Split stay PPH and Harbor. Is esplanade open to cross?

[Geemo]

I'm considering a split stay for our trip in December.
We would begin at the Tropicana and move on a Friday morning to PPH.
I'd like to accomplish the switch and take advantage of DCA's EE Friday.

I'm okay with the jaunt from one place to the next at 5:30-6:00am.

My question is....
Is the esplanade open during that time of the morning to cross?

TIA

Geemo

 

[SMD]

What time is EMH? If it's a 7am EMH then the bag check will be open and you won't be able to cross with luggage. They will have someone escort you, but I've also heard them tell people no one is available. If the bag check isn't open yet you may get away with it, but I'm not sure how much security is on the esplanade when the bag check isn't open. They might stop you. You might want to have one person take a cab with luggage and everyone else walk. You could probably even meet at DCA after one person checks in.

 

[DisneyMommy403]

I've trekked across an hour or so before bag check without any problems, you should be fine

 

[millie0312]

I've gone through early like that from HoJo to GCH and bag check was not manned yet. I literally walked through without seeing anyone (except people cleaning the sidewalks)- no issues that early for me so I would guess the same for you as long as it's early enough

 

[Geemo]

The Friday we would move, the park hours are DCA EE 7am and DL 8am.
What time will the Security Check area open with these park hours?

I had planned to be crossing the Esplanade at 6am, maybe a little before if I can get everyone moving.

 

[disneymum58]

I've been there that early for a 7 am early entry and waited at the bag check for them to open at 6:30 am.

 

[Indiana Scott]

FWIW, it cost $10 in a taxi to go from the Dl hotel to someplace on Harbor.
Might be a lot less hassle!

 

[Rubygoose]

We've done a split stay between HOJO and DLH and HOJO and GCH. One time we took a taxi and another time we had a rental car from Alamo that we returned that morning. The taxi was easy and less than $10. The rental car was easy too, since we just drove it up to the front, dropped off our stuff and then DH dropped it off at Alamo in DTD.

 

[msr709]

I'm so glad I found this thread since we will be doing the same thing. I'll have an ECV so I was planning on just riding over and have the rest of my party (my DD, DGS and DNc) take a cab with suitcases. How would I accomplish this? We'll be staying at the BWPAI across the street and checking in the DLH. What is the "Esplanade"? TIA

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I'm so glad I found this thread since we will be doing the same thing. I'll have an ECV so I was planning on just riding over and have the rest of my party (my DD, DGS and DNc) take a cab with suitcases. How would I accomplish this? We'll be staying at the BWPAI across the street and checking in the DLH. What is the "Esplanade"? TIA

The Esplanade is the "plaza" type area between the Disneyland and California Adventure entrances. There are bag checks for people coming from Harbor Blvd, and bag checks for people coming from the Disney hotels via Downtown Disney. Once you go through bag check you can cross from one park to another freely. However, to cross from Harbor Blvd to the Downtown Disney/Disney hotels area you must pass through bag check. So, if it is crowded and they do not have anyone there to escort you across, you might be in for a long wait with luggage. Since you're planning on sending the family over with a cab you won't run into that issue..

 

[Geemo]

I think we'll take a taxi to get around the block on moving day. I wouldn't want to be delayed trying to cross the esplanade.

I like the idea of me taking all the luggage to check in. The others can head to DTD Starbucks for breakfast.
Then it will be off to DCA for EE!

Thanks everyone.

Geemo

 

[msr709]

The Esplanade is the "plaza" type area between the Disneyland and California Adventure entrances. There are bag checks for people coming from Harbor Blvd, and bag ...

Thanks for the reply. I have never done this before so I'm a newbie on this and appreciate any and all suggestions. Since I'm not taking in any bags, I would just go through the park to Downtown Disney? I will have PH ticket.

 

[Indiana Scott]

Thanks for the reply. I have never done this before so I'm a newbie on this and appreciate any and all suggestions. Since I'm not taking in any bags, I would just go through the park to Downtown Disney? I will have PH ticket.

Yes and you don't even need a ticket to do that.

 

[AZMermaid]

Thanks for the reply. I have never done this before so I'm a newbie on this and appreciate any and all suggestions. Since I'm not taking in any bags, I would just go through the park to Downtown Disney? I will have PH ticket.

