Unexpected trip to Disneyland for the first time! (via San diego)

[wfgamble]

Okay. This may not sound very exciting to some of you veterans but I can hardly believe that I am getting the chance to go to California! I NEVER get the opportunity to travel for business and now, unexpectedly, they are sending me to San Diego for some training. Of course, the first thing I do is look up to see how far it is from DL.

Here's a bit of info:

I'll only have one day to visit DL so won't be visiting DCA.
I'll be alone (family is not coming along).
I'll be coming from San Diego.
I don't yet know where I'll be staying in San Diego as it is being set up by the training company.
I leave in a month! (Nov 24)
I've never been to California.
I've been to WDW 5 times in the past 3 years.
I've never really looked into DL since I thought it would NEVER be a possibility.


Here are my questions to start:

Where in the world do I start?
Should I travel Amtrak or rent a car?
I want a Touring Plan so I figured I would use Touring Plans and pay the bit extra for the DL extension.

Thanks so much! Point me in the right direction please

Whitney

 

[madigraham]

Okay. This may not sound very exciting to some of you veterans but I can hardly believe that I am getting the chance to go to California! I NEVER get the opportunity to travel for business and now, unexpectedly, they are sending me to San Diego for some training. Of course, the first thing I do is look up to see how far it is from DL.

Here's a bit of info:

I'll only have one day to visit DL so won't be visiting DCA.
I'll be alone (family is not coming along).
I'll be coming from San Diego.
I don't yet know where I'll be staying in San Diego as it is being set up by the training company.
I leave in a month! (Nov 24)
I've never been to California.
I've been to WDW 5 times in the past 3 years.
I've never really looked into DL since I thought it would NEVER be a possibility.

Here are my questions to start:

Where in the world do I start?
Should I travel Amtrak or rent a car?
I want a Touring Plan so I figured I would use Touring Plans and pay the bit extra for the DL extension.

Thanks so much! Point me in the right direction please

Whitney

I would rent a car, parking is 15$. Train will be too much of a hassle. It takes about 1 hour and 20 mins to get there from San Diego.
If you are by yourself I recommend using the single rider lines as well as fast passes. Try and hit all the mountains as well as potc and hm for sure. I'm sure you will have a great time!

 

[GrandBob]

Congratulations! How exciting! You're gonna love Walt's park.

Your first stop is right here: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets This is Hydroguys amazing tome on all things DLR.

Second, don't discount seeing both parks. They're just a short two-minute walk from each other - only 100 yards, shorter than walking down Main Street. Yes, one day is an awfully short time to see it all. But you can get a flavor of both parks. And a 1 day hopper isn't that much more than a 1 park 1 day pass.

Have fun!

-Bob

 

[wfgamble]

I really appreciate you both taking the time to respond. I've never felt so lost and you've given me starting points! I can't wait to check out the DL info for WDW vets!
Also, I've only ever rented a car once about 8 years ago. Which company should I look at for the best rates?

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

I like Priceline for car rentals, you can get a mid side for $20-25/day if you are driving back to SD.

I would look into a hopper, even though you will be there only one day, both parks are so close. CA is a full day park now, and it is worth at least spending a few hours in.

 

[Renae De Liz]

I've done both - rented a car to get to Disneyland from San Diego as well as taken a train (I fly SD for conventions often). I would highly recommend a train. It was super cheap and easy, and you get to sit back and relax the whole trip and see some beautiful California scenery (they go RIGHT BY beaches and through some gorgeous hills). They were great with all our luggage. Once at the Anaheim station you need to take a taxi (which they had lots available to use mid-summer when I went). It's about a $10 or so ride to get to Disneyland.

Taking a car is fine too, BUT then you get the joys of dealing with California highways and traffic (which were terrifying to me, as I'm used to calm, spaced out traffic). We also got stuck in a traffic jam and got stuck for an extra 40 min.s around 2pm, but if you are leaving super early maybe you'd have no problems with that. Then once you arrive you get to park your car and walk to a hotel which is not as much fun and magical to me. The only perk to a car is getting to drive to other spots to sight see.

So my vote is for Amtrak.

As for the rest, you'll probably need to have a plan in place to see all you want to see at DL in one day, but I've heard it can be done.

I hope you have a fantastic trip!!! Sounds like you're going to have a blast!

