Staying 20 mins away

[Supermavs]

So after all my dilemma of wanting a close, yet reasonable motel, we have had friends offer their house as a place my daughter and I can stay. She said they are 20 mins away w/o traffic.

Looking for suggestions on how to best make that work, regarding parking, how early to arrive, tips. Best parking lot assuming we drive? Or Uber costs from 20 mins away? Worth it to avoid parking hassles?

We will be going in July for 3 nights. Only 2 days back-to-back in the parks. So we plan to hit it straight on from open to close. I know we will be wiped out but we will have lots of fun too!

Thanks!
Becky

 

[DizMe]

We went on a family vacation to Huntington Beach 2 years ago. Kids and I Ubered to DL and it was very easy. Signed up DD for a new Uber account to get the 'free up to $15' promo so the first trip was really cheap. It was well worth not having to park or drive

 

[Gaugersaurus]

It's really going to depend on where you're staying and what days you're going to be at the parks. Traffic on the freeways is predictable unless there's an accident but I would suggest trying to be at the gates about 60-90 mins before official opening. If you uber you'll have to deal with security lines on the east side with all the people who are walking from their offsite hotels. The trams can have a equally long wait depending on how early you get to the parks. I would try to avoid parking in the Toy Story lot so you don't have to deal with the bus transportation to the park entrance.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Just keep in mind that 20 minutes away without traffic could be a LONG morning drive when there is traffic!

I’d definitely consider Uber to avoid parking hassles. When you take way the cost of parking, it’s probably not that costly, either.

I’d try to arrive an hour before the park opens to give yourself time for security and getting in the entrance. ETA: that’s if you’re using Uber or something. You need more time if you’re self-parking.

 

[oakleycat]

I agree, depends where it is. I live 20 minutes away without traffic, and it can be over a hour to/from DL at rush hour.

 

[Supermavs]

That sounds pretty bad! maybe this won’t work as great as I thought.

When is it usually heavy traffic times? Or is that a silly question?

Becky

 

[BuzzlightHead]

If you give a cross street that's close to where you'll be staying, I'm sure people on this board will be able to help you much more

 

[Robinjay]

I live "10" minutes away (with no traffic) and if I go for park opening, I typically leave an hour before the parks open. Sometimes I make it in the park 10 minutes before rope drop, other times just after.

The parking structure/security can take 20 minutes or more alone (before park opening).

The lines to get in the parks are long 30 minutes before the park opens and can take what seems forever when you are waiting to get in, especially for Disneyland.

Last Saturday it was over an hour for us. Traffic during the week in the am is bad from any direction. Weekends are lighter for traffic.

 

[lalasmama]

That sounds pretty bad! maybe this won’t work as great as I thought.

When is it usually heavy traffic times? Or is that a silly question?

Becky

From 7am-ish to 9am-ish, and again 3pm-ish to 7pm-ish, Monday to Friday. ... I'll admit I'm not local, so I only know what the taxi/uber/lyft drivers are telling me as relating to my flight schedules...

 

[midnight star]

I think this is doable but just like what everyone else says, plan accordingly with traffic. Rush hour is bad from about 6:30am-10am, and 2:00pm-7pm. I’ve always driven to the parks from LA. But you MUST leave by 6am at the LATEST!!! I think even on days where I went and the park opened at 9, we still left at 6 am to avoid traffic and were in close proximity to the parks. Also when leaving, leave after 8 pm, or even 9 pm.

On weekends when I go, I still leave at 6am, but can get there at about 6:40am since weekend has less traffic. I just don’t like to be stressed out and tired from traffic when the park itself with exhaust me lol

 

[theluckyrabbit]

In addition to the Harbor drop off area, you also can have the driver drop you off in DTD. The bag check/security lines can move more quickly there in the mornings since you have the choice of going straight through the DTD tents (between ESPN Zone and RFC) or walking around ESPN Zone (to the right) to the DLH tents. Then walk straight through DTD to the parks.

