 

[blackjackdelta]

You have a concern but the whole area is very safe with many people walking around, also there are police foot patrols, you will be fine.

Jack

 

[BeckWhy]

Thanks Jack.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Thanks Jack.

I would park hope and not segregate your days, very short walk between the parks and breaks the experience in managable sections.

Jack

 

[HydroGuy]

So just to make a long story short, it looks like I may be going to Disneyland by myself. Should I be worried or scared because I'd have to walk to and from my hotel alone?

Here's some details:
I'd be arriving on a Wednesday and leaving on a Tuesday.
I'll be staying at The Disneyland Hotel.
I'll be spending two days in Disneyland, two days in Disney California Adventure, and have one day to relax.
I'll probably take the shuttle from LAX to the hotel and back.

I've gone to Walt Disney World by myself before, and it was actually the best trip I ever had. But it's so sheltered, whereas Disneyland sits in the middle of a city.

Am I just being paranoid?

I would park hope and not segregate your days, very short walk between the parks and breaks the experience in managable sections.

Jack

I agree with Jack. The idea of "two days at DL and two at DCA" is a very WDW approach that does not translate well at DLR. The two parks at DLR are really like one big park and you can experience more if you treat them that way.

 

[mama2dutchies]

I don't think you have anything to worry about in regards to safety.. staying onsite.. yuo will never be alone or isolated.. I would think you would be safe

 

[BeckWhy]

Thanks guys! I'll keep that in mind for my trip. Either way I'm going to have 4 days at the parks. This is my first time to Disneyland and I can't find much info online about it at all (compared to Walt Disney World), so I'm really starting off from scratch.

 

[Badge]

I just got back from a solo trip in Oct. but I stayed offsite a little over half a mile away once you left the park area and I felt totally safe walking back to the hotel alone every night. Staying onsite should not be an issue at all. Nice walk through Downtown Disney which will still have shops open and people all around and then a short walk to the hotel...with other people walking back as well.

However, like others have said, don't treat the two parks like two different parks at WDW. They are RIGHT across from each other (like feet between one parks gate and the other). Treat them as one park and do not "lock" yourself into thinking "I am only going to DCA today". Plus, you can take advantage of all the single rider lines which will really cut back on your wait times. My first full day at the parks I was able to ride nearly everything at both parks in one day. If you don't park hop, you will just be riding the same things over and over again. Heck, there was one day where I switched parks 4 times (DL right when it opened for Space M., switched to DCA when it opened for Toy Story and stayed there for a few hours, then back to DL for a late lunch and some more rides, and then back to DCA for World of Color and a late dinner).

 

[kylie71]

If I went alone, and stayed off property... I would not be nervous, the area just seems very safe to me. Always lot's of tourists walking in large groups. Just be smart, and stay alert of your surrounding's just as you would anywhere, such as leaving a shopping mall at night...... etc

Have a Blast!

 

[BeckWhy]

I just got back from a solo trip in Oct. but I stayed offsite a little over half a mile away once you left the park area and I felt totally safe walking back to the hotel alone every night. Staying onsite should not be an issue at all. Nice walk through Downtown Disney which will still have shops open and people all around and then a short walk to the hotel...with other people walking back as well.

However, like others have said, don't treat the two parks like two different parks at WDW. They are RIGHT across from each other (like feet between one parks gate and the other). Treat them as one park and do not "lock" yourself into thinking "I am only going to DCA today". Plus, you can take advantage of all the single rider lines which will really cut back on your wait times. My first full day at the parks I was able to ride nearly everything at both parks in one day. If you don't park hop, you will just be riding the same things over and over again. Heck, there was one day where I switched parks 4 times (DL right when it opened for Space M., switched to DCA when it opened for Toy Story and stayed there for a few hours, then back to DL for a late lunch and some more rides, and then back to DCA for World of Color and a late dinner).

Wow! Thanks so much! I'm planning on going in October/November. So I probably have a lot of questions that you could answer. So you might get some random private messages from me, if you don't mind.

