Walking to the entrance About This Page:

[Brant]

It's time for this Guide to finally make his pilgrimage "home" to where it all started, my first DL trip! My query is, where is the "walking" entrance to Disneyland, which side of the 'block' that it's on. I'm staying in the southwest area of the park, and was wondering if I had to go up to Downtown Disney to get in, or if there was a better way, thanks!

[HeatherD]

Which resort/hotel are you staying in? The official entrance is on Harbor, halfway between Katella and I-5 (closer to Katella). It's a short walk from any hotel that is directly across from the parks. The entrance is also at Downtown Disney - that's just the other side of it.

The 2 parks have a plaza in between, with each park facing the other (DL is to the north, DCA is to the south). On the Harbor side (east side) of the plaza, there is a crosswalk that all of the people staying on Harbor use to walk over. On the DTD side (west side), you would walk through DTD to get to the plaza (this happens if you are staying at any Disney property, except Grand Californian's DCA entrance).

Let me know where you're staying and I can better advise you on how to go (ie - if you're staying at Anabella or near the Convention Center on Katella, you have a few other choices). Meantime, I looked on Google Maps and just typed in Disneyland and it gave me a great overhead - using the sattelite option shows you exactly what's where.

And enjoy your first trip! Are you going before the end of the year and experiencing the Christmas decorations?

[Brant]

Thanks for the clarification, I'm on the corner of Katella and West street, immediately next to the Convention center. I can see I'm right on Disneyland Drive on the south side of the park, is that a walking entrance? I'm going next week, Tuesday!

[HeatherD]

OK. You have a couple options:
- Cross at the Convention Center (there's a cross walk) and enter into the "back" parking lot - you can catch a tram to the bus drop off (Harbor side). This entrance is perfectly legal, as there's a fancy arch you enter the lot through. (Note - the last time we visited, the lot was closed, so it might be part of the DCA expansion and no longer an option)

- Walk up Disneyland Dr, follow signs to Downtown Disney and walk through to entrance plaza.

- Walk up to Grand Californian and cut through. You can either go directly into DCA or you can exit halfway through DTD, cutting your walking quite a bit. I recommend this over going all the way up to Downtown Disney.

Since you have to go around the parks, most hotels in that area offer the Anaheim Trolley - so ask about it when you check in. If you're really tired, it may be a nice option (we've never wanted to wait that long, so we simply moved to a closer hotel!).

[w-steele]

You are no longer able to enter CA thru the GCR unless you are a guest. They are now asking for a room key card or receipt or some other form to show you are staying at GCR. You can however go into the GCR and once in the lobby, turn left and follow the signs to DTD then turn right and go to the main plaza that way.
Also I do not think that the southeast parking lot is open much anymore as they are about to turn that area into Carsland. If he is staying near the intersection of S. West St and W. Katella Ave, I would suggest that he just go north, cross Katella and that street then becomes S. Disneyland Dr. Go north to the GCR and enter that way. Shortest possible way.

[Dlandmom2]

Yeah, the last few times I tried to park in the Timon lot, I was sent on to the big parking structure.

Brant, it sounds like walking up Disneyland Drive and cutting through GC to DTD is your best bet. Besides, it'll be a really nice walk through the GC.

[Brant]

Just wanted to report back for future reference that starting near the corner of Katella and Disneyland Drive, that going up the east side of DL Drive, through the Grand Californian and into DTD is the shortest and safest route, although its still a 15 minute walk. Timon lot never seemed to be available.

[HeatherD]

Timon lot never seemed to be available.

Yeah, that's where they're putting Cars Land, I've since confirmed.

Hope the pilgrimage "home" was everything you were hoping for!

[Willowwind]

LoL.. I know it's probably stupid but all this talk about parking lots has me so excited for vacation! Last time I was there they had just started building DCA, so my concept of where parking and entrances are is very outdated. This is going to be a whole new adventure for me!!