How To Travel To Disneyland
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?
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)!
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.
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.
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: $35 USD (plus tax)
- Valet parking: $65 USD (plus tax)
- Oversized vehicle parking: $40 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 $30 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.