Tell me the drive won't ruin our visit....

[maddiesmommie]

Okay, we are booked at the Marriott Newport Coast Villas, using oodles of Marriott Rewards (dh mega travels for a living!). We wanted a beach vacation and DisneyLand... and couldn't resist the beautiful setting, large quarters with kitchen and beautiful pools. BUT, I guess it is a 20-30 minute drive and then parking wait...We are going early May... are we sacrificing too much time here? What do you think?

 

[lulubelle]

maddiesmommie-
I just have to say I have seen the Marriott Newport Coast Villas and they are absolultely beautiful. You would have a wonderful vacation if you never left the resort . That said, I don't think it will ruin your DL vacation at all, yes you will have a half hour drive, but you are staying at a premier resort. If your main destination and purpose is DL, the drive will be a drag, but I cannot imagine being disappointed with your villa. Have a great time

 

[HydroGuy]

OK, I am not sure I understand what you are doing. Usually when one goes to DLR they want to spend time there. If you do that, then it seems you will mostly just be sleeping at the beach and not enjoying it. If you were to say stay for a week at the beach, and then go every other day to DLR, then you would be enjoying both. But if you do not have these extra "beach" days built in, that would seem frustrating and defeat the whole purpose of staying at a nice place near the beach. Plus with all the commuting to DLR on congested freeways, it will subtract from your available time at DLR - and the beach.

Sorry, I am not trying to be a naysayer, I just do not understand what you are doing.

 

[maddiesmommie]

We plan to be in the Orange county area from Tuesday thru Saturday. We are looking at 2 or possibly 3 days at Disney. The other 1-2 days are free as of this point. With two younger children, we love the idea of a home away from home type resort, with kitchen,etc. This has always worked well for us. We will cook quite a bit there to offset food costs. It sounds as if we are sacrificing some time at the park, but perhaps that's okay, considering the type of lodging it is. (unique view, ocean setting, spacious quarters and many pools to choose from)
Is this really that far from Disney? One of my husband's colleagues (a Californian) said that this property was originally slated to be a Disney Vacation Club property. Is it really that inconvenient?

 

[wackywexler]

I think you will be just fine. I have stayed at Marriott Newport Coast Villas and they are wonderful. You are absolutely right that your little ones will appreciate the comforts of home and it will do wonders for your sanity. Being a local it does not seem unusual to me at all to have a half hour drive plus parking and tram ride associated with my visit to the Disneyland Resort. If you go in with that expectation that you will not be in one of the parks for at least an hour after you leave your villa you will be fine. Of course you will be on property within 30 minutes so that helps keep the kids from complaining and the parking tram is a ride right?

When we were in Orlando two years ago staying at Marriott Cypress Harbour it was the same thing, we had a 20 minute drive plus parking etc, it was no biggie to us, we had a fabulous time.

Have a fantastic vacation!

 

[HydroGuy]

Is this really that far from Disney? One of my husband's colleagues (a Californian) said that this property was originally slated to be a Disney Vacation Club property. Is it really that inconvenient?

I guess it depends on your definition of inconvenient. wackywexler seems to think not. Most summers we spend a week at the beach in San Diego. When we do that, we want to be at the beach - not somewhere else. When we visit DLR it is usually the week before. We dedicate 3-4 days to DLR, and then head to the beach. But that is just us.

For me personally, I dislike having to get up extra early and then fight thru traffic to get to DLR. I have done it, but when I get there I feel stressed. Yes, it is still a fun day. But when I stay close I can sleep in an extra hour, stay an extra hour at the end of the day, and get to the parks without stress (well, there is a little stress trying to get our kids out the door ).

You obviously are trying to do something different than this. If you try to get to DLR on a weekday morning, personally I would find it hard to believe you could get from your resort in Newport Beach to the DLR gate in one hour. You might be able to do this mid-day, but in the morning? I bet it will take closer to 90 minutes. I am specifically talking here about when you walk out the door of your room at the resort until you are standing in line at the gates of DL or DCA.

If you are OK with that, and the tradeoff in having a nicer place and being near the beach is worth it - plus you have your "extra" beach days built in, then just accept the transportation issue and have fun with it.

I guess it depends on one's temperament. Waiting in traffic and driving congested freeways drives me crazy, and personally I want to separate that from DLR as much as I possibly can. Other people (possibly you) handle this better.

