Walking to parks from DL hotel

[Hutch1317]

Hi all!
Me again. I just want to get some perspective since I know so little about this park. So I booked at room at the DH villas but a lot of people I know are saying that they like GC better because of the proximity to the parks; and I get that, it looks super interesting and I kind of love the idea that it's a hotel in a theme park. I'm just a bit afraid that it will be loud, and also, I've wanted to stay at DH forever. I was there when I was a young kid and have good memories.
So is the walk really that bad? It seems fine to me but now I'm getting mixed messages. I do want to be able to go go back to the room for an hour or two as, unfortunately, I will need to work some on this trip. For context, I do the walk from the Grand Floridian to MK all the time and am fine with that, but maybe I'm not judging the distances correctly. I only have a few days here and I want to get to to as much as I can while still fitting in some work.
Thank you everyone!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

It takes less than 10 minutes to walk from the DLH to the turnstiles of the gates (maybe 7 minutes?), a pleasant walk through Downtown Disney. Yes, the GCH is steps from the turnstiles, so comparatively it’s much closer, but unless you have mobility problems, the walk from the DLH is really easy. I personally love the DLH. Enjoy!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Much better than VGF to MK. You do also have the option most times to take the monorail from DLR Tomorrowland and it lets you out very close to DLH.

 

[Hutch1317]

It takes less than 10 minutes to walk from the DLH to the turnstiles of the gates (maybe 7 minutes?), a pleasant walk through Downtown Disney. Yes, the GCH is steps from the turnstiles, so comparatively it’s much closer, but unless you have mobility problems, the walk from the DLH is really easy. I personally love the DLH. Enjoy!

Awesome, thank you! That's actually quicker than I expected you to say! That will make it nice and easy. Thank you for your response!

 

[Hutch1317]

Much better than VGF to MK. You do also have the option most times to take the monorail from DLR Tomorrowland and it lets you out very close to DLH.

I always forget about that! Thank you for reminding me, that's a great option.

 

[maleficent55]

I always forget about that! Thank you for reminding me, that's a great option.

Not to be relied on for transportation as it’s much more like an attraction and does have periods of time where it’s not running.

Also, call me sentimental but there is something about walking up Main Street toward the castle that is so so incredible and how I love to start my day. The monorail drops you off in Tomorrowland.

 

[Hutch1317]

Not to be relied on for transportation as it’s much more like an attraction and does have periods of time where it’s not running.

Also, call me sentimental but there is something about walking up Main Street toward the castle that is so so incredible and how I love to start my day. The monorail drops you off in Tomorrowland.

Oh, I totally agree with that. I’ve only been there 3 times and the last was 10 years ago so Im
Absolutely waiting for that moment of walking up Main Street. I cannot wait!

 

[Jawwdoc]

The proper way to enter DL initially is via Main Street but taking the monorail out and back in can save some steps to DLH.

 

[Hutch1317]

The proper way to enter DL initially is via Main Street but taking the monorail out and back in can save some steps to DLH.

That’s good advice! I agree that I can’t imagine not going in the main entrance first

 

[VGCgroupie]

Not to be relied on for transportation as it’s much more like an attraction and does have periods of time where it’s not running.

Also, call me sentimental but there is something about walking up Main Street toward the castle that is so so incredible and how I love to start my day. The monorail drops you off in Tomorrowland.

To enter the parks absolutely. For a mid day break to go work at the hotel if the monorail is running it's a huge plus.

 

[Hutch1317]

To enter the parks absolutely. For a mid day break to go work at the hotel if the monorail is running it's a huge plus.

This sounds like a perfect plan, thank you for sharing!

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

Everything is packed into a small footprint at DLR, we have done midday breaks with a toddler with no problems. The walk from the Esplanade to VDH is not bad but it is longer than quite a few of the offsite hotels across the street on Harbor. As mentioned it is at least a much more pleasant walk in the bubble through DTD to get to DLH. If you are sensitive to noise beware that some of the Standard View studios can be near the compressors which can get loud.

Most GCH rooms should be fairly quiet especially the Woods/Courtyard View rooms. We have stayed in a Standard View room that was right next to the Monorail track and we could not hear a thing with the slider closed. DTD View wasn't too bad from what I remember. The VGC/GCH rooms facing DCA will get loud during WoC but it's not too bad unless there's a late night rehearsal.