Staying in San Diego, going to DLR

[angryduck71]

I would like some help making a decision. My DH is going to San Diego for work. DS (age 4) and I love Disney. Been to WDW twice this year with family and going again late next year. BUT, I wanted to go to DLR with son while my hubby is working in San Diego Feb. 2-4. My boy is an extremely good travel companion and can handle long car rides. I'm thinking about going to DLR three days and traveling back and forth from San Diego (DH still doesn't know where in San Diego we will have a hotel room for). I'm assuming it'll be an hour and a half drive each way. Will leave around 6:30 a.m. for 9 a.m. opening and 6 a.m. for early hour one day. Will leave parks around 3:30 two days to meet DH for dinner and one other day will stay a little late. Is this feasible? I can get a hotel at Disneyland for just me and the boy, but would like to save the money. The only thing I think we'll miss is World of Color and since we'll be doing Fantasmic/Illuminations at WDW later, not too worried about that. Any advice? Thanks!!!!

 

[gippaloo]

I think that as long as you son is pretty good on car rides you guys should be fine, and will have a blast! I have driven from San Diego to Anaheim a couple of times in the past and it is actually not a bad drive at all. Practically all freeway. We just take the 5 north, and its smooth sailing! Have fun!

 

[kim3339]

Yes, it's very doable. When I lived in SD, I was just on the other side of Balboa Park and I think it was 90 miles from DL to my front door. Plus, it didn't seem like that long of a drive. Maybe it was b/c it was DL. One of the nice things is that part of it is along the ocean so it's a nice view. You also drive by Camp Pendleton and a lot of the time you can see the helicopters taking off and landing along the beach so you could have your son look out for those if he likes that kind of stuff. It's neat too, b/c sometimes they are practicing liding down ropes and jumping out of the helicopter.

 

[angryduck71]

Thanks so much you guys! That makes feel better about it! My son has never seen the ocean up close, so I think he'll LOVE the drive. Thanks again!!!!!

 

[skiingfast]

I would plan on the drive being a little longer. When going you will probably mostly beat the traffic in SD but catch it in LA. The good news is in LA there is a carpool lane and it has it's own exit at DL so you don't need to get back to the right.

Coming home if you leave at 3:30 you will be a little slow in LA but still have the carpool lanes to use. But it will be bad when you get to SD. I'm sorry to say it but from Carlsbad south after 4pm is one of the worst drives I ever had to regularily make. Even though is still before 5 it drags.

I know it depends on where DH needs to stay but staying further north would help your cause.

Also I'd really try to see WoC. Maybe DH could take the commuter rail up to Anaheim and meet you guys?

 

[angryduck71]

I thought Anaheim was south of L.A. and we'd miss that? I've driven in that traffic before years ago and it was EVIL.

The other night, I took my boy to see a fantastic Christmas light display and we were done at 6:30 p.m. Central time (he usually goes to bed at 7 p.m. because of our work schedule). He complained of being VERY VERY tired. I don't think he'll be able to handle WoC at 8:15 Pacific time when to him it'll feel like 10:15 (and, he won't be able to nap anywhere)-- otherwise I'd try it!

Thanks again for all of the tips!

 

[skiingfast]

I thought Anaheim was south of L.A. and we'd miss that? I've driven in that traffic before years ago and it was EVIL.

When I used LA or SD I mean the metropolis. Though city wise yes LA is north of Anahiem.

hopefully he'll use some of the ride to sleep.

 

[angryduck71]

I guarantee he won't nap on the way up there, but he probably will on the drive home! Or, I'll have a portable DVD player to keep him occupied too.

 

[Disney Dreams]

It is definitely do-able, but I would be very surprised if your drives are not longer than you indicated. For example, if you leave SD at 6:30am, you will be fine until about 7:30, then you will be driving with everyone going through Orange County on the 5 North going to work. That can become very slow at some points, stop and go traffic.

Likewise, on your way home, if you leave Anaheim at 3:30pm, you will still be on the 5 South when everyone going home from work begins to hit the freeway (around 4:30pm).

The carpool lane will help you, but there are still part (during the hours you indicated driving) that build up.

I would still go and enjoy DIsney, but just know you are driving through N. SD and S. OC during peak rush hour, which is anything but rushing.

- Dreams

 

[KCmike]

The drive is really easy. The only time we ran into problems was when got close to Anaheim and the backup wasn't too bad. The hour and a half (possibly less depending on how you drive) isn't bad at all. We didn't do it three days in a row though.

DL is amazing. You probably won't see any fireworks or parades unless you go on the weekends though. Fantasmic! is so much better at DL by the way. It would only show on the weekends as well during that time. There will also be alot of construction at DCA. They really plan on tearing up the front during that time. Have you ever been to San Diego? You might one to stay there one day and enjoy yourself? It is really beautiful especially near the ocean. The Hotel Del Coronado is a fun trip and the beach is perfect for kids.

 

[Mortimer Mouse]

i agree with skiingfast and disney dreams. Your drive will be alot longer then 1.5 hours, but don't let that stop you, also don't underestimate WOC, if you can, make it happen. have a great time.......

 

[angryduck71]

Thanks everyone for the advice -- since we're coming from the Midwest, getting up REALLY early and leaving at, say 5:30, won't be a problem (because we usually get up at 5 a.m. midwest time, which is 3 a.m. Cali time). So, we might leave earlier.

I will be doing San Diego things 5 days too. I've been there and LOVE it.

 

[halfmonkey]

Considering that the days you mentioned are work days, I would say to expect a little bit longer travel time than 1.5 hours. We live in SD and while leaving SD to DLR early in the morning shouldn't be too much of a problem, I'm pretty confirdent to say that you will hit traffic on the way home. If you leave SD at 5-6, you'll miss SD traffic but might start getting some of the "LA" traffic. Traffic starts at about 6:30 in SD and with LA being a more busy place, I'd say to prepare for at least a little traffic once you get into the Anaheim area. Just so you know, I leave for work in the morning at about 6:20 and I def do get stuff in some traffic.

As far as coming back at 3:30, I'm pretty confident to say that you will hit traffic on the way home. I leave wrok at 3:30pm and I'm already in traffic in SD. You will hit traffic leaving DLR and by the time you make it into SD, you will more than likely be right in the middle of eveing rush hour traffic.

Even with traffic, it's doable and just requires a little of understanding. I've never been to the midwest so I don't know what kind of traffic you folks get but I can't imagaine it's anything like we get out here.

Either way, enjoy your trip and have a nice time. The weather is supposed to be pleasant during those days of your trip. Low 70's so I think a light jacket will serve you well.

 

[halfmonkey]

Thanks so much you guys! That makes feel better about it! My son has never seen the ocean up close, so I think he'll LOVE the drive. Thanks again!!!!!

Besides recommending you take him to the beaches in SD, there is a vista (view) point on the 5 south that you can take a quick stop at and enjoy the incredible view. It's an unrestricted view of the ocean. you might see some military ships and cruise ships but there really isn't anything else there to clog you view of the ocean.

Considering that you want to leave at about 3:30, the timing might work out well for you two to catch the sunset. Give it some thought.

 

[cirquelovers]

We have stayed with my husband in San Diego on work trips and driven to Disneyland but our most relaxing trip, boy &I, was when we got a cheap room at the Anaheim Plaza and enjoyed a couple days to ourselves. It was a lot less stressful than the long drive at the start and end of our day. I don't really like driving in SoCal though.

Have a great time!