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Disneyland Road Trips

Depending on where you’re coming from, your drive might take you a few hours or a couple days. Either way, it’s a big trip with excited kids in tow who are anxious and ready to get to Disneyland Resort. Ready to get to Walt Disney World in the meantime? Get your Walt Disney World quote here . 

I teamed up with Maverik: Adventure’s First Stop  to get you from point A to B in a fun, fast (and safe!) way for this road trip adventure.

Table of Contents

Road Trip to Disneyland Car Prep

Before you hit the road remember these essentials:

• 2019 and 2020, get ready for some delays while passing through Arizona from Utah and into Las Vegas . 
• Get your car serviced and oil changed. I like to go to Grease Monkey because they have free fountain drinks and popcorn which makes this errand less stressful when I bring the kids.
• Replace windshield wipers if needed. There’s often summer rain storms in the California and Nevada desert with heavy, quick rainfall. I’ve been stuck driving through one with old wipers and it’s not pleasant.

• Restock or purchase a new first aid kit .
• Paper map. Yes, a legit paper folded map of Los Angeles, Orange County and the vicinity . It’s much better to have this on hand and not need it then get lost with no cell service or end up in a crazy neighborhood courtesy of Waze.

Packing the car is a major event when going on a family road trip. I like to have almost everything packed up the day before so I know it all fits just the way I want it. I also like to have a full tank of gas the night before, filling up at my local Maverik . I love that you can see prices right from their website.

Disneyland Road Trip Activities

Beyond the basics of clothing, toiletries and more, I set up each kids’ seat  and it always includes things to keep them busy and comfortable.

• Small travel pillow and blanket . In the summer each kid uses a beach towel instead of a blanket, because we know we’ll be using those in California too!
• Charged tablets and earbuds or headphones. We have the Kindle fire for each kid , along with soft padded headphones made for little ears .
• Snack bags. I used to just keep a giant bag of snacks in the front seat and pass them out as needed, but now I get a gallon zip lock bag and fill each with snacks and candy. There’s enough for one each hour but my kids decide when and what to eat. They usually have plenty to go around.

• Water bottles are a must for any traveling we do. I have one kid who only wants “home water” from our fridge, so if I put it in a water bottle it’s now just as good as “home water.” My favorite water bottle recently is my Bubba stainless steel with a straw . It keeps everything cold and I must have straws.
• Books checked out from the library. All library books stay in the car because we never want to worry about leaving them behind in a hotel room.
• Coloring book, doodle books and colored pencils—no crayons, those just melt! My son got this Marvel doodle book for his birthday and it’s perfect keeping kids busy on long drives.
• “Guess Who Said It” game featuring popular Disney movie quotes. You can print it out for your road trip here.
• Five Disney road trip movies the kids can watch during the drive
• No-prep Disney Road Trip Games

Disneyland Drive Pitstops

Let’s face it, you’ve gotta stop somewhere along the route. For my family, it’s usually for potty breaks and filling up the tank. Let’s be real—it’s my potty breaks and filling up my soda stash.

I always stop at Maverik’s along the route to Disneyland. We legit plan our stops out to go to Maverik’s because we know each and every one will be exactly what we expect. Clean, convenient, and packed full of everything we need (or don’t need!). Many of the state-owned rest stops are often closed, dirty and inconvenient.

And if we need a break to run around for a minute, there’s usually a grassy area and picnic tables on Maverik property to relax and stretch.

It’s a different experience for sure, but if you want to venture off the route, there’s some quick and free entertainment nearby.

We tend to drive right through Vegas, but a few years ago we went on a mini-vacay and had a blast. One tip: if you don’t want to get handed any fliers on the strip, try holding your child’s hand or carrying them. Street solicitors would still hand out that garbage while walking next to our kids, but not if we were physically touching (shielding?) our littles.

Here’s what you can do for a quick break:

• Wildlife Habitat with flamingos at the Flamingo hotel
• M&Ms World , cute products, displays and a little movie if you go at the right time
• Coke Store , try the flavors from around the world if you have a strong stomach 
• Bellagio free botanical gardens
• See sharks at Mandalay Bay

What else do you like to do in Las Vegas or nearby with your kids for a quick pitstop on the way to Disneyland? See what our readers have added to the list on our Facebook page. 

Road Trip Overnight Hotels

We’re kinda backing up here, location wise. . . sometimes your best option to getting there “faster” is to take a break. Everyone is more refreshed and patient when they don’t have to spend endless hours in the car.

My favorite place to stay overnight is Holiday Inn in Mesquite, Nevada which is just over the Arizona boarder. I usually drive as the solo driver and one time, the kids were just giving me too much grief to go on.

I booked this hotel last minute and was so glad I did! Walmart is right next door, so we picked up dinner, checked in and headed to their amazing pool. They have plenty of outdoor seating for dinner, even a grill to cook on. We relaxed in the pool and played at the splash pad. And those in-the-pool loungers are everything!

In the morning, breakfast was included and we were refreshed and on our way. I love that it was away from casinos and smokey lobbies, plus the pool was just incredible.

Read This Before You Go

If you’re coming in from out of state, chances are you’ll run into the California Agriculture Inspection. Don’t let this scare you. It’s no big deal. Sometimes you have to stop and talk to a state employee, other times you simply slow down and they wave you through.

California Agriculture Inspection

So what’s this all about then? This stop in Yermo, California is unavoidable if you’re driving from Las Vegas to Disneyland. They are looking “ to make sure they are free from exotic invasive species that may be hitchhiking with them. Although the primary focus is on plant materials (i.e., fruits, vegetables, nursery stock, hay, firewood, etc.), other items are also frequently inspected.”

I’ve driven this route hundreds of time. I’ve been stopped maybe a handful of times. Each time they ask me if I have any fruits or vegetables and if I have an apple or two, I tell them and I am on my way.

What else should you know about getting through the inspection quickly? Be prepared by reading through these FAQs.

Skip the Sunday Drive

Consider this your warning. If you plan to be anywhere between Vegas and SoCal on a Sunday, be prepared for massive delays and traffic. Lots of people from LA and beyond make a weekend trip to Las Vegas. Sunday is the worst time make your drive from Utah to Disneyland.

When You Arrive at Disneyland

Once you get to Anaheim, be sure to print out your Disneyland Plan , we have itineraries for all types of groups and families. Now get ready to arrive in time for “rope drop” and open Disneyland Resort!

Do you make the drive to Disneyland often—tell us what we should add to our list!

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Ultimate 3-Day Disneyland Itinerary (2023 Travel Guide)

Are you trying to plan the BEST Disneyland itinerary for your trip?

A trip to Disneyland is always magical, but doing it over the course of three days is even better. Honestly, three days is plenty of time to explore all that the Disneyland Resort has to offer.

We’re breaking down the ultimate 3-day Disneyland itinerary by day, and what you should do, where you should eat, and where you should stay at the Disneyland Resort.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY  DISCLOSURE  FOR MORE INFO.  Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Day 1: Arrival Day at Disneyland Resort

Try to arrive at the Disneyland Resort as early in the morning or afternoon as possible. This will help you to be able to have as much time as possible at the parks without wasting time on the crowded California highways during rush hour.

I’ve found that the best time to land at LAX is anywhere from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., allowing for morning traffic to dissipate before the afternoon rush hour has started.

This makes the ride to the Disneyland Resort about 30-45 minutes versus almost two hours at peak traffic times!

If I could, I would always stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort and Spa. The luxury resort offers sweeping views of Disney California Adventure, the Downtown Disney District , or the majestic California mountains.

The resort boasts beautiful rooms that are a sweet escape after a day at the theme parks.

I love this Disney-owned resort most because of how warm and inviting the space is, as well as how easy it is to get to the parks from there.

Get Your Discounted Disneyland Tickets here!

Did you know that the Grand Californian is the only resort at Disneyland with direct access to a theme park?

That’s right, Disney’s Grand Californian has an entrance right into Disney California Adventure for resort guests only!

For the sake of this Disneyland itinerary I have you arriving at Disney’s Grand Californian at 12:30 pm. After you check in you’re going to want to grab some lunch .

Skip lunch in the park today and head straight for GCH Craftsman Grill, and sit at the pool bar to order the lobster quesadilla!

This is the perfect California-inspired lunch and the quesadilla is filled with so much lobster it’s almost as if the cheese is just a binder to hold all of the lobster together.

REVIEW: Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Waterpark (Hotels Near Disneyland)

Disneyland After Lunch

The first place you should go after lunch is Disneyland Park . There’s nothing like walking down Main Street U.S.A. at Walt’s original Magic Kingdom. Typically Disneyland Park is open late so you’ll have lots of time to enjoy rides.

If we had to choose one ride to go on first it would be the Disneyland Railroad.

This classic attraction gives a grand circle tour of Disneyland Park with stops at New Orleans Square, Tomorrowland, then back to the Main Street Station.

After that first ride the world is your oyster. Here at ThemeParkHipster, I prefer to do one section of the park at a time versus crisscrossing the park again and again to get on rides.

Typically Fantasyland, Star Wars Land , and Tomorrowland are the busiest sections later in the afternoon, so opting to go to the left and start in Adventureland is a good idea.

Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!

Disneyland at Dinner

Dinner on your first day at the Disneyland Resort should be easy since you’ll want to enjoy as much of the park as possible.

We love Cafe Orleans, which is a table service restaurant serving up the iconic Monte Cristo. Something you MUST add to your Disneyland itinerary.

For the ultimate dining experience, be sure to ask to sit outside, where a live jazz band or Captain Jack Sparrow might come by the gated patio to say hello.

5 Best Restaurants in Downtown Disney You MUST Try (Anaheim)

Late Night at Disneyland Park

After dinner, consider staying at Disneyland until they close.

This late night time in the park is the best time to get on many of the attractions in Fantasyland, since most parents traveling with smaller kids will be lined up to watch the fireworks, Fantasmic!, or the parade.

This is also a great time to ride Haunted Mansion since the lines in the afternoon get long and the space in the queue is limited.

Once the park is closed take the quick walk back to your room to turn in for the night and get ready for another big day tomorrow.

REVIEW: Is the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures Worth It? (2023)

Day 2: Your First Full Day at Disneyland Resort

Staring off your first full day at the Disneyland Resort by going to whatever park has Extra Magic Hours for hotel guests.

This time is when the park is going to be the most empty, and when you can get on some big ticket attractions like:

• The Incredicoaster and Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission: Breakout at Disney California Adventure
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run or The Matterhorn at Disneyland Park

They will have a super short wait.

After Extra Magic Hours (EMH) are over, head over to Disney California Adventure (or stay there if that’s where EMH was) and explore the park. This park is really a half to three quarter day park if the crowds are light to do everything.

I definitely encourage the use of Genie+ for rides like Radiator Springs Racers and Grizzly River Run.

Time for Breakfast at Disney California Adventure

Breakfast on the second day of your trip should be quick. Since you’ll most likely be spending the morning to late afternoon at Disney California Adventure we suggest eating breakfast at Flo’s V8 Cafe in Cars Land.

Here you’ll find breakfast favorites like eggs and bacon, and some sweet treats like brioche French toast with caramelized bananas!

Sit outside to enjoy the view of Radiator Springs Racers as cars go by Ornament Valley.

After Breakfast

The time between breakfast and lunch is a great time to get in more rides and see some characters along the main hub of Disney California Adventure before the park starts getting too busy.

Do not miss out on snagging a spot in line to see Mickey Mouse in his Hollywood glam outfit. Specific times for character meet and greets can be found on the Disneyland app.

If you’re thinking about making a trip out to any of the parks at the Disneyland Resort in California, then be sure to get your tickets here!

Lunch at Disney California Adventure

Before leaving Disney California Adventure to go back to Disneyland Park you’re going to want to have lunch at Lamplight Lounge.

Typically this restaurant is reservations only, but they usually have some first come first served seating at their downstairs bar. This is where we like to sit.

Partly because reservations can be hard to come by, and partly because the view out to Pixar Pier is beautiful!

Do not miss out on the tasty drink menus, yummy sushi rolls, and juicy burgers! Be sure to explore the restaurant before you leave too. It’s filled with nods to all of the Pixar films from Toy Story to Onward.

Your Plans After Lunch

After lunch on day two is the best time to head back over to Disneyland Park to explore more of what that park has to offer.

Consider grabbing a Ronto Wrap with a drink at Oga’s Cantina inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge , riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Disneyland’s version of Pirates of the Caribbean.

Using Genie+ will allow you to get through most of the big attractions before dinner.

How to Dress for Dapper Day at the Disney Parks: Your 2024 Fashion Guide!

Dinner at Napa Rose

Speaking of dinner, day two is really where you should treat yourself to a nice dinner. There are two places worth checking out, Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort and Spa, and Carthay Circle at Disney California Adventure.

Depending on your taste and the current menu you should be able to decide between the two which is the best for you.

Carthay Circle is more elegant and fine dining, where Napa Rose is more centered around California cuisine and fresh ingredients. If we had to make a choice we would choose Napa Rose, mainly for their incredible wine list and attention to detail on the plates.

Your Plans After Dinner

After dinner you’re going to want to find a spot for either World of Color or Fantasmic! if they are showing at either park.

You will not be able to see both on the same night unless Fantasmic! has two showings. If we had to choose we would always pick Fantasmic! just for the opportunity to see Mickey in a classic show.