 

[bumbershoot]

Driving in So Cal is...not fun. And it has ALWAYS, even with my speed demon brother driving, taken more than 1 hour 20 minutes to get from San Diego to Anaheim, for us.

I found the Surfliner to be comfy and easy. Cab to get to the train station, take the train, cab from Angels Stadium parking lot (aka the Anaheim train station, code is ANA) to Disneyland. Reverse to get home.

Of course, make sure that the last train leaves at an acceptable time for you; otherwise do the rental car and parking fee.

 

[LizEN]

Anyone know an approximate cost per person for the train?
Thanks!

 

[Renae De Liz]

Anyone know an approximate cost per person for the train?
Thanks!

A random search for middle of November was $28.00 one way from SAN to ANA (kids are cheaper I believe). Check Amtrak.com for better quotes to fit your needs

 

[disneyismyheart247]

Wow, lucky you! I can tell you're very excited, and that's good! I would probably take the train. It's a lot easier than driving from San Diego. A drive from San Diego to Orange County can take up to an hour and a half. You don't want to spend too much time traveling, since you will only be there for one day. You are going to have so much fun!

 

[Rhonna]

Also voting for the train in your situation. With a car, even if you leave quite early the AM rush hour starts early in CA. We would normally choose a car on most trips anywhere and we have driven in CA - but it's NOT easy or fun and we never drive the days we are going into the parks. All it takes is one accident on the roads or timing of traffic being off and you can throw your plans out the window.

I was staying in San Diego for a wedding several years back and another girl who was also there for the wedding took off on a free day, took the bus to the beaches up near DL and came back the same day. I could have kicked myself for not thinking ahead and doing disney on my own that day. But she had been a native SoCal girl so it was no big deal for her.

 

[lcasa]

Another Train vote. AAA discounts are available if you're a member and buy in advance. But do check the return time -- make sure it's late enough or book a nearly hotel for the one night. If you decide on a car try costco if you're a member there - I get good deals from them. And then book soon, but keep checking for better rates, since you can cancel and rebook. You could even try priceline at the last minute then when rates are likely to be lower ( that you can't cancel of course)

Don't skip rides because they have the same name as the WDW ones btw - they're still different. Our POTC is better imo, although WDW's TOT is better. And don't miss the ones that are only here - like Mr Toad, Casey Jr ( maybe it's supposed to be a kid's ride but i love it - ride in the caboose facing backward ), our IASW is better too imo.

 

[mouseymommy]

I would try the train. It would be less stress than driving in an unfamiliar place. I would also try to get a park hopper. DCA is a really fun park. You won't regret taking the time to see carsland and BVS. You'll have a great time!!

PS...My DH was born and raised in AL, we go back every couple years to visit family. It's a beautiful state!!

 

[Mickeymousedude]

I live in San Diego and if I were you I would get a rental car as long as driving in trafic does not brother you to much. Going by train and then taxie might be all right in the way up but a women coming home late by herself just does not seem as safe as a car. Just my 2 cents. Whatever you do have fun and be safe!

 

[wfgamble]

Wow! You guys are great! I didn't get a notification that there were more replies so I checked back and whoa! You all have really come through! I can't thank you enough as this is so foreign to me being a WDW vet and I can't believe I'm getting to do it!

I'm up in the air as to train or car at this point but I'm leaning toward train. I just don't know how to fit in DCA that's why I figured I'd just do DL. Once I get more into the planning and learning the attractions then I'll see if I can fit it in. Lord knows I'd love to and could care less if I'm exhausted as this may be my only chance!

As for the rest, you'll probably need to have a plan in place to see all you want to see at DL in one day, but I've heard it can be done.

This is what is stressing me out the most but I'm just going to remember that I'm blessed to have one day so I'll see the best of the best and forget about the rest! (Now just gotta decide about the best of the best I'm going to use Touring Plans plan optimizer and see how I can get it all to fit.

I found the Surfliner to be comfy and easy. Cab to get to the train station, take the train, cab from Angels Stadium parking lot (aka the Anaheim train station, code is ANA) to Disneyland. Reverse to get home.

Thanks so much for these details!

