WDW Vets Hit Disneyland Tomorrow - Help!!

[5inwonderland]

Hi Everyone!
My husband and I are taking our four children to Disneyland tomorrow for one GIGANTIC day of park fun! We are on an epic Great American Road Trip and have already hit 8 states in a little over a week. We have already visited Palo Duro and Grand Canyons and our ultimate destination is the American Library Association Convention in San Francisco. When I saw our route about six weeks ago I suggested to DH that we include a day at Disneyland, since we are driving past Anaheim anyway! As WDW veterans, though, we are at a loss, so I have a question:
When we visit WDW we usually stay on property. Since we are only staying one day at Disneyworld and trying to do it inexpensively, we are staying at Travelodge, which DH was told was walkable. After reading other's review, I am not so sure. Our kids are 12, 11, 9 and 2. SO 2 yr. old will be in a collapsible stroller. It looks to me that Travelodge is not really walkable? It looks to be over a mile and not necessarily an easy, direct, one mile. Am I correct?
I told DH I thought we should drive to the parking lot and take the tram in, which he says is ridiculous. Here's the rub. My husband has to sign in to an online class he is teaching for his weekly chat with students (to answer questions, etc). SO he has to login and be available beginning at 7 am for at least half an hour. Originally we had planned for me to go ahead with the kids and for him to walk after us, leaving our car at Travelodge. Is our walk from Travelodge safe for me to walk by myself with four children? Or, we could drive, he could sign in to his class in our car on our wireless hotspot, then when class is over we can take the tram from the parking lot. I am really trying to be there ASAP since we only have one day.
What do y'all think?
Thanks!

 

[chickapin parterre]

taxi...reserve a taxi to pick you up early, like 6;45, drop you off on east side, grab a bite at MCDs, walk from there to east entrance. Let Husband Drive and do his thing, meet up in the park. Wednesdays are great in the morning for Fantasyland but have in mind an area to gather fastpass once you are done in that area. Pick tonight how you want to rest from 2-4 pm and then head back into the evening with possible 6:00 or 8:00 fastpass available and take in the sights. Then return to car by way of tram

 

[tiffjoy]

1. Check out Hydroguy's post on DLR for WDW vets.
2. Check out this map of hotels in the DLR area. I see a couple Travelodge's on there, so not sure which one you are at. Looks like a bit of a walk to the parks from either one but doable- we often stay at the Annabella which is near one of the Travelodges. When you cut through the GCH, it's not that far from the parks entrance.
3. It's safe to walk anywhere in that area in general. Some people feel uncomfortable late at night, but early in the morning, so many people will be walking with you that you won't be alone. I would head to the parks early and get started as soon as you can, personally.

 

[maltdizzy]

Travelodge Disneyland Drive?

It is a little over a mile, figure 20+ minutes with kids.

You cross Ball Rd and Disneyland Drive at their intersection and then you follow Disneyland Drive until you see the path to Downtown Disney. About half way to the park, you'll join a stream of people who walk from the parking garage to the park, they join you at the intersection of Magic Way and Disneyland Dr.

At that intersection, you can walk up Magic Way and catch the tram at the parking garage...that'll be about 10 minutes and a half a mile from your hotel (minus time to cross Ball Rd and DL Dr). There is a reason many people prefer to walk to the park than take the tram, the tram lines can back up, especially for the rows that accept large strollers. But since you will have already walked a ways, you can decide if you want to ride the rest or tram it (same for the end of the day...tram it the first half then walk to the hotel?). The including the line, the tram will not be faster.

I wouldn't pay to park at the garage, it only gets you half way there. Plus, you are in line to pay, have to go to whatever deck they are parking...follow to your spot, then load everyone up and escalator 9aor wait forever for a elevator) down. It would take longer than walking. You can cab it closer, probably for less.

 

[5inwonderland]

Thanks everyone!
Yes, we are staying at Travelodge on West Ball, I believe.
It sounds like walking would be the way to go!

