Walk from PPH to entrances....and other misc Q&A :)

[CapnJacksGirl]

I apologize in advance since I'm sure this answer is on the boards dozens of times but I am unable to find it at this point.

Could someone give me a rough estimate of how long it takes to walk from PPH to the park entrances? I'm working on a schedule to give to the extended family that are in a separate room from us and need to give them a "leave the room by" time. We'll be heading for early entry each day, i.e. excited and walking with a purpose!

Also, I'm planning to have us at the gates roughly 30 minutes prior to the early entry time. Is that enough? Or should I make it 45 minutes to give us time to get through bag check and into line?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[figment_jii]

It's about 0.48 miles from the PPH lobby to DLR's Esplanade via the GCH or 0.68 miles if you go through DTD. So it depends on how fast you walk, but it's probably between 5 and 10 minutes for the average adult.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

Thank you! We'll be in a dead sprint on the first day so I'll figure 5 minutes that day and longer for the subsequent days! We should probably just carry a sign that says "Sorry!" so we can just wave it at all those poor folks we mow down on our way to get there on our first morning. We're a little excited.

Is there any advantage or disadvantage to using either route in the mornings for early entry?

 

[chrisaman]

Keep in mind that bag check lines can get really long before magic morning openings. Be sure to plan for bag check

 

[chrisaman]

I would go through the grand Californian lobby. Much faster, the lobby is really nice, and the hallways are climate controlled. Air conditioning is so great

 

[GatorChris]

I would count on 10 minutes. It might be just 5 minutes from the hotel to the DCA/Grand Cali gate, but it's further to the main gates. PLUS, don't forget you have to get from your room to the elevator, wait for the slowest elevator on property, then make your way outside. I'd go with 10-15 mintues walk, but that's just me playing it safe.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

So if we are walking out of our rooms one hour before the planned EMH opening time, will we likely be OK or should I plan for more than an hour?

Everyone is probably going to get sick of my constant questions over the next 30 days. We are WDW people attempting DLR for the first time. I'm a big-time planner and COMPLETELY lost on what to do at DLR. I know I'm supposed to relax a little, but I just can't.

 

[GatorChris]

So if we are walking out of our rooms one hour before the planned EMH opening time, will we likely be OK or should I plan for more than an hour?

Everyone is probably going to get sick of my constant questions over the next 30 days. We are WDW people attempting DLR for the first time. I'm a big-time planner and COMPLETELY lost on what to do at DLR. I know I'm supposed to relax a little, but I just can't.

One hour? Yes, you will be more than fine. There aren't any buses here to catch or just miss. It's very consistent. If you walk out of your 12th floor room at PPH at 8am, you'll get to the park gate around 8:15 everytime. It really nice to not worry about the fact that 3 MK buses just stopped at your bus stop and none of them will be back for the next 40 minutes.

As for Uber-planning for Disneyland, I know the feeling. Check the signature. 7 trips to WDW in 10 years turns any normal person into a manic planner. But that's just not the case at DL. And it took me two trips to finally get to a point where I wasn't going crazy with planning. What's nice about DL is the lack of the DDP (though I used it and loved it) means that you don't have to plan each day around a meal. There's lots of good CS places to eat at DL - where you can just stop when you feel like it and eat. And then you can get a FP whenever you want. It really is nice. The one thing you'll miss is nightly fireworks and F! like they have at WDW. World of Color is nightly, so that's easy to catch (though you'll hate that you have to stand around for so long). But you'll like how small the parks are - it'll seem crowded but the lines will be short and you won't feel exhausted like you do at WDW.

Ask us anything! We're here to help.

 

[bellazachmom]

One hour? Yes, you will be more than fine. There aren't any buses here to catch or just miss. It's very consistent. If you walk out of your 12th floor room at PPH at 8am, you'll get to the park gate around 8:15 everytime. It really nice to not worry about the fact that 3 MK buses just stopped at your bus stop and none of them will be back for the next 40 minutes.

