[Question] Transportation to DLR/Anaheim

[disneyfann121]

Hi folks. A question for you Cali travel planning experts: what are the bus or train options to travel from Bakersfield to Anaheim or Disneyland? My folks want to come meet me at DLR from Bakersfield in late May. Thanks!

[Darkbeer]

Re: Transportation to DLR/Anaheim

www.amtrak.com

I checked a Monday in mid-May, you have 7 choices.

2 of the choices is a bus from Bakersfield to the Fullerton Station (a few miles North of the DLR on Harbor), though these are the overnight hours. The other 5 is a bus from Bakersfield to the LA Union Station, and transferring to a train to Fullerton. If they are going to the DLR, they can then catch the local bus, OCTA Route 43 which goes down Harbor and stops in front of the Park.

Your other option is the Greyhound Bus service. The Anaheim Station is on the east side of Interstate 5 in a not too friendly location to pick up public transporation. You would need to pick them up, or they would have to grab a taxi. It would be about $10 plus tip to get to the park or nearby hotel.

[disneyfann121]

Re: Transportation to DLR/Anaheim

Ok thanks, Darkbeer. And happy new year!

[PragmaticIdealist]

Re: Transportation to DLR/Anaheim

Amtrak California's Web site specifies traveling to Anaheim Station and transferring to the express shuttle, which meets the Pacific Surfliner trains and which costs an extra $1.

Amtrak California - Anaheim

[Darkbeer]

Re: Transportation to DLR/Anaheim

Amtrak California's Web site specifies traveling to Anaheim Station and transferring to the express shuttle, which meets the Pacific Surfliner trains and which costs an extra $1.

Amtrak California - Anaheim

I just went to the link, and they don't mention an Express Shuttle.

They do talk about ART, which does service the Anaheim Station, which is in the middle of the Angel Stadium Parking Lot. It costs $3 for a single trip, or $4 for an all day pass.

www.rideart.org

I recommend Fullerton instead for a few reasons.

First, the Fullerton and Anaheim station are about the same distance away from Disneyland.

Second, the Fullerton Station is the earlier stop, which in some cases, results in a lower fare. It also saves you some time, as it is less time on the train.

The Fullerton Station has easy access. Taxi Stand is just a few feet from the train platform, and usually has cabs waiting, not just for the train station, but for the restaurants and other businesses that are in the same complex.

And the last is the Public Bus option. At Fullerton, the bus stop is right across the street, and is a "depot", so nice waiting area with covered roofs. Also, the bus route you take, OCTA Route 43 stops right in front of the Disneyland Resort Main Pedestrian Entrance. It runs about every 15 minutes most of the day.

The Public Bus option for the Anaheim Station is not as good. First off, you have to have the special "second" exit, which is located on the opposite side of the tracks than the train station. Then you have this weird walkway that goes through a couple of blocks of Office buildings and a strip mall, before getting to Katella Ave. Route 50 runs up and down Katella about every 30 minutes, so about half the amount as Route 43. And its closest stop is at the corner of Harbor and Katella, in front of the 7-11. So you still have quite a walk to the park.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Re: Transportation to DLR/Anaheim

Looks like your questions got answered, bon voyage!

[disneyfann121]

Re: Transportation to DLR/Anaheim

Thanks guys. I'm a bit confused about one thing, though: I thought Amtrak only ran trains. This is a bus service by Amtrak from Bakersfield?

[Darkbeer]

Re: Transportation to DLR/Anaheim

Amtrak is MAINLY trains, but also have a fleet of buses. Sometimes they can't offer train service due to a crash, or track repairs. Also, they do offer the overnight service as a back up.

Also, Bakersfield to Los Angeles is not feasible due to the Grapevine, which is too steep of a Mountain to have trains run through. So there is a Bakersfield Train station, but it only has trains that go Northbound. Many folks coming from the North end up taking the train to Bakersfield, then switching to Bus Service to get to Union Station and get back on a train.

But there is a lot of freight that needs to be moved by train, including farm products. They sometimes head north to the Bay area, and then come back south to SoCal using the coastal train tracks.