 

[VandVsmama]

You could also use ART (Anaheim Resort Transit). Their website is located at http://rideart.org/. One-way cash fares are:

• ages 10+ = $3.00
• ages 3-9 = $1.00
• ages 2 & under = free
• They don't give you change, so have exact $$ for the fare when you board.\

ART 1-day passes cost:

• ages 10+ = $5.00
• ages 3-9 = $2.00
• ages 2 & under = free

So if you took ART and left your car all day at the Travelodge, using 1-day ART passes, it would cost you $22.00. Parking at the Disneyland parking lots costs $17.00, so it's more economical to do that.

I second the suggestion to park your car at the Disneyland parking lot and just ride the bus or tram in. The 3 Travelodge's on the map that tiffjoy linked above are all outside of walking distance in my opinion. I think that YOU should pack the 4 kids up in the car and drive to the Disneyland parking lot and your DH can walk to the park when his online chat session with his students has finished.

If you're staying at the Travelodge Anaheim on Ball Rd, park at Mickey & Friends parking structure. If you're staying at "Travelodge at the Park" or "Travelodge International Inn & Suites," go the Toy Story lot.

 

[5inwonderland]

So if I drive to the Disneyland Parking Lot, how early can I get there and how early do trams/buses start picking up from the lot and delivering to the magical gates?

 

[chickapin parterre]

Thanks everyone!
Yes, we are staying at Travelodge on West Ball, I believe.
It sounds like walking would be the way to go!

Walking is not the way to go, it is a long ways for folks of you range of age who are not returning to their lodging in the middle of summer to rest and relax. Folks here struggle with walking 12 mins, the 20+ you are looking at is just not worth the savings after traveling across the US. You can cab it 20.00 round trip, with night cab pick up at the onsite lodging or back at the east side.

 

[chickapin parterre]

don't worry about early on a Wednesday morning, everyone is over at DCA riding RSR or tired and slept in. A rope drop will be waiting for you inside anyhow for a wide open park at 8:00 so if you arrive at the gates at 7;40-, you will still be on even entry ground for every attraction with the exception of Peter Pan , you have to be counting fiber distance on rope drop for a first timer to gain any advantage on Peter Pan

 

[5inwonderland]

Okay, I just talked to DH. We decided that he is going to drive us to the gate at 8, get out tickets and let us in. Then he is going to drive the hotel, drop off the car and walk back. While he is returning car to hotel and walking, we can do Fantasyland and pick up a fast pass for Splash Mtn. Later in the day he can run back to the hotel and pick us up when we need a break. I think this might work.

 

[thumpie's mom]

There is a drop off area on S. Harbor that he can park and you can get your stroller out, etc without worrying about getting hit. It is a short walk to the gates from there. The Travelodge is fine for walking with adults, would not want to do it with 4 children. Have a great time!

 

[chickapin parterre]

So is your husband a runner by fun, because that is a lot of running. did you mean "get our tickets" or "hand out tickets'? What time of the day do you want to get soaked on Splash???? 8;00 fastpass are on distribution, if you arrive at the tram by 8, wait to load tram, walk to the gate, you are looking at an 8:30 entry, if you do east side, then 8;20 entry. And then if you are off to Fantasyland for 90 mins, your Splash fastpass may very well be in the noon range and then you will have one more fastpass choice in the 3;00 window.

At Disneyland, it is truly amazing what 30 mins after opening into the park can delete from you options

 

[brenda1966]

Having DH drop you off seems reasonable.
Walking does not -- it's too far.
Driving is a mess. I've done it once and never again. The waiting to park, the waiting for the tram. I'd leave the car at the hotel and ART or Taxi before dealing with the parking mess again while trying to get there for rope drop.
Have fun in Walt's Park!

 

[maltdizzy]

1) Splash Mountain is about as far away you can get from the park entrance in the Critter Country cul-de-sac

2) You can't get a fast pass for your husband without his ticket, which has to be activated at the turnstile first

 

[Jaylens Papa]

You beat me to it Malt You won't be able to get a fast pass for your husband if he hasn't gone into one of the parks.