Walking at night

Mama_Cass

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Joined
Jun 29, 2017
Messages
159
Our favourite off site hotel is the Hyatt House when we can’t stay on site. However, we tend to leave earlier and avoid walking back at night. Is it relatively safe to walk that way? I assume we would be surrounded by other park guests even if leaving later at night.
 
For my last 2 Disneyland trips I have stayed right across the street at the Hotel Indigo. I have left the parks fairly late and have seen no issues walking down Harbor from the park entrances. Harbor is very well lit and it is a major road. Now, would I make the same walk at 2 or 3am in the morning, maybe not. But even if you leave at park closing, there are lots of other people heading the same direction. Regardless, you should always be mindful of your surroundings if you are walking by yourself.
 

Is the bus stop across from the Harbor entrance still there? That is the only place that has made feel uneasy, while walking back to the Fairfield or HoJo. Some folks were being allowed to sleep/loiter on the benches....
 
Personally, we would try to head back before park closing. We've stayed down that way (Super 8, Hyatt House, Desert Palms, etc) numerous times. While I'm sure it's safe for the most part, I feel uneasy walking back after a certain point. I would say try to start heading back 30 or so minutes before park closing at the latest so you can stay within waves of people walking back. If I were by myself, it would be even a bit earlier. Just be aware of your surroundings and you'll be fine! :)

Is the bus stop across from the Harbor entrance still there? That is the only place that has made feel uneasy, while walking back to the Fairfield or HoJo. Some folks were being allowed to sleep/loiter on the benches....

The bus stop is still there, the benches are not. It has drastically cut down on the loitering, but it isn't all gone. Same goes for the ones further down Harbor and Katella near the 7-11.
 
Its completely safe. Lots of other park goers will be walking as well, day and night.

Well, I wouldn't say completely safe. There have been a few stabbings in years past (one near Ball/the other right across in 2015/2016), one did involve transients and I think the other was random. Not to scare anyone at all, it's fairly rare for something to happen (especially to tourists). But just like with all cities, people need to keep their guard up and take precautions. We've been walking back to area hotels for many years with no major incidents, but I still wouldn't risk walking back too late after park closing.
 
Well, I wouldn't say completely safe. There have been a few stabbings in years past (one near Ball/the other right across in 2015/2016), one did involve transients and I think the other was random. Not to scare anyone at all, it's fairly rare for something to happen (especially to tourists). But just like with all cities, people need to keep their guard up and take precautions. We've been walking back to area hotels for many years with no major incidents, but I still wouldn't risk walking back too late after park closing.

Ball is across the 5 and not near as safe. The APD watches the tourist area very closely and the bums and gang bangers know it. Anaheim is a fairly high crime town for Orange county but in the resort area is very safe. The city of Anaheim doesn't want anything happening to their tourists/revenue base.
 
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This is what kept me from trying Hyatt House this summer. It was high on my list, but we stuck with the CCI for the shuttle. We like the shuttle not because we are opposed to walking, just opposed to walking at park closing time. I'm sure it's an unfounded fear on my part, but I don't want to be looking over my shoulder when I'm on vacation.
 
Ball is across the 5 and not near as safe. The APD watches the tourist area very closely and the bums and gang bangers know it. Anaheim is a fairly high crime town for Orange county but in the resort area it is very safe. The city of Anaheim doesn't want anything happening to their tourists/revenue base.


Gang bangers....didn't know anyone else used that phrase, other than my dh and I.
 
It's not bad. I've walked along Harbor at all hours. If you aren't from or familiar with city life, it can be a bit intimidating, but it feels relatively safe. There are some homeless people and occasionally there has been a crime, but for the most part, there are enough people around that it's not an issue.
 
Is the bus stop across from the Harbor entrance still there? That is the only place that has made feel uneasy, while walking back to the Fairfield or HoJo. Some folks were being allowed to sleep/loiter on the benches....
Yes. It’s never made me uneasy. They’re just people. No one has even asked me for money. There’s another bus stop closer to Hyatt house also across harbor. That one tends to be busy and we usually cross harbor at that light. People sleep at that stop too.
 
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While looking for medication for a sinus infection, I have walked down Harbor at 2 AM when the parks had closed at midnight. I didn't feel nervous at all. The street is extremely well lit and there's an amazing amount of activity.
Seriously, you cannot believe how much is going on. There are all kinds of workers (Disney and otherwise) working and commuting. They're even washing down the sidewalks and working on landscaping.
I did see what looked like a homeless person sleeping at the bus stop but there were riders all around him waiting for the bus.
I just wouldn't worry about the neighborhood and walking to any hotel. Besides, you will have dozens or even hundreds of other tourists walking the same path.
 
When we stayed at Ramada Plaza (now Wyndham Garden) at Katella & Harbor, we noticed there were many people sleeping at the northeast corner bus stop every night of our trip. It was uncomfortable enough that we walked down Harbor and crossed at Katella when we walked back to the room at night without my husband who had gone back to the hotel early—though we still encountered the buskers/panhandlers at the pedestrian entrance as usual. I dont feel scared, but wary, and I assume (perhaps too optimistically) that DL security watches Harbor to some extent.
 
I don't want to be looking over my shoulder when I'm on vacation.

If you looked over your shoulder you would see other tourists.


Thenibjt time I had spider senses tingling was whennwe atayed allllll the way down at Hilton garden inn near Buca di Beppo. But once I got to orangewood it was all fine.


Tourists and people sleeping. No biggie.
 
As others have said, completely fine. There are a few spots where panhandlers hang out, but if that does not bother you, it's fine. Totally understand your concerns though, my wife does not like the walk at night.
 








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