I think there should be a continuous free shuttle service that runs from the Paradise Pier to the Disneyland Hotel Entrance and then down to the Disneyland/DCA Plaza. It should have stops ad PP, DLH, DTD Monorail Station, GCH entrance, World of Disney entrance and end at the security checkpoint at the plaza.

I know at the end of a long day, I'd certainly enjoy NOT having to make that walk. The GCH is long enough - what with the entrance from DTD at one end of the hotel and the wings going all the way to the other.. (hey! how about a second entrance to GCH from DTD while we're at it?). But DLH and PP are a long, long walk.

If it is too much of a task, perhaps a limited shuttle just for guests of the hotels (must show room key) to get a ride to and from?

I think several groups would benefit.. out of shape people who don't normall walk all day (me), elderly folks who no longer have the stamina, people with small children who are tired (or sleeping), people with certain disabilities, and people who just enjoy a shuttle.

I think that's a good idea.

Um. Where do you suggest this tram with fifteen stops run? It's pretty crowded already in that neck of the woods.

Um. Where do you suggest this tram with fifteen stops run? It's pretty crowded already in that neck of the woods.

I figure if Disney can build a pedestrian shopping district on a bridge, they can find a way to run the shuttles. I think it would be good that they be maneuverable (golf carts like the Anaheim Police use, perhaps with a trailer) or a more permanent solution like a train-like device running on tracks. Like many cities with light rail, the tracks remind folks that a vehicle will eventually be coming.

I didn't say I was going to plan it out for them, just that I would appreciate it.

(let's see PP, DLH, Monorail, DCA, WOD, Plaza).. looks like 6 stops.. only 4 if you don't count the terminus'.

I would love to see some sort of shuttle as well. My parents never stay at Disney hotels because my father has limited mobility (walks with a cane). We rely on the ART bus which works well, but he would really love to stay on property some time. This is currently out of the question.

I think it wouldn't be very efficient. By the time everyone gets situated. ---By the time everyone gets onboard, and finishes asking for directions.....by the time they even get past gridlock traffic...

....you could have walked to any of those places in shorter time than it would take a shuttle, or tram, to get there.

Going from the GCH to PPH is really a two minute walk, maybe three. The monorail already goes to the Disneyland Hotel, well OK, it goes close. And, DTD is already in the center of everything.

I think, yet another shuttle/tram just adds to the congestion of an already gridlocked area.



IMHO

If only there was some sort of automated transportation system that ran on an elevated trackway, with groups of passenger cars running continuously. It would be a great way to move people. What would they call that, do you think?

I hope you are aware that there is an entrance to Downtown Disney from the Grand Californian, right near the Libby Lou store. I wold hate to think of you were walking all the way around to the hotel main entrance.

Um. Where do you suggest this tram with fifteen stops run? It's pretty crowded already in that neck of the woods.

Ummm... when there's a will, there's a way. Your 'tude 'aint just burnt, buster, you're stick-a-fork-in-it done.

Anyway: here's a suggestion: How about mirroring the route of the Mickey & Friends tram? Passage from The Disneyland & Paradise Pier hotels -- via the parking lots -- and then sharing the under-the-road bed tunnel to the drop-off near the World-of-Disney store?

Actually, we found out a couple years ago, that there is a long golf cart (like 8 seats, I think) that can run from PPH to the monorail station. I injured my ankle at the park and was having a hard time since I had never used crutches before. On our way back to the park from PPH I was passed by a cart. They stopped and asked if I would like a ride. Of course, I took it. He told us that all I needed to do was ask someone to call for him at the monorail station and he would pick me up and take us back to the front doors of the hotel. Needless to say, this made my day. Since that trek on crutches was terrible (in the park, I rented a wheelchair).

So, I don't know if they still do it, but if you are injured and need the ride for the mobility reasons (not just for the fun of it or because you are too tired), you might ask at the front desk or the monorail station and see what they can do.

Actually, we found out a couple years ago, that there is a long golf cart (like 8 seats, I think) that can run from PPH to the monorail station. I injured my ankle at the park and was having a hard time since I had never used crutches before. On our way back to the park from PPH I was passed by a cart. They stopped and asked if I would like a ride. Of course, I took it. He told us that all I needed to do was ask someone to call for him at the monorail station and he would pick me up and take us back to the front doors of the hotel. Needless to say, this made my day. Since that trek on crutches was terrible (in the park, I rented a wheelchair).

So, I don't know if they still do it, but if you are injured and need the ride for the mobility reasons (not just for the fun of it or because you are too tired), you might ask at the front desk or the monorail station and see what they can do.


Thanks for the information. I'll call them before our next trip (always coincides with Mouse Adventure) and see if that's an option for my father.

I think the monorail should have more stops & this would help. It would be nice if it stopped at least in the GCH, if not in in DCA to pick up folks along the way!!!

Lets go back into History...

Disneyland Hotel is built

A second tram route (the first servicing the parking lot) goes from the Disneyland Main Entrance to the Hotel Main Entrance.

The Disneyland Monorail is built

An extension of the Monorail is added that takes it to the Disneyland Hotel.

Construction of Downtown Disney starts, which requires the Monorail to shut down for part of the project, and that they have to change the tram service.

A new tram starts for the newly built Lion King Tram area to the back of the Paradise Pier Hotel (very close to the DLH).

Construction of DtD/DCA is finished, and a Double Decker Bus route is added from the Paradise Pier Hotel to the Parking Structure (and the Lion King Tram still services the hotels). (Nice full circle loop service).

September 11th happens.