Recommended: The ULTIMATE California 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary and Guide!

Late night at the Disneyland Hotel

After the parks are closed for the evening you’re going to want to head over to the Disneyland Hotel. The easiest way to get there from either park is to walk through the Downtown Disney District.

Here is where you’ll find Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar , which is home to yummy tiki-inspired drinks, zany antics, and a good time.

The bar has limited seating so you might have to wait, but it’s worth it to have a late night drink at the classic Disneyland bar.

So, be sure to add Trader Sam’s to your Disneyland itinerary.

Save up to 65% off exploring the attractions in Los Angeles with Groupon TODAY!

Day 3: Disneyland Departure Day

It’s your last day at the Disneyland Resort but that doesn’t mean that you have to get up and leave right away.

Here at ThemeParkHipster, we like to get the most out of our Disney days as we can!

This means always getting the red eye flight back home to have a pretty full day at the parks.

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Breakfast at Disneyland

This is the day to have that leisurely breakfast you’ve been waiting for. The one place not to miss is Carnation Cafe right on Main Street U.S.A.

They are serving up breakfast favorites like Mickey waffles in a turn of the century setting. We love getting the Mickey Waffles with a side of potatoes and bacon to get us through til lunch.

If there’s open space, ask to be seated outside to take in the sights and sounds of Main Street U.S.A. Sometimes the Dapper Dans will come by to sing a song, and you might even see a famous mouse wave hello.

One of the coolest things to add to your Disneyland itinerary.

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Your Plans After Breakfast

After breakfast while the parks are still less crowded is the best time to get on those last minute rides that you might not have gotten to yet, or favorites that you want to ride one more time.

We always park hop during this time until lunch trying to get in as many rides as we can!

Lunch at Disneyland

The last day at the Disneyland Resort should always be held for the best quick service lunch at Disneyland Park- the grilled cheese and tomato soup at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe.

Grab your lunch then sit out on the plaza to eat while enjoying views of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Secrets Revealed: Disneyland Mint Julep Recipe!

Depending on when your ride back to the airport is set to pick you up this may be your last opportunity to get on any rides or buy any souvenirs you haven’t picked up yet.

You can’t leave Disneyland without a new Christmas ornament or trading pin, which are always easy to pack away in full suitcases.

If you’re planning a last ride, I think it should be either Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission: Breakout or Pirates of the Caribbean.

Both tell a great story and are a lot of fun! Before getting picked up be sure to get those last selfies in front of the castle. A perfect way to end your Disneyland itinerary.

Final Thoughts on Your Disneyland Itinerary

With so much to do at the Disneyland Resort it can be hard to figure out a good game plan for a short three day trip.

However, I think this Disneyland itinerary is a pretty good one, and I’ve used this format for trips lots of times and haven’t missed one thing yet!

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

About the Author

Megan is a theme park expert and frequent traveler to magical places. She covers all things Disney and Universal and runs marathons for fun.

She thinks you can tell a lot about someone by the name of their signature lipstick, and hers is NARS Dragon Girl.

UP NEXT: 13 BEST Tips For Your First Time At Disneyland

(Original Article Date: August 23, 2020/Updated on June 14, 2022)

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35 Most Underrated Disney World Tips and Tricks for First Timers (2023)

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Disney , Disney Tips , Disneyland , Uncategorized · November 6, 2022

Driving to Disneyland: Road Trip Tips

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here .

Driving to Disneyland is an affordable way to begin your Disney vacation. These road trip tips will have you ready to kick off the Disney fun along the way!

You’re going to Disneyland, but first you have to get there. Driving to Disneyland is easy and cost effective. We’ve been driving to Disneyland since our kids were young and have learned some road trip tips along the way.

The fun doesn’t have to wait to begin until you arrive at Disneyland. Start the excitement in the car and help break up the hours (or days) of driving to Disneyland. No need to be grumpy when you arrive at the happiest place on earth!

These road trip tips for driving to Disneyland can be used anytime you travel. We still use many of them with our teenagers and for shorter car rides too.

This post is all about driving to Disneyland: road trip tips.

DRIVING TO DISNEYLAND

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Plus, Get Away Today is one of the only trusted sources for discounted Disney tickets . They saved us close to $1,000 on our last 5 day Disneyland trip package!

#1: Surprise Bags: Driving to Disneyland Edition

My kids absolutely LOVE getting these surprise car bags. Even as teenagers, they ask if they are getting them when we are driving to Disneyland. I pack enough to give them each a bag every hour(ish). These little gifts are a lot of fun to put together and they help to break up the boredom of being in the car and keep the Disney excitement going.

I usually hit up the dollar store for Disney themed merchandise . One or two bags will have something a little bigger in them, like the year I bought some pins for pin trading. I gave them to the kids in their surprise bags and they occupied themselves for quite a while examining the pins and trading with each other. On the next trip, I gave them their lanyards and pins as one of their bags since they had been in storage. Any tangible item will do!

Some ideas include:

• crayons and a mini notepad
• trading pins
• die cast car
• princess figurines
• handheld fidget items
• special snacks/candies
• Disney madlibs
• pipe cleaners or wikki sticks
• sticker books
• Olaf kits (see below)

#2: Snack Bags

Giving kids their own snack bags is a great way to let them be in control of their own hunger. If you’re like me, we had an eating routine and specified snack time at home. Handing my kids a bag full of snacks that they got to eat whenever they wanted to was like a mini Disneyland in itself for them. You can make each child’s different to their specific tastes and preferences. Don’t forget yourself and partner; everyone eating a little something when they need it keeps the car ride happy.

As a bonus point: include a couple baby wipes for messy hands and an additional ziplock bag for garbage and wrappers. Everyone in charge of their own food and cleaning up makes a relaxed mama!

#3: Disneyland Car Activities & Games

Keeping everyone occupied enough so they aren’t constantly asking the dreaded “how much longer” question can drain the Disney excitement right out of you. Having car activities and games at the ready while driving to Disneyland can help you keep your sanity. Older kids can pack their own car bag or backpack with what they want. For younger children, you can keep a bag within reach of you so you can pass back various activities throughout the road trip.

Pinterest is full of great ideas for younger kids and busy kits. I used to grab smaller baking trays at the dollar store that my kids could use to color on, adorn with stickers and use as little table for eating or building toys. They are magnetic, so if you have a fun little magnet set, that works great too.

I’ve also kept a rotation of books in the car door pocket for the kids. These were only in the car, not in the household collection, so it was always fresh content. Adding in new books like Disney Look and Find book or flip books held extra attention. Activity books that be passed around are also great.

Games like “I Spy” have been religiously played in our car for years. I also printed up and laminated Disney versions of Would You Rather and fun Disney questions , which my teens still enjoy playing. They are also great to throw in your Disney park bag for when you are waiting in line.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t give an honorable mention to the LeapFrog 2-in-1 LeapTop Touch . This little toddler aged mini computer device helped my daughter know all of her letters, out of order, upper and lower case, before her 2nd birthday . It saved us on long car rides and if you have a little one that you want to monitor screen time with or just make it more engaging, this is for you!

#4: Electronics & Disneyland Media

In case electronics and media are not already on your list, here’s your reminder. As you already know, an iPad or tablet can keep a little one entertained for a long time. Don’t forget headphones to plug into that tablet or your DVD player. Sometimes we like to all watch (listen when in the front seat) to a Disney favorite while driving to Disneyland. And then there are times when mama wants a nap and doesn’t want to sing “Let It Go” (again!).

My teens are content as can be with their phones, AirPods and uploaded music. You will also want to be sure everyone has an accessible charger for all things that die at inopportune times.

We usually don’t let our kids get on any devices or throw in any AirPods until we have been driving a bit. When they were younger, we’d wait for them to get restless. Now that out kids are older, no devices means family interaction time. That is what a family vacation to Disney is all about after all! We also time movies, quieter devices, etc with our meal stop. Once all back in the car with full bellies, everyone is ready to relax (or have a large coffee, sorry hubby).

#5: Bring on the Cozy!

Being comfortable is big part of a successful road trip. Throw in blankets that you can later use in the hotel to snuggle with and bring your kid’s favorite stuffed animal that can double as pillow in the car. My oldest son and husband don’t care about these things, but the rest of us do and having the all the cozy things makes the difference between a good car ride and a bad one . Plus, no one has to complain about the temperature in the car when you can wrap up in a blanket!

#6: Stay Overnight Part Way

Your drive to Disneyland may be long enough that stopping somewhere to sleep along the way just makes sense. Although you can definitely find decently affordable hotels all around Disneyland, it can often be cheaper to spend the night a few hours away and save the big bucks for the Disney hotel once you’ve arrived.

In fact, on many of our trips, we’ve stayed somewhere cheaper in Anaheim on our travel day before moving over to our more expensive and convenient hotel. Look for a place that has a complimentary Manager’s Reception with snacks that can double as a light dinner as well as free breakfast.

Another thing to consider is the time of day you are able to leave and whether or not you are drive-through-the night kind of people. There are times you can’t get away until the kids are out of school for the day or your work is wrapped up. A stay overnight somewhere gets the vacation going and gives you a longer day the next day to enjoy everything Disney (and even Southern California) has to offer.

RELATED: Where To Stay At Disneyland: Your Ultimate Guide To The Different Types Of Properties

#7: Driving to Disneyland Travel Budget

When planning a Disney vacation, it’s obvious to budget for the days you are actually on property. But don’t forget to budget for your driving days too. Remember to consider:

• gas – Unfortunately, California has the highest gas prices in the U.S. (expect $6+ per gallon in LA)
• meals & snacks
• stops along the way

RELATED: Budgeting For Vacation

# 8: Parking Fees

Unlike the expansive space in Disney World, Disneyland is in the middle of the city of Anaheim. Space is at a premium, and you can expect to pay for parking at basically every hotel . The parking spaces are often quite compact and the lot full as well. On top of hotel parking fees, you also have to pay to park at Disneyland. This is something to consider when planning where to stay because daily parking between your hotel and at Disneyland can be upwards of $50 per day!

We always park our car on Day 1 and don’t move it again until we leave. Staying at a hotel within walking distance (including the Disneyland hotels) or at one that has a shuttle to and from the parks will save you from paying to park at Disneyland as well as at your hotel.

Given the choice, I will always drive to Disney over flying if it makes sense to do so. Not being limited with a carry on means you can easily bring comforts from home and your own food. Hopefully, you have all the information you need for your next drive to Disneyland!

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY LIKE

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This post is all about driving to Disneyland: road trip tips!

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Bags for Disneyland: Which One Is Best?

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10 Day Road Trip From The Grand Canyon to Disneyland

This is the tale of how a perfectly planned trip to Hawaii instead became the most amazing travel experience of my life.

Every so often I am fortunate to plan a vacation which includes my mom when my wonderful husband can’t go with us. My daughter, my mom, and I have made some great memories over the years with our “girls’ trips” to Disney World. I thought I would really surprise Mom and plan a trip to Disney Aulani in Hawaii. Sand, sun, leis and the Mouse – I spent a lot of time imagining my mom being overjoyed and how she would thank me profusely for coming up with a great trip idea.

It didn’t go exactly as planned.

“I think we’ll be bored”, she said, brutally truthful. Wait. What?! I couldn’t believe she was turning down the idea of Hawaii.

Instead she suggested we go on a road trip out west. She thought it would be fun to go on a trip to see the Grand Canyon and end up at Disneyland for the usual shenanigans.

However, she was pretty vague on the how. “I know you can plan an amazing trip”, she said. “We always have so much fun”. 

Flattery will get you everywhere. This was well outside my realm of expertise and I was a little nervous. However, as I starting looking into it I found myself getting excited about planning this Disneyland road trip.

Planning An Epic Road Trip To Disneyland

I knew I wanted to stay on the south rim of the Grand Canyon for our trip, but when I began to research lodging I found most recommended booking a year or more in advance. You know what, people know what they are talking about.

I booked June 4th, 2015 for a stay May 25th and 26th, 2016. I called, booked a room, but had second thoughts immediately after I hung up. I called right back, but the other option was already gone.  This was no joke.  

Once El Tovar at the Grand Canyon was booked this trip got real. I read books about the Canyon, Disneyland, the American Southwest (since I had no idea how to make the trip from the Grand Canyon to Disneyland interesting for us) and pinned a ton. I also looked at map after map to try and make sense of the geography.

I hate road trips. Did I mention that?

But my mom had buttered me up, and I can’t back away from a challenge so here I was. However, since I hate road trips I had very strict rules in planning the itinerary.  

Road trip rules:

• No driving more than about five hours in one day
• No long drive after the initial flight out of Chicago
• No back-to-back driving days

My Final Disneyland Road Trip Itinerary:

Day 1 – Fly from Chicago to Phoenix, then drive to Sedona

Day 2 – Drive from Sedona to the Grand Canyon (I see you noticed I broke rule 3, but nobody’s perfect)

Day 3 – Grand Canyon sightseeing

Day 4 – Leave the Canyon, and drive to Las Vegas via a stop at Hoover Dam

Day 5 – Las Vegas (with a 7 year old?! Don’t worry, I’ll tell you my secrets to a family friendly trip )

Day 6 – Leave Las Vegas and drive to Anaheim (and go to the park that night, of course)

Day 7 – Disneyland

Day 8 – Disney California Adventure

Day 9 – Huntington Beach, Disney California Adventure/Disneyland

Day 10 – Quick stop at the parks, and then a return flight from John Wayne Airport (my new favorite) back to Chicago

Final Thoughts

I know this exact trip format won’t work for everyone, but I broke it down into segments that I hope are useful to lots of different families. This road trip to Disneyland is still one of the best trips of my life.

