Tips for driving from BC to Disneyland

[Chickinvic]

Hi from Nanaimo! A few questions -

- What time of year did you go?
- How did you find driving around LA to get to Anaheim? (keeping in mind we're used to Highway 19, lol)
- Not that cost is the main point of doing it by driving but, do you reckon you saved money by driving, taking into account gas/meals/accommodation en-route?
- Looks (from Google Mapping Ashland and Santa Nella) like you didn't take the PCH. Were you happy with your choice to do the drive inland?

Thanks in advance for any info you can share!

Hi from Victoria, neighbour! Driving down one of these times has always intrigued me, but I just don't have enough time off and want to maximize my time down there. I'm guessing driving won't save much money with everything considered. Mind you, I normally fly down using my Alaska Airlines Mastercard points lol.

PS - I also have a standard transmission car (Crosstrek). Love them! It seems all us Island people on the thread drive standards lol.

 

[thenicefamily]

Love your handle Chickinvic! I hear you about the time off but, we're at a point in our lives that, although not retired, we are definitely far enough along our work path that we can afford the time. It's definitely on my bucket list - driving there and back, taking in all the lovely sights along the way.

 

[Anthony777]

My back would get to me after 24 hours in a car these days. Oh to be young again

We understand--we can't push those long driving days anymore either. We're planning to drive down later this spring, but we're taking our time (somewhat--still feels like a lot of time on the road!)--4-5 days driving down, going along the Oregon coast, and then 3-4 days back (detouring through Yosemite Park for a day). My biggest worry at the moment is figuring out testing for our return--how did you do it?

Hopefully demand for testing will drop in the next few months (or the requirement will be dropped entirely, but I'm not counting on it).

 

[Chickinvic]

My biggest worry at the moment is figuring out testing for our return--how did you do it?

Hopefully demand for testing will drop in the next few months (or the requirement will be dropped entirely, but I'm not counting on it).

I haven't been since Covid, so I don't know what people are doing re: testing.

 

[thenicefamily]

We understand--we can't push those long driving days anymore either. We're planning to drive down later this spring, but we're taking our time (somewhat--still feels like a lot of time on the road!)--4-5 days driving down, going along the Oregon coast, and then 3-4 days back (detouring through Yosemite Park for a day). My biggest worry at the moment is figuring out testing for our return--how did you do it?

Hopefully demand for testing will drop in the next few months (or the requirement will be dropped entirely, but I'm not counting on it).

We used Switch Health tests which were excellent for timing flexibility. The timing, and tests, are literally in your hands. If you are an Aeroplan member or, not but sign up, you can get them at discounted rates. We used their rapid antigen ($49pp) tests going to Disneyland and their LAMP tests ($149pp) returning. You do a zoom call with their team when you're ready to take the test, wherever you are (as long as you have data and/or wifi), they connect very quickly, talk you through the test in minutes then have you send results to them (within 15 minutes for rapid antigen/45 minutes for LAMP) and within minutes you get your official proof from them - hopefully proof of a negative result.

 

[cndkanga]

We've done this trip so many times and I prefer it to flying. First time we went with three young children and we drove the coast highway in Oregon stopping to camp along the way and then down the California coast to San Fran. where we connected to the I5 down to Anaheim. We stopped at Cannon Beach and Brookings in Oregon. Redwood Forest (can't remember the place name) and Halfmoon Bay in California. On the way back we did the I5 from Anaheim to Sacramento and then Sacramento to Cannon Beach on the Coast (because we loved it on the way down and wanted to have a couple of days on the way back) then home.

Subsequent trips (5 kids) we drove the I5 all the way, stopping once in Oregon (Eugene area) and Sacramento. We tried the night driving thing but it was a disaster for us, kids did not sleep and we were all exhausted. We prefer to drive for a few hours, stop for a picnic lunch at a park and drive until dinner when we stop for the night at a hotel.

We are heading back soon to do the Oregon and California coast as it is such a lovely drive, it does take longer but we do a two week holiday so we plan on 6 nights in Disneyland (5 day park hoppers) and then have lots of time for travel there and back, much more relaxing and the drive becomes part of the holiday to look forward to.

 

[OkanaganAmanda]

We've done this trip so many times and I prefer it to flying. First time we went with three young children and we drove the coast highway in Oregon stopping to camp along the way and then down the California coast to San Fran. where we connected to the I5 down to Anaheim. We stopped at Cannon Beach and Brookings in Oregon. Redwood Forest (can't remember the place name) and Halfmoon Bay in California. On the way back we did the I5 from Anaheim to Sacramento and then Sacramento to Cannon Beach on the Coast (because we loved it on the way down and wanted to have a couple of days on the way back) then home.

Subsequent trips (5 kids) we drove the I5 all the way, stopping once in Oregon (Eugene area) and Sacramento. We tried the night driving thing but it was a disaster for us, kids did not sleep and we were all exhausted. We prefer to drive for a few hours, stop for a picnic lunch at a park and drive until dinner when we stop for the night at a hotel.

We are heading back soon to do the Oregon and California coast as it is such a lovely drive, it does take longer but we do a two week holiday so we plan on 6 nights in Disneyland (5 day park hoppers) and then have lots of time for travel there and back, much more relaxing and the drive becomes part of the holiday to look forward to.

This is what we are doing in about a month. We want to be gone for about one week, so we are just doing the I5 all the way down. We live in the Okanagan, so are going to drive to Vancouver (stay at the inlaws) on Friday once school is out. Then wake up bright and early and go as far as we can on day one. Hoping to leave at about 5am and make it to Northern California on that first day. It's been fun buying lots of goodies for the kids for the drive (activity books, Where's Waldo, etc etc) and planning out snacks etc. It's been a long two years of no trips, so we are really looking forward to the drive down. I've driven it a few times (pre-kids) and they are good car riders (aged 6 and 8). We will bring a full cooler with picnic stuff, snacks etc and will eat out for dinner at the end of our drive day. Then 4 days at DL, and again 2 days home. It can't come soon enough.