Is the crowd managable on Dec 25?

[biggroofy]

We will be in San Diego (Carlsbad) during Christmas week, and I realized that Disneyland is approx 1 hour away from us. Thinking if we should spend a night or two there. My kids are 2-year-old and 6-year-old and they have been to WDW last summer. If it is "extremely" packed and long queues everywhere, I'd forget about it.

Maybe we can go on Dec 23/24 if it is less busy.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

IT is packed the whole week.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Last year on the 25th it was not very crowded at all in the morning / early afternoon. Later in the day it became VERY crowded.

 

[Eeee-va]

I vaguely recall someone posting that 12/24 was not very crowded. Disneyland Park closes at 9 PM on Christmas Eve (versus midnight on 12/23 and 12/25), and that generally indicates that Disney is expecting lighter crowds.

 

[biggroofy]

Thanks everyone. I am still struggling since Disneyland trip might be a detour for our San Diego stay. Not sure how much hassle and if it worth the drive. If it works out - it will be big surprise for the kids, and from my $$ point of view, it is more economical then booking another expensive flight from Toronto to LA next year Furthermore it seems to me that Disneyland is an hour away from LAX airport too. The issue is if it is practical and how busy will the highway traffic be.

In terms of crowded - we usually visit WDW (orlando) during March break, as long as we can easily get into the park we may be fine. Our priority is my two princesses DD2 and DD6 - they are not going for any popular rides, unless Dumbo, Magic Carpet, It's a Small World etc requires a 90 min wait time then I will consider it to be bad.

I am assuming something like this -

Day 1 - Arrive late evening. Airport Hotel at San Diego

Day 2 - Drive 1.5 hour (?) from SAN airport to Disneyland. Stay at a Disneyland Resort for a night.

Day 3 - Drive 1 hour from Disneyland to Legoland (Sheraton Carsbad)

Day 4 - Legoland & outlets in Carsbad area

Day 5 - Drive 40 mins (?) back to San Diego downtown. Sightseeing.

Day 6 - San Diego Zoo

Day 7 - Leave for airport at 10am

Any comments? Or should I be realistic to forget about Disney?

 

[UmmGooD]

What are your days of the week? If you are going to try to drive to LA for opening at DL from San Diego that will be a mess because of rush hour in LA. My recommendation is bite the bullet and drive up right after you get off the plane at night when traffic will be lighter. Then sleep and wake up at the park instead of having to drive in that mess.

If it is a weekend the traffic might be lighter.

Honestly for 1 day I don't know if it is worth it. If you are truly trying to save on a vacation the next year I say extend your stay for another couple days and stay at DL for 3 days instead of 1.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I agree w/PP, stay in the DLR area your 1st night, so you can get there 1st thing the next day ~ Days 2 & 3 are Disneyland days ~ on day 3 in the evening you could drive to Carlsbad *(looks like thats what you have planned). We did DLR, San Diego & Legoland this past July ~ the drive is easy and fast if you travel at the right time(s). What days of the week are days 2 & 3? I hope it works out and if you can get 2 full days for DLR ~ and go with a plan *you've found the right place* you can have a great time. If your girls love IASW they'll love the DL version, much more impressive building and it's all made up for the Holidays! My touring tip for your family ~ Dumbo 1st, then IASW. My 6 year old DD's fave ride is Splash Mtn. ~ certainly your older DD is tall enough for the moutains. Be sure to check out the Haunted Mansion ~ Jack and friends from Nightmare B4 C-mas have taken over!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

One more thought ~ I think San Diego Zoo and sight seeing could be done in 1 day - it's not my favorite zoo, I like what we have 45 min. from us better. Perhaps you could have 3 days at DLR, 1 day for the Carlsbad area & 1 day for San Diego??

 

[biggroofy]

Thanks UmmGood and DisneyMomma81.