I must also admit something. I now love road trips.

Are you going to Disneyland in California?  I have helpful articles for you!

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Road Trip to Disneyland with Kids (S1 Ep29)

The great American Road Trip! One of the best destinations to road trip to is Disneyland. And that is exactly what we are talking about in today’s episode of the Disneyland with Kids Podcast. From how to pack your car for a road trip, to how to keep the kids entertained, our road trip warrior experts are helping you plan to that everyone is still smiling when the vacation is over. After listening to this episode, will you join Becca in team #roadtripsforlife? 

Disneyland Road Trip Tips!

While flying to Disneyland is a popular option, many of our Disneyland with Kids Facebook Group members have chosen to make the journey to The Happiest Place on Earth an adventure all its own via a road trip. Thankfully, between other group members, and our co-founders we have all of the best road trip tips for you. 

In This Episode

Before we get into the show notes, just a note that we are currently looking for a transcription service for our episodes. We are working to make our information accessible. In the meantime, most (if not all) of the information from the podcast may be found on our websites within the links in the show notes.

Here is what you can look forward to in this episode of the Disneyland with Kids Podcast

Best Tips for Taking a Disneyland Road Trip

In this episode, Jessica, from The Happiest Blog On Earth , and Becca, from This Crazy Adventure Called Life , discuss their best tips for driving to Disneyland for your vacation. As moms who have made the drive often, from Utah and Idaho respectively, we have come together to offer our best tips. From planning, to packing, and how to keep everyone happy along the way, we have you covered. 

If you are looking for specific tips, like where to stop along the way for your route, be sure to join the Disneyland with Kids Facebook group. Many of our members are happy to share their favorite places to stop and rest, stretch, and get a bite to eat.

Before we get to the show notes, let’s talk about planning your Disneyland vacation.

If you are hoping to head to Disneyland Resort when ticket sales resume, we suggest booking through our partners at Get Away Today . As a reminder, ticket sales have been paused while Disneyland works to reopen. However, you can still book hotels, and Disneyland will open ticket sales again when they are able to.

Not only do they have amazing discounts for our followers, they offer a Peace of Mind Plan, so you can book now, getting the best deal, but knowing that they will take care of you should you need to cancel or reschedule. They are currently booking vacations through 2021!

They have discounted tickets, free hotel nights and more. Be sure to use code DisneyKids when booking a hotel stay of 2 or more nights to save even more! 

They also have partners in areas like St George – where my family likes to stop overnight on our drive down to Disneyland.

In this episode we talk about road trips to Disneyland:

• Why Becca is team #roadtripsforlife
• How to decide if Disneyland is too far for a road trip
• Why Becca thinks you might want to rent a car for your road trip
• Tips to save you major money on your car rental
• Things to have checked on your vehicle before a road trip to Disneyland
• Tips for packing your car for a road trip and how to make the most of your space
• What to pack where you can easily grab it
• Packing snacks and the agricultural check point
• Tips for electronics and other entertainment
• Why you should never drive from Vegas to SoCal on Sunday
• And more of our best tips for road trips to Disneyland

After listening to the episode, you may want to check out:

• Our episode about Flying to Disneyland with Kids
• Our episode about Getting Sick at Disneyland
• Jessica’s Disneyland area hotel reviews

Want to talk more about your road trip for your Disneyland vacation? Be sure to share with us in the Disneyland with Kids Facebook Group .

Plan Your Disneyland Vacation:

If you want to book a Disneyland vacation we suggest booking through our partners at Get Away Today .

Want to connect with other Disneyland with Kids community members, receive and share tips, and more? Join the Disneyland with Kids Group on Facebook .

Connect With The Hosts:

You can connect with the hosts of Disneyland with Kids at the following locations:

Leslie – Trips with Tykes

Connect with Leslie on:

Julie – Mom Rewritten

Connect with Julie on:

Becca – This Crazy Adventure Called Life

Connect with Becca on:

Jessica – The Happiest Blog On Earth

Connect with Jessica on:

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Ultimate Disneyland Guide – My Best Disneyland Tips

By: Author Kim Tate

Posted on Published: March 4, 2017

Since I’m a west coaster, Disneyland has been our family’s theme park of choice when planning a Disney vacation. Between trips with the kids, and a couple of runDisney races, I’ve been in the parks about ten times now. Recently I had a friend ask for some tips and I realized that I needed to share my best Disneyland tips here with my readers!

In this article:

Disneyland Tips for Flights & Transportation

Flying to disneyland.

One of the great things about traveling to Disneyland is that there are a few airport options. Our favorite by far is the John Wayne/Santa Ana airport (SNA). It’s the closest airport, and also much easier to navigate than LAX. That being said, LAX often has some great airfare deals, so it’s worth considering.

Many airfare search engines and sites will allow you to check nearby airports, so you might consider that. The airports that are in the area (listed from closest to farthest) are: John Wayne Airport (SNA), Long Beach Airport (LGB), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario International Airport (ONT), Bob Hope Airport (BUR), San Diego International Airport (SAN).

Disneyland Airport Transfers

In regards to getting to Disneyland from the airport, you can always rent a car or book a shuttle. It’s important to know that there are NOT Disney transportation options that are booked through Disney. They rely on third-party providers. This is different than the Magical Express options at Walt Disney World.

You can look for a Southern California airport shuttle service or consider using Uber or Lyft rideshare services. You will need a car seat for children under 8 according to CA law.

Traveling by Car to Disneyland

You can also consider driving, we had a great road trip from Seattle to Disneyland . It can be a beautiful drive, and if you have some extra time you can really see some great attractions. You can also rent a car for your time at Disneyland. This is great if you plan to move around southern California during your trip. Just be prepared for some brutal traffic, and parking fees at hotels.

Tips for Buying Disneyland Tickets & Packages

Saving on disneyland tickets.

Everyone is looking to save money, but in my experience, there are that many hacks to save you money on your park tickets. One of the ones I’ve seen recommended most often is to purchase Disney gift cards with your REDCard at your local Target. This will save you 5%, then you can use the gift cards to buy your tickets.

Of course, you can always use a cashback credit card and purchase gift cards at a store that offers you a gas discount or such so you’re “double-dipping” on some savings. Earning cash back on your card and earning a gas discount.

I have also heard of people finding discounted tickets at Costco, but I’ve never seen them in Seattle. For our very first Disneyland trip, we purchased  CityPass tickets, which gave us entry into various southern California attractions, including 3 days at Disneyland.

Tips for Buying Disneyland Packages

Booking a package is another option for your Disney vacation. My best Disneyland tips for packages is to look at Get Away Today , Costco Travel, and AAA, in addition to direct Disney pricing. I know and trust all three of those providers. Packages are a tricky thing with Disneyland. Often they won’t save you money. Sometimes they come with added perks like a gift card or a free character meal.

My best advice is to price out the options separately, then check those sites for the package prices. You might find one is better than another. Also, be sure to consider change/cancellation policies if you book a package vs. booking separately. Seattle and west coast peeps, consider checking out Alaska Airlines vacation packages if you need airfare.

Disneyland Hotels

Where to stay at Disneyland is one of the hardest questions for me to answer. It all comes down to budgets and personal preferences. We have stayed off-site and driven in, we’ve stayed off-site and walked over, and we’ve stayed on-site at each of the three Disney properties.

If you have the budget, I highly recommend staying on-site. There are three onsite hotels, The Paradise Pier Hotel, The Disneyland Hotel, and The Grand Californian Hotel. In addition to the nice property amenities, you’ll also get the perk of magic morning admission. This gets you into one of the parks an hour before opening, every day. This is especially good if you’re a fan of some of the prime attractions and want to get as much done as possible.

The Grand Californian Hotel

The Grand Californian is themed in a craftsman woodsy style, and features the special side entrance into Disney’s California Adventure park (near the Grizzy River Rapids attraction). I love the lobby of this hotel, especially at Christmas, and it’s the most understated in Disney decor of the three onsite properties.

The Disneyland Hotel

The Disneyland Hotel is probably their signature hotel and features three towers of rooms. The towers and rooms were remodeled a few years back and feature modern blue exterior glass and special LED light-up headboards.

Another signature feature of the Disneyland Hotel is the monorail waterslides at their pool. One of my favorite aspects of staying at the Disneyland Hotel is the walkthrough Downtown Disney to the parks. You also have quick access to the Monorail if you’d prefer to ride into Disneyland.

The Paradise Pier Hotel

If you’re really looking for a great theme park view, you might consider The Paradise Pier Hotel. We stayed here once with a room that overlooked the Paradise Pier section of Disney’s California Adventure park. It’s a great way to get a back-water view of the World of Color night show if you need to have early nights.

The Paradise Pier Hotel is now the farthest walk into the parks. When we stayed there you were able to cut through the Grand Californian, but that’s not allowed now. Plus, the security bag check stations are now near the hotels and Harbor entrance, with the Grand Californian having only one metal detector and table, so that means it might end up with long lines.

Related Post:  Hotels by Disneyland: How to Choose Where to Stay

If your budget won’t allow the added price of staying onsite, probably an extra $150-$300 per night, I definitely advise you to stay within walking distance. Our early trips we stayed far offsite and drove to the parking garage, but from what I’ve heard lately that can be a real-time waste. There are quite a few budget hotel options available across the street from the park along Harbor Blvd.

Tips for the Parks and Resort Layout

It’s good to understand the layout of the Disneyland Resort before your trip. Especially if you’re a Walt Disney World native, the parks will throw you off a bit. The Disneyland Resort is the title that encompasses the three onsite hotels, the Downtown Disney District, and the two theme parks, Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. All of these are within easy walking distance.

I highly recommend you look over the online Disneyland maps before your trip and start to acquaint yourself with how the lands are laid out and where the signature rides are located. Navigating the parks can be a tight and crowded affair, so you want to avoid pulling out your park map in the middle of Main Street. One of my best Disneyland tips is to understand the resort layout and where your prime rides are before your vacation.

Disneyland Park

The Disneyland park is what some people term and compare to the Magic Kingdom park in WDW. However, it is known as Disneyland. This is where you’ll find all your favorite classic lands, Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Mickey’s Toontown, and Main Street USA.

Some of the signature Disneyland attractions are Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones Temple of the Forbidden Eye, the Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Star Tours, as well as the classic Fantasyland attractions like Peter Pan and the Teacups.

Disney’s California Adventure Park

Disney’s California Adventure Park was the expansion park that opened in 2001. It is located directly across the esplanade from Disneyland, making hopping between both parks easy. In Disney’s California Adventure park you’ll find Cars Land, Hollywood Land, A Bugs Land, Paradise Pier, and Grizzly Peak.

Some of the signature attractions at Disney’s California Adventure Park include Frozen Ever After, Radiator Springs Racers, Soarin’ over the World, Grizzly River Rapids, California Screamin’, and Toy Story Midway Mania.

Both parks offer a lot of great attractions and entertainment options, so I highly recommend visiting both.

Tips for Entering the Parks

As I mentioned above, there are security bag checks for the property. These are found at the Grand Californian, at the end of Downtown Disney by the Disneyland Hotel, and near the pedestrian entrances to the resort. Be ready to have your bags unzipped, and to walk through a metal detector. No matter what line you pick, it will always be the slowest moving one. :)

Once you’ve cleared the security check you’re now ready to hit the parks or Downtown Disney. If you’re entering one of the parks I highly recommend getting all your tickets ready. If you have multi-day tickets , you’ll need to get your picture taken at the turnstile on the first day you use your ticket. You’ll also want to write your name (first is fine) on your ticket so you can keep everyone’s tickets matched to the correct person. The photos are used to prevent people from reselling unused days on multi-day tickets.

If you have a one-day ticket , you won’t have your photo taken, BUT you need to get a handstamp when exiting the park if you want to re-enter. This handstamp will then be checked with blacklight when you re-enter with a one-day ticket. If you have a multi-day ticket, you do NOT need to get a handstamp when you leave the parks, so just pick the quickest turnstile to exit.

Once you’ve cleared the turnstiles, be sure to grab a park map and entertainment schedule. These are stuffed in slots at the turnstiles. I also recommend that you immediately put away your tickets in a safe but accessible spot. These tickets will be used to get fastpasses in the parks.

Tips for Fastpasses

Read my full guide of tips for  disney maxpass and disneyland fastpass.

If you’ve never been to a Disney park, you might have no idea what fastpasses are. Fastpasses are reservation tickets that are available for most of the popular rides, as well as some of the entertainment options. They’re free to obtain with your park admission and allow you to come back at a later time to ride the ride with a shorter wait.

How you get fastpasses is by going to the participating ride and inserting your park admission ticket into the specified fastpass distribution machines. For each ticket you insert you’ll receive a fastpass reservation that is linked to your park ticket. These reservations will give you a specified one-hour timeframe for when you can return to the ride and enter the fastpass queue. While standby lines can be an hour or even two hour wait, fastpass lines often have little to no waits.