As for Uber-planning for Disneyland, I know the feeling. Check the signature. 7 trips to WDW in 10 years turns any normal person into a manic planner. But that's just not the case at DL. And it took me two trips to finally get to a point where I wasn't going crazy with planning. What's nice about DL is the lack of the DDP (though I used it and loved it) means that you don't have to plan each day around a meal. There's lots of good CS places to eat at DL - where you can just stop when you feel like it and eat. And then you can get a FP whenever you want. It really is nice. The one thing you'll miss is nightly fireworks and F! like they have at WDW. World of Color is nightly, so that's easy to catch (though you'll hate that you have to stand around for so long). But you'll like how small the parks are - it'll seem crowded but the lines will be short and you won't feel exhausted like you do at WDW.

Ask us anything! We're here to help.

THIS!! Exactly!! Couldn't have said it better myself

We are WDW veterans who tried out DL a few years ago and I joked with hubby that I was going to fly out a few days prior to the family so that I could get the "lay of the land" and have "everything figured out" before they arrived. I am affectionately known as "Tour Guide Barbie"in our family, especially when it comes to Disney trips. I did SO much planning and we hardly used any of it. That's right, I'll admit it, we didn't need or use much of the planning I did

The next year the USAF moved us to Northern California and we have been making multiple trips per year ever since.

I still love WDW but I believe that DL just makes for a much more relaxed vacation. We have a fabulous time at WDW but I always feel like I need a vacation to recover from my vacation. At DL you can just fly by the seat of your pants and have a great time ~ something that would cause me to break out into hives if anyone even asked me to consider at WDW

So my WDW Veteran heading to DL ~ ask away, we are all happy to help

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

OK, you asked for it! These are the questions I jotted down in the last couple of days. (There will be more....)

Question #1....do the parks open right at the EMH listed start time or can we expect to be through the turnstiles before that time? (Planning for what time to leave the hotel)

Question #2....Peter Pan is tops on nearly everyone's must-do-first list. PP, along with Alice, Matterhorn, and Mr Toad are our FL priorities for EMH, while Buzz, Space Mtn, and Star Tours are must do's in Tomorrowland. If the kids want to head to Tomorrowland first, are we asking for trouble and a huge line trying to do those first before going to FL?

Question #3....it is my understanding that FPs between the two parks are not connected and that we could, for example, all go to DL, get a FP for, say, Indiana Jones, then have one person immediately run to RSR for FPs for the whole group without them interfering with each other? Yes, I do know we can't pull FPs during EMH.

Question #4....if we want to ride RSR after dark, roughly what time do we need to be pulling FPs? Late morning I'm guessing. Is calling Otto really reliable for checking on what's going on with FP return times that day?

Question #5....The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland makes Finding Nemo sound like a horrible, time-sucking nightmare. Is that really a 35-70 minute time commitment to ride? If so, when do we plan to try to experience it?

Question #6....if, on our arrival afternoon/evening, we want to do the following, how much time should we allot? We would like to ride the monorail from DTD to DL entrance, enter DL and ride the railroad, hop over to DCA and be in Cars Land for the neon lighting, which we are expecting around 6:15 or so given sunset time.

Question #7....during the Halloween Party, are the characters in set locations or "wandering the park" as I have seen it described in a couple of Halloween Party write-ups? This is important as I MUST MEET JACK SKELLINGTON! I missed him at MNSSHP at WDW last year AND on the Disney Cruise we were on right after that. Halloween RUINED! This year....yes, I will stalk him if necessary.

OK, that's enough for now. Thanks so much for holding my hand and telling me it will all be OK!

 

[califlorican]

For question #2, I would definitely do Peter Pan first. It can get crazy packed otherwise! With Tomorrowland you can at least get fast passes for Space mountain and Star Tours...I would do Peter Pan first, then go to Tomorrowland and go on Space if time. Then when the park opens, get fast passes for Star Tours and get in line for Matterhorn. That's my thought anyway, I'm definitely no expert.

