Worth it to go to DL?

[xa-minister]

I live in Kentucky and will be at a children't ministry conference in San Diego on February 3-8. The only day I have available to go to DL is the Feb 3 (the day I arrive). My flight comes in at 11:30 AM, so I would probably have only 5-6 hours in the park (at best). I have never been to DL, but have been to WDW many times. Just wondered your ideas?

I would need to rent a car for the day, drive up to Aneheim and buy a 1 day pass.

 

[mystic_path]

Woah that is a tough one... Well It takes almost 2 hours depending on traffic to come from Sandiego so keep that in mind as well. The park will most likely close at 8:00 given that its going to be a Tuesday. If its just you and you do want to go to the park, take advantage of fast passes and single rider lines that will speed up seeing some things for you. You wont be able to see everything, but with a bit of research here on Dis you can probably make most of your short time in the park. I say that any time at Disneyland is worth it. Perhaps your flight will come in early giving you more time

 

[kkgunn]

You are right in the fact that you would only have 5-6hrs in the park. If all goes perfectly with flight and traffic etc.. the soonest you would be in the park would be about 2pm.

That said, Why Not? Sounds like a pleasant way to spend and afternoon/early evening. DL closes at 8pm that day, It's a Tuesday, so it won't be very crowded. If I were you, I'd GO!

 

[evilprncess96]

Are you really asking a bunch of Disney nuts if you should go to DL for even a half a day. I don't think that we can give you an objective answer

 

[Mugglemama]

personally, i think i'd plan on it IF all goes well with your flight and subsequent traffic down to anaheim. i'd have a backup plan though incase you are delayed too long.

one person alone could probably get quite a bit done at disneyland in 6 hours on a tuesday in february, making it worth the effort and money. anything less than 5 hours though, and i can't say that i would recommend it.

but, it's up to you!

 

[HydroGuy]

I think you should skip the conference and just go to DLR!

In all honesty though, it does not sound like it would be worth it.

 

[bumbershoot]

What is your traffic like in Kentucky? The traffic in Southern CA is fast, extremely defensive to the point it's offensive ha ha, and scary to someone who isn't used to it.

I was able to safely drive us back from DLR to my brother's place in San Diego, but I was in a monster 7 seat Durango with a hefty engine, so many people just stayed away from me. It's my petite, girly sister in law's vehicle; she liked the noise of the engine so she bought it. Oh, and I drove in the right lane the whole way, never venturing into a lane even close to the fast lane, b/c those people are, you know, fast.

Traffic jams in CA aren't stopped, they are moving, often well over 60, but as close together as you imagine a stopped traffic jam to be.

If I stayed in CA after graduating from high school I might have gotten used to it, but I fled...my brother left too (our mom moved) but moved to Miami FL so you can only imagine the traffic he learned to drive in! So he's fine in it, but I'm not, and I think it's fair to warn people from elsewhere, when they are planning on driving themselves up and back, that it might be a hairy experience.


As much as I love impromptu trips, unless you had a local driving you with a car at the ready (no waiting for rentals), I don't think I would do this half day trip. (cannot believe I just said that)

Also, if you're flying right into SAN, know that getting out of the airport in a car is hard. Every time my brother has picked us up, it takes about half an hour just to traverse the road to get to the streets to get to the highway. Seems there's always an event at Petco stadium, or it's lunch and the business people like my SIL are tryign to get somewhere, or it's after work or or or.

 

[Tasscrapper]

I guess it would depend on how tight money is. Your looking at car hire, the ticket, gas, and parking. Not to mention food but you would have to buy that anyhow. Is it worth that much for a few hours? If money isn't a problem I would say go for it.

 

[Phalene]

Is there any way that you could change your ticket to fly into SNA? That way you'd only have to drive one way which might give you more time

 

[Gisele]

To be honest, since Hydro guy and Bumbershoot are not really recommending to go, then I have a major tendency to agree with them. Now, I am not saying positively give up on the idea of visiting Disneyland, but rather, I feel that the best way to visit the park, is if you had more than a few hours to do so. So if you could arrive a day earlier, that would be great. Or stay a day or two longer? That would be awesome too.

 

[Howry]

There are alot of attractions to see in San Diego, you may be better off checking those out. That would save you alot of driving time, Gas money and you would have more time to enjoy stuff there. I think going to Disneyland for that short of a time would just be a big tease.

-Andy

 

[xa-minister]

That sucks, but you are probably right. My DW and I take our kids to WDW about twice a year, so we love WDW, but I have never been to Cali before, let alone DL, and I don't know if I'll ever make it back...but you're probably right. (It would make for a very stressful day anyway.)

I am really big into cycling and I may just bring my bike along with me and see as much of San Diego as I can.

Thanks so much. I appreciate your advice.

 

[DoomBugger]

Unfortunately probably not worth it.

Get an earlier flight or fly in the night before and get an early start, then it would be worth it.

 

[tink2dw]

San Diego has Sea World!![I have a great discount 20% off]

San Diego Zoo!!

San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park!!

Also there is a San Diego 3-for-1 Pass for All 3 Parks!!

 

[fairykin]

Why not enjoy san diego and then plan a trip to disneyland when you can relax and enjoy it and not worry about being back at a certain time.

good luck on your choice and travel safely!