Disneyland area hotel, and San Fransisco for the day...

[andrewilley]

Hey west coaster folks!

After 22 years of visiting WDW, I'm finally venturing over to the west coast for the D23 Expo this year. I'll be arriving Sunday 14 Aug (solo for this part of my vacation) so will have 4-5 days to play before the event starts. I plan to spend 2-3 days in DL/DCA, plus maybe a partial-day trip into LA itself, and definitely aiming to do a one-day trip to San Fransico to see the Walt Disney Family Museum.

I have no idea even what hotel to stay at yet though! I was going to stay on-site at Disney, like I always do at WDW, until I saw the prices --- how much!?!?!?! I can get a fairly decent rate at the Paradise Pier, but I think I had rather set my sights a bit too high on the DL or GC, would I be very disappointed?

I'm wondering whether to maybe splurge for a couple of days at the DL, then get somewhere a lot cheaper off-site for the last four days, perhaps closer to the Convention Center? Someone suggested the Candy Cane Inn as being nice - and I've read through lots of stuff here on the DIS - but recommendations for specific off-site places seem a bit confusing to me. (I have read the DL for WDW vets thread, which was the most helpful). Any other current suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated, including how far places really are from the park gates.

For my day in SF, I obviously plan to get an early flight out there, and I gather John Wayne SNA airport is the closest to the Disneyland area, yes? So if I go for the 6:45am or 7:24am Continental/United flights from there, what time would I need to leave the resort, and what would be my best travel option?

Similarly, when leaving after the D23 Expo on Sunday 21 August, I'll be getting the red-eye out of LAX at 10:50pm. If I take my bags to the convention center with me, what sort of time should I aim to leave to catch my flight to Orlando, and how to travel to the airport?

There. Sorry. Lots of questions, and sadly I don't think those will be my last as I haven't even thought about the parks yet! Well I have, rather a lot in fact, but want to get the basic logistics mapped out first.

Andre

 

[AndyR]

On comparing the Paradise Pier to the Grand Californian......think of it in terms of comparing the Swan/Dolphin (or one of the value resorts) to the Grand Floridian, then decide.

Day trip to San Fran.....

At off hours I can get a cab at the Grand Cali and be at the gate in John Wayne in under an hour.

The Disney Family Museum is approx 20 miles from SFO, getting there by anything other than a cab is probably a hassle. It is open 10am-6pm, every day except Tuesdays. You'd be hard pressed to spend more than 3-4hrs there IMHO.

Convention Center to LAX - I'd allow at least 90mins (just to be safe)

 

[helenb]

Just wanted to mention, have you looked at Southwest? They generally offer the cheapest flights within California, not to mention the most convenient times.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Going to DLR is a little different to WDW. At the World, you would probably want to stay on-site for full emersion.
At DLR, the hotels in Anaheim are close....real close. I've stayed at the Candy Cane. It is nice, more a motel style...but sufficient for my needs. From the Candy Cane to the DLR entry is about 7 - 10 minutes walk at a leisurely pace (for me). The Candy Cane is also one of those hotels that run it's own shuttle to and from the bus dropoff to their hotel. They run every 30 minutes and they are very prompt to their schedule. It can be quicker to walk but if you are foot sore, then the bus is easier on the feet if you time it right.

I've also stayed at Residence Inn Maingate, which is about 15 minutes (slow) walk for me to the DLR entry. It is closer towards GardenWalk and the Cheesecake Factory...but I like the hot buffet breakfast they offer and the rooms are nice.

A lot of people like to stay at Howard Johnson (HoJo), which is again, across the road from DLR and about 5 - 10 minutes walk.

There are a whole bunch of hotels within the 10 - 15 minute walk to Disney and a whole bunch more that are in "Anaheim", where you might need to catch the ART buses.


I've usually flown out of LAX to SFO; but SNA seems to run a few services out as well. SNA is closest and I believe that there are shuttles that run between Anaheim and SNA or you could catch a cab. At SFO, you can catch the BART to the downtown area to see the sights in downtown. It will cost you about $6 one way by the BART. But if your aim is to see the WDF Museum and spend all your time there, then your best bet is to catch a cab. Not sure how much it will cost to get you to the Presidio area from SFO.