Shortly thereafter, the Double Decker Bus service is eliminated due to safety concerns, even though someone could park just as close to the DLH as the tram route ran... (Editorial comment).

Then in 2002 or 2003, the Lion King Tram route is shorten and stops servicing the Hotels and the Simba Lot (Only going to the Timon Lot).

And that is where it remains, as shown by Alex Stroup a few years ago, the Paradise Pier Hotel is the same basic distance as the Candy Cane Inn and the Howard Johnson's (about a 6/10th of a mile). The CCI offers a free shuttle every 30 minutes, and the HoJo's is part of the ART system that runs every 20 minutes.

ART, which is run under contract with the city of Anaheim and Disney made arrangements that the Disney owned hotels would NOT be part of the ART shuttle service.

Downtown Disney shops and restaurants do not want a shuttle service, as they want the Disney hotel guests to be forced to walk thru their area....

Now, if I had my way...

Add a new ART route, one that starts at the Lion King Tram area and then goes south on Harbor, and makes a right on Katella to Disneyland Drive. Make a right at the corner (Screamin) and then goes to the Grand California Hotel entrance. Back to Disneyland Drive, and a left onto Magic Way to the Disneyland Hotel. Another stop to load/unload passengers, then back to Disneyland Drive. Head south with a stop at the Paradise Pier Hotel. After the PPH, take Katella and Harbor back to the Lion King Tram area.

Why doesn't Disney do this???

Good question.

A few reasons IMHO...

One, COST!

Also, the Downtown Disney issue.

And do you offer it to just hotel guests, or do you also offer it to those that want to eat/drink at the hotel restaurants. (Also a DtD issue).

Another issue is that the Tram would run on city streets, which would require a Bus Driver (that need a special license) and a street legal vehicle (similar to the CM shuttles), and not a Tram (open rows) and a driver that does not a need a Class B license. Plus the vehicle would have to pay fees to the State (aka license plate), unlike the current trams which remain on private property.

So what can Disney do.....

I think building a tunnel under Disneyland Drive is the best solution, This way, they can return the Lion King Tram service to the Paradise Pier Hotel and still use the basic Tram (instead of a street legal bus). Hopefully this will happen, as there are rumored plans to convert the current Timon Lot into an extension of DCA and/or a new Hotel. The underground tunnel could take cars (coming from San Diego and getting off on Disney Way, no real other option) plus the Lion King Trams to a new Parking structure that is built on the old Simba Lot next to the PPH. The Tram would service the Structure and the hotels.

And that is a nice long term solution.

But for today, I would add an ART route as described above that services the three Disney owned hotels. (and I would make the ART part of the Hotel Resort fee, even though Disney wouldn't like it, as it would add to its costs). Those folks wanting to dine at the hotels would have to pay the ART fee.

But don't hold your breath.... expect to keep walking... ;)

Thanks Darkbeer,
I hadn't really looked at the history of it.

If I were in full out non-stop, money doesn't matter mode, I think some sort of electric bench service would be cool.. just a series of benches or chairs that run on an escalator track (like a moving sidewalk at some airports.) There would be an option to push a button to exit at any of several pre-determined places and your bench would go off the track to the exit point where you'd have time to gather your children/purchases/etc.

I'd like to see a skyway type of option too.. but I know that would never happen due to the DTD issue - but if you kept the transportation at ground level and offered several places to exit, the DTD merchants might even see an increase.

Heck, how about just a moving sidewalk that runs the length of downtown Disney? That could be a help to some and shouldn't cause congestion issues (maintenance issues yes, congestion, no).

If only there was some sort of automated transportation system that ran on an elevated trackway, with groups of passenger cars running continuously. It would be a great way to move people. What would they call that, do you think?


Three great minds. :D Back in August of 2004 I posted the same question as Pat-n-Eil about some sort of transport system from the hotels to the park entrance and like you Andrew considered an "elevated trackway" system. Back then I wasn't sure but I think today it would be possible. One station would be located at the PP Hotel, another in that small park like area in front of the DL Hotel next to ESPN Zone and another station at the security check area. Possibly a stop could be made at the GC Hotel but that area's a little tight. The track could even take guests inside some of the stores including the World of Disney for an elevated glimps of their merchandise. This might satisfy the merchants who would complain that guests where by-passing their business. A hotel-to-hotel track system works for Las Vegas. A smaller system should work for the DL Resort.

I think building a tunnel under Disneyland Drive is the best solution, This way, they can return the Lion King Tram service to the Paradise Pier Hotel and still use the basic Tram. (snip) The underground tunnel could take cars (coming from San Diego and getting off on Disney Way, no real other option) plus the Lion King Trams to a new Parking structure that is built on the old Simba Lot next to the PPH. The Tram would service the Structure and the hotels.


The tunnel is already there...

I'm repeating myself a bit, but I truly think a TRAM service (read: no special driver's licenses... or capital expenditures for new buses) could pick-up guests at the REAR of BOTH resorts (PPH & DLH) via the west parking lots that run behind both properties... THEN the trams would make a northeast swing (on existing disney roads) towards the Mickey & Friends transportation area, and THEN use the same roadway -- that travels under Disneyland Drive -- to head towards the Downtown Disney drop-off zone.

Voila! No special equipment... road or tunnel construction... or government permits... and everyone gets to where they need to be.

And, no, I don't think the addition of an extra tram every 20 minutes will clog these underused arteries.

BTW: Has anyone ever noticed the additional (northern) drop-off spot at Downtown Disney for the Mickey & Friends trams? This could be a perfect spot for a "hotel-only" tram. I've seen it used exactly ONCE in the last three years.