Amtrak from DL to San Diego do I need to..

[Judyfun]

So on the countdown (7 days) until we leave for Disneyland. But after DL, we are planning on taking the train to San Diego. So my question is.

Do I need to purchase our train tickets in advance? This will be a new experience for both myself and Granddaughter. Also how bad is bringing luggage on the train?

WDW pro's but new to DL

Judy

 

[Camonkeygirl]

The train from Anaheim to San Diego is very easy to do. The station is by the Angels Stadium, which is about 3 miles away. You can purchase tickets online, or there is a ticket office on site. The train comes into downtown San Diego.

As far as checked luggage, I have not done that out of the Anaheim station, but it is really easy to do. Just like the airlines, you go into the counter to check it, and then pick it up at the other end.

It is all very easy and stress free.

 

[Judyfun]

Thank You!

 

[maggieb9975]

I would love to hear your reviews/ comments on the train ride since we will be doing it in July!

Have a great trip.

 

[Renae De Liz]

My family and I went from San Diego to Disneyland on Amtrak a few years ago. It was a breeze. We checked luggage and it was very easy. The ride was beautiful and relaxing, we went by beaches and it was just nice not having to worry about traffic, or driving. They also had outlets for my computer near the seats (which are much more spacious than airplanes) so I could even get a little work done.

I would buy online, mostly because I believe it's cheaper online, and you can find promo codes

So yes, Amtrak is a nice easy ride, far less hassle than an airport for sure.

 

[jlmarr]

Here's the Amtrak California site if it's any help:

http://www.amtrakcalifornia.com

Also a couple of pics of the train to SD, near Del Mar:

 

[Disneylandfan1]

That looks amazing! Thank you for posting those pics!

Here's a coupon from the city of Anaheim website:

http://anaheimoc.org/content/amtrak...s-2-15-ride-half-price-adult-ticket-purchased

Have fun!

 

[skiingfast]

^^^ Just want to mention that is a standard Amtrak deal.

 

[BensDaddy]

I am doing this trip backwards in November. We're going to fly into San Diego, spend a few days, and then take Amtrak to Disneyland. Afterwards we will fly out of Orange County.

Here's the gotcha...

I want to take Amtrak from San Diego to Anaheim on Sunday night so we can be ready for Disneyland first thing on Monday morning. My understanding is that there is no checked luggage service at the Anaheim station on weekends.

additional details: We are planning on staying at the Fairfield Inn by Disneyland on Sunday night, but Monday through Thursday we will be switching to the Grand Californian.

So, here are my options:

#1. We take Amtrak Sunday night to the Fullerton station, cab to the Fairfield, get a good 8 hours sleep, then cab to Grand Californian to drop off our luggage on Monday morning. Leave our bags with the concierge since it will be too early to check in, and start our Disney day...probably around 8 am after all is said and done.

#2. We take Amtrak early Monday morning, check our bags to Anaheim, cab directly to Grand Californian, leave our bags with the concierge since it will be too early to check in, and start our Disney day...probably around 10am after all is said and done.

What do you think?

 

[BensDaddy]

Oh!!

Also, any idea how to handle a rental car in SAN? If I rent it at the airport on Friday, how should I go about returning it prior to boarding Amtrak on Sunday afternoon or Monday morning?

Only need it to visit the beach and tide pools.

 

[Camonkeygirl]

I would take the train on Monday. The first train out heading North is at 6:15. I would talk to your car rental co and see if they have an dropoff near your hotel, or it is a couple of miles from the airport to the train station. You could drop your family off at the train station, then return the car and grab a taxi to head back.

 

[Plutos Mommy]

If you are a AAA member you can get a discount on your tickets when you purchase them online, but I think it has to be done at least a week ahead of time.

If you aren't able to do checked luggage they do have pretty good sized bins over the seats and even bigger areas at the end of each car for storage. I have taken carry on size suitcases many times and never had a problem. The only thing is the downstairs seating is for those who are mobility impaired so you do have to haul your luggage up the stairs.

 

[BensDaddy]

I would take the train on Monday. The first train out heading North is at 6:15. I would talk to your car rental co and see if they have an dropoff near your hotel, or it is a couple of miles from the airport to the train station. You could drop your family off at the train station, then return the car and grab a taxi to head back.

I think you're on to something regarding dropping them at the train station and taking a cab back from the airport.

The wife balked at the 6:15 train. She doesn't want to get up that early and she is afraid the train will be jam-packed with commuters. I personally don't want to take the LATER train because I want to maximize our day at Disney. So... I think we will go the night before (Sunday) and, I guess take the train to Fullerton.

The Fairfield won't be convenient for a luggage transfer over to Grand Californian on Monday morning so I might just bite the bullet and book one night at the Disneyland Hotel ($350 on hotels.com) and just drag our luggage over to Grand Californian in the AM. Not ideal, but doable.

 

[Camonkeygirl]

If you can get your wife up early, the 6:15 train north is not bad. I have taken it 3 times now, and it was never that busy that there were people standing. San Diego is also the first stop, so you will get your choice seats. They also have seating for groups of 3 or more.

 

[HMANSION LOVER]

I think you're on to something regarding dropping them at the train station and taking a cab back from the airport.

The wife balked at the 6:15 train. She doesn't want to get up that early and she is afraid the train will be jam-packed with commuters. I personally don't want to take the LATER train because I want to maximize our day at Disney. So... I think we will go the night before (Sunday) and, I guess take the train to Fullerton.

The Fairfield won't be convenient for a luggage transfer over to Grand Californian on Monday morning so I might just bite the bullet and book one night at the Disneyland Hotel ($350 on hotels.com) and just drag our luggage over to Grand Californian in the AM. Not ideal, but doable.

Try PP, we are doing San Diego the amtrak to DLR. PP is less than DLH