Driving to DL....When should I leave?

[disneyisspecialtome]

Hi all...I hope I don't bother anyone with all my posts and questions! But I have the questions and who better to ask them of than DISers! Anyway, I am going to be driving to DL from Orange County the morning that I am going to DL...What time should I leave OC to get to DL????

I was thinking 5-5:30am...plenty of time for parking and getting in line for tickets *unless I wind up buying my ticket in advance....which I may do, but that's still up in the air...

Any and all responses are welcome and appreciated!!!

 

[eduk8r26]

Depends where in Orange County you are coming from.

 

[disneyisspecialtome]

San Juan Capistrano

 

[Peaceableone]

We are pass holders, and when we come into Disney I am always thinking, "sheesh, I'm glad I don't have to buy a ticket". IMO, it is worth buying your ticket early if you have the option. The lines are always long in the morning..sometimes the afternoon too.

 

[casaazul]

Are you going on a weekday or weekend? That will make the drive different. I'm sure a local will be able to give you more help. I would think early morning on a weekend, the 30 mile or so drive on I5, would take 30-45 minutes.

Have fun.

 

[fishfish]

check out this traffic site - http://www.at-la.com/traffic/oc.htm

It gives current conditions, and you can use to find out different routes and the time it will take.

 

[cinderella_mom]

I live in Lake Forest (enter freeway at LF Drive) and I usually go on Sundays, so no early morning traffic. I work only a few exits from DL so I also know the weekday traffic.

Sundays in non-summer/holiday crowds, if I leave my house at 8am it takes exactly 1 hour to get into the line to enter DL. This includes - drivethru at McDs, the carpool lane with carpool exit, entering the main gate but parking in Mickey and Friends parking structure, taking the tram, going through security and getting in line to enter DL.

Traffic on weekdays begins to back-up at 7:15am around the Culver exit and clears up again past the 55. However, the carpool lane is usually clear that early.

From SJC, I would add about 20 minutes to my drive.

So worst case from SJC on a weekday arriving for an 8am park opening, if you leave by 6:00 you should be able to get there, park, go through security and the gate line and be inside before rope drop. I do suggest buying tickets elsewhere (DisneyStore, Disneyland.com, etc.) unless you have to buy them at DL for some kind of discount.

 

[DisQueen]

I completely agree with Cinderellamom. I live in Mission Viejo - just south of Lake Forest, but north of SJC. We don't do the drivethrough in the am, but it takes us 1 hour from our garage to either the hub in DL or the Sun plaza in DCA. Buy your ticket ahead of time!!! I also strongly suggest using the carpool lane. It has saved us time on weekday mornings, but we travel later than you will be. There is a left-hand exit from the carpool lane so you won't need to cross all those lanes of traffic. Just watch the signs as you approach the 57 freeway and stay on I-5 (right lane of carpool).

 

[disneyisspecialtome]

Thanks for all the responses! I don't know how the carpool lane works in CA, but here in FL you have to have 2 or more people in the vehicle at one time...I'm going solo, so if the rule is the same in CA I'm pretty much out of luck...I am planning on going on a Tuesday in late July...I think if I leave by 5:30-5:45 am I should be able to get there in plenty of time to park and be there...don't you think?? That should get me ahead of that early morning crazy traffic, right?

I really appreciate everyone who has responded, every response is making my vacation a little less stressful...just fyi for all you nice folks!

 

[DisQueen]

Oops, I missed that part. yes, you need at least 2 people (kids count as a person) for the carpool lane. It's a rather hefty fine if you are caught so I wouldn't suggest risking it. Grab a Starbucks, put on some tunes, and enjoy the scenery Wave as you go by.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

You'd probably be fine leaving at 6:00.

FYI, Disneyland is in Orange County too.

 

[disneyisspecialtome]

lol...thanks for the heads up...lol I actually work at Sbux part-time and don't really drink coffee period...maybe some hot chocolate will work just as well!!!
Thanks to everyone for all their input!