Driving Help: Glendale to Disneyland

[miskamouskamickey]

Hey guys. I wanted to hear your advice on this. I am traveling with my two kids (DD-2 and DS-3 months) and my mother on a trip with a MLB team to Los Angeles. Our Hotel is over in Glendale. We were looking to skip one of the 3 Dodger games so that we can head down to DL & DCA. We are complete WDW veterans, but this will be our first time over to DL.

Ok...so here's my question, considering I'm from Miami- Is LA traffic that bad compared to Miami??? What time do you guys recommend me leaving Glendale so that I can make it to DL early so we can spend the entire day there??? Let me know. TIA!

 

[Handbag Lady]

Hey guys. I wanted to hear your advice on this. I am traveling with my two kids (DD-2 and DS-3 months) and my mother on a trip with a MLB team to Los Angeles. Our Hotel is over in Glendale. We were looking to skip one of the 3 Dodger games so that we can head down to DL & DCA. We are complete WDW veterans, but this will be our first time over to DL.

Ok...so here's my question, considering I'm from Miami- Is LA traffic that bad compared to Miami??? What time do you guys recommend me leaving Glendale so that I can make it to DL early so we can spend the entire day there??? Let me know. TIA!

What day are you going? Monday, Tuesday...Saturday? It makes a difference.

Take the 134 to the 5 straight down. It gets squirrelly around downtown. Follow the signs and try to not get lost. It is hard getting back on downtown.

If you are going M-F, start at 6 am and may the force be with you. If you are going on a Saturday or Sunday and IF there are no roadworks, give yourself an hour before opening. This will give you time to park and actually get to the resort.

Park at the Toy Story parking and avoid Mickey and Friends Structure.

In any case, bring a map or a GPS. There are several ways to bypass an accident or road closures from Glendale to Anaheim.

 

[miskamouskamickey]

We'll be heading down on a Wednesday (07-07-10).

I figure I have to start early--

I've also heard horror stories about the Timon and Pumba lots as well. So I appreciate you warning me about the Mickey and Friends Garage...

Stupid question- Miami is all about SUVs and bigger cars?? What's best to rent over there??

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

There are plenty of SUVs in So Cal as well, but do be aware that I hear people complain about how narrow the freeway lanes seem there. Having grown up in So Cal, I always rolled my eyes a bit, but after living in Nor Cal for the last 20 years, I do notice the narrowness a bit more now (the SF Bay area is the same way). So, if your comfortable driving a big car, you would likely be fine and fit right in. However, a sedan might feel more manageable.

Also, be aware that when my sister came out to join us at DLR for the day (from Glendale), it took her about 2 1/2 hours to go the 34 or so miles on a Thursday morning. That included the time needed to park and take the shuttle over. She left her house at 6:30AM and finally met us at the hub at 9:00AM.

 

[miskamouskamickey]

Wow. 2-1/2 hours! That's insane!! But good to know since I have a 3 month old traveling with us.

Would leaving at 530am be too early or better for traffic??

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I would guess that would help cut down on your travel time considerably! You would likely miss the heaviest rush hour traffic at that time.

 

[jlmarr]

Presuming you're here with the Florida Marlins for the games on July 5-6-7 you might consider driving down on the 5th, which will be a holiday for a lot of people so the traffic will likely be lighter rather than regular workday traffic. Of course the downside is that DL will be extra crowded that day.

And btw, the Florida Marlins All Star Mickey is in front of ESPNZone in DTD. Of the 36 Mickey statues spread out around Orange and LA Counties, only 4 are in DTD, so you're in luck. (The other 3 are for the Braves and Cardinals, and a generic "All Star" Mickey.)

 

[Handbag Lady]

The pathway of the 5 freeway DOES narrow.

I drive a convertible SUV and I fit just fine, though. Then again, I know the roads. Are you comfortable driving an SUV in Miami? I've never been there, but I can only assume it is also traffic-y at times.

I hope you enjoy our fair city and have a great time.

And to echo what someone has said above, most everyone with non-tourist based jobs are off on July 5th. I would check to see if the So Cal APs are blacked out for that day. When they are blacked out, Disneyland is less crowded.

 

[jlmarr]

And to echo what someone has said above, most everyone with non-tourist based jobs are off on July 5th. I would check to see if the So Cal APs are blacked out for that day. When they are blacked out, Disneyland is less crowded.

Yes, I checked, and not only are SoCal AP's blocked, but Deluxe AP's are blocked too, which is unusual for a weekday. So I figure Disney is expecting a big crowd for that day. SoCal AP's are blocked the rest of the week.

 

[miskamouskamickey]

We arrive at 10am on Monday and I'm thinking that we will be tired from the flight and what not, hence why we choose Wednesday.

I don't mind waking up "early" since 530am PDT is = to 830am EDT...I've always heard that LA traffic is bad, but considering it takes me 1 hr to drive 6 miles here in Miami to get to work, I guess it's comparable?!?

I do feel comfortable in an SUV since I've been driving one all my life, but if the lanes are narrow, then maybe I'll consider a normal sedan.

Are there any tolls on I-5 or 134?

 

[jlmarr]

No tolls on those freeways. Sounds like you're set.

You don't need to get out of the carpool lane to exit the I-5 at Disneyland Drive and get to the Mickey & Friends parking structure. I haven't yet parked at the Toy Story lot a ways south on Harbor Blvd so don't know what benefit there would be to going to that one.

 

[jlmarr]

We arrive at 10am on Monday and I'm thinking that we will be tired from the flight and what not, hence why we choose Wednesday.

So how'd it go?