We arrive San Diego Airport on Dec 22 (Tue) around 11pm (See this will be 2:00am EST in Toronto). DW wants to tuck my kids to bed ASAP.

So Day 2 & 3 will be Dec 23 (Wed) & 24 (Thu). Do you think the drive will have lots of traffic? Any place to stop for washroom/snacks?

Spending 2 nights in Disneyland is not a problem. I can cut down the San Diego Zoo time if required.

I am struggling because DW doesn't want a hectic trip (rushing here & there), but I do think if it is doable it would be a big Christmas gift for the kids on top of Legoland

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Leave early on the 23rd for the drive from SD to DLR ~ you'll still be "on" EST so that should be easy.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Your plan is very "do-able."

That week traffic is lighter than usual. You will have traffic going from SD to DLR in the morning, but if that's how it works out, better than nothing, right? The earlier you hit the road, the better.

There are lots of places to stop for food, water, bio-breaks, etc.... The only part of the drive with no stopping places is when you are driving through Camp Pendelton.

Here's one other thought for you: Take the train from SD (or even Carlsbad) to Anaheim. The amtrak is great and it takes you to Anaheim Stadium (now called Edison Field ). You can take a short shuttle or quick taxi from there to DL. Very short distance. Then when you leave, do the reverse. If you go from Carlsbad, you have your car right there for Legoland two days later. I used to take the train every other weekend from SD to OC and it's a nice ride - not too long, and easy. If you stay on-site or on Harbor Blvd when at Disney, you could do without a car for 2 days.

I say go for it! A day and a half at Disney is better than no Disney at all!

HTH,
Dreams

 

[bumbershoot]

If you're going to pick up rental car and drive from SAN, be very aware that traffic just getting out of that airport can be awful. It has taken upwards of 30 minutes just to get to a TURN, if we have an awkwardly timed flight. Painful!

I too recommend Amtrak from the SAN station and a taxi to DLR, mainly b/c it worked out very well for me.

If you drive, though...as my brother and SIL say (they live in Chula Vista, near San Diego), you either want to leave EARLY so you miss rush hour or LATE, so you miss rush hour. Which means leaving around 6am, if not earlier, or after 9. I personally go for the 6am one (which my SIL doesn't appreciate).

 

[biggroofy]

Here's one other thought for you: Take the train from SD (or even Carlsbad) to Anaheim. The amtrak is great and it takes you to Anaheim Stadium (now called Edison Field ).

Thanks Disney Dreams!

Please kindly advise on the details of the amtrack train. How long does it take from Carlsbad to Anaheim? Where is the Carlsbad (or San Diego) station located? I glanced thru http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer/Page/1237608345105/1237405732508 but cannot locate the Carlsbad station (what is the exact name)?

Is there a station close to San Diego Airport, and a station close to Legoland?

Is it easy if we are taking some luggages and a stroller?

 

[biggroofy]

I too recommend Amtrak from the SAN station and a taxi to DLR, mainly b/c it worked out very well for me.

Thanks bumbershoot. I am quite lost about the Amtrak web site (since I don't know which station I should select), grateful if someone can give me a hint.

As a dummy, I picked SAN (1050 Kettner Boulevard) -> ANA (2150 East Katella Avenue Anaheim Stadium Parking Lot). The travel time is 2 hour 1 minute ~ seems to be longer than driving time (90 mins) of course assume no traffic.

My concern is how easy to arrange transportation
1. from hotel (close to SAN airport) to train station
2. from Anaheim to Disneyland Resort
3. from Disneyland Resort to Legoland

since we are a family of six (grandparents, parents, DD6, DD2) - need a mini-van taxi otherwise need to separate into two cars.

If we can solve the issues and can arrange a towncar from Carsbad to San Diego downtown, then I can even cancel the rental car
Thanks again!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Thanks Disney Dreams!

Please kindly advise on the details of the amtrack train. How long does it take from Carlsbad to Anaheim? Where is the Carlsbad (or San Diego) station located? I glanced thru http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer/Page/1237608345105/1237405732508 but cannot locate the Carlsbad station (what is the exact name)?

