walking distance?

[breick]

Is everything at DL and DCA and the nearby hotels/restaurants really within walking distance? Is it feasible to leave the parks, go eat somewhere or rest at a nearby hotel and return?

Everything seems to be listed in blocks, but they must be BIG blocks...

 

[el_tigre]

Not really. The distances aren't large at DLR. If you're standing in the area between the Disneyland and DCA main gates, it is probably about the same distance to walk to Toon Town as it is to walk through Downtown Disney to the Disneyland Hotel. If comparing to WDW, I think it's more feasible to go back and take a rest at any DLR hotel than even AKL from AK.

 

[IandGsmom]

Yes DL and DCA really are walking distance and so are the Disney hotels and some other non Disney hoels/motels though I recommend a hotel with a shuttle so you don't have to walk back. We always go back to our room for a nap with the kids. Last visit we stayed at the Candy Cane which is listed as 1 or 2 block but boy I sure would not walk there. I rather wait 20 minutes for a shuttle

 

[Horizons16]

I hope i get out of this WDW mode for my trip or else im going to get all messed up!

~Steve

 

[breick]

Steve,
I know what you mean. I am SO used to WDW and I'm trying to compare them all the time. I have been to WDW 17 times and the last time we stayed for 24 days!

I think we will both be at the DLR at the same time (12/24 - 12/31), and are both first timers.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[suzannen]

breick and Steve,
I went to DL this summer after several trips to WDW and, yes, there are differences, but I believe you will find DL MUCH easier to manage. We stayed at the Disneyland Resort and walked everywhere with our 7 year old without any problems. We only took the monorail once, and that was only because our DD wanted to, it was actually faster to walk. Plus, because you are walking through Downtown Disney to both parks, it's a fun walk and you can stop along the way to shop, eat, rest, get a cappuccino... And, the parks themselves are much smaller in size than WDW. We could not believe how quick it was to go from one land in Disneyland to another or to switch parks and to to DCA. We weren't nearly as tired as we were from WDW. You'll be pleasantly surprised, I think!
Suzanne

 

[suzannen]

Oh, and I forgot to answer your question, yes, it is very easy to leave the parks go to either the Grand Californian or the Disneyland Hotel at any point in the day for a rest.
Suzanne

 

[Sonya in Boise]

We stay at the hotels/motels across the street on Harbor and walk back several times a day. Some of those motels are closer that the DLR hotels. It is very easy to leave during the day for a swim or a jacket, bite to eat...

Be careful when looking at the "blocks" that some hotels claim they are from DLR. Some are listed as "two blocks" but they are LONG blocks.

Use www.mapquest.com or www.mapsonus.com to check the miles if you think you will be walking to an offsite hotel.

 

[Sarangel]

Everything seems to be listed in blocks, but they must be BIG blocks...

They are. All of Disneyland, DCA, and the Simba & Timon parking lot take up one block of Harbor Boulevard.

The one time we stayed at the Best Western Stouffers (there are about 6 Best Western's in the area), which is right behind the Simba & Timon parking lot, it took about 1/2 an hour to walk from the DL front gate.

There are a few restaurants within easy walking distance, IHOP & Tony Roma's, and everything in Downtown Disney. I suppose it really depends on how much of a walker you are.

Sarangel