West side entrance/exit

[xipotec]

Staying at the Westin in February.

Looking at the west side entrance and it doesn't look like it saves much walking ?

We are also perhaps looking to Uber back and forth to save a bit of walking. Is worth it?

We stayed at Camelot Inn last visit , which was just about as far as I wanted to walk after being at the parks all day.

Any and all advice is welcome on saving those steps after a full day!

 

[Jawwdoc]

Staying at the Westin in February.

Looking at the west side entrance and it doesn't look like it saves much walking ?

We are also perhaps looking to Uber back and forth to save a bit of walking. Is worth it?

We stayed at Camelot Inn last visit , which was just about as far as I wanted to walk after being at the parks all day.

Any and all advice is welcome on saving those steps after a full day!

I have stayed at the Westin and the walk is approximately 0.10 of a mile closer using the west entrance. The advantages of the west entrance(s) are that you have 3 security options (new southwest DTD entrance, DLH entrance or staff/parking garage entrance on the North side of the old ESPN zone. There is more of the Disney “bubble” vibe entering on the West side and walking through DTD. You are less likely to encounter any of the real word people that are often loitering outside the Harbor Blvd entrance. I have not used a ride share when leaving the park but the pickup area on Harbor Blvd is typically pretty busy later at night. If you end the night in DCA, use the Pixar Place exit near Corn Dog Castle. If you end the night in DL, you can take the monorail to the DTD station (beware that it stops running at 10 pm) and walk back to the Westin from the monorail station (you could also use this route in the morning unless you are a rope drop warrior then plan to use the main gate). You could break up the walk by stopping in the Hearthstone lounge @ GCH (reservations now recommended) for a night cap and exit through the front of GCH to save a few steps.

 

[xipotec]

I have stayed at the Westin and the walk is approximately 0.10 of a mile closer using the west entrance. The advantages of the west entrance(s) are that you have 3 security options (new southwest DTD entrance, DLH entrance or staff/parking garage entrance on the North side of the old ESPN zone. There is more of the Disney “bubble” vibe entering on the West side and walking through DTD. You are less likely to encounter any of the real word people that are often loitering outside the Harbor Blvd entrance. I have not used a ride share when leaving the park but the pickup area on Harbor Blvd is typically pretty busy later at night. If you end the night in DCA, use the Pixar Place exit near Corn Dog Castle. If you end the night in DL, you can take the monorail to the DTD station (beware that it stops running at 10 pm) and walk back to the Westin from the monorail station (you could also use this route in the morning unless you are a rope drop warrior then plan to use the main gate). You could break up the walk by stopping in the Hearthstone lounge @ GCH (reservations now recommended) for a night cap and exit through the front of GCH to save a few steps.

Wow! Great information. This is our second trip to DL and I have the big things down but still feel like a noob compared to me expert knowledge of WDW.

A few follow ups?

You mentioned "rope drop warrior" , which I usually am. I like to get there at park opening. It there a problem using the west side for rope drop? My understanding is it will get me to the esplanade either way?
I was thinking of using the DTD route to get that bubble feel, Harbor is chaotic at times and would like to avoid that.

Can you enter through the GCH?
Hearthstone sounds like a great idea! If we want to hit that up during the late afternoon would you still need and ADR in early Feb?

How did you like the Westin? Anything of note to check out while there?

 

[crystal1313]

Wow! Great information. This is our second trip to DL and I have the big things down but still feel like a noob compared to me expert knowledge of WDW.

A few follow ups?

You mentioned "rope drop warrior" , which I usually am. I like to get there at park opening. It there a problem using the west side for rope drop? My understanding is it will get me to the esplanade either way?
I was thinking of using the DTD route to get that bubble feel, Harbor is chaotic at times and would like to avoid that.

Can you enter through the GCH?
Hearthstone sounds like a great idea! If we want to hit that up during the late afternoon would you still need and ADR in early Feb?

How did you like the Westin? Anything of note to check out while there?

Technically you cannot enter through the grand unless you have a key. There is a gate with a key card reader. And another person here on the Dis has said she has seen people try to enter the gate while open and they were turned away by security. Honestly though, cutting through the grand if you’re going through DTD, I don’t know if it would save you any time. It would save you steps! But the security entrance to DTD from the grand only has 4 bag check/metal detectors.

I would for sure exit through the grand though! Or exit through the Pixar place entrance, here is a map.

 

[crystal1313]

Oh and I forgot to say, we absolutely loved the Westin!! Room was gorgeous and we really liked the bar too. It was so nice to come back after a full day at the parks and have a cocktail. And what we really loved was it was not super crowded at the bar. We easily got a seat.

Here’s a video of the walk to the parks. The security entrance has changed a bit now as there are 2 now.

The Westin Anaheim Resort Real Time Walk | How to Walk to Disneyland

 

[LKing]

I was thinking of using the DTD route to get that bubble feel, Harbor is chaotic at times and would like to avoid that.

If you are trying to do rope drop, don't worry about "the bubble." Stores will be closed and you will be booking it towards the main entrance so won't be taking in much of the vibe.

If you are looking for a break from the parks, the Downtown Disney Live state has some great entertainment.

