Charter a Bus from Phoenix to Disneyland

Planning a trip to Disneyland? Why not make it a road trip! One of the more popular ways to get to the most magical place on earth is by starting in Phoenix and hitting the open road, traveling along I-10 or I-8 into Anaheim.

Sure, you can make the journey with a short 1.5-hour flight into nearby Los Angeles—but where’s the fun in that? The U.S. Southwest is known for its road trip potential, and the trip between Phoenix and Disneyland will run right through the heart of it!

Of course, coordinating any road trip can be hard, let alone spending 5 and a half hours on the road (6 hours if you account for traffic and gassing up your vehicle). That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to taking a charter bus from Phoenix to Disneyland—so you can spend less time stressing over the details and more time enjoying your trip with your fellow Disney fans!

What to Know Before You Go

Comfort is Key

Even if you plan a bunch of pit stops to break up the long haul between Anaheim and Phoenix, you’ll still want to be comfortable on the road. Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to make the drive less of a drag.

For one thing, if you’re traveling with a group of 10 or more people, it might be worth your while to rent a charter bus or a minibus for the trip. Rather than cramming into a rental car or putting miles on your personal vehicle, you’ll have a private motorcoach at your disposal that includes all the small comforts that will make the miles fly by. Call the Shofur team at 1-800-436-8719 to request amenities like a DVD player and TV screens for on-the-road movie marathons, reclining seats and luggage compartments so everyone can stretch out, and onboard restrooms so you can keep pit stops to a minimum.

Book Your Bus Early

If your group does choose to travel by bus rental, we recommend making a reservation as soon as possible—especially since the destination is one of the most popular theme parks in the United States.

Depending on the time of year and where you’re planning to travel, finding the perfect charter bus to fit your travel plans can be easier or harder. Usually, we advise travelers to book their bus at least 3 months in advance. But for a charter bus trip between Phoenix and Disneyland, it may be wise to reserve your coach as early as 6 months to ensure availability.

Suggested Stop: Joshua Tree National Park

Address: 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277-3597

First up: the most convenient pit stop to add to your itinerary—you’ll be passing by it anyways when you charter a bus from Phoenix to Disneyland! Making a pit stop in this iconic desert park will only add 30 minutes of drive time to your overall road trip, but be prepared to spend a couple of hours hiking and taking in the sights to get the full Joshua Tree experience.

Especially if you’re traveling with kids, this national park will be the perfect learning opportunity, as well as a great place to stretch your legs. There is an entrance on the south side of the park (right off of I-10), and the Cottonwood Visitor Center is just a few miles in after that. There, you can pick up maps, hike along the short trails stemming from the center, check out the Cottonwood Spring, and learn about the two unique desert landscapes you’ll be passing through on your way to the Disneyland parks.

Charter Bus Access and Parking: Your charter bus driver should have no issues finding oversized vehicle parking at the Cottonwood Visitor Center, or at the nearby Cottonwood Group Campground (3 areas are available with a reservation). However, all commercial vehicles are required to acquire a permit before entering the park. There is very little cell service in Joshua Tree National Park, so consider having all your paperwork printed out before you embark.

Suggested Stop: The Grand Canyon

All told, making the trek out to the Grand Canyon will add 360 miles to your road trip and at least a full day to your itinerary. But if you don’t often find yourself in the Southwest, taking the time to see one of the country’s most popular natural wonders is worth the detour!

At this national park and world heritage site, visitors can take in sweeping views into a canyon that’s 6,000 feet deep at its lowest point and 18 miles wide at its widest point. Along with picture-perfect photo ops, this park also offers a variety of educational materials and presentations both about the canyon itself and the history of the people that call this area home—check out one of the multiple visitor centers for more information!

Charter Bus Access and Parking: Similar to Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon National Park requires a specific entrance pass for commercial vehicles, which can be purchased on the National Park Services website ahead of your trip. Once you’re in the park, however, your group should have no issues getting around. The Grand Canyon is one of the most-visited sites in the country, after all—so the national park is no stranger to large tour groups. Most lookout points and visitors centers will have adequate parking for shuttle and charter bus rentals.

Suggested Stop: LEGOLAND California

Address: 1 Legoland Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Depending on the route your group takes to Disneyland, veering off at the I-8 exit for San Diego won’t add too much mileage to your road trip from Phoenix. Besides, if you’re traveling with little ones, getting out some energy at this fun theme park can be a fun way to prep for the rides and wonders of Disneyland!

Builders and tinkerers of all ages love LEGOLAND for many reasons. For one thing, there is more to this place than the plastic bricks—though they are certainly the main attraction. After exploring the life-size vignettes and miniature replicas of landmarks made entirely of LEGO, be sure to set aside time to check out the aquarium and ride a roller coaster or two.

Charter Bus Access and Parking: When it comes to visiting LEGOLAND California with a group of travelers, it pays to rent a charter bus for your trip—buses park for free! Your professional driver should be able to drop off everyone near the entrance to the park and will gladly handle the parking logistics for you while you head inside.

Book Your Bus From Phoenix to Disneyland

Now that you know what to expect for the journey, all that’s left is to reserve your ride to Disneyland! The Shofur team is available 24/7 to help you plan your trip—from the first free and personalized bus rental quote to any last-minute itinerary changeups you need to make. Give us a call at 1-800-436-8719 whenever you have a headcount and schedule drafted, and we’ll show just how easy it can be to rent a charter bus!