First Visit To Disneyland--need All The Help I Can Get

[DisneyFans4]

JohnZ46- Thanks so much for all the links! I'm going to them now.

Your thoughts on my route back via driving or train?

 

[JohnZ46]

Amtrak from San Diego to Anaheim is about $20 per person. It's a 2 hour ride, much of it is along the ocean. The Anaheim station is about 2.5 miles from DLR. You'd be looking at about $80 + cab fare.

As far as taking a car, whenever we've left at around 9 am on a weekday, it's taken us about 75 minutes to get to DLR. Rush hour would take longer (2-2.5 hours). Friday evening would take even longer than that.

Personally, I'd take the train. If you're staying on site, you won't need a car while you're at DLR, The savings on car rental and parking fees would help offset the train fare. I think that there is even a free shuttle between DLR and Universal Studios Hollywood. Link:

http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/vi_freeshuttle.html

 

[disney-super-mom]

Amtrak from San Diego to Anaheim is about $20 per person. It's a 2 hour ride, much of it is along the ocean. The Anaheim station is about 2.5 miles from DLR. You'd be looking at about $80 + cab fare.

Cab fare should be much less than $80. Taking a cab from John Wayne airport to the Disneyland Resort runs $35-$40 plus tip, and John Wayne is a lot further away from Disneyland than 2.5 miles.

 

[JohnZ46]

I meant $80 train fare + whatever the cab fare would be.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I meant $80 train fare + whatever the cab fare would be.

Oh, okay. I thought you were meant the cab fare was $80+.

But now that I know what you meant, it makes sense.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you have AAA and book the train in advance it's 10% off.

 

[JohnZ46]

Oh, okay. I thought you were meant the cab fare was $80+.

But now that I know what you meant, it makes sense.

Once I saw your post I realized that it could appear that way.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Okay, this is what I have so far and please tell me if I'm spending too much or too little time somewhere:

8/9 to 8/13 in San Diego area at Sheraton San Diego in Mission Valley; 5 days, 4 nights.

Depart 8/13 and take Amtrak to DL (where am I taking the Amtrak to?)
Stay on Disney property until 8/22 10 days, 9 nights and will also take JohnZ's advice and do Universal and get the free shuttle to get there so I won't need a car.


Oh...can I do San Diego without a car or should I rent one and then drop it off before taking the train?

 

[tinkermell]

JohnZ46- Thanks so much for all the links! I'm going to them now.

Your thoughts on my route back via driving or train?

Hi again! I think the train sounds great, but what about the rest of your trip? Are you going to go elsewhere after DL???

I guess you could take the train to DL, and then rent a car from there again? Would that be cost effective?

And yes there is a Westin in San Diego. My Aunt and Uncle celebrated their 50th there. I just can't remember where it was. My AAA book says it is in the Horton Plaza area downtown, but I remember having water near by.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you're on the amtrak website, the Anaheim station's abbreviation is ANA.

I'm not an expert, but I am not sure you can do things in San Diego without a car, unless you want to spend time on transit... Then again, if you can find ways to do it, do it, b/c parking at Seaworld is between 10 and 12 bucks! (parking at the zoo is free/included, unless they've changed it since we went two years ago)

 

[tinkermell]

Okay, this is what I have so far and please tell me if I'm spending too much or too little time somewhere:

8/9 to 8/13 in San Diego area at Sheraton San Diego in Mission Valley; 5 days, 4 nights.

Depart 8/13 and take Amtrak to DL (where am I taking the Amtrak to?)
Stay on Disney property until 8/22 10 days, 9 nights and will also take JohnZ's advice and do Universal and get the free shuttle to get there so I won't need a car.


Oh...can I do San Diego without a car or should I rent one and then drop it off before taking the train?

Ok..you need a car for San Diego. I beleive you would be happy with 3 nights and 4 days. You also should get one in Anaheim. In my opinion you need to branch out and see more of California. If you had a car, then you could. I noticed you are from New Jersy, so traffic should not scare you too much. Why not venture up north? You have time! I'm serious about seeing the national forests. I've seen almost all of the US, and Yosemite is in the top 3 to see. Alot of folks, think it is the best.

If you had a car you could pop over to the beach in about 20-30 minutes.

DL has a lot to do, but I believe 9 nights and 10 days is alot of time allowed, when there are sooooooooooooo many other things to see and do in California. Especially since you have never been here before.

Now I am rambling, and I know this is just my opinion.

Keep up the questions. Oh, and the Amtrak does have a shuttle to DL. Part of the ART shuttle system I believe. I just found this out myself, as I'm going to try it this spring.

 

[SoonerGirl]

How far north would you want to go? Yosemite is drop dead beautiful. If you come in August, the waterfalls will not be as spectacular, but the park makes up for it anyways. The giant redwoods are amazing to see in person.

I hope you don't mind me asking a question on your thread DisneyFans4. But, I'd like to get a little advise from tinkermell, we are planning a California vacation for the beginning of August. The plan is to start in San Francisco and work our way south. We were thinking of going to Sequoia National Park after SF, but Yosemite is an option too. We have two boys who will be 12 & almost 8 when we take out trip. Have you been to both, and if so which did you prefer? Thanks for any info you can give!!

 

[DisneyFans4]

Your right Tinkermell--I'm from NJ and traffic doesn't scare me because I live it on a daily basis

Thanks for the tip of Amtrak having to shuttle to DL, that's great!

