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[thomas998]

Walking all that distance from the Disneyland Hotel to the parks is hard! Where are the Magical buses?

Uh... the Disneyland Hotel is very close to the monorail that takes drops you off inside Disneyland... Don't know why you would walk unless you were going to the California Adventure and even then it isn't that big of a walk the Grand Californian is close enough to Disneyland Hotel and has an entrance right into California Adventure... I think even if you had a bus of some sort it would take longer and involve more walking than the way it is right now. The fact that things are so close is for me one of the biggest pluses Disneyland has over Disneyworld. I've walked from the Contemporary to MK before and it sure felt like a bigger pain in the backside than walking from Disneyland Hotel to the front gate of Disneyland.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Uh... the Disneyland Hotel is very close to the monorail that takes drops you off inside Disneyland... Don't know why you would walk unless you were going to the California Adventure and even then it isn't that big of a walk the Grand Californian is close enough to Disneyland Hotel and has an entrance right into California Adventure... I think even if you had a bus of some sort it would take longer and involve more walking than the way it is right now. The fact that things are so close is for me one of the biggest pluses Disneyland has over Disneyworld. I've walked from the Contemporary to MK before and it sure felt like a bigger pain in the backside than walking from Disneyland Hotel to the front gate of Disneyland.

He was being sarcastic

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Uh... the Disneyland Hotel is very close to the monorail that takes drops you off inside Disneyland... Don't know why you would walk unless you were going to the California Adventure and even then it isn't that big of a walk the Grand Californian is close enough to Disneyland Hotel and has an entrance right into California Adventure... I think even if you had a bus of some sort it would take longer and involve more walking than the way it is right now. The fact that things are so close is for me one of the biggest pluses Disneyland has over Disneyworld. I've walked from the Contemporary to MK before and it sure felt like a bigger pain in the backside than walking from Disneyland Hotel to the front gate of Disneyland.

Don't worry; it happens to the best of us.

 

[Minnie1976]

I am at Disneyland right now, staying at the disneyland hotel. Let me start by saying I grew up in SoCal and going to Disneyland. This is the first time I have been back in about 12 years. Disneyland is far behind Disneyworld in a lot of aspects and it has made our trip not very funny. Transportation here is terrible. Cast members have been not very helpful and even to the point of being rude, not all but most we encountered. I am also confused as to why they are still using paper tickets here and not putting them on your key to world card. Apparently changing credit cards mid-trip really messes them up, to the point of not being able to charge anything to the room. They do not seem interested in keeping lines moving or crowd control. The overall efficiency with which Disneyworld is run is 10x times better then Disneyland. Not to say Disneyworld is perfect, but it is night and day. Just my 2 cents.

When we were there in October, we didn't think they moved people as well as Disney World. Did they take your picture to match to your ticket? That was weird. Also getting in the gate sometimes took a person to hand the ticket to, someone to match your ticket with your picture on their little device and someone to scan the card. My husband was on a scooter. They handled the handicap very well in the park, but getting in the correct line to get in the DLR seemed to change.

 

[Minnie1976]

I'm sorry you're having a bad time. Hopefully things will get better, soon, although I can't fathom any transportation issues, either, since you're staying at the DL Hotel.

We didn't stay at any of the Disney hotels, but at a good neighbor hotel. I think we were on Harbor Blvd. The monorail right along the street, of course you couldn't get on. We walked everyday from our hotel to the parks. I didn't think it was far at all. I can't see transportation problems either.

My only problem was trying to put things were they were in 1984 when we were there last. I thought the monorail was closer to the Disneyland Hotel, but I was told it was in the same place.
Also DCA was where the parking lot use to be.

Really a good trip and hope to get back before another 29 years pass. I enjoyed it very much even with being a WDW veteran. I wasn't disappointed at all.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

My only problem was trying to put things were they were in 1984 when we were there last. I thought the monorail was closer to the Disneyland Hotel, but I was told it was in the same place.

The monorail has been in the same place since the track was extended in '61 (I believe). The hotel itself, however, has "moved" away from the parks and the monorail station. None of the buildings have actually moved, but with demolitions and additions, the hotel has effectively migrated.

Check out this graphic:

West Street in the lower right is now Disneyland Drive (the street that runs under Downtown Disney). The tower is the Adventure Tower. At this time, it was the part of the hotel that was furthest west; now, it's the part of the hotel that's furthest east. ESPN and AMC were built after all of these miscellaneous buildings were demolished in the late 90's. The monorail station is all the way to the right in the middle of the picture.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Ok, Let me explain. the transportation issues, since that seems to be the one everyone is focused on. The monorail is useless and should have a stop in california adventure. When you have small kids, who are to big for strollers, it it a long walk thru Downtown Disney to the park gates. takes a lot out of them before they even walk around the park.