I've always hired a car; and we normally fly out of LAX on an international flight at 11 pm or thereabouts. I'm leaving Anaheim at about 7 - 7.30 pm to drop off the car by 8'ish and at the airport by 8.30 latest!
There are shuttles that run to the airport; or taxis. It just depends on your budget.

 

[andrewilley]

Just wanted to mention, have you looked at Southwest? They generally offer the cheapest flights within California, not to mention the most convenient times.

Yeah, I did look at Southwest, but if I choose the SNA>SFO route, the times are a bit limited (the very best is to arrive at 9.30am, leave again at 6.50pm, which doesn't leave me very long in SF).

I can get longer days if I choose to fly from LAX, or into OAK, but the extra travelling time to/from airports might dig further into the day. Price-wise, Southwest could shave a few dollars off the fare - down to $165 instead of $179 with Continental - but at the extra expense of flying from LAX instead of SNA which (would probably cost more in transfer fares anyway).

Andre

 

[nunzia]

If you want to stay onsite for your Disney days (we are staying after the Expo and moving to VGC) and then stay close to Convention Center for Expo, see if the Jolly Roger still has rooms. Closest and cheapest to Convention center..right next door. We got rooms for $70 a night. No breakfast, but other than that is was fine (we stayed there for the 09 Expo also)

 

[Hawleys]

Hi Andre,

You are going to have a wonderful time visiting Walt's original park. It sounds like you have a great trip planned.

I live in the Bay Area. It is a long cab ride from the airport to Walt Disney Family museum (about 20 miles as a previous poster mentioned) and if you are heading to San Francisco on a weekday morning, you could hit some serious commute traffic.

It is definitely possible to take public transportation to the WDFM but you have to be comfortable taking the train and transferring to the bus.

Another option would be to take the BART train from the airport to downtown San Francisco (Powell St. Station) and then take a cab to the museum. The train from SFO to downtown costs $8.10 and takes about 30 minutes. You would save some money and skip the traffic as well.

If you are considering public transport, check out http://511.org/. This website has a trip planner, just enter your starting and ending locations and the time and date of travel and it will tell you how to make your trip on public transportation. The site also has a live traffic map.

Hope we can help you have a smooth trip!

 

[minniecarousel]

If you are going to the Walt Disney Family Museum, be sure to get your entrance tix ahead of time (on-line). I assume they're still not allowing "walk-ups". They meter people into the museum, to avoid crowding. Check and see what they're showing in their theater there too. It's not included in the price of admission, but may be worth your while.

I agree with taking the BART train from SFO to downtown SF, then catching a cab to the Presidio, where the museum is. The view of the Golden Gate Bridge is beautiful from there too.

 

[AndyR]

We did a walk-up one Sunday in April, but yes getting tix online ahead of time would be the way to go.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Another option might be to stay at the Hilton during the convention. It is the closest hotel to the convention center and last minute travel has rooms during the convention for $85 per night (nonrefundable). You could leave your luggage with bell services on Sunday instead of having to take your luggage with you to the convention. -- Suzanne

 

[KatiezMom]

Duh Nevermind, misread my ticket.

 

[andrewilley]

Jolly Roger has some good room rates still, definitely worth considering for the Expo days, thanks for that.

For the WDFM, yes I'll pre-order my ticket online, thanks. They no longer have timed entry according to the DIS thread about the museum, which is great.

I've been discussing various options for my day in SF in that thread too, and currently my rough plan is: from SFO arrival (at 8:55am) take BART and then bus to the Presidio, then 10 mins walk to WDFM so I hope to be there a bit after 10am. [Do you think BART to Powell Street and then a cab to the museum might be quicker then, and if so about how much would the cab cost?] I plan to spend 4+ hours at the museum, and view the Golden Gate Bridge from nearby too. Then get a cab (or bus?) over to Fisherman's Wharf area for an hour or two to look around, then get the cable car to Powell Street, then the BART right back to airport in time for 8.30pm flight. Phew! Talk about a packed day!

I think a cab from DL area to SNA airport might be easiest for such an early flight, or would there be other reliable options to get me there for a 7.30am flight without having to get up ridiculously early?

Lovin' all the help and tips folks, thanks so much.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

What about taking Amtrak from Anaheim to San Fran? $70 return and takes 50 min to get there?