I think this thread is proof that in Southern California, "x minutes away" is never really "x minutes away." Traffic has a habit of multiplying the time exponentially. 10 minutes becomes 40, 20 minutes becomes 60, etc. And NEVER believe the time Google gives you!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I live in the South Bay, in Carson, and last Friday I left pretty early (6:15) because of morning traffic. I ended up going against traffic and was there in a half hour. The parks opened at 8am, and even with traffic getting busier around 7am, I think morning traffic going east on the 91 and south on the 5 is pretty easy. The same route in the afternoon 'rush hour' takes me an hour. Having said that, add another 1/2 hour to park and get through the trams. I went last Wednesday afternoon, and just decided to walk to the parks because I didn't want to deal with the queue for the trams.

Parking is $20/day, so keep that in mind when you weigh driving yourself to taking Uber.

I also use Waze, and at least for me, it's pretty legit.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

What city/cross streets? And what days of the week? It could work fine, especially if you are carpooling (which applies to Uber or if you drive. Does anyone know, can uber drop off near the DTD lot? Security over there is generally better than on harbor. I am a fan of Mickey and friends if you choose to drive because if security or tram lines are long you can simply walk Tom the parks, a more pleasant walk through DTD as compared to the walk from Toy Story, which takes you down Harbor.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... Does anyone know, can uber drop off near the DTD lot?..

Yes, Uber/Lyft/taxi can drop you off by the DTD lots. There is a very short grace period (15 minutes or less, I think?) that allows for a driver to pull in and drop you off by the security/valet area.

 

[Supermavs]

I’ll try to get the address ASAP so you can advise based on the location!


Ok my husband said Hacienda Heights? Does that ring a bell to anyone?

Becky

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...Ok my husband said Hacienda Heights? Does that ring a bell to anyone?..

My FIL used to live in Hacienda Heights, and my feeling is that it is more than 20 minutes from DLR. And that you might end up paying more to Uber round trip than you would to park at M&F. For me, I would get a hotel for the first two nights (arrival night and after the first day in the parks), then check out, put the luggage in the car, spend the second day in the parks, and go spend the night in Hacienda Heights. That way you'll get as much time as possible in the parks without hassling with traffic. And you'll save on the hotel cost for the last night.

ETA: I know that cost is a big issue here. Have you checked Priceline or Hotwire to see about hotels in your price range? Even looking in Garden Grove, Fullerton, or Buena Park might lower the rates since they get you out of the "resort fee" area. Also check Trip Advisor to see what the rates might be for your dates.

 

[StormyCA]

When I stay with my cousin near Claremont I am 'technically' a 26 minute drive to M&F. On a weekday morning that 26 minute drive is usually a 55 minute one due to rush hour traffic. Leaving the parks at closing the drive is about 30 mins on an empty freeway.

For comparison, since we don't know where your family lives, the drive from the Hacienda Hts Community Ctr to DL Harbourside is about 25 miles by freeway or 18 miles via Harbor Bl. Current drive time (Tues 6.45 AM) is 50 minutes by freeway. Surface street is 37 minutes.

Rush hour lasts roughly from about 5am to around 10am.

 

[oakleycat]

My grandma lives in Hacienda Heights and they are correct that it is about 20 minutes from to DL without traffic. However, during rush hour the 60 and 57 are brutal and it will be a much longer drive, probably about an hour. If you're going to stay out there, I'd leave early (by 6:00), get there and parked, and have breakfast in/around DL resort.

 

[midnight star]

I still think driving is doable, you will just need to leave early before rush hour picks up. If you do Uber/Lyft, try requesting it at like 5:30am so it has plenty of time to get to you. Hacienda heights is closer to DLR than West LA where I live, and I can get there in about 40-45 minutes max on weekdays if I leave early enough.


And I just checked, Hacienda Heights is 17 miles away from the parks.

 

[Supermavs]

Thank you for those driving and traffic facts. I thought of maybe staying in a motel for part of the trip. I know my 8th grade daughter would love it. It’s a special mom/daughter solo trip and with 9 kids, it’s not often to have mom to yourself for such a stretch of time! I’ll check the Priceline idea too.
So much to ponder!
Becky