Originally Posted By Doo-Dah I'm wondering how you get to DL. Do you pack up the minivan and drive straight through, stay overnight somewhere in between (where do you recommend), or is too much time,stress and gas money, so you fly instead (which airline)? Thanks for the tips!
Originally Posted By -em Well I never owned a minivan... but when I was a Utahn I prefer to fly (didnt have an airline preference but prefered flying to SNA over LAX) Driving we'd go straight through usually hitting Vegas for lunch or dinner and a potty break before finishing the drive. When it was family we'd leave 5am from Orem hit Beaver for breakfast, lunch in Vegas and be in Anaheim by dinner. Friends we've left all over the clock from morning to night... -em
Originally Posted By dlkozy My DD and her DH do both-fly and drive. When they fly, they prefer Jet Blue and they fly into Long Beach. Much easier than LAX. When they drive, they stop in Vegas.
Originally Posted By chickapin When the kids were little we drove. We generally left after school or work and drove to St. George then on the next day but occasionally left early and went straight through. I may be weird, but I like road trips. We ususally fly now--son works for an airline so that makes the decision easier. What airport depends on flight loads. Long Beach is the best commute, but Orange County isn't bad at all. My least favorite is Burbank so of course that is where flight loads are lightest and we frequently end up!
Originally Posted By disnyfans We pack up our minivan and leave at 5am and drive straight through. We do stop for potty breaks and stuff. It usually takes us 9 1/2 hours to get to Anaheim. We love to drive and our kids love it too. It is all part of the great family vacation.
Originally Posted By kari12177 It's a 8 hour drive for us, so we always fly. Ususally we have southwest, but I prefer Americawest or Aloha airlines. But we like Americawest the best!
Originally Posted By dan1964 I've always flown, usually Delta into John Wayne, but they gotten to expensive ... so this year planning on using JetBlue into Long Beach.
Originally Posted By purplekisses2000 My family always times it so we leave about 11 hours before the park we want to go to is open. My husband and I both work graveyard so staying up at night is not a problem. Kids sleep all the way there. We arrive and spend the day atour chosen park, hit our hotel about 3pm. I don't know if it is the rush of being at disneyland or what but I never feel tired until my head hits the pillow that night.
Originally Posted By utahjosh I usually drive, arriving in the late evening to SoCa. I've flown a couple of times, but I like having my own car and the drive is kind of cleansing, you know?
Originally Posted By lizard We're in central Wyo. Our routine, Day 1: leave around 6-7 am, lunch at Wendy's in Evanston, stop for the night at 7pm in Primm. Day 2: Leave real early, two hours to Barstow for breakfast at IHOP. Two more hours to Anaheim. Going is fun and I dont mind the drive, coming home is a different story. Three years ago I drove home straight through. Pretty stupid.
Originally Posted By Leggyb This is what my friends are doing. They live in Salt Lake City and I live in Las Vegas.. They are driving straight through to Vegas and spending the night with me. Then, we will leave early in the morning and take the 4 hour drive to anaheim! If you are driving from Northern Utah, I would suggest stopping somewhere for the night.. Vegas is a great option
Originally Posted By stock2mail We always stop in Primm. My DW gets to shop and the kids enjoy riding the tram from Whiskey Pete's to Primm Valley. It takes about 6 hours. This is about as far as my 3DD's are willing to travel in 1 day.
Originally Posted By a-mad We live in Utah County. We've done all 3.... We would obviously prefer to fly, but it can get expensive getting tickets for all the kids (although gas isn't great either...) If you drive, we've gone straight through before... its nice to leave early and let the kids sleep for much of the way. With the time change you can get to the resort at a decent time, unpack, get a good dinner, and watch the fireworks before retiring at night and being ready for the next day in the parks. We also have family in Las Vegas, so on days when I have to work all or part of a day, we'll drive as far as Vegas, stay overnight, then hit the road no later than 7am. You can usually get to the parks by 11 or so... esp. on weekdays (no traffic) - so you don't miss much of your day. Personally, I love road trips, so I don't mind the drive - and the kids have fun as well... (plus you have your car as opposed to getting a rental and/or shuttle...) We pack a lot of our own food that we stock in our hotel room fridge, which would be difficult if you fly as well. Whatever you decide.... good luck and have fun!
Originally Posted By utahjosh a-mad, I'm in Utah County, too. Good to see I'm not the only quasi-obsessed Disney fan in the area! Oh, and come see me in Beauty and the Beast at the Hale opening tonight!
Originally Posted By Grumpy Pete The last time we went down, we drove to Jean on the other side of Vegas. After a good nights sleep we were in Anaheim before noon without an early wake up. In Jean, if you stay at the Gold Strike, make a reservation first. Its $30 something as opposed to $70 something for just dropping in. However, Jet Blue into Long Beach sure is tempting. Have a great trip!
Originally Posted By Doo-Dah Thank you for all the great ideas! Primm sounds like a great stop... I like to shop and I think my boys would need a break between SLC and Anaheim. Thanks again, I'm glad to see there are other Utahns infatuated with Disney.
Originally Posted By Main Street Dad <Thanks again, I'm glad to see there are other Utahns infatuated with Disney.> Ahem...One state to your right over here...
Originally Posted By junglejoy We got back from DL on Sunday, so add us to the Utah County contingent! We go about 3 times a year. We usually drive stright through but this time stopped at SIL's in Vegas on the way back. And our January trip we flew. So we do it all. Have to get the Disney fix!
