Saturday, December 19, 2015

San Francisco to Disneyland: 12 hours?

Of course today was a rainy day and I got intuitively that the hardest thing to deal with on the trip south was going to be the weather.

Boy! Was I right?

Yep. The last time I had to drive 12 hours in one day to get somewhere it was to Las Vegas which is also a 12 hour drive (without traffic or rain) from San Francisco. It was what decided us the last time we did this that we never were going to make that drive ever again. So, when we go to Las Vegas to see the shows (Le  Reve is amazing by the way) we decided to fly and to rent a car which we did last February and rented a convertible Mustang and drove across the Hoover Dam with it and over to the Red Rock Canyon area as well.

But, today was okay because though it started out fairly difficult with 7 people in one truck and one car (to fit everyone and their luggage) it all turned out okay in the end. It turned out the lady took the reservation (2 months ago) for the wrong month. So, when my older daughter's boyfriend flew in from Portland he was able to reserve the last 4 rooms in the hotel near Disneyland.

But, I couldn't believe the traffic that started from about Ventura so even with a detour up to 118 and over to 210 and down the 605 to Interstate 5 it still was a 12 hour drive when hopefully it is only supposed to be a 6 hour drive traffic willing.

Also, there is John Wayne Airport nearby Disneyland (I believe it's near Newport Beach, if you are going to fly there because it might be worth it not to get really really upset in the traffic from LAX on the way to Disneyland (unless you are driving there around 2 am to 5 am in the morning on a weekday).

However, this is not the longest drive I ever made from San Francisco south into Southern California. NO.

It was driving south on a Friday in the Summertime and once I hit Ventura it was a nightmare all the way out to Palm Springs. This cured me of EVER driving south to southern California on a Friday or back on a Sunday afternoon.

This particular trip down was 15 hours of driving by the time I reached my son who lived in Palm Springs then and I was in my early 60s then so this even then wasn't the best thing for me to do.

But, live and learn. But, the other side of this is it rained almost continually from about Santa Barbara all the way down into Disneyland and it's still raining now at 9:30 pm as I listen to the explosions from the fireworks going on outside my Hotel window which sounds a lot like a war zone right now from Disneyland Fireworks.

So yes, even in the rain I guess Disneyland fireworks still go off around 9 to 9:30 pm whenever they get them started.
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Fireworks at Disneyland Park

A child sits on his father's shoulders and looks in wonder at the fantastic Disneyland fireworks
Disneyland Park
Disneyland Resort

Age Interest

Preschoolers, Tweens, Teens, Adults, All Ages

Duration

14 minutes
Accessibility and Other Information - Opens Dialog

Gaze in amazement as thrilling showcases of shimmering light illuminate the night at Disneyland Park, complete with spectacular fireworks bursting high above Sleeping Beauty Castle—set to the tune of timeless music and starring some classic Disney characters.

Watch in Wonder All Year Long

Disneyland Forever

Get ready to be dazzled by Disneyland Forever! So much more than a fireworks spectacular, it’s a street-to-sky experience sure to leave you in awe.

4th of July

Salute the stars and stripes with a special patriotic, pyrotechnic grand finale after the new Disneyland Forever show. Read More
Salute the stars and stripes with a special patriotic, pyrotechnic grand finale after the new Disneyland Forever show. Plus, over at Disney California Adventure Park, you can celebrate the United States of America’s 239th birthday with an extra burst of color before each performance of the new World of Color – Celebrate! nighttime water spectacular. If you still can’t get enough red, white and blue, live musical entertainment—including stirring military bands—will be performing at the Disneyland Resort throughout the weekend.
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Halloween Screams

Eerie explosions haunt the skies throughout this explosive experience—it’s fun for the whole family! Read More
Eerie explosions haunt the skies throughout this explosive experience—it’s fun for the whole family! As haunting melodies fill the air, "Master of Scare-omonies" Jack Skellington, from Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas, presides over this Halloween pyrotechnics extravaganza that includes mischievous Disney villains and ends in a dazzling finale.
Please note: This show is only available on select nights as part of Mickey's Halloween Party, an event taking place during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort.
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New Year’s Eve

Ring in an unforgettable New Year every New Year’s Eve with festive fireworks, classic music and much more. It’s a perfect way to celebrate new beginnings of any kind!

History, Merchandise and Important Information

The Story of Disneyland Fireworks

Did you know: Disneyland Park has offered a fireworks show every summer since 1956! Read More
Did you know: Disneyland Park has offered a fireworks show every summer since 1956! When the shows originally began, fireworks fuses were lit by hand. However, by the 1960s, an electronic system launched the shells. Shortly thereafter, the popular entertainment spectacles were carefully synchronized to music too!
By the time the year 2000 arrived, Disneyland fireworks had become far more elaborate—featuring both Tinker Bell and Dumbo flying high overhead.
To reduce noise and pollution, Disney patented an air launch pyrotechnics system—first put to use in 2004—and then later opened the patent on the system so that others could enjoy the benefits of "greener" pyrotechnics.
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Recommended Viewing Locations

Stake out the perfect spot for watching the fireworks during your visit to Disneyland Park. Read More
Stake out the perfect spot for watching the fireworks during your visit to Disneyland Park. Here’s a short list of the top locations:
  • In front of Sleeping Beauty Castle
  • Main Street, U.S.A., between Central Plaza and the Main Street Train Station
  • In front of "it's a small world"
  • Along the Rivers of America in Frontierland
Please note: All fireworks at Disneyland Park are dependent on weather conditions and are subject to change or cancellation.
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Made With Magic

Light up your night! Transform alongside Disney’s evening fireworks spectaculars with the help of innovative Made with Magic accessories.

Rooms with Views

Stay steps away from every single magical moment at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. Read More
Stay steps away from every single magical moment at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. Many rooms even offer views of the fireworks and World of Color shows. Compare Hotels
Explore the many benefits of staying at the hotels of the Disneyland Resort, including use of a convenient entrance to Disney California Adventure Park.
Compare the 3 Disneyland Resort Hotels to find the best one for you and your family.
See the Show from Your Hotel
Certain concierge rooms in the Disneyland Resort hotels offer the opportunity to view the Disneyland Park fireworks show or the World of Color nighttime spectacular—complete with in-house soundtrack.
Both concierge lounges (access available at an additional cost) at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and the Disneyland Hotel also provide firework and nighttime spectacular views.
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Shows Change Seasonally

Fireworks shows change often to celebrate holidays, but the feeling of joy and wonder during these nighttime spectaculars is present throughout each of the seasons.

Hours

Map

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