Questions about Doubletree (Anaheim, NOT Orange) ART, Toy story parking bus

[LisainCalifornia]

Hi guys,
We are going to Disneyland this June (right after school gets out!)--and we were lucky enough to get a free trip due to all the travel my husband does. We got free tickets from Southwest (Oakand to SNA), and then a free 4 night stay at the the Doubletree Suites is Anaheim. This is a Hilton property, so he got it off his points--and it includes free internet and breakfast thru his Hilton Honors. We have a 2 room suite reserved.

Questions:
1. Anyone stayed at the Doubletree Anaheim? What did you think? We stayed at the one in Orange last summer and while it was nice, I didn't love the small beds (they were doubles rather than queens) and the distance from the park. They did have a free shuttle, though--which was nice. I would just rather be more in the heart of the DL action, so this is better for us.

2. I have never used ART (Anaheim Resort Transit) but have friends that have and told us they hated it because it was very inconsistant. The timing was off--and a few times they ended up waiting almost an hour for a bus. That sounds terrible to me! I realize that we could potentially walk from the Doubletree (it is a little over a mile to the parks)--but with my two girls that is not going to happen. Have you taken ART and what did you think? Is there a schedule that they claim to stick to?

3. I have read in a few reviews that some people walk two blocks to the Toy Story lot and take the shuttle. Where is this lot and is open to anyone who wants to ride? I wouldn't want to break any rules. How often does that shuttle pick up compared to ART?

Thanks for any help you can provide. I have read some very good reviews on the Doubletree (we almost picked the Anaheim Hilton, but this one seemed a more comfortable fit for a family at Disneyland) so that does put my mind at ease, but I would like some inside information. Most complaints are about paying for parking (we won't have a car) and internet (we get it for free), so I am not worried about those issues.

 

[skiingfast]

2. ART is on a pretty regular schedule, but when it gets full there can be problems.

3. You walk up a block and cross Convention Way. Then cross Harbor and walk strait into the Toy Story Lot. It will be that simple when you do it. Probably about 7 minutes if you hit the lights right.

Another suggestion, this is not as convinient, no almost door to door, but much more frequent and uncrowded. Take OCTA the public bus. It stops on Harbor on the other side across from the Doubletree, and on the return on the other side of Orangewood. So pretty close to your hotel. At the park it drops you off and picks you up very close to the DLR's Harbor entrance. It's about the same cost as ART. I have seen a number of time people waiting at the same stop, watching another OCTA leave while they wait for you ART shuttle.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Thank you, Matt. It sounds like the Toy Story lot is farther than I thought it was. We will probably just try to take the ART, and I will report back on our experience when we get home.

Typically we like staying closer, but I couldn't pass up a free hotel room!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Oh, and if anyone else has taken ART, please feel free to chime in.

 

[Eeee-va]

I haven't taken ART in years (and never from there) but I agree with those who say it's slow and inconsistent. My mom was having trouble walking and took ART to save her energy from Hojo...it easily took her 45 minutes or longer to reach the bag check, after waiting for ART. I'm not sure it's usually QUITE as inconsistent as the reviews you read, but I'm not a fan.

I did take the Toy Story shuttle back to the lot when staying at the Red Lion and it saved my feet. I think I'd probably do that over ART, but I prefer to walk than to wait for a tram that might be really crowded. At least you know your options now.

Enjoy your free trip! It sounds amazing!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Thanks, Eeee-va! So you took the shuttle from the Toy Story lot from the Red Lion? Is it acceptable to take it even if you haven't parked there? I know it sounds silly, but I want to follow the rules on that. Especially with my kids there, I always try to play by the rules.

I don't mind paying for ART at all--it is more the time factor I am worried about. Time is money at Disneyland!

 

[nikkislaght]

We stayed at the Worldmark March 28th through 4th April. had a 3 day Hopper ticket and used the ART.

We knew the schedule so would get down to the bus stop couple minutes before... if it was early in the morning we sometimes had a Special come in between the scheduled times so help carry the crowds..

In the evenings we just made it back to the bus pick ups when ever and waited . sometimes the bus was there and sometimes we waited. but never more than 20 odd minutes..

The one time we had trouble was we were coming back from DT and needed to buy our ticket... on the bus it says cash fair , but the driver tried to make us get off and buy the tickets at the ticket stand.. which meant we would have had to have waited another 20 odd minutes.. we argued that the sign on the bus says cash fair.. he gave in and let us use cash.. but of course you had to use correct money as it gave no change..

 

[Eeee-va]

Thanks, Eeee-va! So you took the shuttle from the Toy Story lot from the Red Lion? Is it acceptable to take it even if you haven't parked there? I know it sounds silly, but I want to follow the rules on that. Especially with my kids there, I always try to play by the rules.

I admire your being careful to follow the rules. My dad always was, and that had a good effect on me.

One of the funniest Disney stories I've heard is someone asking a kid how old they are and the kid replied "I'm three, but at Disneyland, I'm two" (for free admission). OK, bad, but it made me laugh anyway.

Yes, I took the tram from the parks (once, the weekend after Thanksgiving) to the Toy Story lot, and walked to the nearby Red Lion. There was a short wait and the tram/bus was maybe 1/3 or 1/4 full, so I certainly did not make anyone who parked in the lot wait on account of my actions, and I think the amount of extra fuel required to transport me there was between miniscule and non-existent.

If you want a definitive yes or no as to if it's "allowed," you might actually need to call Disney to ask. I've never read ANY stories about people having trouble at all, and I understand that in many (most?) cases you'll be riding a shuttle that's not even full. Disney just wants everyone to get to the parks (and if you're less tired or get there faster, you may end up staying longer and spending more money!). I've also heard (rarely) of people taking the Mickey and Friends tram back to the garage just to see the fireworks from the roof or something, and no one worried that wouldn't be OK. So I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't be allowed. But I also don't know of any statement where Disney said it was fine. I imagine they don't really care either way.

If you're going back for a mid-afternoon break and you're in an off-season when ART is on a lunch break (or you just missed the ART tram), I wouldn't hesitate a second to take the Toy Story lot tram. No harm done as outlined above. To take it for your main transportation to and from the parks, I still think you're fine, but if you want to be completely sure you're following the rules, you could always ask Disney.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Thanks, Eeee-va! Grabbing the Toy Story bus for our mid-afternoon break sounds just right. I will try to email disney to find out if it is okay to take the shuttle.

You are so kind for answering my questions.
Take care!