It’s important to realize that you have to wait two hours between fastpasses. There’s a rare exception if the return time for your fastpass is before the two hour timeframe. Say you get a fastpass for Soarin’ at 10:30 am and it has a return timeframe of 11:30-12:30, you can get a new fastpass at 11:30 instead of waiting the two hours from 10:30 (i.e. 12:30). Another exception is that the entertainment fastpasses aren’t linked to the attraction fastpasses. So getting fastpasses for World of Color, Fantasmic, and Frozen Ever After don’t keep you from getting other fastpasses.

Realize that fastpasses are limited. It’s quite common for popular rides to run out of fastpasses on busy park days. Some of the most popular attractions that can run out are Radiator Springs Racers, Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, and possibly Star Tours.

Disneyland Fastpass is free to use for all guests with a park ticket. MaxPass is an additional fee option that allows you to book your fastpass reservations via your phone instead of going to the ride distribution machines.

My Disneyland Fastpass Tricks

There are some fastpass strategies that are part of my best Disneyland tips. The first tip is to designate a fastpass “runner” if you’re traveling as a group. This is a person who is good at navigating crowds and can handle heavy walking. Runners will then take everyone’s tickets to the fastpass distribution ride and get the fastpasses for the whole group while the others ride a ride or eat. This can save families and large groups a lot of time.

Disneyland MaxPass

Disney recently started offering a MaxPass program for fastpasses. This allows you to use the Disneyland app to reserve your fastpasses from your phone once you’re in the parks. It also includes Disney PhotoPass and ride photos. MaxPass costs $20/person/day. Each person needs MaxPass to reserve fastpasses. For a family of four it would be an additional $80 a day.

Disneyland App

Be sure to download the Disneyland app on your smartphone before your trip. The app is the best way to keep an eye on attraction wait times, plus helps you navigate around the park. Do take note that Disneyland does not offer wifi in the parks like at Walt Disney World. So if you have a limited data plan, keep an eye on how much you’re using the app.

The app also helps you see the fastpasses for the attractions. If you click on the wait time on the map a balloon info bubble will pop up. Clicking the bubble will show you a further detailed screen about the ride and the current fastpass distribution times will be noted. This can help you plan which fastpass to get next.

Other Great Disneyland Posts:

Disney MaxPass Secrets and Best Disneyland FASTPASS Tips

5 Most Interactive Disney Characters for Kids & Where to Find Them at Disneyland

Disneyland checklist for planning your disney vacation days, hotels by disneyland: how to choose where to stay, 20 things about disneyland halloween time, money saving disneyland tips, my favorite disneyland planning resources.

(affiliate links included)

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Alice Carroll

Thursday 26th of November 2020

It's great to know that there are Disneyland transportation services that can serve as an airport transfer as well. One of my goals as a parent is to take my kids to a Disneyland someday because its cartoons have been my childhood as well. getting to share that magic with them would surely be a special moment.

Whitney Russell

Sunday 2nd of February 2020

These are some great tips!!! I love Disneyland if there are more than 3 of us going down its more cost-effective to drive. However, I usually save even more money by staying at hotels that are within walking distance and has free parking and breakfast. This way we don't have to buy breakfast or pay for parking at Disney or the hotel!

Monday 3rd of February 2020

Yes! We stayed off-site for most of our first trips down. Now that we know the parks so well and since our girls are older we're able to splurge for an on-site hotel for a night or two to maximize the on-site perks and divide our time with a more budget-friendly option for the other nights.

Wednesday 13th of June 2018

[…] sure to read my BEST Disneyland Tips! And check out my Disneyland posts page to help you plan your […]

Full Guide to Enjoying Food and Wine Festival at Disneyland

Monday 5th of March 2018

[…] Related Post: Ultimate Disneyland Guide & My Best Disneyland Tips […]

Blissfully Fun One Week Southern California Itinerary + Disneyland

Thursday 16th of November 2017

[…] California itinerary we’ll plan to fly into the LAX area and depart out of San Diego. In my best Disneyland tips post I share about the airports near Disneyland. My favorite is SNA (John Wayne), but LAX has great […]

Disney Vacation – Family Road Trip Tips

• Sara @MomEndeavors
• February 20, 2016

This post may contain affiliate links.  Privacy policy .

5 Disney Family Travel Road Trip Tips:

Consider breaking up the trip..

Obviously, the length of your drive will determine if breaking up the trip is needed – or how many times you’ll need to break up the trip! One thing that we’ve found is that it works great for us to leave on our Disneyland road trips after dinner (that way no one needs to miss school or work that day). We dress the boys in jammies and have just about a 3-4 hour drive to get to our hotel stop (since we’re in Phoenix, that stop is usually in the Palm Desert/Cathedral City/Banning area). We can almost always find a room rate (that includes breakfast) for between $75-$105/night. So, we roll in late (the boys are already sleeping) and stay the night there. We get up in the morning, have a quick breakfast, and then only have about a 1.5 -2 hour drive to Disneyland. It is SOOoo nice!! This works well on the way home too! You can maximize your day at Disneyland and leave late at night. Then just drive a couple hours!

Now, a six-hour drive is by no means “too long” to drive straight through. But, it can be a bit draining, especially with little ones. So, breaking up the trip like this has worked REALLY well for us. Hotel prices in Anaheim typically aren’t cheap, so you can almost always find a better rate by staying a night about 1-2 hours outside of Disneyland.

Plan a fun stop or two.

Whether you’re breaking up the trip or not, you will inevitably need to plan in a stop or two (whether for food, potty breaks, diaper changes, etc) –especially with little ones in tow. Where/when you decide to stop might vary depending on whether you’re breaking up the trip. So, as you plan the road trip, map out some possibilities of good stopping points before you leave. Ask for recommendations for others – favorite food stops, nice rest areas, or even some fun roadside attractions.

For those of you headed to Disneyland from the southeast (like from the Phoenix or Tucson areas), here are some of our recommendations:

• Even with breaking up the trip, we usually stop in Blythe for food & bathrooms. Exit on Lovekin for a McDonald’s, Carl’s Jr and Starbucks – all really close to the interstate. We usually grab dinner and do bathroom breaks before getting back on the interstate.

Make a Road Trip Scavenger Hunt.

You can make the trip a little more fun by creating a unique scavenger hunt for your route. You can put landmarks on it of things you might see along the way – even particular plants, wildlife, license plates, etc. If you’re coming from Arizona like us, you could add things like the AZ/California border stop, Joshua Tree, the windmills, the giant dinosaurs, etc. Here’s a great printable example from Eclectic Momsense .

Create a Disney Road Trip Pack.

Bring your favorite Disney movies & music!

Take the stress out of your disney trip planning.

If you want to make your Disney Trip Planning easier, consider booking through Get Away Today ! That’s who we use to book our trips and so we’re thrilled to partner with them as an affiliate! They really make the whole thing so easy & are great about getting you the best deal! They even have Layaway plans available for just $125 down (and you have up until 2 weeks before you go to make final payment)! Plus, Save $10 on any Southern California vacation package when you use our exclusive Get Away Today coupon code: MOMENDEAVORS .

For more Disney trip ideas, be sure to check out these posts:

Explore More

Easy Disney Kids Playdate Ideas

Legoland California Planning Tips with Undercover Tourist

Jake and the Never Land Pirates Preschool Playdate #DisneyKids

Disney Ralph Breaks The Internet Printable Activity Sheets & Coloring Pages

I’m Sara, a mom to three adorable boys living in the Arizona desert. As a former teacher, I love sharing my passions with others. So, have a look around for creative inspiration about cooking, creating, celebrating, traveling with kids, and more everyday mom endeavors!

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Driving to Disneyland A Dessert Road Trip from Nevada

We love when we are able to get away to the west coast, because we just love California and hey, when the winter in Ohio is still going strong for the fifth month in a row, getting away to warmer weather is a bit essential for our sanity. And frankly, a Disneyland Road Trip may be just what you need when you’re ready to travel again. This Disneyland Road Trip was all about wide open spaces from Las Vegas to Disneyland, check out what we did and where we stayed.

From Nevada to Disneyland

For this trip, we flew into Las Vegas. There are a couple of reasons we did this, but the main reason is that there were no direct flights to anywhere in California from any of the airports we would usually fly out of. We are pretty big non-stop flight snobs.  And unless the layover is long enough that we can get out and explore we will not be sitting in the airport waiting for a connecting flight.

So we flew into Las Vegas. Got our rental car and headed to Seven Magic Mountains. Seven Magic Mountains is about 10 miles from LAS and about a 20 or so minute drive. If you’re headed to California from Vegas, its an easy stop. If you’re not familiar with what Seven Magic Mountains is, its an art installation in the middle of the desert by Ugo Rondinone. Honestly, they do just look like large stacks of painted rocks, but they’re kitschy and fun and we loved taking pictures there.

After we were done there, we headed to Anaheim! The drive from the Las Vegas Airport to Anaheim took us about 4 hours with traffic and stops and its mostly a drive through the desert. Not difficult. So if you’re flying into Vegas, download yourself a playlist and you’ll be there before you know it.

Things to Do in Anaheim, California

Our first day in Anaheim, we just explored a bit of the city and found one of our new favorite food spots, the Anaheim Packing House. If you’re visiting Anaheim on a non Disney day or trip, be sure to check this place out. While some people online said its basically just a glorified food court, we thought we were in Food Heaven. Lots of foods to try and the entire building itself is just beautiful. They have everything from fried chicken sandwiches to hot pots to ramen bowls. Lots of fun options for sure! We especially loved Mini Monster for fun drinks and the Crepe Coop for delicious crepes and pastries.

Downtown Disney in Anaheim 

Afterwards, we checked out Downtown Disney, which reminded us a lot of the old Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World. Now Disney Springs. Its a great place to start your trip off if you have a limited number of days on your tickets.

The next day, we started our Disneyland vacation! Let me tell you, I have heard a LOT about Disneyland. And not all good things either. So I tried to go in with no expectations whatsoever. I was pleasantly surprised to be honest. Yes the castle is small. But in the cutest way! And the rides there are so much better simple because they’re always able to be refurbished. 

Its such a nostalgic Park and we loved that it was familiar but different.

We visited for Pixar Fest. While this was just a summer thing, it gives you an idea of the kinds of special activities all over the parks in the summer.  If I had one piece of advice no matter when you visit- try all the churros! So good.

California Adventure

Yes, this is technically the 2nd park ( Disneyland is the first one). So, we continued with our Disneyland trip at California Adventure and got to see our first ever Paint the Nite Parade! So magical! With small touches of the Main Street Electrical Parade, I was definitely starting to remember why I had loved that parade so much in the first place.

A Day Trip to Laguna Beach

If you know much about us, you will know that we need a break from the crowds. And Disneyland sure has some crowds. Wow. So we took a break from the Parks for a beach trip to Laguna Beach. I’ve been to Laguna before and I love it, so why not get some sun and sand time, amirite?! And we were able to hunt down our very own Rapunzel-esque tower!

You don’t have to stay on Disney Property

We stayed at The Ranch at Laguna Beach in case you want a little getaway from Disneyland yourself. Its located in a canyon and was really the perfect resort to relax and refresh! We also shared some other Disneyland lodging options in our on-property of off-property post.

The Disneyland Hotel

When we returned to Disneyland to finish out our trip, we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel , which was a complete surprise for G and I loved her reaction to the surprise! I luckily was able to snag an OK deal using hotels.com . It wasn’t cheap, but it was a heck of a lot cheaper than if I had booked directly.

Our last two days there, we tried to get in as much Pixar Fest fun as we could and seeing the new Together Forever fireworks show at Disneyland Park was high on the list. Such a fun show, especially for you Pixar fans!

Disneyland Road Trip to Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

If you remember the first part of this post, we never mentioned the other reason we flew into Las Vegas. We have been wanting for a while to see Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. We love hiking and exploring, especially off the beaten path places, and this Park has had our interest for a little while now.  Its about an hour from the airport, so that made it super convenient for us to spend our last two days there.

If you’re into hiking and nature, this should be on your must do list. Such a cool place with landscapes like nothing we have ever seen. Did we land on Mars?! Maybe! Complete with pink and red sand, this place was just stunning.

We had so much exploring and hiking this area. There’s basically no cell service there so honestly it was a great escape from everything. And did I mention the views?! Ahhhhh

So that sums it up! Another great trip in the books and lots of new information we will be passing along to you all! Thanks for following along!

Melanie Renee

Melanie Renee is a photographer, writer, designer and mom. Visiting Disney destinations since 2010, she is also an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. When she's not creating her next coffee recipe, or designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's seeking beautiful sunsets and planning her next trip .

• Melanie Renee https://www.polkadotsandpixiedust.com/author/melanniee/ Disney Yacht Club vs Beach Club - what's the difference?
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YES! You Can Do a Family Disneyland Trip for Under $1,000

Posted on Last updated: November 2, 2023

Home » Disneyland » YES! You Can Do a Family Disneyland Trip for Under $1,000

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Are you thinking you’ll never be able to visit Disneyland because of the cost? Find out how one family was able to do a Disneyland on a budget for under $1,000. Scroll down for all their tips and tricks!

This disneyland on a budget post was co-written by family travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

Guest post by Valerie Hansen of Maple Leopard

Fall is a great time to plan a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth .

The crowds are less, and you won’t be dealing with peak prices for hotels etc.

Whether your kids are 9 or 29, you can do Disneyland on a budget, for around $1,000.

