Walking from CCI to Downtown Disney and dinner recommendations

[disny_luvr]

Hi! We’d like to walk from the Candy Cane Inn to Downtown Disney on our first night. I think the best way to do this is to walk right up Harbor and I just want to make sure I can get to Downtown Disney this way without needing a park ticket. Also, any recommendations for where we should eat in DD? Thank you!

 

[bcla]

That fine. I've entered through the esplanade and gone to Downtown Disney many times without a park ticket. I did that NYE 2022 and have even come through with a massive backpack (that wouldn't be allowed in the parks) since I didn't have a place to store it. And they searched thoroughly through it, including all my clothes.

I believe quite a few hotel guests enter that way too if they did something like take ART or even other public transportation. That does require going through security and then outside of the security zone.

 

[laugard]

Hi! We’d like to walk from the Candy Cane Inn to Downtown Disney on our first night. I think the best way to do this is to walk right up Harbor and I just want to make sure I can get to Downtown Disney this way without needing a park ticket. Also, any recommendations for where we should eat in DD? Thank you!

Yes, and walking that side of Harbor from CCI is nice as it's more green without retail stores or hotels. You can also take their shuttle, but going to the parks it often takes around the same time as the shuttle has to wait to do a U-turn on Harbor.

You'll see the park entrance on your left, and you'll go through security before entering the Esplanade. DCA will be on your left, Disneyland on your right and you will just continue walking past both to get to Downtown Disney.

Here is a recent Downtown Disney dining thread you may find helpful:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/favorites-to-eat-in-downtown-disney.3937573/

 

[Pluto468]

Yes, you can walk up Harbor or take the CC shuttle.You'll pass through security but you don't need a ticket to get into DTD. I always like to eat at Craftsman Grill on the first night. It's in the Grand Californian and has great pizza, sandwiches etc.

 

[disny_luvr]

Yes, and walking that side of Harbor from CCI is nice as it's more green without retail stores or hotels. You can also take their shuttle, but going to the parks it often takes around the same time as the shuttle has to wait to do a U-turn on Harbor.

You'll see the park entrance on your left, and you'll go through security before entering the Esplanade. DCA will be on your left, Disneyland on your right and you will just continue walking past both to get to Downtown Disney.

Here is a recent Downtown Disney dining thread you may find helpful:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/favorites-to-eat-in-downtown-disney.3937573/

Thank you for the link. I’ll check it out.

 

[disny_luvr]

Yes, you can walk up Harbor or take the CC shuttle.You'll pass through security but you don't need a ticket to get into DTD. I always like to eat at Craftsman Grill on the first night. It's in the Grand Californian and has great pizza, sandwiches etc.

That’s a great idea! To get to the Grand Californian, would we walk the same way? Up Harbor, through DD to the GC?

 

[Pluto468]

That’s a great idea! To get to the Grand Californian, would we walk the same way? Up Harbor, through DD to the GC?

Yes, you walk through DTD and the Grand will be on your left. Once inside there will be signs pointing you to the various restaurants.

PS..the first time I tried getting into the Grand from DTD I couldn't find the entrance! It's not quite halfway down DTD, and it's next to the Disney Dress Shop. You'll see these pretty gates and the entrance is through there.