Erm, I know I'm not a local, but the Amtrak is faster than a plane?! I thought it took all day from LA to SF by train...

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

Another option might be to stay at the Hilton during the convention. It is the closest hotel to the convention center and last minute travel has rooms during the convention for $85 per night (nonrefundable).

Sounds like a great price, I was seeing around $160 plus tax for the Hilton for 19-21 Aug (it had already occured to me as a good option for the convention, from looking at the excellent wikimapia view). What site did you see $85/night at?

Andre

 

[Showpony]

Erm, I know I'm not a local, but the Amtrak is faster than a plane?! I thought it took all day from LA to SF by train...

Andre

You're right...an Amtrak ride from LA to SF is an all day adventure...lol...probably looking at 10 hours depending where Amtrak stops along the way.

 

[GrandBob]

Do you think BART to Powell Street and then a cab to the museum might be quicker then, and if so about how much would the cab cost?

If it were me I'd take BART to the Civic Center stop at 8th and Market and take a cab from there. That's a little closer to the Presidio and not quite as much in the "thick" of downtown traffic.

Google maps puts that at about 4 1/2 miles. Taxi fare finder says that the taxi rate is $3.10 plus $.45 for each 1/5th mile, plus waiting time. I'd guess the cab fare to be around $15 plus tip. Call it $20 total.

(OK, if it were me, I'd rent a car. But if you don't want to drive on our side of the road, take BART to Civic Center and then a taxi)

If you want to take all public transportation, though, then use 511.org. It seems to suggest BART to Powell, the 31 bus west to Turk and Masonic, then the 43 bus north to the Presidio at Letterman and Lincoln. You should have no more than a 1/2 mile walk from there. But the 511.org planner puts it at a 1 1/2 hour trip, undoubtedly due to having to take 3 separate sets of public transit. Hence my suggestion for a taxi.

HTH,
Bob

 

[Quinnie]

If I were flying from la to sf, I would definitely fly out of lax and use southwest. If you print out your boarding pass ahead of time, (ask the hotel to print it for you), you can walk right to security. I would say you should get to lax one hour before departure, but you could push it to 45 minutes. You will get the best sw deal out of lax. You can take the shuttle (shuttle2lax.com) to and from lax for only 20 bucks each way. Way cheaper than a taxi. Hope that helps.

 

[andrewilley]

So, I've decided on Weds 17 August for my day-trip from Disneyland to San Francisco. I can fly from SNA (John Wayne) or LAX for similar cost (SNA is slightly more, but only by a few dollars). From LAX I can fly Southwest or Continental for exactly the same price, and with much the same time options.

I'll be staying at one of the nearby hotels to Disneyland, but probably not actually on-site by then (I think I'll do two 'splurge' nights on-site on Sunday/Monday, and then five nights at somewhere like the Candy Cane Inn, Park Vue, etc)

So the question is, which airport? Several people here have said they prefer LAX, but I thought that SNA was much closer to the Disneyland area? I'd like to keep my travelling time (and cost, but time especially) to a minimum - especially with a flight at around 7am. What time would I need to leave my hotel for the easiest journey? Would transfer shuttles run at that time of day, and if so would I need to catch one horribly early? (shuttle2lax.com want to pick me up at 3.25am for a 7am flight from LAX!!! I was hoping for nearer a half-hour journey and more sleep!)

See, I said I would be asking a lot of questions! Thanks for any help.

Andre

 

[AndyR]

SNA. LAX basically sucks in comparison IMHO.

Yesterday we caught a cab @ Grand Cali @ 4:30pm and were at the gate (with checked baggage) in 35 mins.

3 weeks ago I caught the 7am Disneyland Express from the DL hotel and the travel time to LAX was 1:15 and then another 30+ mins just to get through checkin/security.

YMMV

 

[andrewilley]

SNA. LAX basically sucks in comparison IMHO.

Yesterday we caught a cab @ Grand Cali @ 4:30pm and were at the gate (with checked baggage) in 35 mins.

Sounds great, SNA it is then! Sounds like a 6.45am flight from SNA would be doable leaving the hotel by 5.30am then, although I'd probably leave a bit earlier just in case. How much did that cab cost by the way?

Andre