This price is based on two adults and one grown kiddo. (Our son couldn’t come, he had to stay and work.)

How to do Disneyland on a Budget

Drive instead of fly.

I know this is not possible for all families.

If you have extra time to make the trip, driving usually saves money. Gas prices aren’t too bad right now; it’s a great time to hit the road.

We traveled from Seattle to Anaheim and back for $200.00, in a Kia Soul.

Some other stops were even included in that price: San Diego, Palm Springs and San Francisco.

PURCHASE DISNEYLAND TICKETS OUTSIDE THE GATE

Every time we visit Disneyland, the admission tickets put a big dent in the trip budget.

This time we decided to do research, to beat the prices at the gate.

We only spent one day in the Disneyland park.

If you are planning on visiting more than one day, of course a hopper pass is the way to go.

In addition, retailers such as Costco or Sam’s sell them in a bundle for less.

Get Away Today also has great deals on Disneyland tickets !

EAT & SHOP OUTSIDE THE DISNEYLAND PARK

Say what?!  Did I just say that?

We did eat some food in Disneyland, but not our main meals.

Like most fans of Disney, we are there when the park opens and stay until closing time.

If you eat all day in the park, it will clean out your wallet!

Eat breakfast at McDonalds before heading to the park. Later grab a stamp on your hand, and leave for lunch and dinner.

On our last visit, we found delicious Mexican food close by on Harbor Blvd-   Sabrosada  . It was delicious, and very reasonable in price.

Snacks, drinks and keychains are all we purchased inside the park.

Target and small vendors on Harbor Blvd, sell Disney souvenirs for a fraction of the price at the park.

LISTEN TO A TIME SHARE SPIEL TO SAVE ON HOTEL

I have a friend that belongs to the Wyndham timeshare group, perhaps you do too.

She gave me a certificate for 2 free nights at any of their locations in the world. The voucher gave us the option to stay 3 additional nights for a total of $150.

We stayed at the  Anaheim Garden Grove hotel  by Wyndham. We so loved our stay!

The rooms were spacious, cozy and inviting. The pool was wonderful, and the staff was very accommodating.

I would love to stay here again. It’s totally fine for non-members to reserve rooms here anytime.

Of course the catch is you have to listen to a 2 hour presentation about purchasing a time share. The presentation wasn’t hard to endure and we escaped without being forced to purchase.

Actually there was no high pressure sales tactics used.  Of course they wanted us to buy, but we stood our ground, and all was good!

BUDGET YOUR TIME WHEN VISITING DISNEYLAND

Another great way to save dollars: is to actually plan a schedule for your time in the park.

Creating an agenda, will actually help save money!  If you wander around aimlessly, you can end up spending more money than planned.

It’s also easy to get caught up in pressure to purchase extra tours, park souvenirs etc. There are tons of things to see and do, included in the entrance price.

Disneyland on a Budget: Summary of Expenses for a 5 Day Disneyland Road Trip:

Hotel: $150

Disneyland Park Passes: $315

Food & Shopping: $325

I hope this inspired you to start doing Disney on a Budget and plan your next vacation! It really can be done without breaking the bank.

Which Disney Park is your favorite?  Do  you  also  do  Disneyland  on  a budget?  Let  me know  in  a comment  below!

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Road trip to Disneyland: Drive the I5 from Vancouver to California

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I’ve written an updated post for this. Take a look at my 2017 edition Road Trip to Disneyland

It’s canada to california or bust. complete with 4 kids packed into a pontiac montana minivan, we hit the open road. the goal to survive the road trip to disneyland.

Ah, road trips. Aren’t road trips really just one of those things that look good on paper? The windows open, streaming in the sunshine and the summer breeze, the music playing, and the endless open road in front of you. Sounds great doesn’t it?

Now, insert a child or two (or four in my case) into this fantasy and see what you get. Oh, but you’ll have coloring books and a DVD player. That will ensure endless hours of quiet and happiness for all, right?

Um, no. If you have even just one kid, the idea of a road trip is far more appealing on paper than it ever could be in real life. And I should know, because my last road trip was a crazy journey down the I5 from Vancouver to Anaheim, California.  If you are considering this type of excursion, even for a minute, you need to know what you are in for.

Let’s start with a list of Pros for a Road Trip to Disneyland:

• You don’t have to fly, therefore you don’t have to pay exorbitant baggage fees or ridiculous airfare costs out of Vancouver
• You don’t have to rent a car once you get there. You already have yours, although it will be full of MacDonalds wrappers and/or coffee cups
• If you drive, you save more on travel and can justify staying at the Grand Californian Resort like I did
• You get to see the California and Oregon landscape, up close and personal
• You get to spend hours of family time whilst you are locked up in a moving vehicle. Think of all the travel games you can play (Look, another blue car. Score one for mom! ha ha!) and scenery you can share with your children

See, it looks fantastic on paper. FAN- TAS -TIC. And it is with this attitude that we departed on a blazing hot August evening in 2010.

Road trip to Disneyland Tip

First things first, driving from Vancouver to Disneyland is a long haul. You can take one of two routes after you drive through Washington and bypass Seattle (Tip: Be sure to point out the Harbor in Seattle, where the Space Needle is. At night, the lights off of the buildings are beautiful).  The I5 continues straight through Oregon into California, or you can take the coastal hwy and view truly breathtaking scenery the entire way.  Because we wanted to get there and worry about the ocean on the way back, we took the I5.

Statistics for Road trip to Disneyland

• Actual driving distance from Vancouver area to Disneyland: 1303 miles or 2097 km
• Actual driving time from Vancouver to Disneyland according to Google: 21 hours, 37 minutes
• Real driving time with 4 children in the backseat: 25 hours, not including stops
• How many tanks of gas to get from Vancouver to Anaheim: 6 at approximately $50 USD per tank

The I5 is a long and windy road that will make you feel as though it will never end. As you pass through Washington (beautiful, green, possibly rainy, scenic) and into Oregon (beautiful, still green, only has full service gas stations and you can’t pump your own gas there), you will eventually hit the tip of California before heading into the mountains.Right around this time, if you have been driving almost all night the way we were, you will wish there was a sliding glass window developed just for minivans. Something to block out the “Are we there yet?” questions as well as the possible smell of caged up people.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was driving through the high mountain road right at the entrance to California. The California landscape is so diverse that it can range from forests to prairies and oceans.

By this point in the trip, the kids have given up the DVD player, they’ve eaten everything they can get their hands on, and they’re staring sullenly out the window wondering when they are going to see the Matterhorn looming. I don’t have the heart to tell them we are still 12 hours away.

Road Trip to Disneyland Tip

One of the best things to look forward to on a roadtrip from Canada to California is a stop at the IN-N-OUT Burger. The closest IN-N-OUT is in Grants Pass, Oregon at 1 124 NE Morgan Lane . And yes, it’s worth it.

And this is the sad part of a road trip from Canada to California. Although 21 hours doesn’t look like a lot of time and you can delude yourself into thinking it will fly by, in reality it is so long that the halfway point doesn’t even feel like an accomplishment. If you have the time, take 3 days to make the trip. Stay in a hotel and break it up. There are lots of scenic places to stop in California, and you’ll feel less crazed.

In our case, we had hotel reservations we had to get to, so we pushed it and kept going.

There are numerous rest stops on the I5. Although you might think these are for truckers and shady characters, you can be sure that the rest stops are actually really family friendly. We stopped at several that had nice grassy spots for kids and pets, along with vending machines, free coffee, and water fountains. They are a veritable oasis in the middle of the blazing hot California landscape, and I recommend you stop as many times as you need to. Its nice as a way to break up the day.

Many, many hours later (and several rounds of Disney movies or Dora the Explorer, a few iPods practically chucked out the windows, a stop at TacoBell complete with an open bathroom door and a view of an older lady using the facilities which sparked one of the most hilarious conversations I’ve ever had with my 8 year old son, and a new fun activity called “Word of the Day” with the first word being ‘Burrito’), we arrive on the outskirts of LA. The time? 10pm.

Here’s a fun fact about arriving in Los Angeles. You will be filled with euphoria. You made it! Right? Wrong. You are still at least an hour and a half away.

LA is huge. For someone coming from Vancouver who has never been there (I have, but you might not have), its mind-boggling huge. You enter near Six Flags Magic Mountain, but you still need to get through the various suburbs, freeways, and insane LA traffic (yes, even at 10pm at night) before you arrive in Anaheim. Luckily, the kids had passed out again, so we were able to stress less about sitting in a sea of headlights. I spent the time hoping I could see the Hollywood sign (no, its not lit up at night) and waiting for the Anaheim exit.

When we finally arrived, it was midnight, but we were there.

There is a wonderful little app called Mousewait that provides you with Disneyland attraction wait times. It’s highly accurate, and if you are going to invest the time to drive all the way from Canada to California you should definitely be using this app when you get there.

Tomorrow on Survive Parenthood Magazine, Part 2: The journey back from Anaheim to Canada . This time with hotels on the way. Stay tuned.

For even more Disneyland tips and secrets, visit the first installment in our guide to Disneyland

Two years old and not talking? New study says not to worry

Update February 2022 – The CDC has just changed baby developmental milestones for the first …

16 comments

This is amazing! We are currently planning the same trip for spring break but are considering renting an RV. I cannot believe you did it in your van with 4 kids! Bless your heart, you are a saint!

I looked up some photos of this spot and it looks just as amazing as it sounds. I’ll have to make sure we get to stop on our way to Idaho this summer.

We traveled from Battleground to Disneyland in a rented RV in Oct 2011. 12 days on the road. wildlife safari in Winston, Or. Overnight in Grants Pass. Redwood Forest in Kalamath CA. Santa Rosa CA for the Charlie Brown Museum. Golden Gate Bridge and Downtown SAn Fran in a 32 ft Class C RV at night and then east to I 5 and South to DL. 4 days down. 7 days at DL and 2 days drive home. We did this with our daughter for her fourth birthday. Rental for the RV was about 80 per day. Mileage was at $.30 per mile and then you had gas. When our trip ended the cost for the RV ran about $4,500 including gas.Our daughter loved the trip and we are driving our mini van down at the end of April 2012. Our DL Delux Annual pass will be used for 20 days this year.Our Disneyland annual passes cost 379 for one calander year thatdo have blackout days.

Nice article. My family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) as well as 3 dogs are driving from Winnipeg to California in early July. Thanks for the insight!

link to part two is not working

Hi, Here’s a link to part 2. http://www.survivemag.com/driving-the-i5-to-disneyland-road-trip-from-canada-to-california/

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Road Trip from Seattle to Disneyland

If you're looking to explore the diverse landscapes of California, then this road trip from Seattle to Disneyland has your wishes covered. See the natural wonders of the west coast, from glacier-capped volcanoes to towering ancient trees as you make your way to the happiest place on earth!

The 1,300-mile road trip from Seattle to Disneyland will take about 22 hours to drive. Highlights include Portland, Siuslaw National Forest, Klamath Falls, Reno, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Napa, San Francisco, Monterey and Santa Monica.

Whether you're looking for sun-filled beaches or towering mountains, there are plenty of amazing sights and experiences along the way. Read on to discover the best routes, the best places to stay, and the top things to do and see on your way.

How far is Disneyland from Seattle, and how long will the road trip take?

The driving time between Seattle and Disneyland for the Coastal Route is 27 hours non-stop. You'll cover 1,400 miles of some of America's most scenic coastlines.

If you choose to take the mountainous Lake Tahoe Route, you'll cover 1,300 miles. This trip is more direct and will take you 22 hours and 20 minutes.

We recommend taking six to seven days for this road trip. This will give you enough time to enjoy all the amazing sights and experiences along the way.

Best road trip route from Seattle to Disneyland

We've selected two routes, each containing plenty of magnificent stops. Whether you want to soak up the sun on the beaches and see the famous redwood forests or hike the grand landscapes of the Sierra Mountains, is up to you.

On the Coastal Route, you'll experience the diverse landscapes of the West coast of America. From the mountains of Washington and Oregon, you'll pass through the forests of Northern California and the towering Redwood trees.

You'll stop at idyllic beaches and walk along rugged coastal paths for an adventurous road trip. This route is longer on paper and takes you through many small coastal towns and on fewer major roads. Some of the roads are windy, with slower speed limits.

If you choose our Lake Tahoe Route, you'll explore the unique national parks and forests of California, explore forests of towering redwoods and ancient sequoias, climb extinct volcanoes and bathe in alpine lakes overlooking dramatic mountain ranges.

You can also your luck in a casino in Reno and take a detour to see iconic American landmarks in Yosemite and Death Valley on the Lake Tahoe Route.

This route has so many detour options that it may take you longer than you initially planned. However, it will be worth your time not to miss out on the spectacular national parks and forests.

Whether you're flying into Seattle or you simply don't have your own transport in the city, renting a car for your road trip is something you'll want to take care of ASAP.

For an easy-to-compare view of rental options for your road trip from Seattle to Disneyland, take a look at our partner site, RentalCars.com .

The Coastal Route

Take Interstate 5 (I-5) south through the volcanos and green mountain vistas of Washington and northern Oregon. Make a stop in Portland, one of America's hippest cities.

Continue south to the Siuslaw National Forest to enjoy the old-growth trees and deep forests. From here, continue along Oregon's rugged coast on the iconic Highway 101.

