Hello, Monica!
Thank you for stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your
Disneyland Resort question. Are you enjoying making all the pixie-dusted plans for your visit to the Happiest Place on Earth?
The best and most direct walking route to access the
Downtown Disney District and
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel from Harbor Blvd. is to use the entrance on Harbor Blvd. (marked by a large Disneyland Resort sign) and follow the path beneath it that leads to the Main Entrance turnstiles of the two theme parks. Keep in mind that you don’t need a theme park ticket to pass through this area, so you can continue walking through the wide Esplanade between the theme parks until you reach the Downtown Disney District shops and restaurants in just a minute or two. Due to Interstate 5 cutting across Harbor Blvd. and Ball Road, I would not recommend it as an ideal pedestrian route to the west side of the resort. Your only other option is to travel from Harbor Blvd. to Katella Ave. and then head north on Disneyland Dr. until you reach Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.
You’ll need to pass through a security checkpoint on either side of the resort to enter the theme park Esplanade or the Downtown Disney District. Your time spent at the security checkpoints can vary depending on the time of day and how busy the resort is, but the lines usually move fairly quickly. To expedite the screening process, be sure to open any bag compartments or zippers and remove the item’s straps from your body before reaching the front of the line.
I hope this helps, Monica. Please send us more questions as you continue planning your vacation!
Wishing you magic,
Courtney