Driving from SK to DL

[hopeis]

Anyone driven to DL in the summer from SK? Taking 3 days to drive down we figure.

We are thinking of going down through Vegas, do DL (purchasing the city pass deal) & universal. (How is it for 5 and 9 year old girls?)

Stay somewhere close enough to walk (and inexpensive).

Then we'll drive down to SD to do the zoo and sea world. Not sure where to stay there.

Then wiggle our way back up to Summerland BC (to Calgary and home again) stopping on the way for the Jelly Belly factory tour, see the Redwoods and any other attractions on the way.

Any thoughts, hints, tips??
Thanks

 

[lady_bug_888]

I haven't driven from Saskatchewan but when I was a child we did the drive from Vancouver. Have you considered camping at some point? We camped at the Redwood forest on the way down which was awesome. We also camped at a KOA close to DL once we got there. They had all the amenities (showers, pool, laundry, washrooms etc...). You could walk from the KOA, a bit far but we did the walk every night (my youngest sister was 2 in a stroller). Best thing about the walk is there were some super cheap breakfast places on the way there and a McDonalds for the way back when we were all begging for a snack! Also, there is a really GREAT campground near the Ocean in San Diego. It wasn't far from Sea World. They played movies on an outdoor theatre screen every night which was awesome!

I have also flown to DL and stayed in a Hotel. There are plenty of options close to DL. The one I stayed at was The Ramada which was clean and quiet and had a small but adequate pool. It was pretty much across the street and easy to walk to DL. There are also several hotels that are within easy walking distance to DL.

I did Universal in California when I was 10 and again when I was 13. I really liked it both times. The focus is mostly on shows as opposed to attractions but I liked the tours and the stunt shows and at the time I really liked the Backdraft ride which freaked me out a bit! I also remember as a kid that I really enjoyed going to Knott's Berry farm and when we take our kids to DL in 2014 we will definitely be going there!

I hope some of this helps!

________

215 days until our 1st family vacation to WDW!!!

 

[canadianjovigirl]

I did the drive from Vancouver and we stopped along the way to see the sights as well. We stayed at the Residence Inn Garden Grove in Anaheim as we wanted space and a kitchen.........also went to San Diego, but just made day trips from Anaheim so we didnt change hotels. The hiway along the coast was amazing...........

 

[squirrel]

We stayed at the Best Western Park Place Inn right across the street from DL. I requested a king bed room and it also had a sleeper sofa. We also had a fridge and a microwave in our room. Every morning we went upstairs for a continental breakfast (cereal, toast, danish, donuts, hard boiled eggs, coffee, tea, juice, etc.) if you wanted you could go downstairs for a hot breakfast-drinks were not included.

My parents took us on the driving trip to DL. It took us 3 days I believe from Vancouver to DL.

 

[ariel68]

Anyone driven to DL in the summer from SK? Taking 3 days to drive down we figure.

We are thinking of going down through Vegas, do DL (purchasing the city pass deal) & universal. (How is it for 5 and 9 year old girls?)

Stay somewhere close enough to walk (and inexpensive).

Then we'll drive down to SD to do the zoo and sea world. Not sure where to stay there.

Then wiggle our way back up to Summerland BC (to Calgary and home again) stopping on the way for the Jelly Belly factory tour, see the Redwoods and any other attractions on the way.

Any thoughts, hints, tips??

Where in SK are you from? We live just about right on the MB SK border, and have done the drive to DL twice,once in 2005 and again in 2007. We have taken a few different routes, also taking 3 or 4 days to travel. We stayed across from the maingate at DL the first trip, then in another offsite property about 10 min walk from DL the second trip. How long are you planning to be gone. Both trips we took 2 full weeks and went as far as Mexico (Los Algedonas). We took a differnt route home each time, making stops at the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore the first time, and Grand Canyon and Las Vegas the second time, and looped our way back. Road trips are the greatest way to travel if you have the time to do it. It allows the flexibility to see so much country at your own pace. We visited DL, and Universal, spent a day in Hollywood, and traveled down the coast to Sea World, and San Diego Zoo (if you plan to do DL, Universal, SW and San Diego Zoo, make sure to get a Southern California Pass, which gives you admission to all of these attractions at great savings).

Our next road trip begins in a little over 2 months from now. This time its 3 days travel to Florida...spending 6 days in Orlando in a vacation rental, then a 3 nt Disney Cruise, four days to travel home with a pit stop in Memphis, to visit Graceland on the way. I cant wait. We have never driven thru the eastern US, so it will be a new adventure for us

 

[hopeis]

ariel68 Sounds like you are going to have a great time at DW!! We were there in 2009 but flew. We are in Saskatoon.
We are planning that our DL trip will be about 18 days to 3 weeks. We are going take our time and see what we see!

 

[Corbisblue]

Great to see another Saskatoon-ian here! I've never driven and only been to Disneyland once. But as far as hotels go there are plenty near Disneyland that are inexpensive.

I'm not sure on your price range but a little research through Expedia and whatever other travel sites you should be able to find something in your price range that is close to Disneyland.

 

[DisneyFairytale]

Anyone driven to DL in the summer from SK? Taking 3 days to drive down we figure.

We are thinking of going down through Vegas, do DL (purchasing the city pass deal) & universal. (How is it for 5 and 9 year old girls?)

Stay somewhere close enough to walk (and inexpensive).

Then we'll drive down to SD to do the zoo and sea world. Not sure where to stay there.

Then wiggle our way back up to Summerland BC (to Calgary and home again) stopping on the way for the Jelly Belly factory tour, see the Redwoods and any other attractions on the way.

