When planning your Disneyland Itinerary, one of the first decisions is deciding how you will travel to Disneyland with your family. You must decide whether you will fly or drive to Southern California. This will depend on how far away you live from Anaheim, what the drive time is compared to the time flying with connections and transfers, and the cost and availability of flights.
In this article, we provide insight into what you must consider when deciding the best way to travel to Disneyland with your family. We will cover flying to Disneyland and the airport nearest Disneyland, as well as the best way to get to Disneyland from nearby cities. We also discuss the parking fees at Disneyland and what you must consider if you are driving to Disneyland.
If you are planning a Disneyland vacation with children, make sure to check out these articles about Disneyland Tips For Families and find out What To Do Before Going To Disneyland as well as Where To Stay at Disneyland California?
Keep reading to learn more about traveling to Disneyland.
đź“ŚPin it for laterđź“Ś
Flying to Disneyland
If you’re visiting Anaheim for a vacation and the drive is more than a day trip, then flying to Disneyland is a great option. Flying can offer some flexibility regarding arrival time, so if you can fly in the afternoon before your first day at Disneyland, you will save time and stress trying to figure out how to get there. And if you don’t need to rent a vehicle once you arrive at Disneyland, flights may be cheaper too (depending on the size of your family)!
Read these articles to learn about navigating airport security with kids or tips for flying with a toddler. Check out our Printable Airplane Activities and Games to entertain your children while you travel, especially while flying and in the airport.
What Airport is Closest to Disneyland?
There are several airports near Disneyland, CA, including John Wayne Airport, Long Beach Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Ontario International Airport.
Closest Disneyland Airport
What airport is closest to Disneyland, CA? John Wayne Airport (SNA) is the airport nearest Disneyland, approximately 15 miles from the Disneyland Resort, and transfers are available between the locations. The drive takes approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Other Airports near Disneyland
Although not the closest Disneyland airport, Long Beach Airport (LGB) is only approximately 23 miles from the Disneyland Resort. The drive takes approximately 35 minutes and longer with traffic.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is 34 miles away. How long is the drive from LAX to Disneyland? The drive can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours, depending on traffic.
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is 36 miles from Disneyland, and the drive takes 45 minutes, or more, depending on traffic.
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is approximately 42 miles away. The drive to Disneyland takes over 1 hour with traffic.
The drive time from these airports to the Disneyland Resort can vary depending on traffic, significantly increased during the afternoon commute between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.Â
Shuttles, Uber rides, or a rental car are available for an additional cost from these airports to the Disneyland Resort.
What city is close to Disneyland?
Disneyland is located in Anaheim, California. This is the closest city to the Disneyland Resort. Disneyland is approximately 27 miles from Los Angeles and 95 miles from San Diego, other cities in southern California.
How to get to Disneyland from downtown LA
There are four ways to get from downtown Los Angeles to Disneyland – by train, bus, taxi, or car.
If you prefer to avoid the traffic, take the train to the Disneyland Resort. Southern California has a Metrolink or the Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® train that runs to Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC). Transfer to the Anaheim Resort Transit Route 14 or 15 bus, which will take you directly to the Disneyland Resort, about 30 minutes away.
Read more about Riding the Bus to the Disneyland Resort. This includes Greyhound, Los Angeles Metro, and Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA).
When traveling to Disneyland from downtown Los Angeles, there are several routes you can take by taxi or car, depending on traffic. From LA, take either I-5 S towards Anaheim, CA-91 E and I-5 S, or I-105 E and I-5 S.
See below for detailed driving directions to Disneyland and more information about parking at Disneyland Resort.
How to get to Disneyland from San Diego
From San Diego to Disneyland is approximately 95 miles, which takes around an hour and forty-five minutes from downtown, depending on traffic.
There are three main ways to get from San Diego to Disneyland by train, bus, or car. From San Diego, take I-5 N to exit 109, bringing you directly to the Disneyland Resort.
Driving to Disneyland
Driving to Disneyland is particularly handy if you’re not staying at a Disney property, and then you can use your vehicle to get back and forth to the Disney parks each day.
Read this article to learn how to simplify a road trip with kids.
If you are staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel, there will be little need for a car once you arrive on the property because every you need to go is conveniently within walking distance.