But let me ask you this question first then: will 4 days be to much time? I figured I could conquer one park in one day (or less). But I don't plan on going to Disneyland again (since I'm on the east coast and it costs an arm and a leg).

 

[Badge]

Wow! Thanks so much! I'm planning on going in October/November. So I probably have a lot of questions that you could answer. So you might get some random private messages from me, if you don't mind.

But let me ask you this question first then: will 4 days be to much time? I figured I could conquer one park in one day (or less). But I don't plan on going to Disneyland again (since I'm on the east coast and it costs an arm and a leg).

I have no problem answering whatever questions you might have! Feel free to send as many PM's as you want.

I don't think 4 days is to much time. I went down for a week and spent 2 days at a convention and 5 days at the parks. To me, 4 or 5 days is just enough time to see/do everything you want while still giving you time to do some things over again. Plus, this gave me enough time to do the Halloween Party twice which was a lot of fun! Keep in mind that the Fireworks (except on Halloween party nights) and Fantasmic only normally run on the weekends. So, you will need two different weekend nights (ideally) to see the Fireworks and Fantasmic. Overall, I personally feel like DL is a lot more relaxing than a WDW trip. I have done WDW more times than I can count (well over 15) and have now done DL twice. However, I am already planning another two trips to DL because of how much I like it. Sure it might not have as many parks as WDW, but I come back from DL feeling much more relaxed (plus the counter service food is AMAZING compared to WDW). You might even want to spend the few extra dollars for a 5 day ticket on your "relax" day just to get some food from the parks, maybe do a little shopping and just make it a "short" park day without many (if any) rides.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

4 days will be good to experience it all. Remember DLR has almost as many rides in 2 parks as WDW has in 4.

Also for safety: DLH is at one end of DTD and the parks are at the other....and DTD isn't nearly as big as in WDW. I wouldn't fell uncomfortable at all. There will be lots of people around and security throughout the area you will be in. Even if I was staying offsite I wouldn't be worried as long as I was right there on Harbor or right off the shuttle stop.

 

[furb & dez]

Thanks guys! I'll keep that in mind for my trip. Either way I'm going to have 4 days at the parks. This is my first time to Disneyland and I can't find much info online about it at all (compared to Walt Disney World), so I'm really starting off from scratch.

We usually hop between parks 2 or 3 times PER DAY, because it truly is very simple to do.

When DL gets too crowded, you can go to the AP waiting room/lounge across the esplanade for an hour or two.

 

[BeckWhy]

I really appreciate all of the input you guys are giving me!

I've been to WDW about 12 times so now when I go there it's more about shopping and checking out the queues and street entertainment than rides and attractions.

Badge: I was thinking about the Halloween Party, also. And I noticed the menu selections are a lot better than WDW! I'm really excited about that. What quick service restaurants do you like the best?

Mostly I'm excited about Carsland. Cars is my favorite movie and Carsland is the only reason I'm even considering going to Disneyland. Hate on me all you guys want.

What I need to start doing is reading some trip reports because I think that will really hype things up for me.

All-in-all I'm super excited I've decided to go to Disneyland. I do feel pretty overwhelmed, though, because even though it is a Disney park, I just feel it's going to be so different than WDW.

 

[pixiewings71]

You'll definitely be hopping......picture this, you're at a football game, sitting in the End Zone, across from you is the "other" End Zone......yup, that's farther than the Esplanade between the parks. You'll definitely hop! And you'll be safe, there are always lots of people walking around and like Jack said there are Anaheim officers walking DTD.

I hope to see you back here asking tons of questions to get ready for your trip! Our board is extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

 

[HydroGuy]

I really appreciate all of the input you guys are giving me!

I've been to WDW about 12 times so now when I go there it's more about shopping and checking out the queues and street entertainment than rides and attractions.

Badge: I was thinking about the Halloween Party, also. And I noticed the menu selections are a lot better than WDW! I'm really excited about that. What quick service restaurants do you like the best?