Any thoughts, hints, tips??
Thanks

We are doing the drive from Calgary. Once you cross the boarder, we just stick to the i15 from the looks of it. It's 12 hours to Salt Lake then another 6.5 hours to Vegas.

 

[Mybails]

We're from MB - we've been to DL 12 times. The Tropicana is right across the street from the gate and is reasonable and we have stayed there twice and liked it. You can even get a room with a small kitchen if you need to. With kids, in Vegas you might try Circus Circus or the Excalibur. They are more geared to kids. When we go (we always drive) we go through Denver and stay a couple of nights in Vegas and 7 in Anaheim. We keep the hotel in Anaheim because San Diego lodging is mega costly. In Vegas walk the strip - our gang love the pirate ship, the volcano, the fountains and all the casino decor.

 

[Club33forme]

You are going to have a great time. We do the drive multiple time a year from Regina. We have stayed in most hotels on S Harbor Blvd. Right across the street. any address from 1530 S Harbor - 1734 S Harbor is very walkable and 1500 S - 1600 S Harbor is ideal. Carousel , Tropicana, HoJoe Plaza, Desert Inn are all good. Anything you need to know just ask.

 

[irisesareblue]

I did the drive from Brandon MB twice in 2 years (2008 & 2009) - drove to Butte MT the first night and then to Barstow CA the second night, then coasted into Anaheim the 3rd day of driving. On the way back, my first days drive was to Las Vegas where we spent the day - we left early in the morning and were in Vegas by lunchtime.

Both times I did priceline and ended up with very nice 3star hotels - the first year we stayed at the Anaheim Crowne Plaza (got bumped up to Executive ?Level - VERY nice!) which was down the street about a mile and had a free shuttle to the parks which ran frequently and was awesome! The next year we did Priceline again and we had a room at the Hilton Suites in Orange (wetbar with sink, microwave and fridge) near the stadium. The hotel was on the ART - Anaheim Resort Transit - system (although we drove a few days as well). For the money I saved (I think I paid about $45 or 50.00/night plus resort fees) I was more than happy to take a shuttle.

 

[Renee70]

We're in the Prince Albert area and are driving down to California the last week of March - YaY!

It's approx a 30 hr drive down and we HOPE to do it in two big driving days. Not completely sure we'll make it but if not we'll spend a night in Vegas before heading out early the next morning. (my BFF, my dhusband, our 6 yr old daughter and I making the trip)

We're booked into the GCH for 4 nights and then going into San Diego for 3 nights (SeaWorld, museums, shopping and ocean). We may try to hit Hollywood on our way back along with 2 nights in Vegas before heading home (again, taking 2 days to travel back). We'll be gone 12 - 14 days, give or take.

We have books, cards, travel games, DVD player. ipods, an ipad, a laptop, a whiteboard, coloring books, workbooks etc etc etc to TRY to help the many hrs of driving ahead of us. We've been on a few road trips and actually prefer them so truly look forward to it.

I've enjoyed reading these boards and almost freaked when I saw SK mentioned! Everyone we talk to thinks we're CRAZY to be driving and not flying. But, I guess we're not the only crazy ones! LOL

Has anyone started a pre trip report? planning to do one? or even know of someone who has did a trip report that's drove from the far north??

R

 

[SaskDisNut]

We're in the Prince Albert area and are driving down to California the last week of March - YaY!

It's approx a 30 hr drive down and we HOPE to do it in two big driving days. Not completely sure we'll make it but if not we'll spend a night in Vegas before heading out early the next morning. (my BFF, my dhusband, our 6 yr old daughter and I making the trip)

We're booked into the GCH for 4 nights and then going into San Diego for 3 nights (SeaWorld, museums, shopping and ocean). We may try to hit Hollywood on our way back along with 2 nights in Vegas before heading home (again, taking 2 days to travel back). We'll be gone 12 - 14 days, give or take.

We have books, cards, travel games, DVD player. ipods, an ipad, a laptop, a whiteboard, coloring books, workbooks etc etc etc to TRY to help the many hrs of driving ahead of us. We've been on a few road trips and actually prefer them so truly look forward to it.

I've enjoyed reading these boards and almost freaked when I saw SK mentioned! Everyone we talk to thinks we're CRAZY to be driving and not flying. But, I guess we're not the only crazy ones! LOL

Has anyone started a pre trip report? planning to do one? or even know of someone who has did a trip report that's drove from the far north??

R

Hi Renee70, it sounds like you have a great trip planned. I have driven to DL once many years ago and hope we can make another road trip again someday. Driving down in 2 days is ambitious but not unreasonable.

What route are you planning on taking?

 

[Renee70]

Ya, 2 days will be pushing it, especially with a 6 yr old. I (think) we're prepared tho! LOL

We'll go to Lethbridge then South and hit I-15, which takes us thru Salt Lake City, Vegas and into DL!! We've drove down to Vegas a couple times and always take this route as its easy driving.

R

 

[CdnKayDee]

You are going to have a great time. We do the drive multiple time a year from Regina. We have stayed in most hotels on S Harbor Blvd. Right across the street. any address from 1530 S Harbor - 1734 S Harbor is very walkable and 1500 S - 1600 S Harbor is ideal. Carousel , Tropicana, HoJoe Plaza, Desert Inn are all good. Anything you need to know just ask.

How many days does it take for you to get there? What cities do you stay overnight in?

 

[Renee70]

It'll take us approx 30 hrs driving time to get to Disneyland. We plan to do 2 15 hr days... sleeping in Pocatello Idaho the first night and then somewhere just outside of DL the 2nd night, checking into the GCH early on the 3rd day.

We're really looking forward to it, especially after receiving, and watched, the Disney planning DVD today! YaY!

R