Which hotel for solo female?

[ksoehrlein]

I'm planning a late-Friday-afternoon-through-early-Saturday-afternoon DL excursion at the tail end of a business trip to Palm Springs next month. I'm trying to decide where to crash for that one night and am a little concerned about the logistics of staying through 'til closing and then walking back to the hotel on my own well after dark. I'm normally fairly street-smart -- not sure why I'm even worried about this -- but I figured you experts could set my mind at ease.

HoJo's (great rate!) and Paradise Pier (using DVC points) are the top two contenders at the moment, so my decision comes down to this: How well-lit and well-traveled are the pedestrian walkways east vs west of the parks? Which hotel comes closest to that "inside the bubble" sense of security I get when staying on-site at WDW? Are there other hotels I should consider? (And no, I don't have enough points to stay at GC!)

 

[bumbershoot]

I've been considering the same question.

Of those two, PP might be the most public, especially if you take the route through GC then across the street right between GC and PP.

Then again, with all the hotels up Harbor you'll be in a crowd after closing anyway going to HoJo.

I walked back alone all the way to the Anabella on Katella (take the same route like going to PP, then all the way up that street to Katella) and felt basically OK. Took me a moment to get my "stand up straight, stay alert" stance going...I've gotten relaxed since meeting my big tae kwon do black belt DH...but once I got my Single Girl Walk back I felt good about it.

 

[biolabetty]

I'd say PP also. I've followed many CMs going that direction from the GCH, there always seems to be a group going that way. Plus, you are within yelling distance of the valet parkers at GCH and PP, and the check-in booth at the GCH. There are also people manning the parking lot booths at the PP and GCH lots across the street from the GCH and next to the PP.

 

[casaazul]

I've stayed at Hojo's with my young son, did not have any fears walking back at night after the park closed. There was a huge herd (lol) of people leaving the park, walking the same place!

If it was me alone, and I could afford it, I would do Paradise Pier.

Enjoy

 

[ksoehrlein]

Thanks for weighing in! I can't believe I'm planning a trip on such short notice, and I'm still just a bit in a state of shock. I just booked PP because it was "free" using my DVC points, but it sounds like I couldn't have gone wrong either way. Thanks for the reassurance!

 

[Hound 109]

Be VERY aware of the shorter routes (thru the Grand Californian) from either park. It's probably twice as long a walk the long way.

 

[ksoehrlein]

Great to know! I was worried only GC guests could use that entrance. This will save me some precious time!

 

[Hound 109]

Great to know! I was worried only GC guests could use that entrance. This will save me some precious time!

OP, yes......Do use the Top Secret entrance into DCA (from the GCH) when DCA is open.

But..... also be aware that going TO DL early in the morning or coming FROM DL late in the evening... that the route (from the PP) should be:

- cross the street.
- walk thru the GCH.
- into DTD (where Naples is)
- a couple hundred yards to the DLR gate.

Reverse in the evening. (note DCA opens late & closes early, so you can't use the Top Secret entrance early or late.)

I would look at a map ahead of time since you will be by yourself.

.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would like to add to that, b/c not only did I go 4 days of PP in Sept *thinking* I was going the good way, but not doing so, but in Dec it took 3 days to REALLY get the route through GCH. It's possible I'm just not all that bright.

When you cross that street from PPH, and when you walk along the sidewalk to GCH, you're going to go through the big, pretty doors that slide open and closed. Of course, if it's a busy time you'll barely see them close, so then you're just going through the BIG entrance with all sorts of bellhop-type people running around. Then, if you are going towards DL (or just DTD), you make just about an immediate left, and walk through a rather small and insignificant looking open doorway, which leads down corridors that turn and twist. You'll then see signs to DTD, and it comes out with Libby Lu to the left and, I think, Sephora to the right. Others like to use the view of HaggenDazs as a visual reference.

Turn right and walk to the bag check area, and you're there.

 

[ksoehrlein]

Thanks! I feel a bit dazed and confused -- I hope I can make it to DL through the GCH without a GPS! Is there a floor plan for the GCH lobby anywhere? I'm afraid I will miss that insignificant looking doorway!

 

[bumbershoot]

Go in the pretty doors, turn left.

Took me 3 days to stop having to wander around the lobby wondering which way I had just gone the day before, until I finally figured out "go in, turn left".

And once you turn left, then just follow everyone else. Unless they turn into a conference room or something.

 

[ksoehrlein]

Thanks. And I just found a lobby level map on DL Resort Info that should help me with my navigationally-challenged-ness. I appreciate all the help!

 

[mystic_path]

Well I would suggest off site hotels cause they are cheaper then the resort hotels and if you stay at one right across the street from Disneyland on Harbor then you can get a close hotel like the Carousel, Tropicana, Best Western Park Place inn and Hojo. You will be in a big crowd of people coming back from DL themselves and there would be no worry of walking alone.

For onsite hotels im gonna agree with the Paradise Pier