My Sunday voyage through the Anaheim Resort Area with lots of photos 7/7/2019

Darkbeer1

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So after watching the USA win the Women's World Cup, my lovely wife Lisa wanted to do some walking, and agreed with AGW and DtD. She was kind enough, as the driver, to follow my lead and drive by current construction sites before parking.

So went started by driving south on Disneyland Drive, and making a left on Katella to go by the Westin.


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Then a left onto Harbor, went by the emergency exit on Harbor for the MCML (Manchester CM Lot)

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Yes, that is a Beggar, that Disney Security will have move along a bit later.

So now a right on Manchester at Mimi's Café, and the next project is the Hilton Garden Inn/Home2Go Dual branded Hotel. (Sorry, not the best photos) But the underground parking level has its finished outer walls, and 2 stories above ground)

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And now the MCML, which is pretty ready to go, the Parking gate arms are there, the lighting is there, the spaces are painted, etc.

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Next is the new Element, almost ready to open.

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Now it is time for a left on Disney Way, and the JW Marriott at AGW is visible.

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Next is a left to northbound Anaheim Blvd. And I will make a second post so I can take a break
 

Darkbeer1

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
OK, now going on Anaheim Blvd, where we go by the Radisson Blu, make a U turn so now southbound on Anaheim Blvd.

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Made a U turn so now southbound on Anaheim Blvd.

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Now time to make a left on Manchester and the new Cambria

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And since the ground level parking lot is open, turned into it. (Most parking is underground)

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Currently the Starbucks, The Habit and California Fish Grill are open. Yogurtland and Jersey Mike's are still finishing up getting ready.

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Now on Katella heading West.

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Now a look at the JW Marriott from Katella

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And the Westin from Westbound Katella

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Made a right onto Disneyland Drive, drove by the Simba Lot, being used for DtD parking (your only option).

About to enter Pixar Pals, so another break.
 

TP2000

Well-Known Member
Darkbeer, thank you for this update! We needed something light and upbeat to take our minds off that horrible Toontown fight video.

I'd like to remind the beggar lounging on the grass that the national unemployment rate fell further last month to a 50 year low of just 3.6% and that everyone is hiring at increasing hourly rates. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/29/how-the-unemployment-rate-is-calculated.html

But then, she probably doesn't want to hear that, she'd just like to sit on the grass and get some free money. ;)

I'd seen some of this construction progress a couple weeks ago from my Uber when I went to Star Wars Land, but it's always nice to see all of the continuing growth and expansion of the Anaheim Resort District. Star Wars Land may feel a bit flat and lifeless, and the Millennium Falcon may not be that great when you are assigned the back row next to a sullen teen like I was. But overall the Anaheim Resort District continues to grow and expand at an unprecedented rate!
 

Darkbeer1

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So thanks for the kind words TP2000, but there is more.

Now to make the left turn from Disneyland Drive to Magic Way and the Pixar Pals Structure

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About to make a right into the Structure, notice the left turn lane for the original DtD parking is blocked off. The signs say head to Simba.

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Ended parking at the ADA Incredibles Lot on the Ground Floor. Go check out this post for my thoughts of that section (NOT good), post 865.


So ended up taking the elevator to the 6th floor. Love this sign, if you go to the second level, you find out you need to go to the 1st level (and will remain that way until mid-September. But heck, multiple signs in the ADA lot pointing you in the wrong direction to get to the Parks, and it will never change, you can't go north, only south.

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While we are here, lets check out that walkway to DtD.

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And across the driveway nearer the DLH.

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Now a look at the PP ramp, with the transfer bridges between the two structures in the background.

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Now from the M&F structure, a look at the current ground area/tram loading/unloading.

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Took the tram to Dtd, head lunch at Earl of Sandwiches. Showed Lisa Pop Up Disney, she asked me what it was, when I told her (after trying to have her guess a few times), she said, you have to be kidding me... then I told her it cost $38 on Sundays, she was speechless. And I saw no one go in while we were there (just a few minutes).

Next photos are after I left Disney property, so time for another break.
 
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fradz

Well-Known Member
Thanks Darkbeer, really nice to see some ground pics of the area! Plus I just found out where I will be spending my Radisson points 😂
 

Darkbeer1

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
OK, lets get back to the MCML emergency exit on Harbor, now beggar free (She just moved South near Tony Roma's).

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Now at Anaheim GardenWalk.

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The new 6 screen AMC is open, and the weirdest thing, they have no listing of the movies playing ANYWHERE. Finally the ticket taker pointed us to the concession stand, which also sells the tickets not bought online. She asked us what movie we were interested in... We said we don't know, can you list them. She finally read her screen and told us... . We left very confused, and outside, used our phones to see the times and options. Then walked away!

