Traveling to Disneyland from Oregon: The Ultimate Guide

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Traveling to Disneyland from Oregon: The Ultimate Guide

As someone hailing from the picturesque state of Oregon, my heart holds a special place for the magical world of Disneyland. Despite the distance, this enchanted park feels like my 'home' park, being much closer than its counterparts around the globe. Year after year, I eagerly plan my voyage to the Happiest Place on Earth. And if you're anything like me, you probably itch to experience that Disneyland magic as often as possible. Over the years, I've explored various ways to make this journey—by road, air, and rail. Allow me to share my insights, hoping to make your next trip smoother and more magical.

1. By Road: Driving Down the I-5

The Interstate 5 (I-5) is the most direct route from Oregon to Disneyland, stretching approximately 1,000 miles from Portland to Anaheim. If you're looking for a scenic Pacific coast trip, you can take HWY 101 and HWY 1, but this route is very winding and takes quite a bit longer.

• Duration: Depending on your starting point and the number of stops, it can take 11-18 hours of driving.
• Scenic Detours: For a break, consider stopping at Shasta Lake or the Sundial Bridge in Redding. If you have extra time, a slight detour to the California coast can also be worth it.
• Travel Tip: Leave early in the morning to avoid major city traffic. Also, keep an eye out for rest areas and plan your gas stops to make the journey comfortable.

• Personal Experience: Though I prefer to fly to maximize my time, I have made this drive multiple times. I live on the Oregon coast so I have to head over to I-5 before starting my drive down, but if you've got a good playlist - or good company - it can be a really nice drive. The most recent time I did this drive was Christmas 2022, and it was out of necessity! We had planned to fly, but we had a layover in Seattle and all the flights were getting delayed and cancelled, so the morning we were set to leave I called my airline and they were like it is likely you're flight will be effected, so I opted for a refund, we grabbed snacks and were on our way. Since we were getting a later start, we opted to stop just after Sacramento and then finish the drive the next day - which thankfully was just a hang out day so we didn't lose any park time.

 

2. By Air: Flying to the Magic

There are several flight options from Oregon to Southern California.

• Airports: Portland International Airport (PDX), Eugene Airport (EUG), and Rouge Valley International Airport - Medford (MFR) offers multiple daily flights to John Wayne Airport (SNA), Long Beach Airport (LGB), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
• Duration: Flights typically last between 2 to 3 hours.
• Getting to Disneyland: From SNA, Disneyland is a mere 15-minute drive. From LGB, it's about 25 minutes, and from LAX, it can take 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.

• Travel Tip: Consider renting a car or using a shuttle service from the airport. Rideshares like Uber and Lyft are also popular choices. My favorite car services are Lansky and Anaheim Town Car Services - I have used both multiple times and I have always found the drivers to be incredible. I always fly to and from LAX, and it gets a bad rap but I've never had any issues with it - I prefer non-stop flights which limits Oregon travelers to LAX. Because there are so many terminals, security is actually super fast, it usually only takes me 10-15 minutes top to get through TSA and then I grab a coffee and go to wait. I am one of those that gets to the airport many hours ahead of schedule just to be safe.

 

3. By Rail: A Relaxing Journey on Amtrak

For those who prefer the scenic route and wish to avoid the stress of driving or flying, the train is a viable option.

• Route: The Amtrak Coast Starlight route connects Oregon to Southern California. You'll depart from Portland (or other Oregon stations) and arrive in Los Angeles.
• Duration: The journey is approximately 30 hours, making it the longest option. However, the scenic views of the Pacific coastline, mountains, and forests can be breathtaking.

• Getting to Disneyland: From Los Angeles Union Station, you can take the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink's Orange County Line to the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC). From there, it's a short ride to Disneyland.
• Travel Tip: If you're considering this route, think about booking a sleeper car for a more comfortable journey. I've ridden the train between Sacramento and Seattle many times and it is stunning, but I haven't done it all the way down to Anaheim before, so I don't have any tips to make it easier.

 

As a fellow Oregonian and Disneyland enthusiast, I've experienced the magic of the park through various journeys. Each mode of travel offers its own set of adventures and experiences. Whether you're listening to your favorite Disney songs on a road trip, gazing out at the clouds from a plane window, or enjoying the rhythmic chug of a train, the anticipation of arriving at Disneyland makes every journey worthwhile. Here's to many more magical trips from the Beaver State to the world of Disney! Safe travels!