Mostly I'm excited about Carsland. Cars is my favorite movie and Carsland is the only reason I'm even considering going to Disneyland. Hate on me all you guys want.

What I need to start doing is reading some trip reports because I think that will really hype things up for me.

All-in-all I'm super excited I've decided to go to Disneyland. I do feel pretty overwhelmed, though, because even though it is a Disney park, I just feel it's going to be so different than WDW.

This gets lots of mileage around here and I always agree with everything the author says.

A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[BeckWhy]

So if I decide to stay at a Good Neighbor Hotel across Harbor Blvd, will I still be OK walking to and from my hotel?

 

[pixiewings71]

So if I decide to stay at a Good Neighbor Hotel across Harbor Blvd, will I still be OK walking to and from my hotel?

Yes, there are always tons of people walking. I walked with my kids from the parks to the HoJo and the Tropicana many times. Never had any issues at all.

 

[MarieS]

I'm so glad to read this thread! I am planning a June solo trip to DL for the first time and have been wondering about walking from hotel to parks. Thanks for the reassurance!

 

[Badge]

I really appreciate all of the input you guys are giving me!

I've been to WDW about 12 times so now when I go there it's more about shopping and checking out the queues and street entertainment than rides and attractions.

Badge: I was thinking about the Halloween Party, also. And I noticed the menu selections are a lot better than WDW! I'm really excited about that. What quick service restaurants do you like the best?

Mostly I'm excited about Carsland. Cars is my favorite movie and Carsland is the only reason I'm even considering going to Disneyland. Hate on me all you guys want.

What I need to start doing is reading some trip reports because I think that will really hype things up for me.

All-in-all I'm super excited I've decided to go to Disneyland. I do feel pretty overwhelmed, though, because even though it is a Disney park, I just feel it's going to be so different than WDW.

Trust me, I know the feeling about being overwhelmed when it comes to DL as a WDW vet. I did my first solo trip to WDW (for 9 nights!) the day after my 18th birthday. Since you have to be 18 to check in, I was counting down the days until I could travel solo and check in by myself. I was not worried about a thing because I did the Magical Express and then I was just in the Disney "bubble" and had no issues at all.

With my trip last Oct (I am 22 now, same as the Oct. trip) I was really worried! I was scared about walking to and from the hotel because I was not even right across the street...I was down the street and around the corner and still even farther down that street. I was worried about getting to the hotel in the first place. So many things had me worried. However, it all worked out perfect which is why I am planning another solo trip, and a family trip because of how much I loved it. Can't wait for Carsland either, which is why I think I am trying to go twice this year

As far as food, I really have one favorite. I hate that I found this place on my 3rd day (of the 5) because I really never ate anything else. The new Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta at DCA is simply amazing for counter service. They have salads, big pizzas (the BBQ Chicken pizza is really good), but the best thing they offer is the pasta! The Chicken Sun Dried Tomato pasta is BY FAR the best pasta I think I have ever had....way better than stuff you can get at places like Olive Garden. Once I had that pasta dish (which is served in a MASSIVE and fancy bowl) I didn't want to eat anything else. So much food for the money! It was right around $9.50. You will notice a lot of places serve the counter service food in things other than the paper "boats" that you just throw away like at WDW. So many of the counter service places serve the food on fancy plastic dishes and then on top of the trash cans they have a place to put the bowls/plates to be washed.

I can't remember the other places I really liked off the top of my head, but I will look them up and let you know.

As far as staying across the street, I would suggest it IF money is an issue. If the money is not an issue, then I would stay onsite simply because your room key works as your charge card just like at WDW so you don't need to carry around a credit/debit card that might get lost. Also, the onsite places have much better pools for your "relax" day.

If everything works out, I plan on doing the Halloween Party at least once again this Oct. It really depends on if I can get tickets to the convention like I did last year that normally always takes place the middle of Oct. You will really enjoy it! I loved just walking around and "people watching" because so many of the families really get into it. Everybody can dress in a costume and I saw some really, really amazing ones last year.