When you reach the Californian border and Crescent city, you'll pass the mammoth Klamath River. Drive down to the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park to experience some of the tallest trees in the world.

Continue south into Eureka and the famous Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Drive down through vineyards and rolling hills into Napa Valley, one of the world's most famous wine destinations.

From Napa, head south to San Francisco. Discover the endless culture and fun of the Bay Area before continuing south to Monterey and the dramatic Big Sur Coast, one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world.

From here you'll continue through timeless Central California, home to surfing towns, vineyards, and striking coastal scenery.

From historical Santa Barbara, continue south into Los Angeles, America's second-largest city. From here, you'll drive into Orange County and reach your final destination, Disneyland.

The Lake Tahoe Route

Get on I-5 and head south through the magnificent landscapes of Washington and northern Oregon. Continue on into Portland and drive southeast past Mt. Hood into Bend, Oregon.

From the extreme sports destination of Bend, continue south into Klamath Falls, Oregon. From here, you'll drive into California along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

From here, drive into Reno, Nevada and try your luck in the Casinos. Once you've had your fill of gambling and fun continue on into beautiful Lake Tahoe.

After exploring the lake and its quintessential mountain life, head west into Sacramento, the capital of California. From here you'll drive through the central valley of California, known as the state's breadbasket.

On your way into Los Angeles, take a detour to see the Sequoia National Forest and experience some of the largest trees on the planet.

From here drive into Los Angeles. Continue south through the massive city and into Orange County where you'll reach magical Disneyland.

Best places to stop between Seattle and Disneyland

To take advantage of all the amazing sights and experiences along the way, we recommend making a few stops along the way. Below are our favorite stops along each route.

Explore the hilly streets of San Francisco

Located about 9 hours from the destination, San Francisco is the perfect place to rest and explore on the Coastal Route. The city is the cultural center of Northern California and full of amazing cultural landmarks like Fisherman's Wharf and postcard-worthy cable cars.

While in San Francisco, visit the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the modern wonders of the world. This bridge was the longest bridge when it was first built and is the most photographed bridge anywhere in the world.

For history buffs, nothing could be more inspiring than a visit to Alcatraz Island. The infamous island, developed as a military fortification, was once a military prison, and then a federal prison. Two of the prison's most famous inhabitants were Al Capone and Robert Franklin Stroud.

We recommend staying at the Hotel Nikko San Francisco during your visit to Golden City . Relax in this stylish 5-star hotel, and take advantage of the stunning hotel swimming pool, perfect for unwinding after a day of sightseeing.

This luxurious hotel is reasonably priced compared to its competitors. It also boasts a fantastic on-site restaurant, a bar and a terrace.

Located just a short walk away from Union Square, this hotel boasts a stellar location. Moscone Center and Oracle Park are nearby, and Fisherman's Wharf is a short drive away.

READ MORE - Click here for more great hotel options

Experience the mountain life in Lake Tahoe

Awe-inspiring Lake Tahoe is just 8 hours and 30 mins away from Disneyland and makes the perfect stopover for the Lake Tahoe Route. The area boasts breathtaking natural scenery, world-class skiing and golf courses, and many water sports like kayaking and boating in the summer.

Lake Tahoe is famous for its beautiful namesake lake, a huge turquoise fresh-water lake set amongst the Sierra Nevada mountains. The lake is split into North and South, and attractions will vary depending on the season.

While in Lake Tahoe, Visit the grand Vikingsholm Castle. This estate dates back to the 1920s and is the perfect place to learn about the lake's past.

Where to stay when you reach Disneyland

Once you reach your destination, the best place to unwind and then use as a base for exploration is the Anaheim Marriott . This upscale luxury four-star hotel is a 15-minute walk away from Disneyland and offers a free Disney shuttle.

Relax your queue-weary legs in the refreshing swimming pool or take some time out for yourself in the hot tub and jacuzzi. The hotel has three on-site restaurants, and a well-stocked and stylish bar.

Things to see on a road trip from Seattle to Disneyland

This is an epic road trip with so many things to see and do, no matter what route you choose. We have highlighted some of our favorite attractions and landmarks below to make your decision easier.

• Siuslaw National Forest - Sitting on the Oregon Coast Range, Siuslaw Forest is home to four major rivers, and a huge diversity of trees, including Sitka Spruce, Douglas fir, and Western Hemlock. Visitors looking for untouched wilderness should head to Drift Creek, Cummins Creek, and Rock Creek.
• Crescent City - Famous for historic lighthouses, rugged coastline, and the dramatic landscapes of Redwood National Park, Crescent City gets its name from the shape of the coastal beachfront.
• Six Rivers National Forest - Where mountainous landscapes and iconic rivers meet the California coast. This forest is renowned for fantastic fishing, and whitewater rafting and kayaking opportunities.
• Redwood National Park - Hike this immense woodland park to see towering redwood trees, iconic around the world. Get lost in this beautiful national park of immense proportions.
• Eureka - Home to old-growth redwood trees, this city is known for its unique Victorian architecture, unique shops, and artisanal businesses, and is home to a community of creative artists.
• Mendocino National Forest - Stretching across one million acres of dense forest areas, and open meadows that spring to life with wildflowers in the summer months. Hike the peaks for panoramic views of the stunning North Coast mountains.
• Napa Valley - Famous for hillsides filled with vineyards, this is one of the world's premier wine regions. With over 400 wineries to choose from, visitors can pair award winning wine with delicious food in one of the many fine dining restaurants on offer here.
• San Francisco - Take a ride on the iconic San Francisco cable cars, cross the iconic Golden Gate bridge, and visit the infamous Alcatraz Island.
• San Jose - Sat in the rolling hills of California's Silicon Valley, San Jose is notable for its Spanish Colonial architecture that makes up the downtown district, which is also home to the Tech Museum of Innovation.
• Monterey - Sitting on a stunning rugged and wild coastline, novelist John Steinbeck immortalized Monterey's Cannery Row. Monterey is home to a fantastic aquarium and the beloved Monterey State Beach .
• Carmel-by-the-Sea - A unique small beach city with a quaint European feel, walking around Carmel-by-the-Sea is like stepping into a fairytale. Walk the coastal Scenic Bluff Path, taking you from surf spot Carmel Beach to bird-rich Carmel River State Beach.
• San Simeon - A prime beach spot, San Simeon is home to imposing Hearst Castle. Known for its towering terraces, lush gardens, and opulent art collections.
• Morro Bay - Boasting unspoiled beaches, exciting nature trails with great bird and wildlife spotting, and fantastically fresh food and wine.
• Pismo Beach - Home to wineries and beautiful beaches, Pismo Beach also shelters thousands of monarch butterflies that migrate in the winter.
• Santa Barbara - Set against the dramatic Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara is a unique coastal city. Picturesque white buildings with red-tile roofs reflect the Spanish Colonial heritage of the city and make this stop extremely photogenic.
• Malibu - Brush shoulders with LA's famous residents on the sandy shores of Malibu Beach . Enjoying a Mediterranean climate, this is the perfect place to spend a day or two on the beach worshiping the sun and looking out for stars.
• Santa Monica - Outside of downtown LA, Santa Monica is famed for the Pacific Park amusement park, home to the historic Looff Hippodrome and Santa Monica Pier Aquarium.

• Mount Hood National Forest - Hike the glacier-capped dormant volcano, home to ski trails and alpine lakes. Take the scenic Timberline Trail to hike to the summit, passing cascading waterfalls, glacial creeks, and wildflower meadows.
• Bend - Surrounded by mountains, extinct volcanoes, and lakes, the city of Bend has lots to offer intrepid travelers. Walk the trail up Pilot Butte, the city center extinct volcano, or explore the Lava River Cave at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
• Crater Lake National Park - This immense National Park has America's deepest lake, with striking geological features, and breathtaking views that will stay with you for a lifetime.
• Klamath Falls - Known as the gateway to the Crater Lake National Park, this city offers endless outdoor adventures like hiking, mountain biking, golfing, and the longest zip-line in Oregon.
• Shasta-Trinity National Forest - Discover the wilderness of this Northern California national forest, exploring towering granite spires, deep canyons, alpine lakes, meadows, and conifer forests.
• Lassen Volcanic National Park - Time to explore something totally different. Rich in hypothermal sites, Lassen Volcanic National Park has volcanoes, bubbling mud pots, lava rocks, forests, and lakes on the Pacific Crest Trail.
• Reno - Try your luck in one of the many casinos and drink under the bright neon lights of Reno. River rafting, and mountain hiking is also an option for those who don't fancy pub crawls and casinos.
• Lake Tahoe - Soak up incredible views of the turquoise alpine lake set against dramatic mountains. Filled with skiing resorts in the winter, summer activities include hiking, paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming, and golfing.
• Eldorado National Forest - 400 miles of hiking are on offer here; rivers, lakes, and streams filled with fish, mountains and meadows, alpine lakes, and the chance to spot elusive mountain lions, coyotes, badgers, and bobcats.
• Sacramento - This city holds its Gold Rush era close to its heart, with wooden sidewalks and wagon rides in the Old Sacramento district. Known for its farm-to-fork restaurant culture, stop here for incredible food, and to experience the ever-increasing brewery culture.
• Stockton - Sitting along the San Joaquin River, Stockton has fine art museums, and beautiful national parks with lakes filled with catfish, and formal Japanese gardens.
• Stanislaus National Forest - Popular with outdoor enthusiasts, this national park is less busy than nearby Yosemite but offers unparalleled natural beauty. Dense forests, meadows, canyons, lakes, and streams are just some of the wonders on offer here.
• Yosemite National Park - Famed for its waterfalls and giant ancient sequoia trees, Yosemite is a natural wonderland. This Californian icon is well worth a detour to see the famous vista of Bridalveil Fall, and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome.
• Inyo National Forest - A park filled with the tallest mountains, oldest trees, stunning picturesque lakes set against dramatic peaks. This national forest offers yet another chance to get lost in the California wilderness.
• Fresno - Visit Forestiere Underground Gardens to see Roman-catacombs-inspired underground passages and courtyards, and Fresno Chaffee Zoo to see Sea Lions and Stingrays.
• Death Valley National Park - Bored with lush forests and alpine mountains? Take a detour to the hottest, driest, and lowest national park. Situated below sea level, the steady drought makes Death Valley an eerie landscape with out of this world scenery. Visit Titus Canyon to see an abandoned ghost town and colorful rocks, and Badwater Basin's salt flats.
• Bakersfield - Get to grips with paleontology and geology at the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, or learn about California's plants and wildlife at the California Living Museum.
• Angeles National Forest - Offering recreational activities to the residents of LA, and the many international visitors it draws, this park gives visitors the chance to explore the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains.

Both Routes

• Tacoma - Known for its museum of glass, Tacoma is a thriving city of art and culture. Stop here for striking views of Mt Rainier rising in the distance.
• Capitol State Forest - This beautiful state forest is a short drive from Olympia, and offers 110,000 acres of stunning forest, where hikers and horseback riders can seek waterfalls and the unusual Mima Mounds geological feature.
• Mount Rainier National Park - Hike 14,410 ft to the glacier-capped summit of Mount Rainier for sensational mountain views, summer meadows of wildflowers, and nearby volcanoes. For the non-hikers, the 6,400ft high Sunrise is reachable by car and boasts impressive views.
• Portland - Known for its parks and cycle paths, this is an eco-friendly city filled with coffeehouses and microbreweries. Enormous Washington Park is home to the serene Japanese Garden, and the exciting Oregon Zoo.
• Los Angeles - Driving to Disneyland will take you through the center of this sprawling city, home to the TV and film industry, and known worldwide. Explore this exciting city and visit the iconic Hollywood sign before heading to Disneyland, another giant in the film industry.

Best time to go on a road trip from Seattle to Disneyland

Disneyland is a year-round destination. In addition to the fact that the world-famous entertainment complex has indoor attractions, Anaheim's weather is sunny, warm, and perfect for entertainment at any time of the year.

Disneyland is likely to be very crowded in the summer months. The hot season runs from July to late September, with average daily temperatures sitting above 82 degrees Fahrenheit. August is the hottest month, with daily temperatures regularly averaging 85 degrees.

The cool season runs from November to March, with average temperatures rarely rising above 70 degrees. Bright summer days are perfect for spending the day at Disneyland, and the cooler temperatures can make for a more pleasant theme park experience.

Anaheim spring sees average temperatures of 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with slightly overcast days that are usually clear in the afternoon to spill out bright sunshine. Fall is a little cooler than spring, averaging around 55 degrees. The shoulder seasons have pleasant temperate weather and fewer crowds in Disneyland.

Disneyland is spectacular all year round, with daily parades and firework displays. However, Christmas at Disneyland is arguably the most incredible time of the year because of its festive displays that will get you in the most cheerful mood!

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From Aladdin to Zootopia: The Ultimate Disney Road Trip Playlist

Music always sets the mood.

And when you are on the road to the Happiest Place on Earth, you’re going to need the ultimate Disney road trip playlist to set the mood right!

Whether you are listening to this Disney road trip playlist on the way to the airport, on the plane (using earphones please), or in the car on the traditional family road trip, these are the songs for you. Let go of the work stress, and home stress, and PTA, car pool, soccer practice, the kitchen is a mess stress and get Disney happy!

