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Alex S.
08-26-2005, 04:14 PM
All distances are to the compass rose in the middle of the esplanade, using the most likely walking route. Other than the on property hotels I just did a selection of area hotels to give a sense of walking distance.

Best Western Park Place Inn (front end) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.91897416114807&centerY=33.809132196942244&zl=0&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=cljmEvgunUAb@f@BBjAB%60AARSVBlI@d@%5Eh@Bx C) - 1,310 feet (0.248 miles)
Grand California Hotel (Lobby, DCA Closed) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.91898488998413&centerY=33.809123282397046&zl=1&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=eajmE%7EvvnUIf@%7DB%3FMeAw@CLs@BgAD_AMeAM _AQ_AGw@EuAg@yC) - 1,569 feet (0.297 miles)
Grand California Hotel (Lobby, DCA Open) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.91896343231201&centerY=33.809123282397046&zl=1&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=iajmEvvvnUc@CFs@QKCkBl@KEeAMm@c@QM%5DUe@P _Ah@w@To@Bs@u@eBuE%3F) - 1,762 feet (0.333 miles)
Best Western Park Place Inn (back end) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.91336297988892&centerY=33.80948877798878&zl=0&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=%7DijmEn%60vnU%3****@gACcIDSDQF%5DA%7D@Ak Ag@GAgJ) - 1,794 feet (0.340 miles)
Anaheim Fairfield Inn (Lobby) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.91369557380676&centerY=33.811396461343584&zl=0&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=%7BijmEn%60vnU%3FuCm@gACcIDSFQD%5DA%7D@Ak AeKKOiEQY%3F%7D@) - 2,342 feet (0.443 miles)
Grand California Hotel (Farthest Room, DCA Closed) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.91896343231201&centerY=33.809123282397046&zl=1&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=mfjmEjkvnULjCXTdABFhCXB%3FnBcBC%3F%5DKeAe AC_@YZ_ABgAGs@%3FuAWmAc@cAGuE) - 2,367 feet (0.448 miles)
Disneyland Hotel (Sorcerer Hat) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.91899561882019&centerY=33.80910545330386&zl=1&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=_ijmE%60ownUEgEF_@IY%5B%7DCHS@%5BCUG%5BIQ %3FQCQA%5DBUJSLQRMBUE%5DBSPWP%5BVe@@%5D@s@Aw@Cw@Ey @Ei@GYO%5DM_@Oe@Mm@EwD) - 2,390 feet (0.452 miles)
Paradise Pier Hotel (Middle, through GCH) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.91898488998413&centerY=33.809141111486525&zl=1&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=swimEddwnUE_B%7DCO%3Fo@IcAHs@m@e@%7BAw@gC %3FQkBqAm@To@D_AAyAOqAWqAi@uA@%7DC) - 2,533 feet (0.454 miles)
Anaheim Fairfield Inn (farthest room) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.91341662406921&centerY=33.81085268677788&zl=0&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=%7BijmEn%60vnU%3FuCm@gACcIDSFQD%5DA%7D@Ak AeKKOiEQY%3F%7D@@u@hBA) - 2,618 feet (0.495 miles)
Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel (lobby) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.91432857513428&centerY=33.812956451162435&zl=0&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=%7BijmEn%60vnU%3FuCm@gACcIDSFQD%5DA%7D@Ak AeKKcGE%7D@@FcADsAe@G) - 2,779 feet (0.526 miles)
Candy Cane Inn (lobby) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.91579842567444&centerY=33.80431820736169&zl=0&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=%7BijmEn%60vnU%3FuCm@gACcIDSFQD%5DPQLKdE% 3FHg@xDEtIAzCDn@FNj@) - 2,876 feet (0.545 miles)
Disneyland Hotel (Farther tower) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.92725682258606&centerY=33.80766128441647&zl=1&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=%7BijmEh%60vnUG%60BJdBh@%7EALp@LpA%3FjBFp AMfAYn@Q%5CJ%5CQ%60@%5B%60@%3FtAL%7CAQ%5CTj@Lh@%3F v@LbACpE%7CFG@nD) - 3,125 feet (0.592 miles)
Paradise Pier Hotel (through Downtown Disney) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.91897416114807&centerY=33.80911436785091&zl=1&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=ywimEldwnU%3FlAuCRMdA%7DDJwBCk@k@S_AOaBSk @GgAGu@By@Fq@RMJ%5DKa@f@k@Ng@B_AAcBCoBSmA%5BcAQm@I qE) - 3,234 feet (0.613 miles)
Candy Cane Inn (farthest room) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.91741847991943&centerY=33.804068585701394&zl=0&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=%7BijmEn%60vnU%3FuCm@gACcIDSFQD%5DPQNKbE% 3FHg@zDErIAzCDn@FNj@l@VBjH) - 3,423 feet (0.648 miles)
Anaheim Sheraton (lobby) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.91840553283691&centerY=33.813206046893555&zl=2&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=wglmEflvnUj@BR%7BArAPFjHr@M%7C@CjACnACh@B h@Fn@Fp@Nr@%5Et@%5Eh@x@b@%7E@f@lAf@fAj@f@v@b@z@LhA AjGAlAI%7CBQrBQNQBcAH%5DnAgBVKv@Ot@e@Vm@J_@Vm@TI%5 E_@No@MiAKuAMeA%5DgASwD) - 5,782 feet (1.10 miles)

