California driving

[DBarber600]

We're planning a trip to Disneyland for spring 2009. We will be driving from Iowa as we will be stopping at the Cubs Spring Training and making a trip to Lego Land.

What are the best times to drive in and out from the Disneyland area?

We drive to WDW and try to hit Atlanta at about 1:00 AM to avoid traffic. Any suggestions for DL?

Thanks!

 

[DirkLogan]

It depends on what day of the week you are driving in to LA. I am assuming Cubs training camp is in AZ? Then you would come in on the I-10 probably.

During the week, it is a madhouse all day especially the rush hours. Friday nights can be bad pretty late sometimes. I have had good luck late like you were talking about or Sunday mornings. I live north of LA and don't navigate it too often.

 

[lulubelle]

Weekdays are only safe after 9 pm, possibly between 10 am and 2 pm, but it would be iffy. Fridays are out completly Sat and Sun, early am (before 10 am) or after 9 pm. And quite frankly, no time is a shoe in, traffic here is just horrendous and unpredictable.

That said, good luck planning and have a great trip!

 

[godalejunior]

I can only speak for today.........we just got back to DLH from Legoland a couple hours ago. We rented a car from DTD Alamo and left the hotel at 8:45 a.m. and arrived at Legoland just after it opened at 10 a.m. We left Legoland at 4:30 p.m. and it took about an hour and 15 min. to get back to DLH. We hit traffic about 7 miles from the hotel and it was never stopped.....we just moved along.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We've driven too and from many times. The one and only time we did not hit traffic was on our last trip. We hit LA around 11am on Sunday. We hit traffic every time we leave though no matter what day of the week.

 

[Quest4fun]

The best thing to do is avoid Los Angeles.

Coming from Iowa it is best to travel via Las Vegas. It's about 4 hours from Las Vegas to Anaheim. Leaving around 7 or 8 am from Vegas will bring you into Orange County at the perfect time of day. It will most likely be traffic free. I-15 will bring you in through the Inland Empire which will then bring you to Orange County. Stick to the interstates when possible. Once you hit Anaheim on the 91 you're going to want to get on the 55 then the 22 towards the Orange Crush. The 91 can be tough going in the mornings so you may want to avoid it.

Orange County freeways in the afternoon are usually slow going but they are not nearly as bad as Los Angeles.

I used to live in Orange County and recently moved to Iowa. I know Southern California like the back of my hand. You can PM me if you would like any specific pointers. Orange County is very easy to get around IMHO. Stick to the freeways. Even when it's congested traffic still moves and you'll get to where you're going faster than taking side streets.

 

[dkerwood]

We're staying with family in San Diego during our late May/early June Honeymoon trip. What's the easiest/quickest way for us to get to DL?

 

[Quest4fun]

We're staying with family in San Diego during our late May/early June Honeymoon trip. What's the easiest/quickest way for us to get to DL?

Take the I-5 north. Exit Disneyland. Yes, it has it's own exit. From there just follow the signs. Piece of cake!

 

[jlmarr]

Take the I-5 north. Exit Disneyland. Yes, it has it's own exit. From there just follow the signs. Piece of cake!

If you get to the Oregon border then you missed your exit. Just make a U-turn.

 

[Quest4fun]

I guess I should have mentioned it will probably take a couple of hours to get there depending on how far south you are.

Once you hit the infamous "Orange Crush" which is the 5/57/22 interchange you're just a few minutes from the Katella/Disneyland exit. It can be a little confusing. Disneyland is also located in Anaheim. Many people will tell you it's in Los Angeles which is not the case. LA is a good 25 miles North.

The carpool lane also has it's own Disneyland exit so you don't need to worry about getting over.

Good luck.

 

[dkerwood]

How many people need to be in the car for the carpool lane?

 

[Monkey Monkey]

Just 2. A baby in a carseat counts as 1.

 

[godalejunior]

Two or more in a vehicle can use the carpool lane.

 

[Skallywag]

We are flying into Santa Anna Airport and staying at the Grand Californian for two nights before the Panama cruise. We also would love to fit in a visit to the Queen Mary while there.

Firstly would you recommend hiring a car at the airport just for one day to go to the hotel and also perhaps try and do a visit to Queen Mary?

How difficult would this be as we have been unable to find any trips that include this. Have looked on Mapquest and it does not look too bad.

Also do you have to pay to park at the Disney Hotels please?

Thank you.
Brenda

 

[disneegrl4eva]

. Once you hit Anaheim on the 91 you're going to want to get on the 55 then the 22 towards the Orange Crush.

I live in the middle of cali but my aunt lives in Moreno Valley and when Im down there I go to DL on the 91 but I never have to take the 55 or the 22...I just do 91 to 57 and 57 takes you right into anaheim...so I guess my question is...what is the purpose of taking the 55 and 22?

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Many people will tell you it's in Los Angeles which is not the case. LA is a good 25 miles North.

hahaha yeah but it takes you a loooooooooooooooooooooooong time to get through those 25 miles...

 

[jlmarr]

I live in the middle of cali but my aunt lives in Moreno Valley and when Im down there I go to DL on the 91 but I never have to take the 55 or the 22...I just do 91 to 57 and 57 takes you right into anaheim...so I guess my question is...what is the purpose of taking the 55 and 22?

The 91/55/22/5 route enables you to get into the northbound 5 carpool lane which leads to the Disney Way exit. I heard that some search engine recommends this route but it's kind of non-intuitive for me. 91/57/Katella would be more direct, maybe not as fast.