What is the best option for lodging when one wants to limit the amount of walking OUTSIDE of the park? Should we stay at the disneyland hotel and take the monorail? Is the Grand California close to the disneyland entrance gates? Or should we stay at a neighboring hotel and use their courtesy shuttle? I was told handicap parking is not the closest, all things considered.

The Grand California is the closest hotel - it overlooks CA adventure, which is just across from Disneyland. We used to always stay at the Disneyland Hotel and take the monorail but the last 2 trips, the monorail has been down. If distance is more important than price, I'd stay at the Grand CA. It's actually a nicer hotel IMO - Mission style, beautiful furnishings and architecture, like a very nice mountain lodge. Less blaringly Disney though, if that's what you're looking for.

We just got back from a stay in California. There are several hotels outside the park that are close. We stayed at the Ramada Main Gate. Several of the hotels offer a free shuttle. If you're not set on staying at a Disney property, you'll save money by staying at a near by hotel. I have a hard time walking, but I was able to make it from the hotel to the main gate where I rented a scooter.

Try disboards.com for info. Post your question under the disABILITIES forum and you'll get lots of info from people who have taken multiple trips to Disney. That's how I got info on taking my service dog. If you're confined to a wheel chair or scooter, or have a difficult time standing for extended peroids of time, go to Guest Relations and get a Special Assistance Pass. This allows you to wait in shaded areas, ride sooner, etc. It was a great help for me.

If I can help you with anything else, let me know. [email protected]

I just remembered, while I was there (about a week ago) the following rides were down: Space Mountian, will reopen in 2005; Splash Mountian; Big Thunder Rail Road; and the Haunted Manson, which will open in October for Halloween.

We were a little disapointed, since it was my husbands first time there since he was 4 or 5. We still had a good time. Check out my trip report on disboards.com.

Thanks for the quick response to my inquiry.. I'll check out disboards too.

Does the Ramada main gate provide a shuttle or is it too close to warrant one?

They no longer provide one, since no one rode it. It's not a long walk to the gate. You could check one of the hotels next to the Ramada and see if you can ride theirs. I had thought of doing that, but didn't need to since I was ok enough to walk to the short distance. Even the shuttles don't let you off right in front of the gate, you still have to walk a little.

I will reccomend that you buy your tickets before arriving at the park to save yourself some time in line. Most, if not all, hotels sell them. You will have to have any backpacks, diaper bags, etc. inspected before you can enter the gate.

If you plan on going to Downtown Disney, you should know that there aren't any wheelchairs or scooters there to rent. At least I didn't see any. When you rent one at DL and then decicde to go to CA, you turn it in and then get one at the other park once in the gate.

Downtown Disney is fun. It's filled with shops and resturants. If you've never been to Rainforest Cafe, I recommed it. They have a thunderstorm, complete with rain every 24 minutes. They have a killer chocolate cake, with a sinful mousse filling. I was going to share it with my husband, but before I knew it, I had eaten it all! House of Blues has a great mini pecan pie, perfect for two. (My idea of a great vacation is desserts that I can't get at home!)

We were there before Adventure opened but they were building it. We stayed at Marriot Residence and used the shuttle. I saw the people walking from other hotels and chuckled that I didn't have to walk the extra distance. The shuttle ran very regularly and we didn't have to wait long. Things may have changed but the shuttle drop off was closer to the entrance and we saw many people walking up the sidewalks as we drove past.

Lots of the places just outside the park have shuttles. But if it fits in your budget, I HIGHLY recommend the Grand Californian. It is a lovely hotel with good restaurants, a gorgeous lobby and nice grounds. It has its own entrance directly into California Adventure.

Do a search here. This was just discussed extensively.

All the hotels can use the Anaheim shuttles. It is $2.00 per person. Many hotels also have their own shuttles.

Don't believe that a hotel is right next to the park if it says Maingate in the name. Distances are deceiving, and short walks are brutal after long days in the park.

Again, do a search here for great info.

I also strongly suggest the Grand Californian Hotel if you can swing it. It is a lovely hotel and its location can't be beat. You are right in the park.