Hi there, Renee!
Thanks for stopping by our magical corner of the internet here at planDisney. You are just a few short days away from your visit to the Happiest Place on Earth! Can you already feel the pixie dust taking over?
I love to hear you are staying at
Pixar Place! You are going to absolutely love being surrounded by your favorite Pixar Pals and stories, not to mention the perks of being on property at a Disneyland Resort Hotel. We'll get to those in a minute, let's take a look at your question. You are smart to think ahead in your planning - this is the way to a smooth magic carpet ride through your park days. Yes, the Disneyland Monorail is currently closed for refurbishment. I checked with a Cast Member this morning who confirmed that alternative transportation options between Pixar Place and the Main Entrance Esplanade are not currently available as it's considered within walking distance. I know as a fellow Mom that may feel daunting to think about at the end of a magic-filled Disney day, but I will say that my two Mouseketeers (11 and 9) have never had an issue making it back towards the Disneyland Hotel or Pixar Place through Downtown Disney. Powered by pixie dust (or a sweet treat), most likely!
That being said, I can give you a couple of shortcuts. As a guest of Pixar Place, you have special access to a private entrance at the back of
California Adventure right across the street from the hotel. When you head out in the morning, turn left on Disneyland Drive and take a right at the first light you reach. The
Grand Californian Hotel will be on your left, and to your right you will see a sign for this entrance. Last time I checked, you had to scan your hotel key card to access it, but with a quick tap of your key and your ticket, you are walking straight into the magic. As a guest of the hotel, you can also exit this way. While it's likely about the same distance as you would walk through Downtown Disney, it may seem shorter to stroll through the park itself.
If you don't happen to have a Park Hopper and aren't spending the day at California Adventure, you can weave your way through the Grand Californian to make your way back to Pixar Place. Again, this may only shave a minute or two off your journey, but there is so much to see while you are walking that it provides a great distraction. When you leave the esplanade, just after you pass Starbucks in Downtown Disney District, you will see an entrance to the Grand Californian on your left. Follow the signs once you're inside for the lobby and it will pop you out of the hotel about one block north on Disneyland Drive from Pixar Place.
Renee, I know this wasn't necessarily the answer you were looking for, but I hope it's helpful in your planning! When you arrive at the hotel, be sure to ask for the
recreation activities during your stay. You can also see what they have in store on the website, but usually there is a more detailed list available upon arrival. With the Lunar New Year Celebration underway, the Disneyland Resort Hotels are getting in on the festivities. The Sketch Pad Café at Pixar Place hosts a Lunar New Year inspired crafting session on Fridays at 1:00pm. Just across the street, the Grand Californian has a storytime with Mulan on Mondays and Saturdays along with additional entertainment throughout the week. I love that you can get a dose of the magic without even leaving your hotel!
Wishing you an enchanted visit! If you have any follow up questions, you know where to find us here at planDisney.
Tara