We planned a long stay in DL because we want to do Universal, as well as venturing a bit up north to see Beverly Hills, Hollywood, etc. and I also like some down time just relaxing at the hotel, etc.

So my stay in San Diego is too long? If you were me how would you plan each day in San Diego then? Please, I want your opinion since we have no clue how to plan this out being first timers!

 

[tinkermell]

I hope you don't mind me asking a question on your thread DisneyFans4. But, I'd like to get a little advise from tinkermell, we are planning a California vacation for the beginning of August. The plan is to start in San Francisco and work our way south. We were thinking of going to Sequoia National Park after SF, but Yosemite is an option too. We have two boys who will be 12 & almost 8 when we take out trip. Have you been to both, and if so which did you prefer? Thanks for any info you can give!!

Hi! I don't mind at all!! They both are gorgeous!!! The Sequoia National Forest has the biggest tree in the world the "General Sherman." In this park you can drive through one of the fallen trees. Kind of fun for kids. There is also a cave to tour. It is not as crowded as Yosemite. Yosemite has the falls, and also the big trees. The valley here is beautiful. You can rent bikes to explore. At both parks you can hike on endless trails. There is alot to see. I guess if can only do one, then see Yosemite. The views are spectacular, but you will be fighting crowds in the summer. I guess that happens everywhere these days.

It's funny, but I live in the valley below the Sequoias, and I haven't been in years. I know that they just did some kind of renovation, but cluelesss to what extent. I guess it is time to go again. My Mom just went last year. I should ask her what is going on.

Just like the Hollywood tour. Lived in California my whole life ,and have never done it.

If you have any other questions, fire away.

 

[tinkermell]

Your right Tinkermell--I'm from NJ and traffic doesn't scare me because I live it on a daily basis

Thanks for the tip of Amtrak having to shuttle to DL, that's great!

We planned a long stay in DL because we want to do Universal, as well as venturing a bit up north to see Beverly Hills, Hollywood, etc. and I also like some down time just relaxing at the hotel, etc.

So my stay in San Diego is too long? If you were me how would you plan each day in San Diego then? Please, I want your opinion since we have no clue how to plan this out being first timers!

Well I'm not an expert, but my Dad lives there, and my daughter went to school there too.

Plan on one day at the zoo, and one day at SeaWorld. Have you been to SeaWorld at Orlando? Has it been lately? I'm asking, because maybe that money could be spent on more days at DL. I don't know if you would like more than one day to look aound at the beaches and towns. I guess if you arrive and get settled, that takes one night, and then add the others you were probably right in 4 nights. The fifth day, take off to DL. You will still need a car once you get there. Especially if you want to take off and see things. Taking the shuttle to see Universal and the tour of Hollywood is good. But evrything else is not so easy from what I have read. Someone from Anaheim area should comment on this subject. I've seen people post questions on a bus to the beach, but I can't remember their answers. Californians are not transit people per say. Everyone drives. Probably because we don't have very many good systems. Wish we did. Although San Fran does have a good one I guess.

Rambling again.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Hi! I don't mind at all!! They both are gorgeous!!! The Sequoia National Forest has the biggest tree in the world the "General Sherman." In this park you can drive through one of the fallen trees. Kind of fun for kids. There is also a cave to tour. It is not as crowded as Yosemite. Yosemite has the falls, and also the big trees. The valley here is beautiful. You can rent bikes to explore. At both parks you can hike on endless trails. There is alot to see. I guess if can only do one, then see Yosemite. The views are spectacular, but you will be fighting crowds in the summer. I guess that happens everywhere these days.

It's funny, but I live in the valley below the Sequoias, and I haven't been in years. I know that they just did some kind of renovation, but cluelesss to what extent. I guess it is time to go again. My Mom just went last year. I should ask her what is going on.

Just like the Hollywood tour. Lived in California my whole life ,and have never done it.

If you have any other questions, fire away.

Thanks so much! I'm sure as I do more research I'll have more questions!

 

[JohnZ46]

I agree with Tinkermell that you will need a car in San Diego. You could maybe get by with shuttles to major attractions but I think that you would make better use of your time if you had a car and could come and go as you wish.

In my earlier post I envisioned having a car in SD, turning it in and taking the train to DLR, doing without a car while at DLR, and then getting a car when you are done with DLR.

However, I'm basing that on my own experiences of visiting DLR for 3 days. We usually park the car when we get there and not use it again until we leave. In that scenario it would be a waste of a car rental and parking fees. If you're visiting other places in Southern CA while staying at DLR then having a car would be more practical.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Then instead of taking Amtrak from SD to DL, should I just keep the car and drive to DL???

DH would love to go back to SanFran. How long of a drive is it from DL to SanFran?

 

[mtblujeans]

This is a great thread....lurking for all the information I can gather.

 

[tinkermell]

Then instead of taking Amtrak from SD to DL, should I just keep the car and drive to DL???

DH would love to go back to SanFran. How long of a drive is it from DL to SanFran?

Keeping your car after SD might make more sense. I guess you will have to see how much it would cost to keep it verses train tickets.

I believe it would take about 7 hours to SF. Someone else should pipe up here. If you need a place to stay, let me know. I just got back from there a few weeks ago, and have found a really nice clean hotel, that is right in the middle of Union Square. If you want to stay near the piers, I can't help you there, as we always stay at US.