parking & commute from SD question

[angryduck71]

I'm driving in Feb. 1-3 to DLR from San Diego (hubby working there for the week). My son is 4, very good in long car rides, and since we're from the Midwest getting up extra early is absolutely no problem. So, first question is parking. I want to do my early morning Feb. 1. I have a character breakfast planned at Goofy's Kitchen at 7:10 a.m. On the website, it says you can park at the hotel for 5 hours with validation of character breakfast. On the phone, I was told 3 hours. Anyone done this recently? I'll pay the $6/hr extra to stay parked there and go to parks. Is this a good plan? I'm in good shape and can walk and taking the stroller for son.

Next question -- when is the best time in the morning/afternoon to drive to/from San Diego to miss rush hours? I assume going at 5:15 a.m. to make our character breakfast will be no problem but what about the other days when the park opens at 10 a.m. When should I go? Any advice would really be appreciated!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I believe it's 5 hours with validated parking ticket from the hotel restaurant. The parking thereafter is $6/hour up to $30 (I think, unless it's changed). Parking at the structure is $14 or $15 now.

 

[amamax2]

Where specifically in San Diego will you be staying? That will make a difference with my advice.

We always go on a T, W, or Th, off season, so opening at 10 a.m. and it takes us under 2 hours in the a.m. to get there; we wait till closing to come home and it takes about 1.5 hours.

 

[skiingfast]

The parking fee, is free for 3 hours to encourage people to goto DTD, 2 more hours free with a dining reciept from select restaurants. So OP will get 5 free and then $6 per hour after.

Of course this means for breakfast you will be there by 7 and then use up your 5 free hours by noon. Then start paying $6 per hour, so by 3pm your paying more than if you parked for the parks. You might consider using a Valet, though I don't know how much they enforce the hotel guests only policy.


As far as driving time, you won't want to leave DL between 2:30 and 6:30. You can take the carpool lane in LA, but not in SD and when you get there it can be a little problem or huge one as PP aluded to. Going to DL leaving at 5:15 sounds alright not great. A little drag in traffic before you make the carpool lanes could take a lot of extra time. A little drag in traffic after leaving the carpool lanes can take a lot of extra time.

 

[angryduck71]

Where specifically in San Diego will you be staying? That will make a difference with my advice.

We always go on a T, W, or Th, off season, so opening at 10 a.m. and it takes us under 2 hours in the a.m. to get there; we wait till closing to come home and it takes about 1.5 hours.

We're staying at the Holiday Inn Bayside in SD.
We'll be going T, W & Th off season. I was hoping to leave earlier because of the little one (around 3:30)... might just have to fight traffic on the way back! He'll probably fall asleep on the way back anyway and I'll just try to cuss the other drivers under my breath!

 

[amamax2]

I've emailed a friend who lives very close to that hotel to get her take on the street traffic getting to the freeway in the a.m....I'll post again as soon as I hear from her.

 

[amamax2]

Ok, heard back from my friend.

She said, barring of course rain or an accident (which you can check while you are getting ready to go), it takes her about 1.5 hours to get to DL.

She said you should be fine leaving at 5:15 on the Tues for Goofy's Kitchen. You will hit some traffic in Orange County, especially around Mission Viejo (where there is ALWAYS traffic) but not too bad. Thursday, because you are leaving later, there will be more traffic; she said she would leave no later than 8 a.m.

I know we always leave between 7:30 - 8 a.m. for a 10 a.m. opening. We like to allow a bit extra time to take the tram over from the parking garage or walk from the hotel (if we are staying off site) and be there for opening. We often end up there early, and then just stroll through DTD, which is magical in itself as it "wakes up."

As far as coming home, you'll hit traffic, but it is what it is, kwim? He can nap, you can talk all about the day and what you want to do when you go back, what you'll tell daddy etc etc and it will go by fast. You might luck out and not hit too much; but at least if you have the attitude that you WILL be in traffic, it probably won't seem so bad.

Have a great time!!! Let me know if you have more questions!