Disneyland from Vancouver by Car or Plane?

[SaskMouse]

Hi. We always drive to California from Saskatchewan. It takes 2 days, but we enjoy the drive and the things we see along the way. It also allows us to spend a day in Vegas, which is always fun. Plus, we like having our own car once we get there. While we stay at the HoJo and walk to the park, it allows us the freedom to come and go to other activities according to our own schedule.
My husband is a driving machine and can drive for hours on end. So the driving itself isn't a problem. Plus it only costs around $200-250 for gas for the entire trip, which is much cheaper than airfare and renting a car or paying for additional transportation such as shuttles, etc.
Driving

[Tea]

We just got back Saturday night from driving down. We stopped in Redding for the night but in 2004 we drove straight thru the night and it took 22 hrs with a few fuel stops and bathroom breaks, oh and one restaurant break.

We were looking at flying down this time because of the flooding in WA state but the roads opened up so we drove. It would have cost the 4 of us around 650.00 US to fly Jetblue from Seattle to Long Beach.

We took my FIL diesel Jetta and spent maybe 150.00 on fuel.

With the cost of hotels and food for the extra days we took to drive it probably cost close to the same as flying would have but we enjoyed the trip home along the coast. We saw the Hearst Castle, elephant seals, whales, elk, stopped in Napa for the night, hit a winery, saw the redwoods. I don't think I'd fly down again!

[All4dISNEY]

If I were you, I would drive to Seattle, catch a Alaska Air flight ($69 each way!), you'll get there most rested. Grab a shuttle to the resort from the airport.

You would end up driving down for less money but I wouldn't recommend doing it in one shot. I would shoot for Vancouver to Redding, Californina (north cali), stay there a night and shove off early the next day to roll into Anaheim that evening.

[Mybails]

We live in Winnipeg and drive every time - much cheaper, especially if you have 2 adults and 2 kids. We average about $500 Cdn for gas return(with a van), we spend about $300 for food on the trip and see some nice scenery. Get Micrsoft Streets and Trips and it will help you map your route and estimate your costs. Average plane ticket return is probably $500-$600. You can drive for the price of one adult and feed the gang on another and have the kid fares for spending money.

[william]

I drive from Vancouver to Redding 12 to 13 hrs.Day 2 Redding to Anaheim around 10 hrs. Its not that bad of a drive.

[sediment]

Hi, I want to surprise my family and take them this spring back the land of the mouse. We usually go every three years but I feel the need for it now.

As we are going 2 years early, I need to do this as cheaply as possible.

So.. here are a few questions....

1. Anyone ever Drive from Vancouver BC to Disneyland? I hear about 18 - 20 hours. Now I could do that in 1 sitting, with gas/washroom breaks and let the family watch dvds and suduko themselves. But then I worry my entire first day there will be spent sleeping.

2. Anyone ever compare airline prices for 2 adults and 2 kids with gas prices or perhaps someone knows of a website that can calculate this?

3. Having a car mean we can stay a little further away from the park at a less expensive hotel and drive and park each day. How much is parking? Can anyone suggest a hotel a little off the beaten path that is godo quality but less expensive? OR.... is this even worth it if the price of parking is high each day.

Thanks all.

1. No, I've never done that. I do not recommend it with wife and children. Two days minimum. Stop in NoNoCal (Shasta or Lassen areas). We found some very nice two-bedroom motels on the internet for less than $100/night in that area. Not chains, but simple, owner-operated places.
It's 1300 miles, btw. Yes, you will be tired regardless. Plan your arrival at about dusk, so you can get as much sleep as you need for the next day.
2. There is no way four airline tickets will be cheaper than driving that distance. Time is the major cost factor, not money. Gas cost now: $2/gallon, 1300 miles, 25MPG means $104 each way. Add depreciation, and yeah, it might be closer: IRS uses $0.50/mile, so that would be, for an average car, $1300. (That includes gas.) but depreciation costs are highly dependent on the car you drive AND when you plan to sell it.
3. No idea about hotels in the area. There are several in walking distance. Do note that some will add parking fee to their daily bill. There is also a shuttle that passes many hotels. No way you should add park parking costs to your trip.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

I'm in the minority here but I like driving to Vancouver from Southern California.

We go every summer, with the dog and stop where there's a river or lake. I usually give myself 2-3 days to get there, though, and we sometimes we stop in Seattle to see friends along the way.

[Skawt]

We did a suprise trip last year driving from Seatle area. We drove straight through leaving at lunch (picked the kids up from school, they had no idea) and arrived in time to eat breakfast, change, and be at the parks when it opened the next morning. Driving back we stopped north of Sacremento and had a nice evening of swimming and relaxing. I think the energy is there on the way down but a slower drive back is the way to go.

That was a great trip but nothing beats flying, we drove to save money because for a while it was hard to find SEA-LAX for under $300, now you can get Jet Blue SA-LGB for $59 each way or Alaska to your choice of SoCal airports for just a bit more. I have found car rental to be a lot less at LAX and have never made the shuttle work price wise once you get over 3-4 people.

[smiley_face2]

We've only ever flown once, we drive from Vancouver every time now. We just got back about 2 and a half weeks ago. We've done it a few different ways now, I swear I will not do it in one shot again!!! Done that 3 times now and it is really hard, and for sure something I would not do with kids of any age. The one time we did it with kids, they were from 11-17 and even that was hard. One time we did it with our daughter and son in law, and it was ok but still hard, one time we did it alone the 2 of us, and that was easiest, but still not a pleasure. It's about 22 hours straight through with stops for bathroom gas food.... We much prefer to stop in either Yreka, or Redding at the super 8 in either one. If you make it to Redding the first day it will probably be about 9 at night, then if you leave by about 7 am, you will be at DL by about 4 in the afternoon. It really depends on how much money and time you have. We love the drive, and even if we had a lot of money would probably choose to drive. In July, we did a long trip and came back all along the coast stopping in places along the way, seeing Hearst Castle, the Redwood forest, San Francisco, Eureka in Oregon etc. it was just hubby and me and it was an awesome trip! stopped whenever we wanted, wandered the beaches and forests... so good!! This last trip price of gas averaged about $1.80 US a gallon, and we spent about $180. Canadian on gas round trip, so even with a $50. stay in a super 8 the price can't be beat! We are just in discussions with son and daughter in law.... they are taking our 3 grand daughters for their 1st trip!! so exciting... they are driving in thier dodge caravan and are stopping along the way. We may go in our car with them even though that would be 3 trips in 6 months! heheheh.... So I guess it depends if you have the time, if I only had 1 week of vacation, I would not spend 4 days of it on the road!! but if you have more time than money, it's the way to go! Any other questions, feel free!

[flynnibus]

can't say that flying is relaxing... but unless you are watching the budget closely.. I gotta think its going to be worth 2-4 days of your vacation. Southwest from seattle has flights for $200/each at just first browse.. or as low as $140.

Fly... rent a car from hotwire.. and save the few days of driving for relaxing.

[smiley_face2]

Yes flynnibus, I think you are right, but like you said, if you are on a tight budget, and it means not going at all, or if you have more time than money, then I'd rather drive than not go at all! The sacrifice we must make to be in the Happiest Place on Earth