Hi. I'm planning my first trip to Disneyland with my kids. I was wondering what stops are made on the monorail there. This will be a factor in deciding which hotel I pick. Thanks for the help.

The monorail at Disneyland only has two stops: Downtown Disney next to the Rainforest Cafe and inside the park in Tomorrowland, right next to the Nemo Subs and Autopia. All passengers must have valid admission media for Disneyland and everyone must get off at Tomorrowland station. You can ride round trip from Tomorrowland if you wish, staying on board in Downtown Disney, but have to get off on your return to Tomorrowland.

The monorail does not stop at any Disneyland Resort hotels or inside DCA.

The monorail at Disneyland only has two stops: Downtown Disney next to the Rainforest Cafe and inside the park in Tomorrowland, right next to the Nemo Subs and Autopia. All passengers must have valid admission media for Disneyland and everyone must get off at Tomorrowland station. You can ride round trip from Tomorrowland if you wish, staying on board in Downtown Disney, but have to get off on your return to Tomorrowland.

The monorail does not stop at any Disneyland Resort hotels or inside DCA.

It doesn't stop in the Disneyland Hotel anymore? Ok, I am staying in the PPH soon, and was told that I could walk over to the DH and catch the monorail - this is a lie?

Not entirely a lie, but not entirely true. You do have to walk towards DLH and maybe through their grounds to get to the monorail. The monorail is closest to GCH and DLH, but not actually IN either one. PP is the farthest away from the monorail of the 3. It actually sits in Dowtown Disney now.

Thanks for the info. I was thinking about the Disneyland Hotel already. I think this may clinch it!

It doesn't stop in the Disneyland Hotel anymore? Ok, I am staying in the PPH soon, and was told that I could walk over to the DH and catch the monorail - this is a lie?It used to stop there, but then they moved the hotel and now it stops in DTD. (Sheesh, I crack myself up!)

To be clear, the monorail stops at exactly the same place it used to - out front of the DL Hotel, which is now also smack in the middle of Downtown Disney. It's about a 2 minute walk to the hotel, same as it's always been.

You know, I've never ridden the monorail! I've nerv had the need to I guess, but I think we'll make a loop next week!

They only have one Monorail running right now, so if it is busy/crowded you'll have to get off at Down Town Disney, too. In other words, you will always have to get off at Tomorrowland, but if it's crowded all trips are one way and you have to get off and back in line to get on. We were there on a busy weekend so all our trips had to be one way. Which was fine with us because we were just going to and from the DLH anyway.

How old are your kids?

I have a preference for the DLH because there is so much there that I can still feel as though I am at Disneyland, even if the kids (mine are 2 & 4 right now) are napping/want to swim in the pool, etc.

I can get coffee, do some gift shopping, arrange late-night kids meal runs, and even meet characters without leaving the hotel grounds. Plus: twice I've stayed in rooms the let me watch the fireworks with sleepy toddlers/infants. When the show was over -- I just shut the curtains and tossed everyone into bed.

I love DLH. I also like their themeing too.

I stayed at the GCH, but think that's more fun for either older kids or a getaway weekend with my husband. The decor is fabulous, but lost on my little kids. The rooms are also smaller than the DLH ones.

Oh, and if the monorail is part of your experience, you can ask to see if you and your kids can ride in the front car.

Have a great trip!

They only have one Monorail running right now, so if it is busy/crowded you'll have to get off at Down Town Disney, too. In other words, you will always have to get off at Tomorrowland, but if it's crowded all trips are one way and you have to get off and back in line to get on. We were there on a busy weekend so all our trips had to be one way. Which was fine with us because we were just going to and from the DLH anyway.

I think it is mostly just in the summer that they do that. It has been running round trip every day I have been since September, weekends and weekdays. One Sunday we rode it at about 7:45pm and they told us that at 8 it would swtich to one-way, and it had also been one-way first thing in the morning one Saturday we went, but by 10 it was back to round trip. They do it during key hours when hotel guests would be coming in or going out, so they can keep the line moving at DTD, otherwise sometimes only half or less of the people riding will get off there and it does not give people coming from DTD a chance to get on.

How old are your kids?

I have a preference for the DLH because there is so much there that I can still feel as though I am at Disneyland, even if the kids (mine are 2 & 4 right now) are napping/want to swim in the pool, etc.