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A view of the JW Marriott from the inside of the Mall.

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So after walking around AGW, headed back to DtD, but stopped at Cold Stone Creamery on Harbor for a nice treat on the way. Then doing stupid get off the Mickey's Van. take the elevator to the 2nd level and changing elevators to get to the Incredibles parking lot to go home and watch the USA-Mexico Gold Cup Game. (STUPID REF!!!)

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Have a great week all!

More photos can be found here.

 

Darkbeer1

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
This looks great @Darkbeer1. Is the Cambria walkable to the parks - it looks nice.

I would say yes, it is across the street from Motel 6/Peacock Suites (corner of Katella and Haster, but I would use the Disney Way option (north side of Hotel).

It is a 1 mile walk to the center of the Main Entrance Plaza.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7389152

Edited to add - Back around DCA's opening, a group of Disney Reporters (myself included) came up with an standard. You measure from the center of the Main Entrance Plaza (aka Star) to the front lobby of the Hotel/Motel. While not perfect, as some rooms can be far from the Check in Desk, it was something every Lodging location had, and was the best option to try and eliminate bias. It made The PPH, HoJo's and the Candy Cane Inn equal at 3/4 of a mile, and a good general guide. Seems with the new set of Hotels near the intersection of Harbor and Katella, the walking distance has been extended to a mile. Of course, for most Hotels/Inns, ART buses is an option. (Not so for the PPH, as Disney specifically had its Hotels to not be part of the ART system. Ironically, with Route 20, the Toy Story Buses, Disney is the biggest user of the ART system.
 
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BubbaQuest

Well-Known Member
I thought AGW recently said they had a 96% occupancy rate. Still looks pretty empty in those pics. Maybe lots of coming soon?
 

Darkbeer1

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I thought AGW recently said they had a 96% occupancy rate. Still looks pretty empty in those pics. Maybe lots of coming soon?

Yes, you can see some of the legal notices posted on lease spaces in the Smugmug album.

But a lot are in no rush, as the key is NAMM and the opening of the JW Marriott. So expect to see things opening up this fall/winter. FlightDeck, which has a large space in the main courtyard across from Billy Bees, has said they will move from their current location near the Honda Center, this fall (after the summer peak season is over).

But the new tenants are committed have reserved their spaces by signing leases. Give them time to prepare their spaces for operation.
 
D

Deleted member 107043

As I scrolled through your review I couldn't help but think that no design awards will be won for this assortment of cookie-cutter boring buildings. Does the local planning commission just close their eyes and rubber stamp any project that isn't funded by the WDCo Darkbeer? It says a lot about the oversight of the Anaheim Resort when the best looking piece of new archicture in a "world class" tourist destination is Disney's parking garage.
 

Darkbeer1

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
As I scrolled through your review I couldn't help but think that no design awards will be won for this assortment of cookie-cutter boring buildings. Does the local planning commission just close their eyes and rubber stamp any project that isn't funded by the WDCo Darkbeer? It says a lot about the oversight of the Anaheim Resort when the best looking piece of new archicture in a "world class" tourist destination is Disney's parking garage.

Unfortunately, the city has a set of standard colors and design features required for the Resort Area, and must be met to pass the Planning Commission process.

 

Ismael Flores

Well-Known Member
looks like more plants have been added to AGW, the question is how many of those are actually real and how many or plastic. It also just seems like a start because the place need more and more mature trees. The whole mall is like a concrete oven with no character at all. All the facades are the same dull flat look with a sign when they should be loud and distinctive from one store to the other.
 

DanielBB8

Well-Known Member
Pixar Pals don’t look like it’s ready for the crowds. Those signs are messed up. At least attach stickers with the right information. The exit ramps are not open. This creates a lot of congestion at the end of the day.

AGW AMC is messed up without a movie listing. Heck, how much are they trying to save. Penny wise pound foolish.

Luckily the slow summer season will be over in another month, but Batuu is forever. Uggh.
 

Darkbeer1

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Quick update from Sunday, July 28th.

I had to attend a Street Breakfast celebrating Santa Ana's 150th Anniversary. So got some good freeway shots.

First, going Southbound on the I-5, the combo Hilton Garden Inn/HometoGo project.

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Next is the Element

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And the Cambria

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And on the way back, North bound on the I-5, the Radisson Blu

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The Radisson Blu's Parking Structure is finished, though still needs the interior work

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Darkbeer1

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
FYI, Jersey Mike's Subs opens at the Cambria's parking lot on Wednesday, July 31st.

When all the places open, should be a good stop before/after the DLR. Great freeway access.

Still miss the Del Taco though...
 

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