A trip to Disneyland usually includes a ride on the Disneyland Railroad, but have you considered taking a train to the Happiest Place on Earth? In this age of air travel, Amtrak is often overlooked. But with a train station in Anaheim, Amtrak is a great way to get to the Disneyland Resort.
If you’re traveling along the west coast, Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train can get you from Seattle to Anaheim in about two days. The cost for a standard coach seat is about the same as air travel, which combined with the lengthy travel time, can be a turn off. For those who don’t mind a leisurely trip and consider seeing the scenery part of the fun, Amtrak is a neat way to get there.
Amtrak offers some upgrades on the Coast Starlight train, specifically with room purchases. If you’re traveling with one or two children, you will need to upgrade to the family bedroom, which adds about $1,000 to the cost of your travel (each way). The family bedrooms span the width of the car and have two picture windows. The reclining seats convert to beds and there are two child-sized beds that fold down from above.
The family bedroom is basically a hotel room on wheels. You get turndown service in the evening (Amtrak helps set up your beds), coffee service, a newspaper and you get fresh towels and sheets. The downside is that there is a single shower area shared by the car. But you do get shower amenities included with your room.
The Anaheim Amtrak station is adjacent to Angel Stadium of Anaheim and about a 10 min drive from the Disneyland Resort. The Anaheim station isn’t huge, but you can catch a cab fairly easily. Another option is to just take the train to Union Station in Los Angeles and then drive about 90 min to Anaheim. Be warned though, Union Station can be sketchy at night, so we recommend taking the train to Anaheim just to be safe.
Most families will opt for the quick travel provided by an airplane. But for those who want to take in the scenery and travel in style, Amtrak is a great option to consider.