I can get coffee, do some gift shopping, arrange late-night kids meal runs, and even meet characters without leaving the hotel grounds. Plus: twice I've stayed in rooms the let me watch the fireworks with sleepy toddlers/infants. When the show was over -- I just shut the curtains and tossed everyone into bed.

I love DLH. I also like their themeing too.

I stayed at the GCH, but think that's more fun for either older kids or a getaway weekend with my husband. The decor is fabulous, but lost on my little kids. The rooms are also smaller than the DLH ones.

Oh, and if the monorail is part of your experience, you can ask to see if you and your kids can ride in the front car.

Have a great trip!


You seem like you know alot about DLH. We are staying for four nights beginning Nov. 15th. any tips? what room/tower should we request? Anything helpful things you can share?

thanks
Greg

I usually request Marina Towers, Standard View. Even when I've been assigned another tower, I've managed to keep requesting Marina and get it.

I like Marina because I'm usually arriving w/ my 2 kids alone, late at night, after 7+ hours driving. I love being able to pull up, have all the luggage unloaded for me, and splurging on valet parking the first 24 hours, so I don't have to go park the car and shlep the kids after check-in. I REALLY appreciate not having to go outside again once we pull up and check in.

I know many folks love the Downtown Disney views and sounds from the Sierra Towers and the Waterfalls at the Bonita Towers, but Marina is where you have to check in and is the tower that has gift shops in it. It's also closest to the coffee place (not by very much, but I appreciate it).

I tried the Pool View once but found it had a lot of noise. Somehow, the shuttles pulling up on the other side of the building (Standard View) did not bother me or the kids as much ... and both times I've been in those Standard View rooms, I've managed to see quite a bit of the fireworks show (including some of Tinkerbell).

I really love the hotel's theming of the rooms, and my young kids really like it too. I won't spoil it for you but it's definitely fun -- nice Disney details :D. As part of their Resort fee, you get unlimited internet access -- a plus for both my husband and myself, who need it for work. There's never been a fuss if my husband has to join me late or we realize we've forgotten something (like milk :eek: ) -- the staff is very helpful. I've been on the phone at almost midnight with Room Service, tring to figure out the best milk option for my buck$.

I've found the DLH rooms to be a bit bigger than the GCH ones (in general), which I find is better w/ small kids, a porta crib (which they have in all the rooms)/bassinet, changing table setup, toys, etc. A couple of times we had a room configuration w 2 Q beds and a sofa, which was great for the kids to play around (toy storage, etc).

If my husband's with me and one of the kids gets me up early, we can go down and I can get coffee while the little one eats/runs around. This is almost outside the doors of the Marina Tower, right by the pool. A very cool place to wake up and be on vacation!

The DLH has great resort atmoshphere and has a lot of options to offer (nice Never Land swimming pool, waterslide, food, waterfalls, shopping, dining, etc.) that you can take advantage of when part of your family is napping/resting. This is great because I don't feel I am "wasting" time away from the parks.

I've seen Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy all roaming the lobby later in the morning and throughout the day. They interact with guests, pose for pictures, and sign autographs. Some trips, I have done most (if not all) my gift/souvenier shopping in the two gift shops in the lobby.

Crocs Bits & Bites (http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/hotels/dining/detail?name=CrocsBitsnBitesDiningPage) is a place conveniently located near the Lost Bar, where I can get food for the kids at a decent (for the resort) price, and without leaving the hotel grounds.

It's a short walk to the Monorail station in DTD and if you bring proof you are a guest at the DLH and have a valid ticket to Disneyland, you can wait in line and board the monorail (if it's running, and it should be) before the park opens, bypassing the Main Gate/Main Street crowds. Be aware that you will need to get to the monorail station well before park opening, however, and that you'll have to fold any strollers you being before boarding. Otherwise, I've found it's only about a 10-minute walk from the DLH, through DTD, to the Security Check tables.

I found out about how cool it was for my family and I to stay at the Marina Towers by accident. Another family might have different needs and preferences. Think about what will be good for your family and have a great trip!

(PM me if you have any more questions -- I seem to have written a book)

jmom,
Thanks for all that great info....my trip won't be until late April 2008, but this info will be very helpful in my planning.

I agree with everything stated before. I stayed in the Dreams/Downtown Disney tower recently and we had a nice view of the fireworks, too!