driving vs. flying in Dec

[tinksdreamwishes]

Hello! I would like to hear some opinions on driving vs. flying for Dec. I would love to go to DL the first week in Dec- with Dh and Ds who will be 20 months at the time of travel. If we drive- we are coming from the Central Valley in Ca. So it would be about a 5-6 hour drive. Was planning on driving after 10 pm- so the hyper, adventurous baby would sleep while we drive! So my question is- how would the drive during this time of year be on the I-5? Is there snow on the grapevine? Need chains? fog? I dont want our trip to be dangerous! LOL! I kinda wanted to drive for a few reasons- no exact rush to get to the airport on time, I could pack way more then needed , I would have a car the whole time I am at DL (even though I prolly wouldn't need it... plan on walking to the park instead of parking in a parking lot). I could bring my own pillows!

So then there is flying! it seems quicker. Just drive to Sac airport- fly in to Orange County- and bam! Its done! Take a taxi - or shuttle- to the hotel, and just relax. But here is the problem- The Baby! We have never flown with the baby before- and this past year he has had several ear infections. They finally went away- but I am concerned with the pressure on his ears from flying. I dont want him to be in pain! I heard there was some sort of ear plug at Walgreens to help reduce the pressure when you fly. Also, I would be having him suck on something during take off and landing etc, but do you think he would really be ok?
thanks for your advice!!
~Tinksdreamwishes!

 

[pixiewings71]

If you drive (which we do for every trip) be aware it could be snowy over the Grapevine, it could be foggy as well. Traffic will be lighter as it's a night drive but you can still hit dangerous conditions. Have a backup plan just in case you do hit snow/fog and be aware that the Grapevine generally just shuts down if it's snowy over the pass.

 

[jernysgirl]

When thinking about flying, make sure you take into consideration how much time you will need to drive to the airport, park, get through security and wait for your flight, then the flight itself, and then waiting for baggage, and then for the shuttle to the hotel. I would figure at least 1 1/2 - 2 hours at the airport in Sac, then an 1 hour 20 minute flight and then 1/2 hour at baggage, and then another 30-40 minutes for a shuttle at least, depending on traffic. (not including your drive to the airport...)

Maybe I am overestimating things, but it could take you 5 hours to fly. Either way, I would try to travel when the baby will be sleeping because I think that will make it easier for you. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Docter419]

We live in auburn and we drive every single time. The drive is a great part of the trip that we never pass up. If you leave at that time at night you won't get any traffic problems in LA so you'll get there in no time. We actually raced a friend of mine who flew. We left at 4:30 and there flight was at 8. By the time they got through all the security and waited for the shuttle to the hotel. We actually won! Plus I hate flying anyway, So uncomfortable. We did experiance snow once a couple years ago, but thats a fluke. I wouldn't worry about too much. I would definitly drive, and don't forget your CD full of disney songs. Play them low so not to wake up the little one.

 

[CLR4321]

I would cut over towards San Luis Obispo and take 101 south, then hop on I-5 from there.

 

[BillyFan]

We don't mind the drive at all, but I would suggest that you leave a bit earlier. If you hit the road around 7 or 8, you'll get to LA around 11 or 12, and sail thru there to DLR with little traffic. Then you could be to your hotel before 1a.m. and get a decent abount of sleep before going to the park in the morning.
But if you leave at 10, that puts you to DLR around 5 in the morning. What are you going to do with the time before the park opens? And how are you going to make it thru the day with a night of no sleep?
Just my thoughts. I hope it helps!

 

[PinkBudgie]

We have driven down to Socal every Christmas break for the last three or four years to see my sister. We have never had the grapevine closed, or any problems like that. But it can happen. When my family came to pick me up from college down there at the end of fall semester, they closed the grapevine due to snow and they were late getting me. So, it can happen, but hopefully not.

We are 8 hours from DLR and we have driven and flown there. Flying takes just as long because it takes so long to get to the airport, wait at the airport, and then get you luggage and find your bus or whatever at the other end. With a car you bring all kinds of extra stuff that either is not allowed on planes anymore, or you just don't have the room for. I like having all my "stuff". With a car you could even bring your port a crib instead of using a hotel one and also your own stroller.

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

wow! I got lots of replys so quickly! You guys rock! ok so here is some moe deep thoughts- Yes- it takes almost the same amount of time to fly as it does to drive! I experienced this in June. Dh and I flew Southwest from San Fran to LAX- and then it took an hour and a half to get from the airport to the hotel due to traffic! I hated LAX airport! It was a huge let down- I thought it would have been so nice- since everyone talks about LAX and its one of the largest airports in the world. but in my opinion it was pretty run down and not state of the art. SFO- is great! But it takes about 2 hours to get there. Where as Sac would only take 45 min to an hour. Plus no toll bridge fees! I knew if I decided to fly again- I would never fly into LAX!

I have drove to DL in 2007 and in 2004- both was in May- so no worrys of weather issues. We also drove late at night and arrived at the parks just in time for opening- I can not remember how I stayed awake! Probably the pure magic of the parks! 2004 was my first time ever to Disneyland! So the magic was sooo there and alive! But this time, I planned to arrive sometime on Wed morning, if we drive, and just have a room reservation's from Tues- Sun. So no matter what time we arrive- the room will be ready- already reserved. No wait till 3 pm to check in. Plus I planned on just relaxing on Wed- no park that day. But definitely go to DTD. Swim in the afternoon, Steakhouse 55 for dinner- which we will just order from the bar and take back to the room. I love Steakhouse 55- and I would not want to take my hyper baby there! LOL he wont sit still for more then 15 min, plus when he is done eating- he has gotten into the habit of throwing his plate on the floor. Which I would just die if he did this at Steakhouse 55. Then late at night- maybe there will be fireworks that we can view from the hotel. but I am not sure if they only do fireworks on weekends? Either way- go to bed early, wake up early, then Park time from Thurs- Sat! 3 days is plenty enough time to do everything! I do need a Rainforest Cafe dinner, Bubba Gumps, Goofys, Kitchen- was planning a dinner- and a Monte Cristo- from New Orleans. Plus a pizza- stuffed crust! I am pretty sure we will be at the Fairfield. unless I get a great deal for DLH. I tried to get the deal expedia had a few weeks ago- but it didnt work for me, it was sold out on the dates I want.
but anyways, this is really long- sorry if I talk to much!
I heard of that 101 option. I will have to look into mapquest! thanks for reminding me!
~Tinksdreamwishes!

 

[pixiewings71]

We've have had to take 101 instead of 5 because the Grapevine was closed, that was in Feb over President's Day weekend but the weekend before that we also drove down and there was snow, they didn't close the GV but it did snow. Also, we went in Jan, again, it snowed but they didn't close the GV on us, we've been quite a few times during the winter months and yes, it does snow, and yes they will close the GV completely and you do have to drive the long way. It takes forEVER to go the long way too...... So altho it doesn't happen much it does happen so you should be aware.

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

so if they close Gv- and I have to go the long way- will I know that the GV is closed before I get all the way there? I still haven't map quest it out yet- Haven't had time- but the long way would be back tracking to 101? How much longer would it take?
~Tinksdreamwishes!