To "pop in" at DL or wait until later...

forgetyourtroubles!

Mouseketeer
Joined
Apr 6, 2003
Messages
347
My hubby and I have a half day (from 2:00 pm on) to "kill time" in Santa Monica in a couple of weeks. I haven't been to DL in 20 years <gosh!>. We could...buy one day park hoppers on ebay, catch a cab, and hit some highlights before the park closes at 11:00. I don't know if its worth all the trouble though. I need to look fresh for filming a commercial the next day and we are going to WDW for 6 days later this fall. I would love to do it and yes, I am obsessed with Disney theme parks, but maybe the whole family should return later and we could all explore it together. My question is: how difficult would it be to get there and get back from Santa Monica on a Friday evening? Would we have enough time to appreciate the differences in the little time we have or should we wait and just make a real trip of it later? Its probably not reasonable, but you probably understand...you just hate to be so close and not go in in see it! Thanks in Advance!
 
A few years ago, this probably would have been fine. Now, with Fastpass, it might not work so well. You could be going during the heart of spring break, and fastpasses for many of the highlights could be out by the time you get there. One thing that could help is that the fastpass machines for Pirates and Haunted Mansion aren't connected to other machines, so you could go in and grab them and one other and then walk around taking in the park.

I wouldn't get a one day park hopper - you're much better off just getting a pass for Disneyland and going to DCA when you have more time.
 
DON'T DO IT! I'm remembering the days when I'd commute to Santa Monica from Orange County and the memories alone are stressing me out.

Unless you leave Santa Monica by 1:30 p.m., no later than 2:00 p.m., you'll hit rush hour. Keep in mind that rush hour can sometimes start a little early on Fridays. What would normally be about a one hour drive will turn into a two hour or more drive during rush hour. It doesn't die down until after 7:00 p.m. Even then, you still might hit some traffic jams; just not as long and as many as in earlier hours. Going back at 11:00 p.m. will not pose a problem barring any accidents on the freeway thus creating another traffic jam.

If I were in your position and needed to be fresh for the next day, I wouldn't do it. I'd save it for another day, another time.
 
AlmostGoofy has a really good point. Friday Traffic is ALWAYS BAD on the 5 Freeway. If you get caught in traffic, that will be a HECK of a cab fare. Friday traffic always starts earlier than other days, so 2 hours is probably how long it would take you to get there. Considering you probably wouldn't want to be out late because you stated you need to be fresh for the next day, You'd probably end up leaving around 8 or 9. 4 hours in the park isn't very much when you add in wait times for the rides.

I'd agree to just hold off.

Maybe you could go to the Getty Museum. I think they're open late on Friday and it's really close to Santa Monica. It's got an amazing view!

Have fun no matter what you decide.
 

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll avoid the stress and just do it another trip. Art museums are my second favorite thing. First if I'm feeling really grown up.;)
 














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