driving from hollywood to disneyland

[julieannbabe]

is it best not to try and get there for opening as the traffic on the freeway is bad between 7am-9:30am.

is it best to leave hollywood after 9:30am?

thanks.

 

[Raindown]

If you left at 7am it probably wouldn't be too bad, as long as you could make it past downtown. If you want a more leisurely morning leaving at 9:30 would be fine. Maybe still a little busy in downtown, but nothing like the morning.

 

[Melora]

I grew up in Hollywood so that used to be my starting point.
(Nowadays we have to drive from Thousand Oaks so if dont leave by 6:30 AM there's no getting there at a decent hour).
If you leave Hollywood at 9:30 there is still a strong possibility that you will hit traffic between Hollywood and downtown. Traffic really doesn't let up with any certainty during the week until after 11AM. (Hopefully)
If you can get out the door before 7:30 you should miss the majority of traffic.
15 years ago I never hit any traffic going south on the 5 after downtown in the morning because all the people were heading into the city but I dont know how much the traffic patterns have changed since then.

 

[pokee99]

What's the traffic like on Saturday mornings? We'll be driving from Anaheim to DT LA. DH and DS are going to a Kings game at 1pm (but would probably like to arrive about an hour early) and DD and I are continuing to the Grove. I am thinking if we leave at 10:30am or so, we should be okay to get the boys downtown by noon, right?

Thanks!

 

[julieannbabe]

thanks. people are telling me it can take up to 30 mins to get a space in disneyland? is it better to just do a coach trip - where it picks you up at your hotel and you get to the parks for 11am?

 

[MAH4546]

You'll be fine at 9:30. The quickest way is to take the slightly longer route with all carpool lanes once you get past downtown:

101 South->110 Harbor South->91 East->5 South

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

thanks. people are telling me it can take up to 30 mins to get a space in disneyland? is it better to just do a coach trip - where it picks you up at your hotel and you get to the parks for 11am?

Wow what? I hope that's not meaning takes 30minutes to find a parking space. that has to be what you mean though. Is that for real?!?

 

[julieannbabe]

Wow what? I hope that's not meaning takes 30minutes to find a parking space. that has to be what you mean though. Is that for real?!?

yes - that is what someone told me on another forum. i didn't think about taking time to park - but it isn't gonna be a case of get to disney leave the car and go into the parks is it?
i am so dumb not thinking about all this!
have to find a parking space - there will be others doing the same thing.

maybe will stick with getting a coach.

 

[julieannbabe]

You'll be fine at 9:30. The quickest way is to take the slightly longer route with all carpool lanes once you get past downtown:

101 South->110 Harbor South->91 East->5 South

thanks - i might end up getting the coach.

 

[ArchOwl]

yes - that is what someone told me on another forum. i didn't think about taking time to park - but it isn't gonna be a case of get to disney leave the car and go into the parks is it?
i am so dumb not thinking about all this!
have to find a parking space - there will be others doing the same thing.

maybe will stick with getting a coach.

I don't think it will take you 30 minutes to FIND a space, but once you pay for parking and park and then take the tram/bus to the entrance plaza, it will be about 20 minutes or so. Longer if there is a line to park. Maybe that is what you are thinking of?

 

[julieannbabe]

I don't think it will take you 30 minutes to FIND a space, but once you pay for parking and park and then take the tram/bus to the entrance plaza, it will be about 20 minutes or so. Longer if there is a line to park. Maybe that is what you are thinking of?

this is what i was told: Disneyland opens at 09:00 am. I do suggest you leave home early. The parking structure some times takes 45 minutes to park and additional 20 minutes to ride the tram over to Downtown Disney where the tram lets you off. Also, you do have to get your back packs and other items check through the security check. I would suggest 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

it all sounds mad to leave hollywood at 6am in the morning in order to get to opening for 9am. i will be tired before the day has even begun!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

this is what i was told: Disneyland opens at 09:00 am. I do suggest you leave home early. The parking structure some times takes 45 minutes to park and additional 20 minutes to ride the tram over to Downtown Disney where the tram lets you off. Also, you do have to get your back packs and other items check through the security check. I would suggest 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

it all sounds mad to leave hollywood at 6am in the morning in order to get to opening for 9am. i will be tired before the day has even begun!

Seriously?
45 min to park and 20min on tram?

Man I need to rethink staying further away on DL trip in 2012 and driving to DL... I'm not keen on that AT ALL. LOL

 

[ArchOwl]

this is what i was told: Disneyland opens at 09:00 am. I do suggest you leave home early. The parking structure some times takes 45 minutes to park and additional 20 minutes to ride the tram over to Downtown Disney where the tram lets you off. Also, you do have to get your back packs and other items check through the security check. I would suggest 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

it all sounds mad to leave hollywood at 6am in the morning in order to get to opening for 9am. i will be tired before the day has even begun!

holy cow! are you going peak season? I am guessing not, because the park doesn't open until 9am. It has never taken me 45 minutes to park. Maybe someone else can chime in if they have ever had to do that.

If you want to be among the first in the gates, I would have someone in your party be the driver. The driver will drop you off and then you should go through security and wait in line. The driver should park and take the tram over and join you in line. How early you should arrive really depends on the day of the week and whether or not it is an early entry day.

As for driving time, I will leave that to people more familiar with SoCal traffic.

 

[julieannbabe]

all these conflicting stories - i don't know what to do!

maybe just still do the coach thing. that way i won't be stressed about wondering what the traffic will be like.

 

[Raindown]

Any waiting for parking is to pay at the tolls. After that you are guided to a spot. I've never had to wait long at all to park. After I park I just walk to the park, it is not far.