Yes, that is a long hike. Half a mile of strolling about in the park is a fun leisurly activity. Having to hike half a mile, and back again at night, with kids, just to get from A to B is a tiring experience.

 

[Minnie1976]

The monorail has been in the same place since the track was extended in '61 (I believe). The hotel itself, however, has "moved" away from the parks and the monorail station. None of the buildings have actually moved, but with demolitions and additions, the hotel has effectively migrated.

Check out this graphic:

West Street in the lower right is now Disneyland Drive (the street that runs under Downtown Disney). The tower is the Adventure Tower. At this time, it was the part of the hotel that was furthest west; now, it's the part of the hotel that's furthest east. ESPN and AMC were built after all of these miscellaneous buildings were demolished in the late 90's. The monorail station is all the way to the right in the middle of the picture.

Thank you so much for the explanation. I really appreciate it.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

@TP2000 @Cosmic Commando @shipley731 @flynnibus Thanks guys for responding! I didn't know the rain in Florida comes and goes so quickly. Also, it does make sense for people to go in the rain because you have people like me who will quickly cancel a trip if it rains. I've been in humidity before and it wasn't fun. I was definitely confused. I was in New Jersey and it was like a hundred degrees, but the heat just felt worse than California heat. I really couldn't breathe. What confused me was the fact that it was raining during this heat. Pouring. I asked my mom what was going on (I was just nine at the time), and she just flat out said "humidity."

Saying all this, when is it a good time to visit WDW? I automatically know summer ain't happenin'.

January-February. I go that time of year every year. There's very little rain (though it can happen) and the temperatures are down and more bearable. For Northerners, it's a nice break from winter. Humidity is also down during the winter

 

[StarWarsGirl]

The walking thing is, no offense, ridiculous, What we liked about DL was LESS walking, and we always hear Californians in WDW complaining about the walking. I agree about the monorail, but the walking...no.

 

[TP2000]

The monorail has been in the same place since the track was extended in '61 (I believe). The hotel itself, however, has "moved" away from the parks and the monorail station. None of the buildings have actually moved, but with demolitions and additions, the hotel has effectively migrated.

Check out this graphic:

What a find! I love that graphic, and haven't seen it before. It appears to date from the very late 1960's or 1970, with the second hotel tower "under construction" in the back. Thanks for sharing.

It makes me chuckle when folks think the monorail station was moved. The area around it has changed radically and dramatically, but the beamway or the station has never been moved one inch.

This view of the "Disneyland Hotel Station" from the 1960's...

Became this view of the "Downtown Disney Station" by the 2010's, taken almost from the exact same spot as the 1960's shot...

That said, the overall Disneyland Monorail beam has been moved in two other places. The first time was in 1966 when they bumped out its approach curve to the park for construction of New Orleans Square and the Pirates of the Caribbean warehouse building. Then they moved the beam a second time in 1993, creating a more pronounced S-curve just past Pirates for construction of the Indiana Jones Adventure warehouse building. Other than those two changes along the same stretch of track, the beam is still in the same place.

And most of the beamway inside the park is still the 1959 original, and most of the beamway beyond the park is still the original 1961 expansion beamway. That concrete and steel was built to last a century!

 

[TP2000]

It's also interesting to realize that this shot, taken from a Disneyland Hotel tower room in the 1970's...

Turned into this shot in the 2010's, taken from roughly the same hotel room in the same hotel tower...

So much has changed since the 1970's, from the new buildings and trees to the lack of smog. And yet that monorail beam and its station is still in the exact same place it was over 50 years ago, when Walt had the monorail expanded over to the growing Disneyland Hotel in 1961.

 

[Figments Friend]

Awesome photos guys....loving it.

Interesting to learn more about what was...and what it is now.

I remember when i first visited i was wondering why the monorail station was not *at the hotel*...having already been mentally pre-conditioned by many visits to WDW.
With the above graphics, and that great early Hotel layout map, it makes perfect sense.

To Raven24, yes, Florida is notorious for being moist most of the year. Humid, sub-tropical climate...not at all the dry air and milder temps in CA. HUGE difference there...and you will likely feel it.
So do what the locals do - only venture out at night !


Well...i guess that will not really work if you want to see a lot at WDW...but as a general rule take a break during the mid-day heat if you are visiting between late May to late October. You will be glad you did.

If possible, consider visiting during January or early February..but stay away from Presidents week. School kids from the cold Northeastern states are on their *winter break* then..and migrate to WDW to escape the snow. Shortly afterwards starting mid-March you get into FLs *Spring Break* season. Things do not thin out crowd-wise until late April/early May.