 

[califlorican]

Oh and for question 3, yes that's right. As long as everyone is checked into one of the parks, you can get FP's for both parks at once.

 

[figment_jii]

Question #1....do the parks open right at the EMH listed start time or can we expect to be through the turnstiles before that time? (Planning for what time to leave the hotel)

I've only done EMH once and they did not open the turnstiles until EMH official started.

Question #2....Peter Pan is tops on nearly everyone's must-do-first list. PP, along with Alice, Matterhorn, and Mr Toad are our FL priorities for EMH, while Buzz, Space Mtn, and Star Tours are must do's in Tomorrowland. If the kids want to head to Tomorrowland first, are we asking for trouble and a huge line trying to do those first before going to FL?

It depends on when you are going...Peter Pan will have a long line regardless of when you go (>30 minutes). Personally, I would probably forgo TL for MM/EMH and concentrate on FL during EMH/MM. In TL, you can get FPs for the three rides you mentioned once the park opens to everyone (subject to the normal rules about FPs). Overall, my experience is that if you get in line for PP during MM/EMH, you probably will only have time for one other attraction during MM/EMH unless you are one of the first guests to reach MM/EMH, which means you have to be in the front of the ticket lines and head straight to Peter Pan. I would concentrate on FL during EMH/MM, then once the park opens to everyone, go grab a Space FP, wait standby for Star Tours, and then Buzz (that one doesn't usually have long lines).

Question #3....it is my understanding that FPs between the two parks are not connected and that we could, for example, all go to DL, get a FP for, say, Indiana Jones, then have one person immediately run to RSR for FPs for the whole group without them interfering with each other? Yes, I do know we can't pull FPs during EMH.

The two parks are disconnected. You just have to make sure the tickets have been used to enter at least one park before you can pull FPs for both parks. I have read that the tickets do need to have the park hopper add-on in order to get FPs in the other park (I've always had PH, so I haven't tried this).

Question #4....if we want to ride RSR after dark, roughly what time do we need to be pulling FPs? Late morning I'm guessing. Is calling Otto really reliable for checking on what's going on with FP return times that day?

Yes, Otto seems fairly reliable. I would probably guess 90 to 2 hours after park opening for a nighttime return time, but that varies depending on the day. I would call Ask Otto to know what the return times are and then head over there when you get close to the one you want.

Question #5....The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland makes Finding Nemo sound like a horrible, time-sucking nightmare. Is that really a 35-70 minute time commitment to ride? If so, when do we plan to try to experience it?

Nemo is a very slow loader, so wait times can be long. I would probably just play it by ear and hope to find a time when the line isn't super long (maybe close to opening or late in the evening).

Question #6....if, on our arrival afternoon/evening, we want to do the following, how much time should we allot? We would like to ride the monorail from DTD to DL entrance, enter DL and ride the railroad, hop over to DCA and be in Cars Land for the neon lighting, which we are expecting around 6:15 or so given sunset time.

I'd allow 45 minutes for the monorail (depending on crowds, you may have to wait for multiple monorails). Note that the monorail goes from DTD to Tomorrowland. A full circuit of the Train takes about 30 minutes, so if you got on a TL and then took a full circuit, I'd allow about 40 minutes (the trains stops at TL, Main Street, New Orleans Square, Fantasyland/Toontown, then back to Tomorrowland). Hopping to DCA should be pretty quick (I'd allow 15 minutes).

Question #7....during the Halloween Party, are the characters in set locations or "wandering the park" as I have seen it described in a couple of Halloween Party write-ups? This is important as I MUST MEET JACK SKELLINGTON! I missed him at MNSSHP at WDW last year AND on the Disney Cruise we were on right after that. Halloween RUINED! This year....yes, I will stalk him if necessary.