This ultimate Disney road trip playlist is for Disney fans of all ages and walks of life. From songs from Alice in Wonderland to Zootopia, from classic Disney songs from the 1950’s to current upbeat hits from the latest made-for-Disney-Channel movie, everyone in your family will find a song to sing along to. I’m heading to Disney World this week and plan to play this on a loop!

Of course, this isn’t an all-inclusive list though. Read through and then tell me what songs I forgot or which ones you would definitely choose too. Best of all, tell me where you are listening to this playlist! Don’t forget to download it for free on Spotify!

Related: Let Your Kid Dictate Your Next Road Trip with Waze Voice Recorder

Ultimate Disney Road Trip Playlist for your Disney Vacation

1. “A Whole New World” – “Aladdin”  Let yourself embark on a whole new world at Disney. This song can get you in the mood to leave all the stress behind.

2. ” Stranger Like Me” – “Tarzan”  This song can remind you that your kids can teach you things too. Be open to seeing things through their eyes.

3. “How Far I’ll Go” – “Moana”  How far will you go to live your dream and fulfill your calling? Perfect song for that trip to Port Canaveral for your next Disney Cruise!

4. “Circle Of Life” – “The Lion King”  Who doesn’t love the image of Simba learning about the circle of life from his father? What will your kids learn from you?

5. “Kiss The Girl” – “The Little Mermaid”  This has got to be a crowd pleaser for all. And if you can sneak a kiss in from your honey than it’s even better.

Want more? Check out this road trip playlist for every trip you embark on!

6. “Once Upon A Dream” – “Sleeping Beauty”  This is a total classic Disney song but it has stood up to the test of time. Every trip to Disney reminds me that this life was once a dream.

7. “Under The Sea” – “The Little Mermaid”  Another great Disney song for your next Disney Cruise trip or just because you like to sing “We got no troubles. Life is the bubbles.”

8. “Friend Like Me” – “Aladdin”  Want your kids to be more friends than just siblings. Play this song and remind them that they will never have a friend like their brother or sister.

9. “Be Our Guest” – “Beauty and the Beast”  Polish up your french with this fun, upbeat Disney song. Want a snack? “Try the grey stuff. It’s delicious.”

Keep car sickness away with these tips.

10. “Hakuna Matata” – “The Lion King”   I mean there may be no better anthem for your next Disney vacation. “No worries for the rest of your life”…or at least for the duration of your Disney vacation.

11.” I’ve Got A Dream” – “Tangled”  Use this song as a jumping off point to talk about what dreams you had as a kid or what dreams your kids have for when they are adults. Everyone has a dream!

12. “Out There”  – “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”  Since we will be heading to Disneyland Paris on our next Disney vacation, we are binging on the “Hunchback” movies. This song reminds me that there is a whole wide world out there to explore.

13. “Let it Go” – “Frozen”  Ok. Enough time has past so you can listen to this song again without cringing. It really is a fantastic song and has to go on this Disney road trip playlist. Let it all go.

14. “You’re Welcome” – “Moana”  Make sure your kids say thank you for this amazing Disney vacation you put together for them.

15. “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” – “Cinderella”  This song is near and dear to my heart because my grandmother used to hum this song as she cooked or cleaned around the house. I didn’t know what song it was until I heard it at Disney World years later. It still makes me feel all warm and nostalgic.

Here are the best music apps for your car to play all this great music!

16. “You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly!” – “Peter Pan”  Remind your kids, and yourselves, that you can do anything you want to do…even fly.

17. “Try Everything” – “Zootopia”  Yes! Try everything on your Disney vacation and in life. (Can I say this enough?)

18. “What’s My Name” – “Descendants 2”  Let Uma get your pulse racing as you sing along to this Disney Channel original song. Find your inner hip hop queen and jam along when you add this to your Disney road trip playlist.

19. “Rotten to the Core” – “Descendants”  While none of your kids are rotten to the core (of course), this is a fun song to sing along to and pretend to be bad to the bone.

20. “We Are All In This Together” – “High School Musical”  This could be your family Disney vacation theme song because come heck or high water or 90-minute wait time, we are all in this together.

Listen to our entire playlist here!

Maria Smith

Maria Smith is the founder of MamaliciousMaria.com, one of the top parenting, travel and auto blogs in the country. A member of the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association, Maria is Married with 4 kids aged 4 to 10. In her pre-baby life she was a TV producer at The Oprah Winfrey Show, among others, and these days, aside from motherhood and writing, plays a mean game of tennis, travels constantly and covets finding fun things for moms to do.

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10 ways to save money on a trip to Disneyland

This article is reprinted by permission from NerdWallet . 

One-day theme park tickets to Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., and its sibling, Disney California Adventure Park, start at $104 per person, so calling Disneyland cheap is about as believable as saying an elephant can fly. But at Disneyland, elephants do in fact fly (Dumbo, anyone?) — and successfully planning a trip to Disneyland on a budget isn’t as impossible as it might seem.

Here’s how to go to Disneyland for less.

Authorized third-party sellers such as Undercover Tourist often sell Disneyland tickets for less than buying directly from Disney

Some membership programs, including AAA and Costco offer tickets or vacation package deals, though they typically command a membership fee to join. Other affiliations, such as employee or student discount programs, might similarly unlock discounts. 

Disney also sometimes offers discounts to groups, including U.S. military members or Southern California residents.

Also see: The good and bad on booking a vacation through Costco Travel

There are two Disney theme parks in Anaheim, and if you want to see both in one day, you’ll need a  Park Hopper ticket . The problem? Park Hopper tickets cost $65 more per person for a single-day ticket.

If your one-day trip will feel incomplete if you don’t see both, say, Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle and Avengers Campus across the way at Disney California Adventure, then you’ll need the pricier Park Hopper option. But if you’re there for multiple days, save by visiting one park per day. The best way to do Disneyland is by focusing on one park at a time, anyway.

Plus: 7 off-the-radar places worth stopping on a California road trip

The theme park turnstiles typically open for business slightly before official park opening time, and it’s likely guests will be waiting. By arriving early, you’ll be able to pass the security check and scan your tickets. From there, you’ll typically be able to linger within the first few hundred feet inside the park, browse the shops and be ready to power walk to the rides as soon as they open.

You can race to your priority experiences, like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. This new ride opened just in time for the  Disney100 Celebration . By hitting your must-do rides early, you’ll avoid the longest wait times. According to Disney trip planning website Touring Plans, which tracks ride wait times, lines are usually the longest from 1-2 p.m.

Also on MarketWatch: Disney CEO Bob Iger blasts DeSantis over ‘anti-business’ retaliation

When it comes to meals, the cheapest way to do Disneyland is to bring food from elsewhere. Disneyland explicitly allows outside food and nonalcoholic beverages, with just a few stipulations, such as no glass containers.

Pack nutrient-dense snacks like protein bars and nuts. Road trippers might stop at a supermarket along the way. Nearby cafes and fast food restaurants can offer similar-quality food for less money, and a few are within walking distance of the park. If you’re willing to venture out further, dine at Anaheim Packing District — a food hall in a renovated, historic 1919 citrus-packing house that’s a 10-minute drive away.

The official Disneyland app has many capabilities, including displaying GPS-enabled maps, live attraction wait times and — perhaps most useful — mobile food and beverage ordering.

This feature is offered by almost all quick-service restaurants, including the notoriously popular home of the Dole Whip, the Tiki Juice Bar. Budget your time and skip the lines by ordering and paying for your food and drinks in-app.

Another tip in the time-is-money vein: Single Rider. A handful of especially popular attractions, such as the Millennium Falcon at Disneyland and the Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure, offer Single Rider queues, where folks willing to ride separately from their group fill unused seats.

The Single Rider line almost always gets you on board faster than the standard queue.

Forgo the expensive Disney gift shops inside the parks. Instead, purchase plushies or character garb from your local toy store in advance. Then, hide “souvenirs” in your suitcase and spring them on the kids while you’re on vacation. They likely won’t realize their new plushies aren’t actually from Disneyland.

The “Disney tax” on food and souvenirs also applies to other items. For instance, the plastic poncho from the gift shop near Splash Mountain is likely far pricier than what you’d buy elsewhere.

Plus : How to choose the best seat on a plane

Many folks think that the best airport for Disneyland is Los Angeles International Airport — the fifth-largest commercial airport in the U.S., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. 

But LAX is actually close to 40 miles away from Disneyland, and that distance can equate to a couple of hours in traffic. Two smaller airports, John Wayne Airport and Long Beach Airport, are each about 15 miles away, which can mean a cheaper and faster trip to the park.

Be sure to read: These are the airlines with the most delays and cancellations

That said, according to 2021 FAA data, LAX served 6.2 times more passengers than John Wayne Airport and 22.7 times more passengers than Long Beach Airport. This suggests that if you opt to fly into LAX, which is further away, you’re more likely to find a direct flight or have more route options. 

And if you can avoid a layover, you’ll likely save a little money on flight costs. A 2019 study from the MIT International Center for Air Transportation, a research arm of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, found that the cheapest nonstop flight is, on average, $31 less expensive than the cheapest flight with a layover.

Don’t miss: 5 travel hacks to beat the summer crowds and high prices

There are three Disney-owned hotels in Anaheim, and they’re almost always more expensive than non-Disney hotels of similar quality nearby. Unlike at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., where staying on-property usually has benefits like more frequent bus transportation to the parks, that’s typically not the case on the West Coast.

In California, many off-site hotels remain within walking distance — and many can be booked using credit card points.

See: Learn these 5 myths about credit card rewards to reap more benefits

If you end up spending $13 on a turkey leg in the park, you might as well earn some rewards. Though the best Disney credit cards aren’t actually Disney-branded.

Instead, look to travel credit cards that earn bonus points on general travel spending and at restaurants. Some command high annual fees, but they typically offer even higher spending rewards, plus extras such as TSA PreCheck statement credits and airport lounge access. Consider holding a  premium credit card  as the plastic (or metal) equivalent of the royal treatment.

More From NerdWallet

• How the 41% of Americans With a Travel Card Can Boost Rewards
• When Does Travel Brand Loyalty Make Sense?
• Travel Rewards Programs Shouldn’t Be So Annoying to Use

Sally French writes for NerdWallet. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @SAFmedia.

How to cut your time in line at Disney World, Disneyland without buying Genie+

I remember waiting in line at Walt Disney World for what seemed like forever as a kid.

That was a time long before mobile phones, when Magic Kingdom still had the Skyway and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, EPCOT still had Horizons and World of Motion, Disney’s Hollywood Studios was still called Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom didn’t exist. 

Back then , the only way to check wait times was to look at the physical signs outside attractions. 

Nowadays, you can do that and much more with your phone. That doesn’t mean you have to be glued to your screen, but you can save a lot of time and energy if you know how to use Disney’s free apps to your advantage.

Navigating Disney parks

Unlike other theme parks, Disney World and Disneyland still offer paper maps. However, you can also find interactive maps on the Disneyland app and Disney World’s My Disney Experience app . 

Not only do they show real-time wait times for attractions, but also forecast waits throughout the day, ride restrictions , and accessibility information for guests with disabilities . You can change categories to find restaurants, restrooms and more. Disney World’s app also offers directions to points of interest across the Florida resort.

The free Disney Genie tool can further help plot your day by offering suggestions based on your interests. This is different from the paid Genie+ service, which gives guests access to shorter lines for attractions.

Travelers with disabilities need a card for accommodations at some theme parks

Finding showtimes and Disney characters

Rides are only part of the experience at Disney parks, which are famous for their entertainment offerings and seasonal celebrations . You can check times for things like parades, stage shows and nighttime spectaculars using the app’s search function or by selecting Entertainment from the map’s drop-down menu. Showtimes may also be posted on display boards in the parks and outside show venues. 

Guests hoping to meet their favorite Disney characters can see where and when to find them using the app’s search tool or by selecting Characters in the drop-down menu. Some characters have regular meeting spots, like Figment at EPCOT ‘s ImageWorks and BayMax at Disney California Adventure’s San Fransokyo Square . Others appear in various locations across the parks, which guests may also find on physical maps or simply walking by.

Disney dining on demand

This week, both Disney World and Disneyland introduced a new feature on their apps and websites that allows guests to book dining reservations across a range of dates , instead of searching one day at a time. You can now see every table-service restaurant’s openings for up to 10 days and filter by parameters like location, cuisine, price and whether they accept the Disney Dining Plan , which returned to Disney World in January.

Dining reservations open 60 days in advance, but you can check for last-minute openings and join walk-up lists in the app, instead of going out of your way to ask in person. If you already have a reservation, you can check in through the app or in person.

Mobile ordering can save time at popular quick-service restaurants like Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe in Disneyland and Woody’s Lunchbox in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. ProTip: Order food in advance and select a later arrival window, which you can adjust in the app. If you wait until you’re hungry to order, there may not be any immediate pick-up openings, and you’ll have to stand in line the old-fashioned way.

Mobile check-in and checkout

A growing number of shops, like Emporium in Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, offer mobile checkout so you can skip lines for the cash register. In-person checkout is still available if you prefer to pay with cash or don’t mind the wait.

If you’re staying on property at Disney resort hotels , you can also check in through the Disneyland and My Disney Experience apps. You’ll get a notification once your room is assigned, and then you can head straight there and unlock the door with your phone or MagicBands. In-person check-in and physical key cards remain available.

What if you don’t want to be on your phone?

