Sailing out of San Diego

[oklamomof4boys]

We have been on 14 Disney cruises but this is our first time out of San Diego so I feel like a newbie! We will be flying in on Friday and going to Disneyland until Tuesday. Our cruise leaves on Wednesday. What is the best way for us to get to San Diego from Anaheim - there are 4 different families of about 19 people so if there is some kind of van we could rent and divide the cost, that will work. Or we can divide up into families. What is a decent hotel that we could stay at the night before the cruise- preferably one that has a shuttle, but we could do uber or something. We are flying home Sunday after the cruise. I'm not sure if we are going to fly home out of San Diego or Anaheim-depends on timing and cost of flights. If we fly out of San Diego, what's the best way to get to the airport from port?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We have been on 14 Disney cruises but this is our first time out of San Diego so I feel like a newbie! We will be flying in on Friday and going to Disneyland until Tuesday. Our cruise leaves on Wednesday. What is the best way for us to get to San Diego from Anaheim - there are 4 different families of about 19 people so if there is some kind of van we could rent and divide the cost, that will work. Or we can divide up into families. What is a decent hotel that we could stay at the night before the cruise- preferably one that has a shuttle, but we could do uber or something. We are flying home Sunday after the cruise. I'm not sure if we are going to fly home out of San Diego or Anaheim-depends on timing and cost of flights. If we fly out of San Diego, what's the best way to get to the airport from port?

There are several ways to get to San Diego. With the large group you have, you might want to look into a van, but I'm not sure you'd find one that would accommodate 19 people, plus luggage.

You can take the train. You'd have to probably do a taxi to the Anaheim train station, but the train station in San Diego is 3 blocks from the port. There are many hotels in San Diego that are pretty close to the port. The Wyndham is the closest (right across the street). You can see it in this picture (buildings with blue sides). You can also see the train station in this picture (right hand side, yellow building, just to the left of that, see the "Santa..." sign? That's the Santa Fe railroad station.

If you fly out of San Diego, it's often quickest to just catch at taxi. You can see the airport from the ship (it's about 5 miles away).

 

[mhorgan65]

I would look into a charter bus if you need to accommodate a large group of people. They usually come with a rear luggage compartment and enough room for everyone. Amtrak is a good option as well.

 

[MillauFr]

I would take the train. We did last May and it was super easy. The view is great from the train. Goes right along the Pacific Ocean on parts of the route. Very scenic.

 

[SnowWhite2]

The Wyndham across the street is very convenient and you can walk to the port. They also have a shuttle. We took the shuttle because we had so much luggage doing the EBPC cruise for 14 days. On embarkation day, we had breakfast in the low building with the white roof in the picture and the Wonder was literally across the street. We liked the Wyndham so much that we are staying there in March at the end of the WBPC cruise. If you keep checking the prices they do vary significantly from week to week.

 

[TeeVeeTD]

In Anaheim there is Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) buses that run all over the resort area and to the Anaheim Train Station. You can use ART to get from your hotel or Disneyland to the Train Station.

 

[mhorgan65]

BRIC is walkable as well and they have hotels such as Residence inn, Springhill Suites, and the Intercontinental, so great options if you have a family and like the ambiance of a home like hotel.

 

[nancyjo1998]

I second taking the Amtrak from Anaheim to San Diego and second The Springhill Suites we stayed there both times we sailed out of San Diego. Easy walk from the train station as well as an easy walk to the port. And they have a great buffet in the mornings.

 

[remlap]

I too vote for Amtrak. We generally drive to the Anaheim Station and Train down and back for the two night cruises.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

The Wyndham across the street is very convenient and you can walk to the port. They also have a shuttle. We took the shuttle because we had so much luggage doing the EBPC cruise for 14 days. On embarkation day, we had breakfast in the low building with the white roof in the picture and the Wonder was literally across the street. We liked the Wyndham so much that we are staying there in March at the end of the WBPC cruise. If you keep checking the prices they do vary significantly from week to week.

We are taking the 14-night panama canal cruise this october! I'm so happy to hear that Wyndham indeed has a shuttle. Our cruise group got a good group rate and everyone insists we need to walk. I'm a classic overpacker, so walking won't work. Do you know the name, where you ate breakfast the morning of the cruise. Thank you!

 

[SnowWhite2]

We are taking the 14-night panama canal cruise this october! I'm so happy to hear that Wyndham indeed has a shuttle. Our cruise group got a good group rate and everyone insists we need to walk. I'm a classic overpacker, so walking won't work. Do you know the name, where you ate breakfast the morning of the cruise. Thank you!

I don't remember the name. When you walk out of the hotel from the lobby, turn left and walk about a block and it will be on your left. It has some tables out front and a few inside. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It reminds me of a WDW quick service place, with better food and cheaper prices!

 

[disneyagain]

We're sailing on a pacific northwest cruise out of San Diego in April '19. We're flying into LA Saturday afternoon, so we'll have Saturday PM and Sunday to go to disneyland. We're thinking about taking the train down to San Diego on Monday morning (cruise embarkation day). Is the train reliable enough to take it on embarkation day? or should we get to San Diego the evening before the cruise? TIA!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We're sailing on a pacific northwest cruise out of San Diego in April '19. We're flying into LA Saturday afternoon, so we'll have Saturday PM and Sunday to go to disneyland. We're thinking about taking the train down to San Diego on Monday morning (cruise embarkation day). Is the train reliable enough to take it on embarkation day? or should we get to San Diego the evening before the cruise? TIA!

My experience with the trains - both on the way to San Diego, and back to Anaheim from San Diego. Both trains were 2 hours late arriving. There's always some sort of construction/traffic issues (remember there are places the tracks cross roads).

One time we were put on a siding for 45 minutes so that the southbound train (that was running 30 minutes late) could go past before we could use the main line.

I'd go the night before.

 

[disneyagain]

Thanks - that's what I was afraid of. We were hoping to get a full park day on Sunday - we might just have to cut it short and head south later in the day on Sunday.

 

[disneyagain]

If the train says "no checked luggage" can we carry luggage on? We'll both have a mid-size rolling bag (next size up from carry-on). Is there someplace to put the luggage on board while traveling, or do we need to take a train that has "checked luggage"? Thanks!