Amtrak to San Diego

[Jiminygirl]

I'm leaving for a cruise after my DLR visit and planning on taking Amtrak from Anaheim. Has anyone used the train lately? Any problems I should anticipate? Thanks!

 

[callmeblissful]

I live in San Diego and have taken this train countless times; to Anaheim and to Union Station in LA. It is a great way to escape the traffic and to get to and from Disneyland safely. The only issue I am aware of is that on certain weekends, Amtrak does track maintenance and certain parts of the route are covered by a bus instead. It does take extra time, accounting for traffic, and is quite a hassle. If you are going on a weekday this shouldn't be a problem. If you are going on a weekend, I would go on the Amtrak website and check whether this will be the case for you when you go. They will provide this knowledge to you beforehand.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

We took Amtrak from San Diego to Anaheim last Dec. it was easy and nice.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I love taking the train from Ana - SD. Easy, fast, fun. Since you have a fixed time that you HAVE to be in SD, I would take a train that gets you there plenty early "just in case."

You mention you are taking a cruise. Does it leave from SD? Most leave from San Pedro which is why I ask.

- Dreams

 

[DisneyMomma81]

You mention you are taking a cruise. Does it leave from SD? Most leave from San Pedro which is why I ask.

- Dreams

We took the train up to Anaheim after our cruise, our cruise left from and returned to the dock right by the Amtrak San Diego station. This was a Carnival weekend cruise.

 

[Disney Dreams]

We took the train up to Anaheim after our cruise, our cruise left from and returned to the dock right by the Amtrak San Diego station. This was a Carnival weekend cruise.

Makes sense. The SD Port is right there. Hope you had fun on your cruise.

 

[Jiminygirl]

Thanks, everybody, for your imput! I'm taking a cruise on Holland America Zaandam from SD. I had heard that the train station was pretty close to the pier- even walking distance if your not too weighted down with luggage! Ive never been to the West coast so I'm trying to get the biggest bang for the distance from home that I'm traveling from. I love WDW and I'm really looking forward to visiting DLR!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I had heard that the train station was pretty close to the pier- even walking distance if your not too weighted down with luggage!

Yes it is walkable ~ we did so in the rain. Have fun! Enjoy your vacation!

 

[bumbershoot]

Just give yourself *plenty* of time. I think that train originates in LA, so there's not much time for them to get behind, but Amtrak doesn't own the rails and doesn't have priority, so if there's a freight train that needs to get through, the Amtrak has to wait. You wants lots and lots of time for the "just in case" scenario.

 

[momrek06]

I just moved from the OC to San Diego and I am so liking the idea of taking Amtrak to DL. Now, is there a shuttle at Anaheim that takes you over to DL?

Also, do you all do this in one day or do you stay over? I am thinking of going up on a Sat eve and staying over somewhere (I have no clue) and then spending all day Sunday in the Parks. I have the SoCal AP so I am blacked out on Sat.

Any ideas for off campus hotels that you all like?

 

[bumbershoot]

I just moved from the OC to San Diego and I am so liking the idea of taking Amtrak to DL. Now, is there a shuttle at Anaheim that takes you over to DL?

Also, do you all do this in one day or do you stay over? I am thinking of going up on a Sat eve and staying over somewhere (I have no clue) and then spending all day Sunday in the Parks. I have the SoCal AP so I am blacked out on Sat.

Any ideas for off campus hotels that you all like?

There are taxis waiting at the ANA station. The station is pretty much in a parking lot, it's very odd, but then you come out through a tunnel and there is civilization. By meter it would have been $13 to the Disneyland Hotel.

The problem with doing a one-day trip is that, while it gets you there nice and early, the latest train doesn't give you time to close out the park. So if you want a true ALL day experience, it doesn't work. But some is better than none!

 

[samkj]

My BIL takes the train from San Diego every time he comes to Disneyland with us. Its easy, inexpensive and convienent. My husband brought him to the train station from the Hojo and he was back in 15-20 minutes, so the trip over to the station is really short and simple.