Is there a station close to San Diego Airport, and a station close to Legoland?

Is it easy if we are taking some luggages and a stroller?

Yeah, there is no actual stop in the actual city of Carlsbad. If it were me, I would go from the Oceanside station (which is about 10 minutes from LegoLand). There is a station closer to SD (Kettner, which you found), but Oceanside gets you before you hit most of the traffic going north on your way TO Disney and leaves your car in the perfect place for your way BACK for a LegoLand visit.

You could easily take some small luggage. I don't have children so I cant really comment about trains and strollers.

Happy to help,
Dreams

 

[Turtle31]

I just wanted to let you know that about 3 months ago, I was able to go on eBay and type in Legoland coupon and I purchased 2 buy one adult get a child free coupons for a friend. It saved her like 110.00 dollars. That might help you feel better about spending the money at Disneyland.
The person I bought them from only charged 11.00 dollars for shipping and their time, I had them in three days.

 

[glendalais]

I vaguely recall someone posting that 12/24 was not very crowded. Disneyland Park closes at 9 PM on Christmas Eve (versus midnight on 12/23 and 12/25), and that generally indicates that Disney is expecting lighter crowds.

Actually, this is the one day of the year where normal Guest Flow logic doesn't apply to the Park Hours Schedule.

Disneyland Park closes early on Christmas Eve, in part, to allow Cast Members to spend time with their families before plunging into the busy period between Christmas Day and the New Year.

It generally is a very slow day, but not always.

 

[Eeee-va]

Actually, this is the one day of the year where normal Guest Flow logic doesn't apply to the Park Hours Schedule.

Disneyland Park closes early on Christmas Eve, in part, to allow Cast Members to spend time with their families before plunging into the busy period between Christmas Day and the New Year.

It generally is a very slow day, but not always.

Thanks for the info! I had wondered if it closed early to let CMs spend time with their families, but then when I thought about it, closing at 9 PM would mean that someone who had to work only UNTIL close still wouldn't get back to their families until like 10 PM if they were lucky? But I guess that means fewer people would have to work until midnight or later, which might let more people get back before their kids (if applicable) are in bed.

At any rate, with luck, the shorter hours might be a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy this year, with locals and Premium AP Holders not wanting to brave the parking hassles for a day when the park closes comparatively early.

(I'd say the Cast Member parties don't entirely follow guest flow logic, since they're not held in the dead of January. But they ARE on weekdays in a comparatively slower part of December, so fair enough; maybe it IS only Christmas Eve!)

 

[bkyrdmoviemom]

Hey Biggroofy~
I'm a native San Diegan and the drive up to DL isn't that bad. Once you get in the carpool around Mission Viejo, its a straight shot onto Disney drive (they have their own turn off in the carpool lane). If you leave first thing in the am, you are fine, the traffic is coming south on I-5.
I agree to sleep (try!) here in SD the night of arrival.
The train station downtown is very close to the airport, about5 miles at the most, an easy taxi ride.
DOn't know if you have your Legoland tix yet but Costco has hopper tix for $49/59 kids/adult LEGOLAND California Resort Hopper Ticket Information: Adult: Ages 13 - 59 Child/Senior: Ages 3-12 and 60+ Includes one day admission to LEGOLAND and one day admission to SEA LIFE Admission to both attractions must be redeemed within 21 days of each otherIncludes one free round of Wild Woods Golf at LEGOLAND Ticket expires approximately one year from the date of purchaseNot for re-sale
SDZOO: is amazing and can be an all day thing with alot of walking - but with your little ones and gma&gpa, you might think about making it a half day.
PM me if you want more specifics of my fair city. The beach is always beautiful and how cool would it be to take pics of your family at the Pacific ocean in December?!
Have a wonderful time!
Bkyrdmoviemom