Hearthstone sounds like a great idea! If we want to hit that up during the late afternoon would you still need and ADR in early Feb?

Too many variables to give you a definitive answer. The vast majority of time you can pick up a Hearthstone reservation same day. In the morning, if you think you want to go to Hearthstone that afternoon, make a reservation on the app so that you don't have to wait.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

You mentioned "rope drop warrior" , which I usually am. I like to get there at park opening. It there a problem using the west side for rope drop?

I think what that poster was trying to tell you is don't use the monorail for first morning entry if you are a "rope drop warrior". That will only slow you down because the monorail won't start up until park opening or just very slightly before. You will do better to walk all the way down to the main entrance and enter that way.

 

[Pluto468]

Technically you cannot enter through the grand unless you have a key. There is a gate with a key card reader. And another person here on the Dis has said she has seen people try to enter the gate while open and they were turned away by security. Honestly though, cutting through the grand if you’re going through DTD, I don’t know if it would save you any time. It would save you steps! But the security entrance to DTD from the grand only has 4 bag check/metal detectors.

I would for sure exit through the grand though! Or exit through the Pixar place entrance, here is a map.

Great map! I've been wondering about the walk from th Westin, too, since it would be nice to avoid Harbor. Do you have a video of your stay at the Westin, Crystal?

Have you ever used an Uber to/from the Westin? I've never tried Uber, so I'm wondering if it's complicated and if it's easy to get a ride when you need it.

 

[crystal1313]

Hi! Yes. We have a room tour video and an overnight experience video. We loved it there and would stay more often if we weren’t trying to film more of the area hotels. It is a beautiful property.

We just walked to the parks. But we did see a lot of people using ride share at the hotel. And there is an ART stop in front of the hotel too.

In the morning the walk was fine, it’s the evening when it feels like a long walk. We just pushed through. lol.

Added: we have used uber lots of times all around Anaheim, but never from the westin. It is easy to get a ride in that area. The only time we had an issue was when we needed a ride from the train station and people kept cancelling on us because we had our luggage with us. We ended up taking ART instead.

 

[Pluto468]

Hi! Yes. We have a room tour video and an overnight experience video. We loved it there and would stay more often if we weren’t trying to film more of the area hotels. It is a beautiful property.

We just walked to the parks. But we did see a lot of people using ride share at the hotel. And there is an ART stop in front of the hotel too.

In the morning the walk was fine, it’s the evening when it feels like a long walk. We just pushed through. lol.

Added: we have used uber lots of times all around Anaheim, but never from the westin. It is easy to get a ride in that area. The only time we had an issue was when we needed a ride from the train station and people kept cancelling on us because we had our luggage with us. We ended up taking ART instead.

Thanks! Your overnight videos are my favorite. I'll check it out

 

[Jawwdoc]

Wow! Great information. This is our second trip to DL and I have the big things down but still feel like a noob compared to me expert knowledge of WDW.

A few follow ups?

You mentioned "rope drop warrior" , which I usually am. I like to get there at park opening. It there a problem using the west side for rope drop? My understanding is it will get me to the esplanade either way?
I was thinking of using the DTD route to get that bubble feel, Harbor is chaotic at times and would like to avoid that.

Can you enter through the GCH?
Hearthstone sounds like a great idea! If we want to hit that up during the late afternoon would you still need and ADR in early Feb?

How did you like the Westin? Anything of note to check out while there?

If you are a rope drop warrior then arriving at any security entrance around 6:30-6:45 should put you in a good position at the main gates. Personally, if I’m going to rope drop I like to be at or very near the front of the line at the main gates which puts you in prime position to be one of the first guest to ride PP or SM (DL), GotG or RSR (DCA). Entering through the grand requires a gate crash near the security building for entering vehicles so use that at your own risk. I have not been to Hearthstone since they instituted the reservations but I suspect afternoons aren’t crazy. I stayed at the Westin for a business conference and I was either in meetings or the parks but it is a nice property.

 

[xipotec]

Great info Guys!!

So we can LEAVE through the Grand no problems?

Wonder if we could Uber from the Westin to the Disneyland hotel in the morning to save steps and time?

 

[crystal1313]

Great info Guys!!

So we can LEAVE through the Grand no problems?

Wonder if we could Uber from the Westin to the Disneyland hotel in the morning to save steps and time?

Yes, you can leave the grand without issue.

I’m not sure if you can get dropped off at the DLH. They have a gate and ask why you are there. But it looks like you can get dropped off at downtown Disney instead:

Guest Pickup and Drop-Off Locations
Please use either of the following locations to pick up or drop off Guests visiting Disneyland Resort theme parks or the Downtown Disney District:
• Downtown Disney District – Take Magic Way from Disneyland Drive, then turn left at Downtown Drive and follow signs to the drop-off area. Standard parking rates will apply after the 15-minute grace period.
• Harbor Boulevard – Enter the drop-off area from the right southbound lane of South Harbor Boulevard between South Manchester Avenue and Disney Way.

These areas may also be used for taxi and rideshare service pickup or drop-off. Please note that while brief waiting is permitted, parking or unattended vehicles are not allowed in either area.