would you drive from San Diego for just one day at Disneyland

[Tink3815]

Here's the situation. My dh and I have visited disney world many times. Actually 3 times in 2008 thanks to Southwest dings. We are using are rapid reward flights to go to Ca in April 2009. Flying into San Diego for Thurs-Fri-Sat. Taking a short flight to Oakland Sun and staying in nothern Ca for 6 days.
I know that San Diego has lots to see and do, but the time frame we are their is my birthday so my ticket would be free. Map quest says it's a 1 hour-42 minute drive mostly on I-5. Is this highway that I hear horror stories about Ca traffic for any one who has driven it.
I cannot find any hours for 4/2 for the park, but I am assuming 10-8. We are not big on thrill rides but do theme rides. Since we know Disney world so well do you think Disneyland would not be that exciting for us. I just hate to be so close and go there. We are not big Zoo people so I am thinking I would be willing to give up the Zoo for Disney.
Any input greatly appreciated

 

[Mycutekitties]

I would.
In Oct when we were there we sat near a family that said they live in SanDiego and somtimes drive to Disneyland for the day. They have annual passes and go once a month.

 

[DizFan13]

I think if you can fit it in your plans, it would really be worth it! We have spent time in both WDW and DLR, and they are both special and wonderful in their own ways. You won't be able to do everything in one day, but you can definitely see and do a lot, and have a wonderful time. Especially if you haven't been, I would take advantage of being close and go for a visit!

We have done the drive from Anaheim to SD and vice versa, and I don't think it is bad at all, as long as you try to avoid being in one city or the other at the worst traffic times of the day, like 6-8am or 4-6pm.

 

[SplashMountainJunkie]

I drive 6 hrs (12+ round trip) from northern CA for 2 days in the park every 3 months or so. So yeah, I'd do it!

 

[eduk8r26]

I live just north of DL--about 90 miles--and we drive down all the time. We just went in November and may be going again Sunday. If we lived in San Diego, we'd for sure do it.

 

[Tink3815]

thanks for the input-any idea of how traffic would be from 8am to 10 am on the I-5 mapquest says to take

 

[Macro]

I drive up from San Diego and it's no big deal if you leave at the right time. Basically, just avoid the morning and afternoon rushes and it's not a problem. If you're starting from downtown then I'd leave by 1 PM. I've left later than that and hit serious traffic in Santa Ana. I don't leave earlier than 9 AM so I can't speak from experience there but leaving at 9 AM also avoids most of the traffic.

Of course, if there's an accident (maybe 10% of the time in my experience) then you can hung up on I-5 due to the lack of alternative routes but that's usually not for more than a 20 minutes.

Oh, and just for the record: the zoos (we have two) are better than you would expect. The two zoos are also very different. The wild animal park (the bigger one near Escondido) lets you visit the animal in their habitat rather than a standard zoo where it's the other way around (like the very nice downtown zoo).

 

[Amy&Dan]

I would do it! Disneyland is very special in its own right. There are many things it has that are not at WDW, the Indiana Jones ride for one, which I think is the best themed ride at any Disney park. I guess its a thrill ride, its got an identical track and vehicle to Dinosaur but is so much better! And several rides in Fantasyland are in Disneyland but not WDW (Mr. Toad, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Storybookland Canal Boats, Pinnochio). Disneyland's Fantasyland is much more charming than WDW's. Pirates of the Caribbean is beyond better at DL and Space Mountain is also better (much smoother, side by side seating and a cool soundtrack that plays during the ride).

I think you might really regret it if you are all the way out there in So. Cal and don't go see it for yourself! We have done the drive up from San Diego and its not that bad. Just allow plenty of time.

The April calendar should be up one of these days. Right now I notice both WDW and DL aren't putting up their calendars, probably waiting to guage the economy before they decide howhours and what shows to operate. But 10-8 would be the shortest hours. That is sprng break time so hours should actually be longer.

If Remember is going (the fireworks) for your night, be sure and see it. Its amazing and even better than Wishes. Which is amazing in its own right!