Disneynerd
08-26-2005, 04:17 PM
That was extremly nice of you! Thank you for working hard for fellow Disneyland fans! You rock!
But, how is the GCH farther than the Best Western?

stitchlvr
08-26-2005, 04:18 PM
Well, that does answer that question finally. Thanks for the research. I have long suspected that BWPPI is the closest. It's a big part of the reason that's it's my favorite hotel.

Lani
08-26-2005, 04:19 PM
Hey!! I've always been saying that Best Western is the closest, and I WAS RIGHT!! By gum!

stitchlvr
08-26-2005, 04:21 PM
Hey!! I've always been saying that Best Western is the closest, and I WAS RIGHT!! By gum!


Lani, great minds think alike. I've always said the exact same thing!

disneyhound
08-26-2005, 04:26 PM
Thanks, great resource!

Osky
08-26-2005, 04:32 PM
I must point out that the room you have listed as the "farthest room at the GCH" is only the farthest room going from the park to the room. When going from the room to the park, you can use the emergency exit stairwell right on that end of the building. Makes it a lot closer.

Alex S.
08-26-2005, 04:35 PM
I didn't know that. Then yes, that would be much closer than anybody else, at least in one direction.

h_lehmann
08-26-2005, 08:05 PM
Wow! Great research. I live about 50 miles away, so for me it's just a day trip, but it's neat to see what can be done with Google maps.

rentayenta
08-27-2005, 07:44 AM
Thanks Alex!



The PPH is not looking so hot anymore for our December trip.

Crazy4DL
08-27-2005, 08:15 AM
Thanks Alex!



The PPH is not looking so hot anymore for our December trip.

Go through the GC.

We discovered that the last day we were there May 04 :rolleyes:

It makes a huge difference. IMO ;)

Alex S.
08-27-2005, 08:27 AM
As others have pointed out, there are other factors to consider than simple walking distance. For the most part we're talking about a range of about a quarter-mile difference between the close options and the not-so-close options.

Since the monorail is often mentioned as a benefit for the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel, here are the numbers for those.

Disneyland Hotel (lobby to monorail) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.92458534240723&centerY=33.80964032448356&zl=0&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=sgjmEduwnUYEIiEI%7D@OaHuBA) - 1,108 feet (0.210 miles)
Disneyland Hotel (farthest room to monorail) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.92460680007935&centerY=33.80952443601171&zl=0&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=%7D%60jmEntwnU%3FmDcGDCaEA%5DFKUaCyAA) - 1,468 feet (0.277 miles)
Paradise Pier Hotel (lobby to monorail station) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.92428493499756&centerY=33.80857949338315&zl=0&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=cximEtcwnUGhBoAJu@DGf@OAMDILIJGHqCHwAGYW% 5DUOWQOKWMa@Cy@wAA) - 1,590 feet (0.301 miles)
Mickey & Friends (farthest spot to compass rose) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.91897648827832&centerY=33.80910545330386&zl=0&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=%7DtkmE%7ExwnUjHA@%7DINCz@%3FTK%5ES%5CUbD CFJt@BFD%60BAn@Lx@At@MzBAj@%7D@nB%3FVkAXY%7C@Cd@C% 3F%7BBAWCW@U%3Fg@Uk@@YJkALSPOFWGYR%5DZoAHiA%3FADsA OaBOwAGq@Qm@Wk@GmD) - 5,199 feet (0.985 miles)


By the way, if you get the worst parking spot (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.92457461357117&centerY=33.813954829717474&zl=0&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=%7BtkmE%7ExwnUC%7DTlGCRT%7E@t@p@a@DU) at Mickey & Friends (as happened to us last weekend) it is a walk of 1,888 feet (0.358 miles) just to get to the tram.