Second, don't discount seeing both parks. They're just a short two-minute walk from each other - only 100 yards, shorter than walking down Main Street. Yes, one day is an awfully short time to see it all. But you can get a flavor of both parks. And a 1 day hopper isn't that much more than a 1 park 1 day pass.
-Bob

Oh, I want to do this so badly but I just don't see how! I want to do Space, Pirates, Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion, Alice, Nemo subs, Indiana Jones, IASW, Matterhorn, Mr Toad, Roger Rabbit?, Splash, Storybook Canal Boats, Mr. Lincoln, Pooh, Casey Jr. and I haven't even looked at DCA. I'm going to use Touring Plans plan optimizer and see how I can get it all to fit. I'll be exhausted but WHO CARES!

Don't skip rides because they have the same name as the WDW ones btw - they're still different. Our POTC is better imo, although WDW's TOT is better. And don't miss the ones that are only here - like Mr Toad, Casey Jr ( maybe it's supposed to be a kid's ride but i love it - ride in the caboose facing backward ), our IASW is better too imo.

Ha! You would think you know me well. I wouldn't dream of skipping those. Thanks so much!

I would also try to get a park hopper. DCA is a really fun park. You won't regret taking the time to see carsland and BVS. You'll have a great time!!
PS...My DH was born and raised in AL, we go back every couple years to visit family. It's a beautiful state!!

I would love to see both but just not sure how (Not sure what BVS is so I'm going to look it up). This is all so foreign to me as a WDW vet

We are in North Alabama and love it. Nice to meet you

I live in San Diego and if I were you I would get a rental car as long as driving in trafic does not brother you to much. Going by train and then taxie might be all right in the way up but a women coming home late by herself just does not seem as safe as a car. Just my 2 cents. Whatever you do have fun and be safe!

Yikes! I figured that being alone on a train would be safer than alone in a car. I'll think about that.

Thanks so much everyone! Keep the tips coming.

 

[coaches24]

You can do both if you have the whole day and get to DL before it opens so you are one of the first in (try and go on a non MM so there wont be people in already when the park opens to everyone). If you go to DL first and spend the first few hours doing all the big must do rides and collecting fast passes you should be able to get them done by yourself. Of course this means you are moving ride to ride quickly and not stopping to smell the roses which also may be on your list since youve never been there.

But after you get the main rides done at DL head over the DCA and collect FP for rides with lines or without single rider and spend the afternoon over there. You can go back to DL for the evening. If you are going from opening to close then I would get the 1 day hopper and see as much of both parks as possible.

Remember that with fast pass you dont have to worry about the expiration time. Collect them in the morning as much as possible and use them later in the day. Even if there is no line get a FP, then get in line and ride and use the FP to ride it again later in the day when there is a long line. And since you are by yourself the single rider line is often better than the FP line (for rides that have a single rider line). By yourself you can see and do a LOT more in one day than you can with a family or friends.

 

[wfgamble]

You can do both if you have the whole day and get to DL before it opens so you are one of the first in (try and go on a non MM so there wont be people in already when the park opens to everyone). If you go to DL first and spend the first few hours doing all the big must do rides and collecting fast passes you should be able to get them done by yourself. Of course this means you are moving ride to ride quickly and not stopping to smell the roses which also may be on your list since youve never been there.

But after you get the main rides done at DL head over the DCA and collect FP for rides with lines or without single rider and spend the afternoon over there. You can go back to DL for the evening. If you are going from opening to close then I would get the 1 day hopper and see as much of both parks as possible.

Remember that with fast pass you dont have to worry about the expiration time. Collect them in the morning as much as possible and use them later in the day. Even if there is no line get a FP, then get in line and ride and use the FP to ride it again later in the day when there is a long line. And since you are by yourself the single rider line is often better than the FP line (for rides that have a single rider line). By yourself you can see and do a LOT more in one day than you can with a family or friends.

I think this sounds great! You've given me a great starting point. Now I'm going to put a plan together. Hopefully you guys won't mind if I run it by you once done so you can point out any glaring errors on my part. Thank you!!!

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

How cool! This happened to us just this past weekend. Hubby had a business trip to California, I had a companion ticket to use on Delta so we loaded up our DD8 and headed to LAX. Checked in last Thursday, did DL on Thursday (along with Mickey's Halloween Party that evening) and DCA on Saturday. Flew home Sunday. Such a LONG trip for a 3 day weekend but it was SO worth it! We too are WDW vets (8 trips since 2008). We studied Hydroguy's thread VERY closely. You'll love it!