 

[Tink3815]

Thanks for the info. You said Spring Break time. Are most schools closed durning the first 2 weeks of April in CA. We were going early to try to avoid the Easter Rush. Do you think the 1 hr 45 min drive time from map quest is realistic if we will at 9 AM from San Diego. Planning on getting a hotel for the night and coming back the following day.

 

[pixiewings71]

I drive 6 hrs (12+ round trip) from northern CA for 2 days in the park every 3 months or so. So yeah, I'd do it!

Us too....only last year it was 6 hours every month....yes, we went monthly and a couple of months we went twice. LOL

OP, I would totally do it!!!!! Just do the drive at off times and you shouldn't have any problems. When I was married to my ex his Mom and Step Dad were in Oceanside (still are really) and we would stay with them and drive to DL. It took us a couple hours to get there and it was worth it. Have fun at DL and again when you get up here in the Northern area of the state.

 

[bumbershoot]

thanks for the input-any idea of how traffic would be from 8am to 10 am on the I-5 mapquest says to take

Definitely visit from there!

My brother lives in SD and our first two visits, as adults, to Disneyland were one-day trips while visiting brother and SIL. The quickie trip reports are in my first trip report linked to in my signature, if you care.


My brother does try to leave earlier than that, though. We never seem to get there until after 9, probably 10 actually, but we leave earlier rather than later to beat traffic.

I would suggest taking the train, but then you miss the evening festivities b/c of when the last train leaves...but if you don't care about that, the ANA station is close to the park and there are taxis sitting there. Was $13 by meter to the Disneyland Hotel when I went, and if I'd just been dropped at the main gates it would have been $10 by the meter. Lovely little trip that was on the train leaving at 6am! Full of commuting business people and private school teenagers.

 

[Gisele]

Yes I would drive,or fly or bus or train. Maybe even hitch. Seriously.

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

yes!!!!!!!!

 

[nancy drew]

About 10 years ago, XH and I decided to go to San Diego for vacation. I had no real interest in DL, but XH did. He talked me into driving up there for the day, against the hotel staff's advice ("No!!! Bad Traffic!!! Stay here!!!"). We had no traffic and had an awesome time.

So yeah, go for it!!!!

 

[tinkermell]

Do it, do it!!!

DL is charming, and many of the rides are better than WDW's. Fantasyland and Toontown are way better in most's opinions. DL packs alot into its small space. The fireworks are the best, and a must see!!!

Check out Hydroguy's sticky at the top of this board. Lots of good info for WDW vets!

Have fun!!!

 

[Hound 109]

Do it, do it!!!

DL is charming, and many of the rides are better than WDW's. Fantasyland and Toontown are way better in most's opinions. DL packs alot into its small space. The fireworks are the best, and a must see!!!

Check out Hydroguy's sticky at the top of this board. Lots of good info for WDW vets!
Have fun!!!

I agree with Tinkermell.

What date (day of the week) are you thinking about going? Makes a huge difference on how one might plan the drive & the day.

 

[Zoemakes5]

We live in SD area and we go up for a day all the time. I'd avoid going during peak travel times, but I know when we were visiting family here before we left, we got to DL at opening and had no trouble with traffic at all. I'd say go for it!

 

[Tink3815]

We are planning on going April 2nd on a Thursday. Thinking of leaving around 9am.

 

[tinkerbelt]

You should be fine leaving at 9. You'll be going the opposite way of bad traffic in the morning, and by the time you hit north Orange County, the really bad traffic should be cleared up. Also, I doubt that it'll take 1 hour 42 minutes to get there, unless you're coming from Chula Vista or inland, or you hit bad traffic.

 

[Ms.Ashlei]

Well I haven't had the chance to go to Disney World yet, but I live in SD and go to Disneyland at least once a month. It is worth it for me. =) It normally takes me about 2 hours to get there, but we also stop to eat somewhere kind of out of the way..

As for traffic as others have said, it really depends on the time..