Transportation Q's - DL, San Diego, etc. Trip w/o renting car?

[Nora94]

We are in the beginning stages of planning out trip to Southern CA area. I know we want to do 4 or 5 days at DisneyLand, staying walking distance from DL. We also want to do San Diego - Sea World, maybe zoo and LegoLand. We are me, dh, 8 yr old and 5 yr old daughters. We are used to doing power trips with really packed days. But would rather save on transportation costs if you know what I mean.

It seems to me we could do DL w/o a car, take the Amtrak to San Diego and avoid rental there.

BUT have some questions... will this work being the first?

Can I get from the airport (which one??) to DL without a rental? How? How much $?

Can I get from DL hotel to Amtrak? How? How much $?

I know I can get the Amtrak to San Diego then either do their bus, the city's bus or a taxi. Anyone know the taxi cost? The city Bus's ease of use? Oh, we would have suitcases - this may not work!! May have to get to hotel first, then to attraction, right? Therefore, do area hotels have shuttles to attractions?

How about getting from the zoo, sea world, legoland to our hotel again? Is it common to have shuttles from hotels to these things? Taxi's expensive?

If you do a taxi, what do you do about carseats? What is the carseat law in CA ? (Does my 5 yr old need a booster seat??? Both my kids are small, 40 and 46 lbs so far, and neither is tall, 42 and 48 inches so far)

SO, now I am down in San Diego, how do I get to the airport from my hotel?

It just seems doable to not have to rent a car, but is it practical? Is it economical - am I saving enough by not renting a car for 10 days? Would it be better to just not rent a car while at DL then get one for the remainder of the trip?

Thanks in advance,
Nora

 

[Hound 109]

I'm sure others will comment, but there was a trip report (in June) from a Diser called MPHARJ (8 days - 8 posts in the Disneyland Trip Report). A good report from a nice lady who did much of what you are talking about.

If i remember, the cab fare from the Anaheim train station was inexpensive. Also, there is a train station near LegoLand & one near the zoo. I've also thought of this type of trip. Please post your experiences if you do this.

Have a great time.

hound

 

[Nora94]

I looked up that trip report and she only used the limo once, and the train once, so didn't really answer my questions. But thanks for the potential tip.

Anyone else?
Nora

 

[Phalene]

I can't help now, but I can you know how it works for us in November. We are arriving at SNA and will take a shuttle from the airport to our hotel near DL. We'll be there 5.5 days and then take Amtrack (not sure how we're getting to the station, most likely by cab) to San Diego. I'm traveling with a 6 year old and a 4 year old, and I'll bring their car seats with us

I'm going to rent a car in San Diego, just so we have the flexibilty to do what we want when we want to. 5 day car rentals aren't that bad, I haven't booked yet but looking seems tobe under $300, so its doable for us.

 

[Nora94]

thanks! Please let me know how it goes, we arent' going till spring.
Nora

 

[gjpc2006]

Rental car seems to be the best option for you. You have a lot of places to go and items to carry. Rental cars on hotwire are about $170 for one week out of SNA airport (John Wayne). This will allow you a lot more flexibilty with your schedule, for example you won't have to check in to a hotel prior to going to the park. Amtrak does offer a train/bus package that will probably run you about $110 for the 3 of you. Shuttle to and from airport is probably about $15-20/person (some hotels offer shuttle service-check into that). Don't worry about the driving it is a straight shot down I-5 from Anaheim to San Diego. Traffic and gas prices would be my only concerns and I STILL would rent a car. Just don't drive at peak traffic times. Good luck and have fun!! Lived in So. CA most of my life and drove from Anaheim to San Diego weekly for 1.5 years.