 

[Zoemakes5]

When we were locals, we would go to DLR for a day, and get there at opening and leave at closing. But, we'd only do this for one day in a row.
I think the biggest issue I'd have with kids that age is the inability to go back for naps/rest time/down time at all during the day. It really isn't close enough to do that.
I agree with Hydroguy, in the respect that if you're going in the am, it's going to be horrendous traffic. The ways to get from Newport to DLR is the same way that everyone from that area of Orange county gets to work and it can get pretty congested pretty quickly. Going back during rush hour (actually about 3:30-6:30) will be slightly better, it seems to "roll through" vs. mass exodus.
On the days you are at DLR, I'd venture it's fairly unlikely that you will leave DLR, fight the traffic and then be up for making dinner. On the other days, it makes great sense. Though you'd still have the kitchen for snacks and breakfast on the park days.
Honestly, if it were me, I'm not sure I'd want to do it the way you're recommending. It would be a big hassle for me.
Would it be possible to split your stay? What I might recommend is front end a couple of days at a Marriott next to DLR, then you'd have the remaining days at the Beach to relax, play, and recoup after all the crazy! Or, start your time at Newport relaxing and playing and then go to DLR for the last few days, staying next to DLR. With either of those options, you get the best of both worlds. If it were me, I'd choose to stay near DLR on whichever day(s) there are fireworks planned. That way, you could go back to your room to nap during the day and the kids would be rested and stay up for the fireworks.
Otherwise, ways I'd try to mimimize the impact.....
Go every other day to DL, not bunch it up together.
Choose one day to be there first thing in the morning, maybe schedule a character breakfast that morning to help get you motivated to be there bright and early. Then choose another day to be there later at night. Relax around the hotel until mid-day and then go to the parks at or after lunch. That way, the crowd will be more likely to stick it out until later in the day. Or, perhaps plan more days at the park and plan to take the trek back to the hotel for a block of time each day. (If you have little ones who will pretty much drop at 7pm on the dot, this would probably take too much of your potential park time.) The downside of this is the trek to and from and parking and re-parking, but it might be useful.
I think given the metropolitan environment you're in at DLR surrounding area makes staying really off-site (ie. away from the parks) a much bigger deal than staying offsite in WDW, IMHO. You're not dealing with tourist traffic, you're dealing with LA traffic, which is draining.
Either way you choose, I think you'll have a great time! I don't want to be a downer, just want to point out what I perceive as issues.

 

[maddiesmommie]

Hey, everyone, thanks for the advice. I really do appreciate it! I have thought on this issue a lot (partly because of reading all of HydroGuy's great expertise!) and I have decided.....I want the Villa ! I guess this partially stems from me sitting at home all the time "holding down the fort" while my husband travels....I want to feel like I am on an extraspecial vacation. And, yes, I know the DLR will contribute to that, but ....have you seen the pictures of the Villas?
I guess I feel like there is time to "open and close" the parks when my kids get older. I was hoping that our mid week early May visit would find us at a relatively low volume crowd, too. I guess I am taking a gamble,and although it is somewhat misguided, I am jumping in with both feet (that would be into the three heated pools, or possibly, the ocean!)
thanks,guys!

 

[MATTERHORN]

I agree with the PP's, I do not like to drive in the bad traffic in the morning, and then most likely you won't be going back for any meals so there won't be any offsetting costs for that!

I would also try to split your stay with 2-3 days at DL and then 2-3 at Newport Beach! It just makes it much easier that way and you won't spend lots of hours in your car which is not a fun vacation to me or my kids!!

But then some people do not mind dealing with traffic on vacation, and if you don't, you did pick a wonderful hotel!

Andrea

 

[MATTERHORN]

Okay then, scratch that as we posted at the same time!! Have a great trip!

Andrea

 

[wackywexler]

Wow! The out of state crowd is very knowledgable about traffic conditions here. Perhaps some of you have lived here before? I have lived in Orange County for 37 years and I can tell you that as they travel from Newport, the Villas are off of the 73 toll road which they will take to the 55 N. The toll road is seldom crowded and the 55N in the morning is against traffic!! (after about 1 mile of congestion as you pass the 405 interchange) The 5 northbound could be slower. The peak time is 7-9am, if they hit Interstate 5 northbound after 9am there will be no traffic at all. Going home will depend on time of day for sure. Anytime after 7pm should be smooth sailing. It is a 30 minute drive with no traffic, 45 minutes with some traffic and in case of a major accident it could be much longer. There are alternate routes, but none that are all on the freeway, you would need to take some streets. Be sure to watch the morning traffic reports on the news or any morning show like Today or Good Morning American or even the Weather Channel. Be sure you have good maps.

