 | Although not as extensive as Walt Disney World's transportation system, Disneyland offers several options to allow more ease, convenience or period ambience to their visitors. It's important to understand, though, that most forms of transportation at DLR are not meant for speed so you don't find yourself running late unexpectedly. |
Speed
There are a few options that do, in fact, get visitors to their destinations quicker than walking.
- TRAMS - One of the most visible systems is the tram that takes guests between Downtown Disney and the Mickey & Friends parking structure. You can make the walk, but it's quite a bit faster and easier to navigate if you let the tram driver take the helm.
- SHUTTLES - Many Good Neighbor Hotels opt in to a shuttle service from their property to the Transportation Plaza at the Resort. This cuts down travel time for those who don't wish to pay for parking, especially if you choose a hotel slightly farther away.
Convenience
While these transportation options can be life-savers, you should not expect them to save a lot of time. If anything, they take longer than walking but they save your feet.
- DISNEYLAND RAILROAD - An icon of the park, engines for the DLRR arrive at each station approximately every ten minutes. The shortest leg is between Main Street, USA and New Orleans Square, all others take a lot more time. If you time it right, however, your feet will thank you!
- DISNEYLAND MONORAIL - If you're staying at the Disneyland Hotel or want to take a leisurely trip to Downtown Disney, then the Monorail would be perfect! They arrive at their stations every ten minutes or so, but do not load quickly and can take some time. I would not recommend using the Monorail to enter the park for Extra Magic Hours as it can eat up most of your extra time. It's nice at the end of the day, though.
- SHUTTLES - Although they make the trip back to your hotel faster for those far away, those staying in nearby Good Neighbor Hotels will find the shuttles take a lot longer than walking across the street, but who wants to walk at night after a long magical day?
Ambience
Some Disneyland transportation serves no practical purpose at all, but adds to the overall atmosphere of the park/land, so in that way they become invaluable.
- MAIN STREET VEHICLES - Vintage vehicles on Main Street, USA only take guests from Town Square by the DLRR station to the Central Hub and back - not a long walk at all. But who can turn down the opportunity to ride in a horse-drawn streetcar or on the upper deck of an omnibus? It's just cool! But not fast...
- RED CAR TROLLEYS - The vibrant red cars on Buena Vista Street round out the 1920s vibe at the entrance to DCA, but only have stations at the front gate, Carthay Circle, Hollywood Blvd., and in front of the Tower of Terror. They don't move fast and have to stop frequently to make way for parades and shows in Carthay Circle, but they've become an icon and the conductors can offer a lot of information on the original cars these are based on.