Unplugging can be a big part of vacationing, and some critics have complained about having to use their phones at the parks, but you don’t have to spend your whole trip on screens. 

When I visit the parks these days, I go in with a plan and a few priorities but largely play it by ear . Even though I’ve tested the value of Genie+ , on most trips, I simply check wait times on the app and decide what’s worth the wait. I mobile order food to save time, but prefer checking in to hotels and checking out at stores in person. You can pick and choose to use the free tools that suit you. 

"Disneyland Resort uses technology to help deliver a great guest experience,” the California resort shared with USA TODAY. “With just a click, a tap or a swipe, guests can use the official mobile app for the DisneylandResort, MagicBand+ and other intuitive digital tools to make the most of their visits."

If you need help, you can always ask cast members in person or through the app’s chat tool.

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Cars: Road Trip

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Cars: Road Trip (formerly called Cars: Route 66 Road Trip ) is an attraction that opened at Walt Disney Studios Park , Disneyland Paris in June 17, 2021 along with the reopening of the rest of the entire park. The attraction is based on Disney/Pixar's Cars franchise and replaced Studio Tram Tour: Behind the Magic [1] . The ride soft-opened two days earlier on June 15 , 2021 .

It was originally scheduled to open in Summer 2020 , but it was delayed to June 17 , 2021 , since the opening was postponed indefinitely following the closure of the resort, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In August 2021, following Disneyland Paris' reopening, Walt Disney Studios Park announced that the attraction was set to become part of Worlds of Pixar .

• 2 Voice Talents
• 5 References

Synopsis [ ]

In the attraction, guests hop on board the tram, and Sally and Cruz Ramirez greet them and guide them through natural and mechanical wonders along the legendary Route 66. At first Cruz is very enthusiastic to see the whole thing, but Sally tells Cruz to relax and go slow. Then Cruz spots the World’s Biggest Lug-Nut with Lightning McQueen in it along with Guido and Luigi . Sally also tells Cruz that there are many attractions to enjoy, such as "The Ghost Garage", "The Copper Canyon Traffic Maze" and "Lonestone Magnet Mine". The tram then approaches the Car-tastrophe Canyon where a Dinoco Tanker Truck can been seen. Suddenly, the Canyon catches on fire and water sprays everywhere (similar to the former scene of the Catastrophe Canyon). Luckily, the tanker truck survives. Afterwards, Sally is reminded that Mater has been making his own art: a statue of him with McQueen and Doc Hudson made out of junk, The Great Whitewall of China and The Statue of Lizzie-ty. The tram passes Mater making a model of the Eiffel Tower, with Filmore very interested in Mater's masterpiece. As the tram arrives at the end of the ride, Cruz and Sally say goodbye to the riders and tell them to see the Route out there. Once the tram stops and the ride ends, guests make their departure.

Voice Talents [ ]

• Cristela Alonzo as Cruz Ramirez
• Cecile de France as Sally Carrera
• Guillaume Canet as Lightning McQueen
• Tony Shalhoub as Luigi
• Danilo De Girolamo as Guido
• Michel Fortin as Mater
• Lloyd Sherr as Fillmore
• Route 66 was dropped from the attraction's name as a result of the phrase being trademarked in Europe by "Tempting Brands".

Gallery [ ]

References [ ]

• ↑ https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2019/10/14/walt-disney-studios-parks-studio-tram-tour-to-become-cars-route-66-in-summer-2020/
• 2 Inside Out 2

Disneyland plan for long-term major development in Anaheim clears crucial hurdle

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Disney officials cleared one of the final hurdles Monday for its theme park expansion plan, which they say would jump-start at least $1.9 billion of new development at the Anaheim resort over the next 10 years.

The DisneylandForward project was approved Monday night on a 5-1 vote by the Anaheim Planning Commission after almost three years of reviews and analysis. The project next will go before the City Council.

“I want to thank each and every person who came tonight to speak their minds, whether you agreed, disagreed or were neutral,” said commission Chairperson Lucille Kring. “I want to thank Disney for bringing this to us. Make us proud.”

“Together we are unequivocally making history, just like Walt Disney did almost 70 years ago with the city of Anaheim and Disneyland,” Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort, said at the meeting before the vote. “It’s a tremendous responsibility for all of us and a privilege to be a steward of this vision for this very, very special place.”

The requested changes to the park’s zoning would allow Disney — a dominant figure in Anaheim politics — more flexibility to reimagine its existing 490-acre footprint in Anaheim over the next few decades, mixing new attractions, theme parks, shops, restaurants and parking to “provide for continued, long-term growth of The Disneyland Resort,” the latest city report said.

Dozens of disgruntled Anaheim residents and Disneyland fans alike attended the meeting to voice their opinions about the proposal.

John Noteboom, an Anaheim resident for 27 years, lives on the western edge of the Disneyland Resort with his wife.

“As some of the closest neighbors to the proposed theme park district of Disneyland on the west side of the park,” he said, “we’ve had nothing but cooperation from Disney anytime an issue has come up.”

However, not all the comments from residents were positive.

Jeanine Robbins, who has lived in Anaheim about half a mile from Disneyland for 33 years, brought up a class-action lawsuit that was filed against Walt Disney Co. last week, alleging that Disney underpaid hotel maintenance workers.

“When they can take care of their existing employees, then they can come back with this ridiculous proposal,” she said. “If you pay your employees so little that they require food stamps and rent assistance and homeless shelter beds, then you are not a job creator. You are simply a moocher on the public dime.”

Margaret Patino, who has lived near Disneyland for 45 years, raised concerns over Magic Way, a street near the resort, being privatized for the potential project.

“Restricting the foot traffic on Magic Way for only Disney guests who will have their keycards is unfair,” she said. “Neighboring hotels, motels will not have access, leaving the surrounding residents to deal with increased traffic on Ball [Road], Katella [Avenue] and losing the access to the 5 Freeway.”

Anaheim officials approved plans during the 1990s that led to the growth of Disneyland Resort in the newly formed Anaheim Resort area, according to the DisneylandForward website .

“And while those plans resulted in major improvements to the entire Anaheim Resort,” the site says, “their ‘traditional’ district/zone approach does not allow for the diverse, integrated experiences theme park visitors now seek, severely limiting Disney’s ability to continue investing in Anaheim.”

The project doesn’t include specific plans for new attractions, but Disney officials have offered a vision for possible additions, such as immersive Frozen, Zootopia, Tron or Peter Pan experiences similar to those at Disney’s locations in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo. The project promises a minimum $1.9-billion investment in the theme park, lodging, entertainment, shopping and dining within a decade, according to city officials.

Disneyland’s new vision includes up to $2.5-billion investment and a plan to take over city streets

Disneyland’s plan to reimagine the theme park into a more “immersive” experience may require up to $2.5 billion and a plan to privatize some Anaheim streets.

Jan. 27, 2024

The city of Anaheim’s staff report on the project recommended the Planning Commission’s approval. The proposal now requires final approval from the City Council, likely in mid-April. Even though the new zoning has been approved, individual projects are still subject to city planning approval.

The proposal outlines an increase of 4,376 theme-park-related parking spaces, as well as a variety of traffic improvements, including adding bike lanes and pedestrian bridges and absorbing some local roadways into Disney’s oversight.

The expected development by Anaheim’s largest employer would generate significantly more economic output and tax revenue , according to an analysis commissioned by the Walt Disney Co. The new agreement, if approved, would also have Disney pony up $30 million for affordable housing within five years, $40 million for street and transportation improvements and $10 million for sewer upgrades.

“The DisneylandForward Project is expected to generate additional revenue to the city that will increase the city’s general fund to be used for a wide variety of public benefits, including funding police and fire personnel and resources, local school districts, parks, libraries, and capital improvements,” according to the city’s staff report.

Disneyland says renovation plans could bring $253 million annually to Anaheim’s economy

While Walt Disney Co. laid out a robust economic pitch to the city of Anaheim for plans to redevelop its existing theme park footprint, the company did not specify what exactly it wants to build.

May 18, 2023

The project’s environmental impact report found that the construction phase would have significant, unavoidable effects on noise pollution, air quality and greenhouse gas emissions in the surrounding community, but Disney officials cited mitigation measures, including installing 12-foot-tall noise barriers.

Many nearby residents and businesses have expressed concerns throughout the lengthy review process about noise, traffic, increased crime or pollution — but there was also much support for the project at a city workshop last month .

Some have also called on Disney to invest more in the community, given the scale of this project and how many of the company’s low-wage workers struggle to make ends meet.

Duane Roberts, the editor and publisher of website Anaheim Investigator , pointed to the massive Walt Disney Co.-funded 1,400 unit affordable housing project near Disney World in Central Florida, calling the promised $30 million for affordable housing in Anaheim “puny.” He said he wasn’t necessarily opposed to the DisneylandForward project, but wanted city officials to push for more local support from Disney.

“Why are we getting so little as compared to Florida?” Roberts asked city officials last month. “Do we not, like them, have a housing crisis in this state?”

More to Read

The 3-day SoCal resident ticket returns to Disneyland, starting at $75 per day

Nov. 28, 2023

California Supreme Court ends Disneyland’s fight against Anaheim wage law

Oct. 25, 2023

Disneyland announces another round of price hikes in time for the holiday season

Oct. 11, 2023

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Lakers | Lakers score 150 points in win over Pacers for…

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Lakers | Lakers score 150 points in win over Pacers for 3rd consecutive victory

Anthony davis had a pair of late buckets to help secure the victory for the lakers, who are seven games over .500 for the first time since the 2020-21 season.

Los Angeles Lakers forward-guard Cam Reddish (5) is intercepted by Indiana Pacers center-forward Myles Turner, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) scores during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) catches a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam dunks the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson scores during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham calls for a timeout during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, right, defends against Indiana Pacers guard-forward Andrew Nembhard (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Indiana Pacers guard-forward Andrew Nembhard (2) dribbles past Los Angeles Lakers guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam scores during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) dribbles past Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Los Angeles Lakers forward-center Anthony Davis, center, scores during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) concentrates before shooting a free throw during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Indiana Pacers guard-forward Andrew Nembhard (2) dribbles during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, center, reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Los Angeles Lakers forward-center Anthony Davis (3) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

LOS ANGELES — When the Lakers started this stretch of 12 of 14 games in Los Angeles back in late February, the hope was that they could use this homestand to put themselves in a better position for postseason play.

Sunday’s 150-145 win over the Indiana Pacers, the Lakers’ third consecutive victory to put them at 39-32 on the season, ensured momentum will be on their side before they start a week-long road trip that could have significant postseason implications.

“Offensively we were very sharp,” LeBron James said. “We know how high-powered offense they are, so they’re not going to stop playing no matter how far they get down or how far they up or whatever the case may be. So it’s a good win for us.”

In a rematch of the Dec. 9 In-Season Tournament championship game, Anthony Davis was once again too much for the Pacers (40-32), finishing with 36 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Davis had a pair of late buckets to help secure the victory for the Lakers, who are seven games over .500 for the first time since the 2020-21 season.

Spencer Dinwiddie, who started in place of D’Angelo Russell (sidelined because of a non-COVID illness), finished with 25 points and five assists. His point total was his highest since joining the Lakers last month, besting the 11 points he scored in Friday’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

“He was being aggressive,” Davis said. “As you seen last game, he’s starting to find his way and he was aggressive last game and he just carried that over. Being himself, hit some threes, attacking the basket, being the Spencer that we need him to be.”

Davis added: “How he played [Sunday], we need him to play like that the rest of the season. Instant offense that he can score when he wants. He’s a big guard. He can defend. We are going to need him to be the Spencer he was [Sunday].”

James finished with 26 points (8-for-19 shooting), 10 assists and five rebounds while Austin Reaves had 25 points, eight assists and five rebounds. Taurean Prince added 14 points (6-for-8 shooting) off the bench.

The Lakers’ point total was their highest since scoring 155 points in a Jan. 2, 1987 win over the Phoenix Suns. They shot 56.2% from the field (50 of 89), 48% on 3s (12 of 25) and 88.4% on free throws (38 of 43).

“It’s…so common now [because] guys are more skilled, there’s more freedom of movement, the 3-ball and the way it’s impacted the game, you’re going to have these high-scoring games like this, man,” coach Darvin Ham said. “The skill level of these guys now and the way teams are shooting the 3-ball and the volume of 3s that we’re seeing from game to game, it makes it where this has become instead of something that’s foreign, it’s totally common now. So, you just got to try to keep up as best you can.”

The Lakers opened the game up in the third, outscoring the Pacers, who were led by Pascal Siakam’s 36 points and 12 rebounds, 44-31 to take a 116-99 lead into the fourth.

“I’ve been in this building enough times to know and understand that you gotta be really keyed into the details of the game,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said pregame. “You get things going willy-nilly at all. I mean, the building erupts. LeBron’s going coast to coast and they just got the whole thing going.

“You fly in there, get a shot locked and fly out of bounds underneath the basket. I mean, you’re giving up two or three points, it’s almost guaranteed.”

A late barrage of 3s from the Pacers, who made three shots from beyond the arc in 16 seconds in the game’s last minute, kept the game close but Cam Reddish sealed the victory with a steal and free throw.

The Lakers will kick off their six-game road trip with matchups against the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“Offensively, we wanna continue to share the ball,” James said. “We wanna continue to get high-assist games, low-turnover games, and just keep playing together. If we do that, we’ll be OK.”

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