So yes, this driving situation is not ideal, but if their heart is set on the villas I do not think it will ruin their vacation.

The age of the children was not mentioned other than that they were young. If naps are needed the kids will have to be happy with napping in a stroller as it is too far to drive back for that.

I whole heartedly agree that not doing Disney two days in a row is an excellent plan. You will probably find that on your Disney days you are too tired to make dinner, but the breakfast, snack and packed lunch options are fantastic having a full sized fridge as well as easy laundry in your villa! We also love the spaciousness, I beleive the villas are 1200 sq feet so you don't feel right on top of each other all of the time and you can get some breathing room. I felt very spoiled staying there.

Be aware that the beach is not within walking distance due to a hill/cliff. You will want to drive down, the views are spectacular! We also enjoy taking the auto ferry over to balboa island and playing in the fun zone and watching the sea lions. Catalina Island is an option too.

Just my humble opinion

 

[wackywexler]

Ohh, I almost forgot on both the 55 and the 5 there are carpool lanes that they will be able to use. On the 5 Northbound the carpool lane has an exit for Disney Way so you don't have to worry about getting out of the carpool lane and getting over in time you just follow the signs right into Disneyland!

 

[maddiesmommie]

WOW Wacky Wexler! Love the inside information! I understand that the Villas choice may not be for everyone, but this is going to be such a fun time for us...we are long overdue as a family for some R and R! thanks, all!

 

[HydroGuy]

Wow! The out of state crowd is very knowledgable about traffic conditions here. Perhaps some of you have lived here before?

I was born in SoCal and lived there for 28 years - from San Diego to Santa Barbara to Riverside. I vacationed at Newport Beach for 10 years. My grandparents lived in Huntington Beach. I sat in a lot of traffic. Even when I was in carpool lanes. I visit SoCal once or twice a year for 2-3 weeks. I know how just getting off a freeway during morning hours and traveling a couple miles can take 10-15 minutes through the traffic lights. When we left DLR at 2PM (to beat the evening rush hour LOL) on a trip in 2005 to travel 40 miles to visit my parents on a summer weekday it took 4 hours - using carpool lanes wherever possible.

People who live in a certain area and know the roads and traffic patterns really well may be able to avoid the worst of it. People who come from out of state and are not familiar with these things are likely to get stuck in a lot of traffic. If you think differently then we will have to agree to disagree.

 

[wackywexler]

Aha! I knew you must have lived here before! I agree that they will have a commute for sure and I agree that it could get nasty if traffic is bad. My husband works in Newport Beach and meets us at Disneyland after work on occaision and his drive in heavy traffic can be 45 minutes to an hour.

As to the originally posted question will it ruin their vacation? I guess this is the point we disagree on, I do not think that it will ruin it, if their hearts are set on the villas I think it can be worked with.

That said, I guess I am a hypocrite because we are staying at the Grand Californian this weekend for my son's birthday to fulfill a dream of his, so what do I know!

I hope everyone has a Disney Day!

 

[Zoemakes5]

Wow! The out of state crowd is very knowledgable about traffic conditions here. Perhaps some of you have lived here before?

Grew up in So. Cal. Much of my family live there. We've visited alot in the last number of years. I always do the driving because my DH is terrified of it. We've specifically traveled from DLR down 55 to Orange County (though to Corona Del Mar, not necessarily Newport, so you have me there) and I was amazed at the traffic. I didn't remember it being as bad when I was growing up and traveling all over the metro. While I was paying for gas when we were down near Corona Del Mar, I mentioned it to the cashier, he said "yup, it gets pretty crazy, since that's pretty much the only way 'out'", his words, not mine, though in my pp, I "owned" them. That had been my experience.
I do think that LA traffic is like that of few other places. Unless you're in LARGE urban area, it can be a scary and very frustrating experience. If you know that going in, it doesn't "hit you" so hard. My DH, in particular, freaks out at the going 75 and then screeching to a halt over and over again. I think nothing of it, that's when/how I learned to drive, but for others it can be quite a shock. I'd imagine not for OP's DH, as he's a seasoned traveler, but you never know where he travels.
Sounds like OP has made up her mind that she wants to stay at the Villas. Sounds like it will be a great vacation for her, and she's aware of the problems with traffic. Have a fun time. Sounds like an amazing, luxurious trip!

Oh, P.S. I'd be surprised if the water were warm enough in May to actually go in the ocean! FYI! Though, your kids would probably have a great time playing in the sand.

