WWYD - getting to the Esplanade from the Residence Inn

[SFMommy]

We are staying at the Residence Inn on Harbor/Katella from June 30-July 5. I've read a lot of different posts about the Harbor Entrance vs. the DTD entrance. I keep going back and forth and I'm wondering what you would do!

1. Walk up Harbor and enter through the Harbor entrance (which is what I always assumed we would do, until I saw/read how crowded it is there)
2. Walk down Katella/up Disneyland Drive and enter through the DTD entrance
3. Take an über to the DTD entrance

To complicate matters, our first park day will be July 1st...which is the first day with an 8:00 a.m. opening. We are planning on leaving the hotel by 6:30 a.m.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[coaches24]

We stayed at the residence inn last week and used the Harbor entrance each day of our 4 park days. On the two days before AC opened I got in line for security at 7:30 the first day and 7:00 the 2nd. We had a break/ pool day on June 4th to see what the AC madness would be like from afar but on June 5 and 6 I got to the line around 6 am knowing it would be far more crowded that early. DW and DD joined me in line later around 7:30 on those days. Each day I was in line at the gates before they opened and let guests in. So it worked out great for us.

 

[Matrixleos]

June 5 and 6 I got to the line around 6 am knowing it would be far more crowded that early. DW and DD joined me in line later around 7:30 on those days.

Quick question for you. I'm a quick riser and willing to wait in line early and have my family join me later on, especially if my wife brings me coffee. When your DW and DD joined you around 7:30am, did they get any comments about cutting the line or did they have to tell a cast member that they had to meet up with you further ahead?

My main worry is if I'm waiting in line earlier, the rest of my family wouldn't be allowed to come up and join me if they arrive later.

 

[SFMommy]

Quick question for you. I'm a quick riser and willing to wait in line early and have my family join me later on, especially if my wife brings me coffee. When your DW and DD joined you around 7:30am, did they get any comments about cutting the line or did they have to tell a cast member that they had to meet up with you further ahead?

My main worry is if I'm waiting in line earlier, the rest of my family wouldn't be allowed to come up and join me if they arrive later.

I would like to know this too! If DH and DD could grab breakfast at the hotel when it opens at 6:30 and then join me, that would really help.

 

[coaches24]

Quick question for you. I'm a quick riser and willing to wait in line early and have my family join me later on, especially if my wife brings me coffee. When your DW and DD joined you around 7:30am, did they get any comments about cutting the line or did they have to tell a cast member that they had to meet up with you further ahead?

My main worry is if I'm waiting in line earlier, the rest of my family wouldn't be allowed to come up and join me if they arrive later.

No one said a word. It was pretty common from what I saw. Many groups got a lot bigger both in front of me and behind me. I didnt see any sign of anyone being upset about it.

 

[sammybk]

Currently have a reservation at the Anaheim hotel on the same day. Thinking of moving somewhere closer to the DTD entrance now that I am hearing about such long security lines.

 

[felice]

Pre-pandemic, even though sometimes the lines were quite long at the Harbor Blvd side, people were dealt with quite quickly, so we weren't waiting too long. This was even despite the bag check. I'm sure as the CM's there get used to checking people's temperatures as well then they'll rattle through the queues.

 

[DisMommyTX]

I'm confused. Can someone please tell me exactly where the "Harbor entrance" is located? Is there a pedestrian walkway across the road? If so, which hotels is it near/between? If not, what would be the closest neighbor hotels to walk from? I'm sorry for asking a question that has probably been answered a thousand times, but I have searched for over an hour and am even more confused than when I started.

 

[Astylla]

I'm confused. Can someone please tell me exactly where the "Harbor entrance" is located? Is there a pedestrian walkway across the road? If so, which hotels is it near/between? If not, what would be the closest neighbor hotels to walk from? I'm sorry for asking a question that has probably been answered a thousand times, but I have searched for over an hour and am even more confused than when I started.

It's immediately across from Best Western Park Place Inn, google that on Google maps should help.