Taking the Monorail in the Morning

[corgi_monster]

We're staying at the Disneyland Hotel next weekend, and was wondering if there's any advantage in taking the monorail to the park first thing in the morning? Will this help give me a head start and be ahead of the crowds? Or does the monorail not start operating until 8am/park opening?

Thanks in advance!

 

[sonnyjane]

Unfortunately, as you mentioned, the monorail does not start operating until the official park opening, and that's a best-case scenario. Often times it will be a few minutes later. Also, on most days, guests are allowed into the Main St. portion of Disneyland about 30 minutes before the rope drop. All in all, the consensus around here seems to be that the monorail is a nice thing to use to RETURN to your hotel for an afternoon break, but not for getting into the parks in the morning, because you'll actually be behind the crowds if you wait to take the monorail.

 

[blackjackdelta]

IT runs after the park opens as sunnyjane stated so you are behind the crowds. But we enjoy the ride.

Jack

 

[DisneyJewel]

We were with my mom, who is somewhat mobility-impaired (though not in a wheelchair), so it was much easier for her to get to the monorail instead of walking to the main entrance.

It worked fine for us, especially on Magic Mornings, because the station is in Tomorrowland and Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are the open places on MM. Even on non-MM it was fine (for us) -- perhaps not an advantage but it didn't seem in our circumstances to be a disadvantage either. Have fun!

PS Do you have a corgi? We have one -- such great dogs!

We're staying at the Disneyland Hotel next weekend, and was wondering if there's any advantage in taking the monorail to the park first thing in the morning? Will this help give me a head start and be ahead of the crowds? Or does the monorail not start operating until 8am/park opening?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Disneylander55]

At DL, the monorail is more of an attraction than a means of transportation like WDW

 

[benolathe]

Just curious as we will be staying at the Disneyland Hotel next July. How long does it take to walk from the hotel to the park entrance?

In contrast, how long does the monorail/walk back to the hotel take?

 

[Disneylander55]

Just curious as we will be staying at the Disneyland Hotel next July. How long does it take to walk from the hotel to the park entrance?

In contrast, how long does the monorail/walk back to the hotel take?

You'd wait longer to get on the monorail than it would take to walk. The front of DL/DCA is ≈2000 feet from DL Hotel

 

[benolathe]

You'd wait longer to get on the monorail than it would take to walk. The front of DL/DCA is ≈2000 feet from DL Hotel

Thanks, that is good to know.

So, will the walk be about 10 or 15 minutes from the hotel to the gate? Or will it be more like 25 or 30?

 

[Disneylander55]

Thanks, that is good to know.

So, will the walk be about 10 or 15 minutes from the hotel to the gate? Or will it be more like 25 or 30?

Probably 15-20. You walk past Grand Californian, through DTD, over a bridge that crosses the street, past AMC Theater and you're right there

 

[Disneylander55]

double post

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks, that is good to know.

So, will the walk be about 10 or 15 minutes from the hotel to the gate? Or will it be more like 25 or 30?

It should take 10 minutes - maybe 15 max if you walk at a casual pace.

See "How Far Is It?" (shows actual distances in feet from hotels to DLR entrance plaza) www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mm060329as

With three different towers, the Disneyland Hotel is a different beast on the room placement issues. A room in the back of the Bonita Tower will add about 800 feet over the closest room in the Marina Tower. The actual distances using the path through Downtown Disney range from 2,413 feet (link) to 3,158 feet (link).

Also see - Interactive Map of DLR - http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=33.809...2&z=19&l=0&m=b

 

[Lissame]

It also depends on how many monorails they have going, and how many people are waiting. Sometimes the wait for the monorail is very long.

 

[bumbershoot]

Probably 15-20. You walk past Grand Californian, through DTD, over a bridge that crosses the street, past AMC Theater and you're right there

Not that you can tell it's a bridge when you're on it. Just seems like DownTown Disney!

 

[moljammom]

Thanks for all the great information. We will be in Disneyland in 11 days!! When we are there they have the early morning opening every day. Does the monorail start for morning entry or regular opening?

TIA

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for all the great information. We will be in Disneyland in 11 days!! When we are there they have the early morning opening every day. Does the monorail start for morning entry or regular opening?

TIA

Not sure you how managed that! Magic Morning early entry happens on Sun, Tue, Thurs, Sat.

And, yes, the Monorail runs for MM. But it is generally recommended to not take the Monorail in the morning as your arrival time in Tomorrowland is more uncertain.

 

[dsquarednz]

Say if we sleep in a bit (almost certain this will happen), and decide to take the monorail into the park - how does it work with tickets? Are the booths at the DTD monorail station, or are tickets handled when we get off the monorail in DL?

 

[HydroGuy]

Say if we sleep in a bit (almost certain this will happen), and decide to take the monorail into the park - how does it work with tickets? Are the booths at the DTD monorail station, or are tickets handled when we get off the monorail in DL?

Your tickets are scanned before you get on the monorail in DTD.