 

[HydroGuy]

Aha! I knew you must have lived here before! I agree that they will have a commute for sure and I agree that it could get nasty if traffic is bad. My husband works in Newport Beach and meets us at Disneyland after work on occaision and his drive in heavy traffic can be 45 minutes to an hour.

As to the originally posted question will it ruin their vacation? I guess this is the point we disagree on, I do not think that it will ruin it, if their hearts are set on the villas I think it can be worked with.

That said, I guess I am a hypocrite because we are staying at the Grand Californian this weekend for my son's birthday to fulfill a dream of his, so what do I know!

I hope everyone has a Disney Day!

Well, after our debate I think we are in agreement in multiple areas. I do not think it will "ruin" the OP's trip, especially if she goes when DL opens later at 9 or 10AM and is not quite as busy. But it will limit her. If she goes knowing what to expect - or what might happen as far as traffic - then she will be fine. Plus she will get the beach experience which is important to her.

Now I feel like I am beating a dead horse , but agree with Zoe how traffic has deteriorated in SoCal in recent years. I am reminded how a couple summers ago we spent two weeks in SoCal going from Riverside to Pasadena to Thousand Oaks to Hollywood to DLR to San Diego. We always avoid typical rush hour - driving at 11PM at night, 1PM in the afternoon, and on Saturdays and Sundays. Every time we drove over the two weeks we got stuck in "stop and go" traffic. And we listened to the traffic radio - and know all the "secret codes" for freeways - e.g., the "San Diego Freeway" is in Orange Country - and we still got stuck every time.

I know that it is not always that way all the time, but after that experience I concluded there is no "safe" time to drive in SoCal. It is a crap shoot. If you really want to get somewhere on time, you have to leave exceptionally early.

Regarding DLR, we only visit once a year or so, and for me personally I do not want those few days every couple years put at risk due to the vagaries of SoCal traffic. I understand where the OP is coming from, and she is a special case in her goals, but for the general DLR visitor you are much better off staying close to DLR where you do not need to drive. While DLR is supposed to be a fun trip, it can be stressful in many ways and IMO there is no need to add the extra stress of traffic jams onto other stress producers.

OK, I think the horse is finally dead. I hope everyone has a great trip.

 

[maddiesmommie]

I was just "tongue in cheek" jumping into the Pacific....although, I may go in fully clothed, ya never know!! (did this at Pismo Beach in FEB in '86)

We live in a major metroplex in Texas. I commute 45 miles each way to my work and DH commutes 25. DH travels all over the country to: Baltimore, Seattle, D.C., Houston, Little Rock, OKC, Atlanta, and this week , of all places, ORLANDO! (I know, why aren't we with him??? Because we already had CA trip in the works, tickets purchased, and grandparents in Santa Maria expecting us....)

When we went to WDW in '03 we stayed on property and still didn't open and close the parks....I guess that's just us... I did buy the unofficial guide and went guru on the planning, but with small children, it just doesn't always work out to do so.

I know that we are sacrificing some drive time, but I feel good (right now anyway) about our decision.
I posted this because I wanted to get a feel for what people say about traffic
from this area as well as whether crowds at DLR will be heavy during this time frame (early May). When I was at DLR 20 years ago, the M&F garage wasn't there, and parking and walking in were not as big of a deal. So considering these two things, I wanted to heavily weigh the pros and cons....

Thank you all for your input, it is very helpful..I will post a trip report about our experiences to follow up.

Incidentally, I wonder if this was part of the reason that Disney never followed through with their DVC plans for this property....

 

[honeymom]

Dl is one of those do it in day places - if you get there early and stay late, you can probably do it in a day and just relax and enjoy Newport Beach the rest of the time. We used to live in SoCal and go for 1 day and 1 day only each year. Granted there is more to do now, but I still think it can be done.

I went to WDW for the first time in 1972. The only hotels there were the Contemporary and Polynesian, which my parents could not afford. There wasn't much infrastructure in the area yet and we stayed at something like a Quality Inn that was 20 miles away. Traffic was pretty bad, too since everyone was going to WDW from far away then. We went for 3 days in a row and had a great time despite the drive.

 

[ACDSNY]

I don't think you'll find the drive too bad since you're use to comuting. Several times we've taken the first flight out of Sacramento in the morning to LAX, rent a car and spend one night at DL and take the last flight back home the next day. The traffic has never been that terrible to me. Actually better then our rush hour traffic in Sacramento.

Next week will be the first time we'll be able to fly into SNA while doing a quickie trip. Normally the fares into SNA are double LAX for us.

No stressing, just enjoy your trip!