Wendi
08-27-2005, 08:53 AM
Wow, this is very cool... thanks for your research!!! Can you tell us what the difference in distance is from the GCH to the Monorail vs. the Compass Rose?

pisces
08-27-2005, 09:15 AM
"But, how is the GCH farther than the Best Western?"---Nerd

Uh, what is the margin of error on this?

Because, it doesn't include the Park Vue, which may or may not be closer.

The thing about the Park Vue is that it may be, get this, ....closer to the Maingate......but further from the crosswalk.

Disclaimer: I don't recommend this; however, I've seen people get to the Maingate faster, by cutting across Harbor, and gasp, not use the crosswalk.

Also, the Lobby of the Grand Californian is not a very good yardstick. Many of the Standard rooms at GCH aren't located anywhere near the Lobby. The Lobby isn't even Downtown Disney. The GCH Lobby is more over near Disney Drive. However, many of the Standard rooms are located near the La Brea Bakery stairwell/fire escape. It's that blank/non-descript door near La Brea Bakery that's always closed. Actually, sometimes it's propped open, though. Hehehehehe.

If you are talking about the Libby Lui gate, then I really don't know. But with the La Brea Bakery stairwell exit........you come out of there and are within spitting distance of the baggage check. That exit opens right up into the baggage check.

There's just no way that Park Place can beat that, especially when you are talking about getting to the crosswalk. Waiting at the crosswalk etc.

I'm not dissing Park Place. I'm booked with them, as a second choice safety option, should I go broke......but, from what I've seen with my own eyeballs, GCH is closest to the maingate.

Alex S.
08-27-2005, 09:21 AM
Grand California Hotel (lobby to monorail) (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-117.92459607124329&centerY=33.80951552150738&zl=0&fl=s-e-h-0-1&polyline=abjmEpxvnUoB@AiAa@E%5DI%5Bh@Ub@BLFVITOPQR %3FT%3FXGPDh@Hj@@%60@Ch@Dd@sA@) - 1,336 feet (0.253 miles)

So, it is about 233 feet shorter to go to the monorail rather than walking to the park entrance.

Alex S.
08-27-2005, 09:39 AM
Yes, GCH is closer to the maingate if you use the fire exit and have a room on that side of the hotel. Though there is no guarantee you will be able to use that door to return to your exit.

The margin of error on the actual measurements is pretty good. I tested it with the basepaths at McAfee Coliseum (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/?centerX=-122.20099210739136&centerY=37.75155412161981&zl=0&fl=s-e-s--1&polyline=ajleFdkzhVD%7D@n@HGz@q@G) in Oakland, California. Charting a course around all four bases it gave a distance of 357.5 feet. The true distance is 360 feet. That is less than one percent error. (I would have done a version for Edison Field, but it is under construction in the images available.)

Obviously a lot of little things can create different actual numbers. For example, most people don't walk through Downtown Disney in anything approximating the shortest route. They bounce back and forth looking in store windows or going around crowds watching a musical act.

And there are many factors other than simple walking distance that go into the choice of a hotel (not for me since I rarely use any hotel services). But for those who are contemplating spending an extra $150 a night for a room and a large part of the reason for that is the perceived convenience of the Disneyland Hotel being closer than other hotels, I think this is informative.

Also, when you are talking about the hotels right around Maingate on Harbor, there is going to be a huge difference between the rooms closest to the street and the rooms farthest from the street. Most of the hotels have narrow streetfront and stretch well back from the road, generally about a tenth of a mile.

crazi4dlr
08-27-2005, 09:52 AM
Yeah but the best part about the distance is that we can eat just one more corn dog or churro and still walk it off! :D

losaitkens
08-27-2005, 09:56 AM
Thank you so much for this information. I stayed at the Fairfield Inn and the Disneyland Hotel this summer and could have sworn that the Disneyland Hotel was closer! They are basically the same distance and that's if you have a room in the close tower. It just seems closer but like everyone mentioned, that could be due to the atmosphere walking through DTD vesus going through the Harbor Blvd crosswalk.