Jack (and Sally) are usually out during the day during HalloweenTime (I've seen one photo from this year on Instagram, so it seems that is still true). So you can probably meet him during the day over by Haunted Mansion. In terms of the other characters at MHP, they're usually at fixed locations. I posted a scan of the MHP Guide from last year, which indicated where the characters will be:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/fi...rts-2011-to-2014.3441529/page-2#post-54324494
As long as you're not going to the first MHP, there should be reports in Dis'ers Trip Reports and the HalloweeTime SuperThread from the parties once they start. That should indicate if things have changed or not.

 

[Xenorye]

I'll answer a few based on my experience last week:

Question #1....do the parks open right at the EMH listed start time or can we expect to be through the turnstiles before that time? (Planning for what time to leave the hotel)

Depends. We were there last week and did EMH 4 days. 2 of those, we were let in right at EMH opening time, with the mad dash to Peter Pan/RSR commencing immediately. The other 2 days, we were let in 10-15 minutes earlier, and held at the rope at the end of Main St/Buena Vista St.

Question #2....Peter Pan is tops on nearly everyone's must-do-first list. PP, along with Alice, Matterhorn, and Mr Toad are our FL priorities for EMH, while Buzz, Space Mtn, and Star Tours are must do's in Tomorrowland. If the kids want to head to Tomorrowland first, are we asking for trouble and a huge line trying to do those first before going to FL?

Based on my experience last week, I would suggest hitting Peter Pan immediately, then Alice, Matterhorn, and (maybe) Toad (you may be able to hit Toad later at a minimal 10-20 minute wait. Then head over to Tomorrowland. If it's still EMH time, judge the line times with the Disneyland app to see if you could get on and ride Space or Star Tours before the rest of the crowd is let in. Otherwise, I'd say pull a Buzz fastpass (which is disconnected, meaning you don't have to adhere to regular fastpass limits) and a Space fastpass, then jump in the standby line for Star Tours. By the time you're done with that, it's likely your Space FP will be ready (but before jumping on Space, grab a Star Tours fastpass since you'll be able to get another once the first window is open).

Question #4....if we want to ride RSR after dark, roughly what time do we need to be pulling FPs? Late morning I'm guessing. Is calling Otto really reliable for checking on what's going on with FP return times that day?

Otto is great for this. If you're going in the middle of the week during non-peak times, you may be looking at as late as 2pm before you can get a night time pass. Sounds crazy based on the things you read here, but again I'm going on my personal experience last week. Our middle of the week days when park opening was at 9 or 10, I waltzed right up and got Racers fastpasses a little before noon for an afternoon return time, and two hours later when I was eligible for more fastpasses, I was able to snag them again for something like 8:20-9:00 (closing was at 9). On the busy Labor Day weekend days, though, fastpasses were gone by 1pm at least.

Question #5....The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland makes Finding Nemo sound like a horrible, time-sucking nightmare. Is that really a 35-70 minute time commitment to ride? If so, when do we plan to try to experience it?

Does it use those words? I would. It is a horrible, time-sucking nightmare. We rode it on our last trip a couple years ago, and decided to avoid it like the plague this time. It's absolutely not worth it. If it had an indoor queue and the wait was 5 minutes... I'd consider it, but would still probably skip it.

Question #6....if, on our arrival afternoon/evening, we want to do the following, how much time should we allot? We would like to ride the monorail from DTD to DL entrance, enter DL and ride the railroad, hop over to DCA and be in Cars Land for the neon lighting, which we are expecting around 6:15 or so given sunset time.

Figment's answer is pretty good here, I think. I'm always early and I make a point of being that way, so I'd even tack on another 20-30 minutes to his estimate. Juuuust to be safe.

 

[bellazachmom]

I promise, it will be ok!!

Question #1....do the parks open right at the EMH listed start time or can we expect to be through the turnstiles before that time? (Planning for what time to leave the hotel)
Honestly, this is a tough one to answer because they seem to change it every time we are there, sometimes even while we are there. It's a lot like WDW, you can usually get through the turnstiles and are "held" at some point.

