Disneyland Tram

[light1dragon]

I was thinking what is the meaning of having a tram before entering the entrance to both DL and DCA park? Is it just to take people from the parking lot to the entrance, because if that is the case why can't they create a short walkway for people to just walk to the entrance? Or is there a in depth meaning of the tram. I like to think of it as a passage that takes you from reality to fantasy. What do you guys think of it as?

[Radiobarry]

How do you create a "short" walkway from the parking structure to the main entrance?

The tram is something you ride to get from point A to point B.

I've never thought of it as anything more than that.

Especially parking in the M and F structure, compared to the old Parking Lot.

[DISNEYJUNKIE]

It sure did seem like the old parking lot tram let you off closer to the entrance of course there was not esplanade and DCA then. I sort of remember also having all the hotel/motel buses also coming up to a the front jockeying for position to pick up guest. I was amazed on my last visit that there was the "white" section outside the cones and parking lot where the Hyatt guest were let off amd picked up.

[Code90]

There is a walkway between the structure and the parks. When you're at the Mickey & Friends tram loading area, just cross the tram route toward the Pinocchio lot and make an immediate left to walk along the fence. When you reach Disney Way, turn left and cross Disneyland Dr. Then take the sidewalk to your right and make a left at the walkway located under the Monorail beam. That walkway will take you right behind Naples.

Think of the tram anyway you want, but I personally have been very disappointed by the system's inefficiency at times. After the most recent incident that caused one tram to hit a stationary object, they have changed their procedures, thus creating longer wait times to board. For me, the trams have become somewhat of a joke. Using the walkway is usually the faster way to go when the crowds are 3-4 tram loads thick.

[Radiobarry]

Originally Posted by DISNEYJUNKIE

It sure did seem like the old parking lot tram let you off closer to the entrance .

There's no question that it did. And for all the faults of the old PL, the tram left you much closer to your car than presently is the case.

There is a walkway between the structure and the parks. When you're at the Mickey & Friends tram loading area, just cross the tram route toward the Pinocchio lot and make an immediate left to walk along the fence. When you reach Disney Way, turn left and cross Disneyland Dr. Then take the sidewalk to your right and make a left at the walkway located under the Monorail beam. That walkway will take you right behind Naples.

The OP referred to a "short" walkway. Yes, I do have trouble walking, but even so I can't see that as "short".

And as far as the tram being a passage from reality to fantasy....theres that pesky security bag check thing in between.

If I see anything as such a "passage" it's the tunnel I go through leading into DL's Town Square.

-- Barry

[Dan - Tasmic!]

Originally Posted by light1dragon

.......because if that is the case why can't they create a short walkway for people to just walk to the entrance?

If you want a "short wakway", why not create some sort of teleportation system, That was cut the wait and the walk!

[findingmickey]

the tram is something that emits an unusual smell... letting you know you're at Disneyland. (it that biodiesel or used vegetable oil?)

one major gripe about the tram is the inefficient loading and the CUTTERS. some of the cast members do a great job of making sure that the strollers and elderly are allowed to get into the larger seats or onto the tram rows they were waiting for. however, there are others that let random people cut in front of the elderly and the parents of younger children trying to load strollers (especially those larger bays in the front and back).

[tj9991]

Originally Posted by Code90

There is a walkway between the structure and the parks. When you're at the Mickey & Friends tram loading area, just cross the tram route toward the Pinocchio lot and make an immediate left to walk along the fence. When you reach Disney Way, turn left and cross Disneyland Dr. Then take the sidewalk to your right and make a left at the walkway located under the Monorail beam. That walkway will take you right behind Naples.

Think of the tram anyway you want, but I personally have been very disappointed by the system's inefficiency at times. After the most recent incident that caused one tram to hit a stationary object, they have changed their procedures, thus creating longer wait times to board. For me, the trams have become somewhat of a joke. Using the walkway is usually the faster way to go when the crowds are 3-4 tram loads thick.

This reminds me of how I got to and from Disneyland on the first day I visited last month. The story goes that I didn't know how to get into Disneyland and wanted to get there so fast that I didn't bother to ask anyone. I saw Disneyland Drive so I figured that was where the main entrance was. I walked out there and walked along a very small sidewalk which seemed to be getting smaller and smaller, and eventually it disappeared and I was walking just on the road. I had went too far to turn back, so I just kept going and ended up at the Mickey and friends parking lot, and just walked up to one of the attendants and asked them which way to the tram.

I drew a map: quikmaps.com :: show

On my way back that night, I was found out by security and was stopped and questioned about why I was walking through the parking lot, but in the end they just told me to be careful and it would be fine for this time.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

The tram drops you off in front of the World of Disney store for a reason.

[ttrocc7007]

I use the walkway most times, but it is not clearly marked, and at night for the return walk, the sign outside the Pinnocchio walkway isn't even lit. Clearly they want you to use the tram service.
The original tram service (pre DCA) did in fact take you right to the front gate. We used to walk to and from our car anyhway. The tram stops are a joke being jammed with itchy adrenaline filled (or tired and grouchy) guests. I liken the experience to the Tokyo subway in rush hour.
I would hope that if the intent was to whisk you from reality to magic of the park, the imagineers would offer something more than the view of Disneland drive, and a couple of billbioards for movies that haven't been in release for many months.

[swamp rat]

Walking from Tram station to Tram station is the same as walking from the front gate to Splash or small world. With how efficiently the trams run, I view the trams kind of like waiting for the 1st parking spot at the mall while someone is loading and getting in their car. Just drive in the lot, park in the 1st spot you see, get out and walk. 9 times out of 10 you are going to walk right past the person with the blinker on waiting, waiting, waiting. If the tram is there, boarding and there is room, sure Ill take it. But if there is no tram (when there is no tram) or there is a line a walking I will go

[goofypirate]

The trams aren't too bad as long as you don't arrive or depart during peak times (8-10am and 10-11pm). Unless you're a fast walker it probably is faster to wait for the trams, but its much less stressful to walk. If you're trying to conserve steps for the park then just be patient and wait for the tram. Plus you get a little bonus glimpse backstage of at least a couple show buildings!

[Datameister]

I'm all for deep analysis of what elements of the park mean, but this is one case in which there really is no deeper meaning. The tram is a way to get from the all-too-distant parking structure to the parks, with some brief backstage views and some interesting smells along the way. Nothing more.