DL to Pasadena Question

[basketrn]

We are visiting over New Years and will be staying at GCH at Disneyland. We are going to the Rose Parade and have seats in the grandstands at the beginning of the parade. So my question is how much drive time do you think I should allow? It's on a Monday this years, so I am sure the traffic will be even worse. We have paid for parking already in the section near our seats. The tickets say be in seats by 6:30. Not sure if this is a hard fast rule. Parade starts at 8am.

Thanks for any help!

Dawn

 

[jlmarr]

A few years ago my son had grandstand seats near the start of the parade, so we decided to drive to the east end of the Gold Line (Sierra Madre Villa Station) and take that to the downtown area in order to avoid the hassles of trying to drive and park close to the parade starting area. It worked out pretty well - we got there at O-dark-thirty and walked around the pre-parade area to see all the floats being prepped for the parade. On the return it was a bit crowded at the Del Mar station, but we figured the alternative would have been worse. http://www.metro.net/around/rail/gold-line

Travel time to Sierra Madre Villa station was about 45 minutes. On top of that you have the train time, plus waiting for it, plus time to walk to the pre-parade area, so like us you'd want to leave really early, like 5am, maybe earlier. Here is the special Metro schedule for last year: http://www.metro.net/service/advisories/update/special/24/

Walking from Del Mar Station to start of parade: http://g.co/maps/z9xs4

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

If you already have paid for parking, I would say to leave by 5:am to give you time to get to Pasadena, park, and get to your seats. Be sure to get something hot to drink before you park to keep you kind of warm.

Have a blast. I'm planning on going with some friends, but we're thinking about sitting on the curb.

 

[basketrn]

Thanks for the info!!
My sons band is the Avon HS Marching Black and Gold so cheer loud when you see them

 

[jlmarr]

I wonder how that went.

 

[basketrn]

It went great! We left The grand cali around 4:40am (drove in rental car). Was parked in Pasadena by 5:50 am. Thanks for all the advice. We are actually on our way to LAX as we speak to head home to snowy Indiana where the temps are in the 20's