New to Board... Going to DL in March!

[mapelgleaf]

Hello all, Just found this board and it looks like a lot of great people. My wife and I try to go to a Disney Park at least twice a year.

I'm not sure if you'd call us veterans, but since 2006 when we met, we've been to WDW three times and Disneyland Tokyo / Disney Sea for our honeymoon. Both of us had been to WDW & DL in the past, but not at the rate we do since we met.

Since we live in Chicago, going to WDW is about the same as going to DL and after reading this board I am really looking forward to 30% more rides at DL!

Here is my questions to any that know:

We lucked out and my wife's has an Uncle who may let us stay at his place in Mission Viejo, CA. On the map it says it's about 25 miles from DL. How is the traffic on that stretch of I-5? Is it worth staying there to save a few hundred bucks or will the SoCal traffic be a nightmare? If so would it be advisable to take regular roads?

I know in Chicago we have patches of gridlock by certain areas that range from normal to really bad to pretty good. Since Mission Viejo is pretty south, perhaps it's not too bad?

We are also planning on being @ the park for 4 days - March 12, 13, 14 & 15. I am hoping that's a pretty relaxed time? Can anyone provide a link that has any ride closures? (I cannot find one on the web for the life of me)

thanks guys!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Hello all, Just found this board and it looks like a lot of great people. My wife and I try to go to a Disney Park at least twice a year.

I'm not sure if you'd call us veterans, but since 2006 when we met, we've been to WDW three times and Disneyland Tokyo / Disney Sea for our honeymoon. Both of us had been to WDW & DL in the past, but not at the rate we do since we met.

Since we live in Chicago, going to WDW is about the same as going to DL and after reading this board I am really looking forward to 30% more rides at DL!

Here is my questions to any that know:

We lucked out and my wife's has an Uncle who may let us stay at his place in Mission Viejo, CA. On the map it says it's about 25 miles from DL. How is the traffic on that stretch of I-5? Is it worth staying there to save a few hundred bucks or will the SoCal traffic be a nightmare? If so would it be advisable to take regular roads?

I know in Chicago we have patches of gridlock by certain areas that range from normal to really bad to pretty good. Since Mission Viejo is pretty south, perhaps it's not too bad?

We are also planning on being @ the park for 4 days - March 12, 13, 14 & 15. I am hoping that's a pretty relaxed time? Can anyone provide a link that has any ride closures? (I cannot find one on the web for the life of me)

thanks guys!

Oooh, you have been to Disney Sea. Soooo jealous! I've hit WDW, DL, and DLP, but Sea still awaits me. Some day....

Mission Viejo is a straight shot to Disneyland right up the 5N. Here is the key to that. Your drive can be a very easy 25 minute door-to-door drive or... upwards of an hour depending upon when you drive. You do not want to get in "rush hour" traffic in the AM or PM on a weekday.

Mornings, the drive can be bad traffic-wise from about 7:30am - 9:00am. In the evening the drive can be tough from about 4:30pm - 6:00pm. An accident along the way can, of course, increase those windows.

That said, if there will always be more than 1 of you traveling to / from Disneyland, there is a carpool lane that goes the entire way from MV to Anaheim which can speed you right through any traffic - provided the carpool lane is not blocked. If the freeway comes to a complete stop, unless you have a GPS that can guide you on side streets, you are stuck.

So, that's your answer. It's not a straight "yes" or "no," but hopefully it helps. Depending upon what time of day you are coming and going, traffic conditions, and if you can utilize the carpool lane, it could be worth the significant savings and the comfort of being at a family member's home, especially if you are not traveling during peak times.

Hope that helps,
Dreams

 

[MommyLove]

Welcome to the DIS!

We are also planning on being @ the park for 4 days - March 12, 13, 14 & 15. I am hoping that's a pretty relaxed time? Can anyone provide a link that has any ride closures? (I cannot find one on the web for the life of me)

Check the CALENDAR for an entertainment list and for scheduled ride closures. Keep checking as your trip approaches though because it's been known to change from one day to the next.

 

[mapelgleaf]

Thanks guys!

That answered all my questions pretty much! Sounds pretty similar to Chicagoland, so we'll adjust in the morning and just stay until the parks close at night (darn).

I did not see the refurbishments on the calendar anywhere until you gave me that link-- thanks mommylove.

BTW Dreams - You NEED to go to DisneySea if you can! BY FAR the most intricate park in terms of attention to detail and beauty (and that says a lot for Disney), great rides, great people and they have this really neat flavored popcorn in a refillable boot at both parks (strawberry, peppper, soda pop)... yummy. It is really cool.

We were going to go to DLP this year but hopefully that's next time.

thanks again!