Question...

We booked a room at GCH w/ theme pk view (of Condor Flats area hopefully) this November and my primary reason for justifying the price was proximity to the hotel. I have a fairly large stroller that prohibits us from using the stairways- will I have to go through the lobby to enter/ exit GCH? I am unfamiliar with the layout of the hotel and not sure of elevator locations and entry/ exit points.

TowerofTerror
08-27-2005, 10:19 AM
Thanks for all the details on how far away thing are to the entrance of Disneyland and California Adventure

Alex S.
08-27-2005, 10:25 AM
There is an elevator at the end of the building near the fire/emergency exit being mentioned and I would have to assume that it is wheelchair/stroller accessible from the ground floor. There is no guarantee, however, that you'll be able to come back in through that door when returning unless there is a card-lock on the door (which I don't think there is).

Maus
08-27-2005, 10:36 AM
We booked a room at GCH w/ theme pk view (of Condor Flats area hopefully) this November and my primary reason for justifying the price was proximity to the hotel. I have a fairly large stroller that prohibits us from using the stairways- will I have to go through the lobby to enter/ exit GCH? I am unfamiliar with the layout of the hotel and not sure of elevator locations and entry/ exit points.

There is an elevator next to Napa Rose close to the DCA entrance. If DCA is open you can cut through there to get to DL park. When DCA is closed you enter through DTD at Libby Lui's and back track.

I'm not familar with the emergency stairwell and the elevator Alex mentioned. Is it different from the Napa Rose elevator?

Here's a map of the hotel: GCH map (http://www.dlresortinfo.com/GrandCalifornian/map2.html)

pisces
08-27-2005, 11:08 AM
Look on the GCH guest map. Go way over to the right at room #451, that's where the fire exit/stairwell is located.

Room #451 is nearly at the Baggage Check. It's right at La Brea Bakery.

As you can see from the map, there's a big difference in location in terms of the 400 wing, and the rooms surrounding the lobby/great hall. If you look at the map, in general, most of the rooms, overall, are heading in that direction, over towards the 400-451 corridors.

In other words, GCH rooms are literally heading toward the Maingate. The GCH is really a clever design. I think Peter Dominic (Designer) really took all of this into account when he laid out the structure of GCH. That's why I don't think the distance survey makes allowances for the expansive sprawl of the complex----a sprawl that approaches, and leads right up in the direction of the Maingate. Whereas, Park Place rooms are moving in the opposite direction from the Maingate!

Someone help me with this: Where would you put the Libby Lui entrance, in terms of the guest room map? I'm thinking Libby Lui is located directly below room 159 or so. There's a big big difference in distance from room 159 and room 451.

But, even the 300 blocks of rooms are really close to the special fire escape.

In any case, walking through the GCH, whether it's through the room corridors, or the lobby corridors....is a much easier walk, than through the parking lot, and crosswalk congestion of Harbor/Park Place......I would think!

Maus
08-27-2005, 11:37 AM
Someone help me with this: Where would you put the Libby Lui entrance, in terms of the guest room map? I'm thinking Libby Lui is located directly below room 159 or so. There's a big big difference in distance from room 159 and room 451.

It looks to be closer to room 145: GCH Lobby map (http://www.dlresortinfo.com/GrandCalifornian/map1.html)

We were in room 5412. Much shorter to cut through DCA. Wish I'd known about the fire escape stairwell. That would have been a great shortcut to get downstairs. Climbing up five flights? Not so much.

Alex S.
08-27-2005, 12:32 PM
If they had put the parkside entrance to GCH at that end of the building it would have been a great design. But as it is, the x51 room is only the closest if you're aware of that exit. And if you aren't in that wing, but somewhere almost as far away, say x57 you're not going to be at all aware of it.

As I showed, if you are in x51 and don't know about the stairwell exit (or if you're coming back and can't come in that way) then it is actually a longer walk back to your room than the Fairfield Inn beyond the McDonald's on Harbor.

I haven't ever stayed at the GCH (since most of the benefits of nice hotels are lost on me). Do they do anything to advertise the shortcut using that exit?

Osky
08-27-2005, 12:37 PM
Nope. I would say only a very small number of people know about them. I knew they were there, but thought they were for emergencies only. On the trip before my last, I saw someone else go out that way and tried it myself.