Question #2....Peter Pan is tops on nearly everyone's must-do-first list. PP, along with Alice, Matterhorn, and Mr Toad are our FL priorities for EMH, while Buzz, Space Mtn, and Star Tours are must do's in Tomorrowland. If the kids want to head to Tomorrowland first, are we asking for trouble and a huge line trying to do those first before going to FL? I COMPLETELY agree with this: I would definitely do Peter Pan first. It can get crazy packed otherwise! With Tomorrowland you can at least get fast passes for Space mountain and Star Tours...I would do Peter Pan first, then go to Tomorrowland and go on Space if time. Then when the park opens, get fast passes for Star Tours and get in line for Matterhorn.

Question #3....it is my understanding that FPs between the two parks are not connected and that we could, for example, all go to DL, get a FP for, say, Indiana Jones, then have one person immediately run to RSR for FPs for the whole group without them interfering with each other? Yes, I do know we can't pull FPs during EMH. This is correct

Question #4....if we want to ride RSR after dark, roughly what time do we need to be pulling FPs? Late morning I'm guessing. Is calling Otto really reliable for checking on what's going on with FP return times that day? I would say mid-morning is a safe bet. We usually start an EMH day at CA and head right to Carsland and racers and then head to the Pier for Sreamin and TSMM. Once done with TSMM we head back towards Carsland to check on RSR FPs, there is plenty to do there and in Bugsland and Hollywood land to be able to stay close to the FP machines to get that night time FP. Another option for RSR, and a lot of rides at both parks, is the Single Rider Line. We use this to maximize our rides, and can often get 3-4 rides on RSR alone by using it during the EMH. You wait together and then just board different Racers (sometimes you get the same racer, just one member in front row and one in back). We love this option because, while it's great to ride together, it's really fun to "race" each other the cars all unload at the same place and there is plenty of space for everyone in the group to wait and meet back up. Not sure if your kids would be comfortable with this option, but if they are, it's a great way to go. We usually ride single rider in the morning and then get the FP so we can ride as a family at night.

Question #5....The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland makes Finding Nemo sound like a horrible, time-sucking nightmare. Is that really a 35-70 minute time commitment to ride? If so, when do we plan to try to experience it? It's a fun ride, but it is certainly a time suck. The ride is VERY slow loading and very slow moving so it just takes a while. It's fun, but certainly not a MUST DO for us. The subs can be a bit claustrophobic (think Mission Space without the spinning) and hot and damp. The line is very compact without much air/breeze moving and not much to look at while you wait.

Question #6....if, on our arrival afternoon/evening, we want to do the following, how much time should we allot? We would like to ride the monorail from DTD to DL entrance, enter DL and ride the railroad, hop over to DCA and be in Cars Land for the neon lighting, which we are expecting around 6:15 or so given sunset time. The DL entrance from the monorail is actually inside the park - you exit in Tomorrowland. It's pretty cool. You can also still ride in the front of the DL monorail so if you don't mind waiting a train or two, just ask a CM where to wait. When you disembark the monorail you will be very close to the train stop and then you can ride the train to the front of the park or do a full loop and 1/4 so you can see everything (my personal recommendation ) As you are walking down the ramp from the monorail, look over the side and you can see the Nemo Subs. At the front of the park it's a quick walk over to DCA and you're off to CarsLand. If you are out the DL gates by 5:30 you will have plenty of time to get in place for the lights.

Question #7....during the Halloween Party, are the characters in set locations or "wandering the park" as I have seen it described in a couple of Halloween Party write-ups? This is important as I MUST MEET JACK SKELLINGTON! I missed him at MNSSHP at WDW last year AND on the Disney Cruise we were on right after that. Halloween RUINED! This year....yes, I will stalk him if necessary. Jack (& often Sally) are out by the Haunted Mansion through out the day, not just at the party. Or, at least, they have been the past few years. I would suggest trying to find them during the day and not using valuable party time if at all possible. Their line moves VERY slow, especially when they are greeting together, as they are wonderfully interactive and take plenty of time with everyone. you will certainly not be rushed when meeting them. Another advantage is that day time pictures with them turn out much better then nighttime ones with a flash. They usually have a photopass photographer there, too.