You won't need a ticket to cross the esplanade into Downtown Disney. You have to go through bag check ("security") to your right will be the Disneyland gates and DCA on the left and then if you keep going straight you will exit the other side to Downtown Disney. You don't have to use your ticket until you actually enter a park.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

You don't need to go through the parks to go to Downtown Disney. You go through bag check (if it is open), across the Esplanade, and through the other bag check exit, and through Downtown Disney (See map below). Here you have two options:

1) Go down the length of Downtown Disney. At the end you'll see the Sorcerer Mickey Hat that leads to the Disneyland Hotel. Before you get to the hat you'll turn left, and walk down the "road/sidewalk" to the Paradise Pier Hotel. (there will be a sign that points the way). This goes through the back entrance of the hotel. Once you go through the doors, go straight to get to the lobby.

2) Cut through the Grand Californian Hotel. Go to Downtown Disney, and when you see the Sephora and Elsa & Anna beauty shop you will be at the Grand Californian Hotel Downtown Disney entrance. Go through this entrance, turn right and follow the corridor to the lobby. Immediately, turn right and exit through the main entrance (can't miss it - beautiful stained glass doors). Exit the Grand Californian Hotel, and follow the sidewalk to the left to the curb, cross the street, and Paradise Pier Hotel will be right there.

Once you get there, it will make sense, and anyone will direct you if you aren't sure where to go. There are a lot of friendly people there.

Downtown Disney entrance to Grand Californian Hotel


Map showing the two ways to get to the Paradise Pier Hotel from the Harbor Street side.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I was surprised to read that crossing the Esplanade with luggage could result in a long wait. I was planning to use ART to get from the Amtrak station to GCV and back the next day. I won't have a lot of luggage. Will they just do a search if a guard escort is not available? -- Suzanne

 

[SMD]

I was surprised to read that crossing the Esplanade with luggage could result in a long wait. I was planning to use ART to get from the Amtrak station to GCV and back the next day. I won't have a lot of luggage. Will they just do a search if a guard escort is not available? -- Suzanne

If your bag has wheels or is larger than the size restriction listed here: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/parks/permitted-items/
You will not be allowed to cross without an escort. On the DTD side they give you the option to use the picnic area lockers, but on the Harbor side, no escort, no cross.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

If your bag has wheels or is larger than the size restriction listed here: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/parks/permitted-items/
You will not be allowed to cross without an escort. On the DTD side they give you the option to use the picnic area lockers, but on the Harbor side, no escort, no cross.

How likely is it that I won't be able to get an escort? I'll be arriving and departing in the early afternoon. The one time I did this before, it was no wait at all and I had a lovely chat with the security guard as we walked through the Esplanade. -- Suzanne

 

[bumbershoot]

I would just go through the park to Downtown Disney?

No park to go through. Esplanade is open to all; but if bag check is happening at the time you have to go through that. (4 ways "out" of the esplanade...2 across from each other are the entrances to the parks, and the other 2 across from each other are the bag check areas...one from Harbor and one from DTD)


OP I'm so glad you decided to go with a taxi. Someone mentioned the cost to go from DLH to Harbor...I think going the opposite it could be a little more, because I *think* you have to go one way (towards HoJo?) then do a u-turn to get down to Katella to then turn towards PPH. So it might not be just the $10 mentioned, but it's still WELL worth it.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

How likely is it that I won't be able to get an escort? I'll be arriving and departing in the early afternoon. The one time I did this before, it was no wait at all and I had a lovely chat with the security guard as we walked through the Esplanade. -- Suzanne

Just wanted to follow up with my experience from the weekend of the Avengers Half Marathon and the opening of the holiday season.
I had no problem getting a CM escort across the Esplanade on either Friday afternoon or Saturday afternoon.

I was told that the official policy, however, is to search all bags, even if you are being escorted across. On Friday, coming from the ART bus drop off where the crowd was reasonable, my luggage was searched (although not very thoroughly after the CM glanced in my toiletries bag). On Saturday, there was a substantial crowd waiting for bag check -- even with all bag check lanes open-- and the CM was happy to not take the time. -- Suzanne