Will we make it in time to our Goofy’s Kitchen Reservation?

[shaycamp21]

So we are driving down from San Jose to Anaheim would like make some scenic stops (still finalizing where) along the way and am wondering if we will make our 7:30 pm Goofy’s Kitchen reservation. We will hopefully be on the road by 9:30-10 am. We will already have had a few days exploring Monterey / Carmel / Big Sur / Santa Cruz so when I say scenic stops not planning to visit anything extensively like Hearst Castle just some stops along the PCH for photos / scenery / maybe a quick walk on a beach etc... The travel time says 6 hrs but accounting for stops and traffic (it will be a Thurs in Aug) wondering if we would be cutting it too close considering we still have to check in to our hotel (staying at the Element) and then head over to the Disneyland Hotel.

We also have the character brunch at Storyteller's brunch on our DCA day so it won't be the end of the world if we don't end up doing Goofy's kitchen. However, our daughter (almost 11) really wants to eat at Goofy’s Kitchen since she’s never been. DH and I went years ago with her older sisters so know it’s more about experience than food quality. I thought it would a be fun arrival night dinner. Those of you who are familiar with drive will we make it in time or should I just cancel this reservation.

 

[pharmama]

I think this is entirely up to you based on what you want to prioritize. It is definitely possible if you get out by 9:30-10am, but not via any route that includes any part of PCH or sightseeing stops. I don't even know what route would estimate a 6hr drive from San Jose to Anaheim that includes PCH or any beach sections. You will also be entering and crossing the LA basin at peak evening commute so things will be a bit painful (and traffic may be unpredictable) on that end.

I think you have to decide what the priorities are and either leave earlier if you want a leisurely drive down or plan to book it down I-5 with just stops for lunch/gas/restroom and get across LA as early as possible (with plenty of time to make Goofy's). That said, even with the leisurely plan, you should be looking at 101 for this, NOT PCH. PCH/Hwy 1 will take HOURS longer if you drive that from the bay area (well, Santa Cruz) to LA-like probably most of the day just to get to the San Luis Obispo area which is still several hours from Anaheim. If you've already done the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur areas but still want somewhat scenic drive with beach options do 101 and stop in Pismo Beach or the Santa Barbara area. This will still take longer than I-5 (which is not at all scenic) and I would recommend leaving earlier if you want to try and make that Goofy's reservation.

 

[Chupaca bruh]

We have made the trip form Santa Cruz and San Jose many times. If you take Highway 5 you can do it in 5.5 - 6.5 hours with minimal stops and not too much traffic. When we drive down 101 it takes 7 - 8.5 hours but it is a much prettier drive. Any stops for scenic reasons will make your drive a whole day trip. I would cancel the Goofy's Kitchen reservation and enjoy the drive down, which ever way you intend to go, and not be worried about making the reservation time.

 

[Pluto468]

I think for a drive like that, having a dining reservation to get to would add stress to your day. "Little" stops can end up taking much longer than expected, at least for my family. Could you do Goofy's another day?

 

[Becca1007]

If I drive we tend to blow down I5 to get there and take the leisurely route (101) on the way home.

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

We are from SJ and for our two trips this year we left between 8-9am and have not gotten to Anaheim until 4-5pm. This is down I-5 with ~1 hour of total time stopped for bathroom breaks and lunch. You are going to drive right into the worst of the rush hour traffic in LA on a Thursday.

The one time we drove down the coast was 5 years ago and with some stops in between, IIRC it was around 8-9pm when we got into Anaheim, and I think that was on a Sunday.

Don't do it.

 

[shaycamp21]

Thank you everyone for all the feedback. Hmmm decisions , decisions. Not sure if I can swing Goofy's another day. On our non park days we'd have the same issue of possibly rushing back from whatever beach / site seeing we were doing to make the dinner. Buffet breakfast is already included in our hotel so might as well take advantage of that and also we have Storyteller's booked on our DCA day for brunch so don't really want to do Goofy's for breakfast.

On the days we are in Disneyland I have lunches booked --one at Blue Bayou (not for Fantasmic but for experience and ambiance since it is somewhere we've never been) then on our other DL day I have River Belle booked to get the the standard Fantasmic package. So not sure if adding a table service character dinner on one of those days as well would take up too much park touring time (we do plan to have a mid day break after lunch for a few hours).

I am leaning towards cancelling and just enjoying the scenic drive since we are not from California and we are flying back home to Toronto out of Long Beach so there is no opportunity to enjoy the drive on the way back.

I am also debating now if we should checkout of our Airbnb a day early and do the Scenic Drive to Santa Barbara and stay somewhere there and then the next day drive to Anaheim. Lots to ponder about.

 

[pharmama]

I am also debating now if we should checkout of our Airbnb a day early and do the Scenic Drive to Santa Barbara and stay somewhere there and then the next day drive to Anaheim. Lots to ponder about.

This might be a good option depending on what your plans area for the previous day. If you do consider this, we always enjoy Pismo Beach (might be a bit of nostalgia for me since it was a common beach weekend trip for me growing up in Southern California). I highly recommend the Pismo Lighthouse Suites if you choose to stop there. It's not quite to Santa Barbara but would still be an easy drive to Anaheim the next day with time for more stops.