Las Vegas to DisneyLand for one day?

[indigodisney]

We are heading to Las Vegas for a week in July - is it feasible to drive from Las Vegas and back in one day...

which park would you recommend for one day? I am assuming you can't do both in one day but would love to be corrected on that.

Not sure if this is just wishful thinking, this is probably as close to DisneyLand as I will get for a few years and wanted to see if we could do it.

Thanks!

 

[DanT]

4 hour drive each direction, assuming the traffic cooperates with you..
you would potentially be spending more time driving than being in DL or any park.

 

[toby78]

I agree with what DanT said, it's much too far to squeeze it into one day and drive back,,,you WILL be spending most of your time on the road.But it can be done if you leave really early in the morning, say 4 or 5 am, and if you stay till closing time you won't get back to LV until early the next morning. That sounds too exhausting though!!!

 

[LavenderPeach]

I agree, it's too far. What about finding a super cheap room near DLR for that night. It would still be tiring driving that far and going to the parks all but then you could go crash at the hotel that night and drive back to LV the next morning. Or maybe you could do a one night trip either before or after you go to LV?

 

[sonnyjane]

Just agreeing with everyone else, it seems way too far! DH and I are driving from here (SoCal) to Vegas on Monday for our anniversary and I'm dreading the drive (4 hours each way as mentioned) and we're staying for three nights! DL is exhausting as it is without having to add 8 hours of drive time (just typing that makes me drop my jaw!)

I'd definitely consider getting a cheap $50 a night hotel room and make the trip a little more worthwhile.

 

[indigodisney]

4 hour drive each direction, assuming the traffic cooperates with you..
you would potentially be spending more time driving than being in DL or any park.

I agree with what DanT said, it's much too far to squeeze it into one day and drive back,,,you WILL be spending most of your time on the road.But it can be done if you leave really early in the morning, say 4 or 5 am, and if you stay till closing time you won't get back to LV until early the next morning. That sounds too exhausting though!!!

I agree, it's too far. What about finding a super cheap room near DLR for that night. It would still be tiring driving that far and going to the parks all but then you could go crash at the hotel that night and drive back to LV the next morning. Or maybe you could do a one night trip either before or after you go to LV?

Just agreeing with everyone else, it seems way too far! DH and I are driving from here (SoCal) to Vegas on Monday for our anniversary and I'm dreading the drive (4 hours each way as mentioned) and we're staying for three nights! DL is exhausting as it is without having to add 8 hours of drive time (just typing that makes me drop my jaw!)

I'd definitely consider getting a cheap $50 a night hotel room and make the trip a little more worthwhile.

Thanks everyone! I think I needed the voice of sanity from all of you - it is too much...8 hours on the road is nuts. I would love any recommendation for a hotel to stay in close to Disney (will do a search here as well)

Maybe we would leave early the first morning...go to the parks...stay over and maybe go again the next day for a bit and leave at 4 or 5 p.m. My daughter will be happy about this and I think I will plan this as a surprise. Thanks again - I really appreciate this....

 

[DisCookie]

I gotta agree with everyone else that the drive is insane for one day. I did LV/Grand Canyon and just did a separate trip for Disneyland/DCA.

 

[LavenderPeach]

Thanks everyone! I think I needed the voice of sanity from all of you - it is too much...8 hours on the road is nuts. I would love any recommendation for a hotel to stay in close to Disney (will do a search here as well)

Maybe we would leave early the first morning...go to the parks...stay over and maybe go again the next day for a bit and leave at 4 or 5 p.m. My daughter will be happy about this and I think I will plan this as a surprise. Thanks again - I really appreciate this....

What kind of hotel are you thinking about? If you want cheap than there's the Super 8 on Katella. It's a bit of a walk but still within walking distance, imo. What's the one I keep hearing about recently that is cheaper? Is it Anaheim Plaza? Oh I can't remember now. If you want to spend more we really like the CCI. It's within walking distance but also has a free shuttle and they have free breakfast. Lots of people like HoJos. Probably, if you want more suggestions for a hotel you should post a new thread so more people see it. Good luck with your planning!

 

[Leggyb]

I may be the only crazy one but when I lived in Vegas I did the day trip before.

You do need 2 drivers though. However, I have done the drive myself... it is just way easier with 2 drivers.

We left about 5 AM from Vegas and got into the parks around 9:30 (this is including parking and the tram). We did DL and DCA. We left around 10 PM and got home at about 2 AM.

I have done the day trip many times.. including the day of the"Christmas day Parade taping"

It CAN be done. Just so ya know

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Thanks everyone! I think I needed the voice of sanity from all of you - it is too much...8 hours on the road is nuts. I would love any recommendation for a hotel to stay in close to Disney (will do a search here as well)

Maybe we would leave early the first morning...go to the parks...stay over and maybe go again the next day for a bit and leave at 4 or 5 p.m. My daughter will be happy about this and I think I will plan this as a surprise. Thanks again - I really appreciate this....

This is a much better plan! You and your daughter will enjoy yourself so much more being able to get a good night's sleep and play a little more in the park before getting back on the road again. My family and I have done this trip almost every time we go to DL and it's so much better to stay overnight. Just be sure that you don't leave to go back to Vegas during rush hour traffic. I'd rather stay in the parks a few extra hours than be sitting in the car unneccesarily stuck in traffic. So you'd either have to leave before 4pm or after 7pm to avoid traffic. Have fun!

 

[MissDisney04]

it really depends on your stamina, the amount of time you have and how important it is

i live in Vegas, and i have done just one day one time....we drove out at 4 am, spent the entire day (til about 11) and then got home around 3:30am....yes, i was up for most of the 24 hours, but being in DL it was really hard to feel tired for me (we did go to both parks)

i have also gone for just an afternoon once (my dad wanted to go see my grandfathers grave, and since i dont really believe in doing that i went to DL instead) i spent a total of i think 4 hours, but we left late and he wanted to come home earlier than i thought he would (and it was NO fun, i hate DL by myself, and i wouldnt ever do it again)

its possible, but not ideal if you are on vacation to *rest* lol

 

[brenda1966]

I would say it can be done as well. Is it an easy thing to do? No! Will you get to spend a full day in Disney? No.

When we were growing up and kind of poor, we would do a day trip to our favorite mountian place -- 4 hours up and 4 hours back. We didn't have the money for a room.

Now, I think they idea of finding a cheap room to crash at is a great one. Since you won't be staying long and have a car, any of the rooms that are a few miles away and are budget minded would do. If you can afford to stay right there on Harbor, even better!