Disneyland to Legoland and back -- traffic help from locals?

[aliceindisneyland]

We're driving from Disneyland/GCH to Legoland (Carlsbad) Friday at 9am, and from Legoland back to Disneyland at 5pm.
Normally it would take 45 min-1 hr each way, but I'm wondering if 9 is still too early to miss the am commute traffic, and if 5pm will put us right in pm commute traffic?
Any locals driven these routes on a Friday?
9am 5 S from DL to Carlsbad
5pm 5 N from Carlsbad to DL

Thanks!

 

[skiingfast]

I would leave a little earlier to be safe. There is a carpool lane to get you away from Anaheim and out of LA. Do remember that once off the freeway it will take about 20-25minutes to get parked and to the LL gates.

On the return it will be a mess at 5pm, it will start earlier and you will be in the thick of it. I suggest you take your time leaving and have dinner in Carlsbad to delay a bit.

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

We did this on a Monday.....we left our Anaheim hotel around 8:15, and I can't recall ANY traffic heading south on I-5. We were one of the first cars in the Legoland parking lot, and had plenty of time to purchase our tickets and wait in line for their 10am opening. As far as traffic heading back up north...we didn't want to waste any ride time eating dinner in Legoland, so we ate dinner outside the park after it closed (we ate at TGIF in Carlsbad, but there are many other/better choices). When we were done with dinner, we headed north on I-5 and had no traffic.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

We are not local but have done this drive several times in the past few years. We usually leave between 7 and 8 AM and have not experienced traffic problems except for the time when there was a terrible crash on the other side of the freeway that impacted all lanes both ways. I would definitely not rush to leave at 5 PM unless you don't mind that it will be pretty slow-going on the way back. We have done it since one of our sons can't eat then ride in a car so we decided we had nothing better to do than get on the road, but it can double the time the drive should take. You would be better off staying later and eating there in Carlsbad then heading back to DL.

 

[nana50]

We did this on a Monday.....we left our Anaheim hotel around 8:15, and I can't recall ANY traffic heading south on I-5. We were one of the first cars in the Legoland parking lot, and had plenty of time to purchase our tickets and wait in line for their 10am opening. As far as traffic heading back up north...we didn't want to waste any ride time eating dinner in Legoland, so we ate dinner outside the park after it closed (we ate at TGIF in Carlsbad, but there are many other/better choices). When we were done with dinner, we headed north on I-5 and had no traffic.

I agree. Coming down is not a problem but I wouldn't be anywhere near any freeways at 5:00 p.m. Have dinner at one of the many restaurant in "old" Carlsbad by the beach, then drive home.

 

[MillauFr]

I don't think you'll have any problems at all unless there is an accident. Last time I went to Legoland from DL about 8:30a it was 60 the whole way. Coming back at 5:00p it slowed to 30 around Lake Forest but that was it. Nothing to worry about.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

Thank you, everyone!

OK, seems the consensus is that we'll have no problem Fri morning, but 5pm will be slow-to-stuck. Want to get right back to DL for the evening, so we may have to convince the kids that we really did do it all at Legoland by 3pm and hurry back to Anaheim.
Thanks again!

 

[skiingfast]

Thank you, everyone!

OK, seems the consensus is that we'll have no problem Fri morning, but 5pm will be slow-to-stuck. Want to get right back to DL for the evening, so we may have to convince the kids that we really did do it all at Legoland by 3pm and hurry back to Anaheim.
Thanks again!

Since you are talking about a Friday, traffic will pick up early and I would suggest being on the road by 3:30 if you want to leave early. After that and the drive will be slower.

 

[uneekstylez]

Thinking of doing the same thing, but on a Saturday (10/1). Thinking of leaving Disneyland area around 11AM and then leaving Carlsbad at 4PM. Would that give me about 3-4 hrs in the park? Or is that crazy talk?

 

[MAH4546]

There will be no traffic at 9am on the freeway. Since it's Friday, and many offices in Southern California let employees out as earlynas 2pm, traffic is spread out on Fridays moreso than other days. It won't be that bad.

 

[skiingfast]

Thinking of doing the same thing, but on a Saturday (10/1). Thinking of leaving Disneyland area around 11AM and then leaving Carlsbad at 4PM. Would that give me about 3-4 hrs in the park? Or is that crazy talk?

Have you been to LL?

I'm not a big fan of the place, but unless you've been a lot I would give it more time. Plus some attractions have really slow lines so I would get there at opening and hit the coasters ASAP.

 

[uneekstylez]

Have you been to LL?

I'm not a big fan of the place, but unless you've been a lot I would give it more time. Plus some attractions have really slow lines so I would get there at opening and hit the coasters ASAP.

Well, we'll be going to LL the day before (9/30). But I just found out that they're having a Brick or Treat thing on Saturdays starting Oct, and since our tickets come w/2nd day free...we thought, might as well go and check it out for 3-4 hours. LOL. Can't hurt. My son loves legos. So, he's really excited about going to LL.

 

[MillauFr]

I can see where both of you are coming from. If you are not into Legos its just another amusement park. Save the drive and go to Knotts or Universal instead. If you like Legos it a must see.

I don't understand all the concern about traffic. Is there traffic in Southern Californina. Sure. But if it takes you 2 hours to get back from Legoland instead of 90 minutes is that really a big deal? I don't think so. Traffic is only a concern if you need to catch a flight.