OK, that's enough for now. Thanks so much for holding my hand and telling me it will all be OK!

 

[RKKUNK]

To answer your original question, I would leave PPH about 45-60 mins before the opening of the park. Only because you are obviously wanting to be one of the first people in the park. My family, we leave 15-20 mins. before EMH and usually get there right at park opening, but we live in CA and have APs, so we have done this more often and FL is not important to us.

The lines for the Matterhorn have been longer lately because of the new effects they put in. So, I would take Figment's advice and concentrate on FL during EMH and maybe then do Matterhorn and then head to TL. Remember that you can hold a FP for Buzz and another FP for something else. Also, they do enforce FP times, so just make sure you are back at the ride before the end of the FP time frame.

One last note, and this is off topic, when we stay onsite we usually stay at the DLH. This last time our friends were staying at PPH so we decided to give it a try. The hotel itself was clean and had good amenities and they pixie-dusted us and gave us a 10th floor premium park view room when we had only reserved a standard room! Awesome view by the way! But, be careful, because we had a couple of things taken from our room. They weren't anything of great value, but the fact that they took them was the uncomfortable part. We did report it. Nothing has ever come of it. But, I did want to make you aware to be careful with your things, especially any valuable things.

 

[Malcon10t]

I'd allow 45 minutes for the monorail (depending on crowds, you may have to wait for multiple monorails). Note that the monorail goes from DTD to Tomorrowland. A full circuit of the Train takes about 30 minutes, so if you got on a TL and then took a full circuit, I'd allow about 40 minutes (the trains stops at TL, Main Street, New Orleans Square, Fantasyland/Toontown, then back to Tomorrowland). Hopping to DCA should be pretty quick (I'd allow 15 minutes)

First, the monorail time is a little off. It is a 5 min ride from Tomorrowland to DTD and a 5 min ride back. Allowing 5 mins for loading, it rarely takes longer than 15 mins to ride a circuit. You may have to wait on a monorail and figure each one you have to wait on cost you 5 mins (unless only 1 is running, then it is 10.)

On the Disneyland Railroad, a full circle takes 20 mins including stops. Done it many times, timed naps by it. If a train has to stop to take on water, it may throw all the trains off by 5 mins, but it usually takes only takes 20 mins to go full circle. Of course, when we NEED to get to the back of the park, something goes wrong and we have to walk.

 

[jenhelgren]

Thanks for this post-we are also taking our first trip to DL this fall but are frequent WDW visitors-and I love planners as crazy as myself so I can get some answers without driving the Disnyland pros out of their mind with questions!! lol
We will be staying at PPH hotel also and I have read that the elevators are so slow that they can take 15 minutes or more-is this an exaggeration? Stairs are usually not an issue without luggage for us but I have requested a high floor for the view and my family might disown me if we try stairs during at Disney trip!!

 

[Jerryp49]

Here are two maps , one shows PPH to the main entrance by walking thru the GCH and the other shows PPH to the GCH entrance to DCA. I wouldnt use the GCH entrance to DCA for EMH since there are only 2 turnstiles and the line backs up. The rest of the day it makes for an easy shortcut.

 

[Aladora]

Thanks for this post-we are also taking our first trip to DL this fall but are frequent WDW visitors-and I love planners as crazy as myself so I can get some answers without driving the Disnyland pros out of their mind with questions!! lol
We will be staying at PPH hotel also and I have read that the elevators are so slow that they can take 15 minutes or more-is this an exaggeration? Stairs are usually not an issue without luggage for us but I have requested a high floor for the view and my family might disown me if we try stairs during at Disney trip!!

We were there in August and to be honest, none of us felt the elevators were slow at all.

BTW, after staying at all three of the DLR hotels, DH and I both felt that PPH was our favourite.