The Disneyland theme parks (Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure), Downtown Disney District, and the Disneyland Resort hotels (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel) are all located within easy walking distance of each other. Many of the Good Neighbor Hotels are also located in the same area within walking distance.
Driving Directions to Disneyland
Disneyland is located in Anaheim, off Interstate 5. Depending on where you are arriving from and where in the Disneyland Resort you’re going will determine the exact driving directions that you take.
When driving to Disneyland from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Long Beach Airport (LGB), or Bob Hope Airport (BUR), head South on I-5. Locations within the Disneyland Resort are well-signposted.
If you drive to Disneyland from John Wayne Airport (SNA) or Ontario International Airport (ONT), head North on I-5.
Where is parking at Disneyland?
When visiting the Disneyland theme parks, parking is available at Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals parking structures. You can walk from here using the pedestrian bridge, or there is a tram service available, to the Main Entrance Esplanade between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.
You may also park in the Toy Story Parking Area and use the Disneyland bus transportation or walk to the theme parks via Harbor Boulevard.
If you are visiting the Downton Disney District, parking is available at the Downtown Disney District Parking Area. Check out our Tips for Parking at Downtown Disney.
When staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel, follow the signs to the parking area for your hotel.
Is parking free at Disneyland Hotel?
No, parking at the Disneyland Hotel is not free, but the cost of parking depends on the purpose of your visit.
Parking Rates For Disneyland Resort Hotel Guests per night per vehicle
- Self-parking: $35Â USD (plus tax)
- Valet parking: $65Â USD (plus tax)
- Oversized vehicle parking: $40Â USD (plus tax)
If you park at Disneyland Hotel to visit Goofy’s Kitchen, you will receive 3 hours of complimentary parking with restaurant validation.
Parking fee at Disneyland
Now that we know Disneyland has parking fees, you’re probably wondering how much is parking at Disneyland.
When visiting the Disneyland theme parks, you will park your vehicle in the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, Pixar Pals Parking Structure, or Toy Story Parking Area. The Daily Parking fee at Disneyland is $30Â USD per car or motorcycle.
Disneyland parking prices vary for oversized vehicles such as motor homes or buses. To learn more, here are the current Disneyland Resort parking rates.
Disneyland Planning Guide
Get our Disneyland Planning Guide with Printable Worksheets to help your family plan a fun, easy, stress-free, magical vacation to Disneyland in California. It includes our best tips for visiting Disneyland with children. The 75 printable pages include a selection of Disneyland vacation planning information, Disneyland vacation planner templates, and printable worksheets.
Summary
We hope this article has helped you to decide how to travel to Disneyland with your family. Ultimately, it depends on how far away you live from Anaheim, the cost and availability of flights and airport transfers, and the time it takes to drive, along with the cost of gas and parking fees at Disneyland. This guide has provided insight into what you must consider when traveling to Disneyland and deciding the best way to travel to Disneyland for your family.
Watch this video about How to get to Disneyland from downtown LA
For more about family travel, check out these posts:
Top 10 Best Things to do at Downtown Disney
When Is The Best Time To Visit Disneyland?
Disneyland Planning Guide with Printable Worksheets
Games To Play In Line At Disney
Which Is Better, Disney World Or Disneyland?
Can You Bring Food Into Disneyland?
Where To Stay at Disneyland California?
How Many Days in Disneyland?
How does the Lightning Lane work at Disneyland?
Disneyland Tips for Families
BE Family Products Inc., or (BE Family Travel) participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Using any of the links on this website does NOT cost you anything but does help us continue to create content on this blog. Thank you so much for your support and for partnering with us. Let’s BE Family.
Ruth Hutchins grew up in England and now lives in North Carolina with her husband, Doug, and their two young daughters. They always loved to travel, but once having children everything changed because family travel is more complicated. Traveling with a baby may feel overwhelming to new parents. Travel with a toddler can really test your patience, and traveling with kids can lead to utter chaos. However, travel with your little ones doesn’t have to be that stressful or exhausting. On the BE Family Travel blog Ruth shares her parenting wins, and even epic failures about traveling with kids. She provides resources to help you feel empowered to plan a family vacation and travel with your children.