The down side to visiting in Jan/Feb is some attractions are usually refurbed (Splash Mountain almost always in January) and the Park hours are shorter. The plus side is the weather is much more reasonable with NO humidity whatsoever and very little rain. Do not be fooled by travel agency marketing however - it IS cold in Florida then ! Be sure to bring a jacket and sweatshirts!

Late April and early May ( not Mothers Day weekend ) is also a great time. Warmer weather, not so much humidity yet, and everything is in the flush of Spring. The Flower & Garden Festival is also worth experiencing.

If you visit during the hottest part of the year (June through October) keep these things in mind:

Disney*s Animal Kingdom feels the most humid of all the Parks...mainly due to all the vegetation and the *valley* it was purposely built around to create that authentic jungle atmosphere.

EPCOT is the best place to be when it rains. More to do at that Park indoors then any other.
Florida is famous for it*s Summertime thunderstorms and downpours.

We have some fabulous themed water parks...well worth checking out if you have the time, money, and a swimsuit at this time of year.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

January-February. I go that time of year every year. There's very little rain (though it can happen) and the temperatures are down and more bearable. For Northerners, it's a nice break from winter. Humidity is also down during the winter

I've been twice in Jan-Feb and had a great time both times. I think the weather is mostly pleasant from October through early May. If you would rather have a chance of a day or two that's too hot, go in Fall or Spring; if you would rather possibly bundle up for a day or two, go in Winter. Or both.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Ok, Let me explain. the transportation issues, since that seems to be the one everyone is focused on. The monorail is useless and should have a stop in california adventure. When you have small kids, who are to big for strollers, it it a long walk thru Downtown Disney to the park gates. takes a lot out of them before they even walk around the park.
Changing credit cards should not be a problem. I take credit cards at work, granted not to the same volume of Disney, but it is very easy to change a credit card on someones.

I am not new to either park. I have gone to WDW at least once a year for the 4 years. I have been to DL too many times to count before growing up and as a adult leaving in SoCal.

I was just curious of everyones opinion comparing maybe just The Magic Kingdom with DL, so it is more of an accurate comparison.

It is a bit of a hike, but not that much different than the combination of the walk to the bus at WDW and then the walk from the bus stop to the room. Maybe break up the walk in the middle sometimes with a snack in Downtown Disney?

 

[Cosmic Commando]

It's also interesting to realize that this shot, taken from a Disneyland Hotel tower room in the 1970's...

Turned into this shot in the 2010's, taken from roughly the same hotel room in the same hotel tower...

So much has changed since the 1970's, from the new buildings and trees to the lack of smog. And yet that monorail beam and its station is still in the exact same place it was over 50 years ago, when Walt had the monorail expanded over to the growing Disneyland Hotel in 1961.

As nice as I'm sure Disneyland was before the resort expansion, I love how all of those cars just *poofed* into Downtown Disney and DCA. It's impressive how the whole Disneyland-DCA-DtD-Grand Cali-Disneyland Hotel area exists as a giant blob of awesomeness with no cars or streets getting in the way. Except the ones that we want to be there on MSUSA and BVS.

 

[lazyboy97o]

As nice as I'm sure Disneyland was before the resort expansion, I love how all of those cars just *poofed* into Downtown Disney and DCA. It's impressive how the whole Disneyland-DCA-DtD-Grand Cali-Disneyland Hotel area exists as a giant blob of awesomeness with no cars or streets getting in the way. Except the ones that we want to be there on MSUSA and BVS.

I had a gap of visits from 1998 to 2005, and it really did seem like *poof* and its gone. I knew of everything that had happened, but seeing it was still such an odd experience after only knowing justing Disneyland.

 

[Minnie1976]

What a find! I love that graphic, and haven't seen it before. It appears to date from the very late 1960's or 1970, with the second hotel tower "under construction" in the back. Thanks for sharing.

It makes me chuckle when folks think the monorail station was moved. The area around it has changed radically and dramatically, but the beamway or the station has never been moved one inch.

This view of the "Disneyland Hotel Station" from the 1960's...

Thank you so much posting this picture!!! This is what I remember from 1984, but didn't have a picture of it. Also our hotel was down the block, but it is gone now.

 

[bethymouse]

We went to WDw last week of May first of June in 2005. Having lived in the DC area for over 10 years we were used to the humidity. My poor cousin form SoCal couldn't take the humidity she went back to the resort everyday after lunch to get out of the heat and would come back after the daily 2:00 rain shower ended. The rain was great though cleared out eh parks some and when it was over the humidity has pretty much gone for the day. If you wear the right clothes (things that dry easy) it's no problem.

The rain doesn't seem to clear out the parks anymore.

 

[bethymouse]

I am hoping to find out next year whether or not I like DL or WDW better.