Drive from LAX to Disneyland? - The DIS Discussion Forums

soxyes · 08-23-2012, 08:48 PM

Greetings!

We're taking the kids for their first trip to DL over spring break! They've been to WDW plenty of times, but this will be a first for them. We're all very excited!

Anyway, we fly out of OHare or Midway. It looks like we'll probably fly into LAX. We'd prefer SNA, but the rates are significantly different.

So, here's the question... if we arrive at LAX late on a Friday night (9-10:30), how long do you think the drive to DL will be? I guess I'm trying to figure out how much the convenience of SNA is worth? I'm guessing it's about $500-600 more. What do you think?

TIA

StageTek · 08-24-2012, 12:37 AM

I would say 45 minutes at the shortest. Could be up to 75.

jdb in AZ · 08-24-2012, 04:41 AM

That late at night, the freeways "should" be relatively fast. Have you checked to see if the car rental agency will still be open?

Don't plan your return to LAX during "rush" hour and you should be fine.

ludari · 08-24-2012, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxyes

Greetings!

We're taking the kids for their first trip to DL over spring break! They've been to WDW plenty of times, but this will be a first for them. We're all very excited!

Anyway, we fly out of OHare or Midway. It looks like we'll probably fly into LAX. We'd prefer SNA, but the rates are significantly different.

So, here's the question... if we arrive at LAX late on a Friday night (9-10:30), how long do you think the drive to DL will be? I guess I'm trying to figure out how much the convenience of SNA is worth? I'm guessing it's about $500-600 more. What do you think?

TIA

I work directly across the street from the LAX airport (I watch the planes land all day from my window view) and I live in one of the nearby beach cities. I drive to DL at least every other week and it doesn't take me more than 45 minutes (I drive pretty fast) and that's with morning traffic. Once you arrive at LAX and get into your rental car the drive to DL will probably take you about 30-45 minutes becasue at time of the evening you'll have no traffic. Flying into SNA is not work the extra money.

soxyes · 08-24-2012, 10:54 AM

Thanks everyone! I think we'll likely settle on LAX.

Good point on making sure the car rental will still be open. I guess I need to figure out when we plan to land first, huh?

Thanks again!

Mary Jo · 08-24-2012, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ludari

I work directly across the street from the LAX airport (I watch the planes land all day from my window view) and I live in one of the nearby beach cities. I drive to DL at least every other week and it doesn't take me more than 45 minutes (I drive pretty fast) and that's with morning traffic. Once you arrive at LAX and get into your rental car the drive to DL will probably take you about 30-45 minutes becasue at time of the evening you'll have no traffic. Flying into SNA is not work the extra money.

I agree with this. I'm almost in the same work & living areas, and have driven to DL from work at different times of the day. This is also my experience in driving there.

dvcterry · 08-26-2012, 02:33 PM

once you fly into LAX all car rentals have to take a shuttle to pick up their car. This adds on another 10 minutes or so after you've picked up your baggage. All of the rental companies provide shuttle service door to door but they are offsite, so account for that extra drive once you land at LAX, especially since you have a later arrival.

hambirg · 09-04-2012, 10:55 AM

Have you looked into flying into LGB? I don't know how that works out of Chicago, but from Seattle we usually find it to be cheaper than SNA and less of a hassle than LAX. Just a thought.

Travelingdad · 09-04-2012, 10:58 AM

Also factor in the extra time to get your rental and out of LAX, always a mess. Ontario can be a good option.

08-23-2012, 08:48 PM	#1
soxyes Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lake in the Hills, Illinois Posts: 292	Drive from LAX to Disneyland? Greetings! We're taking the kids for their first trip to DL over spring break! They've been to WDW plenty of times, but this will be a first for them. We're all very excited! Anyway, we fly out of OHare or Midway. It looks like we'll probably fly into LAX. We'd prefer SNA, but the rates are significantly different. So, here's the question... if we arrive at LAX late on a Friday night (9-10:30), how long do you think the drive to DL will be? I guess I'm trying to figure out how much the convenience of SNA is worth? I'm guessing it's about $500-600 more. What do you think? TIA

08-26-2012, 02:33 PM	#7
dvcterry DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: CT Posts: 1,633	once you fly into LAX all car rentals have to take a shuttle to pick up their car. This adds on another 10 minutes or so after you've picked up your baggage. All of the rental companies provide shuttle service door to door but they are offsite, so account for that extra drive once you land at LAX, especially since you have a later arrival. __________________ Terry

09-04-2012, 10:55 AM	#8
hambirg Has tooted quietly in church Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Washington Posts: 2,401	Have you looked into flying into LGB? I don't know how that works out of Chicago, but from Seattle we usually find it to be cheaper than SNA and less of a hassle than LAX. Just a thought. __________________ DL offsite 1973 DL offsite 1981 WDW offsite 1981 DL offsite-Desert Inn Jan 2001 WDW Coronado Springs Dec 2003 WDW Port Orleans French Quarter Oct 2004 DL offsite-Desert Inn Oct. 2005

09-04-2012, 10:58 AM	#9
Travelingdad Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 221	Also factor in the extra time to get your rental and out of LAX, always a mess. Ontario can be a good option. __________________ If you are going to collect pins.... collect the Villains!

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08-24-2012, 12:37 AM	#2
StageTek It's kind of fun to do the impossible. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 620	I would say 45 minutes at the shortest. Could be up to 75.

08-24-2012, 04:41 AM	#3
jdb in AZ It could end up curdled Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,351	That late at night, the freeways "should" be relatively fast. Have you checked to see if the car rental agency will still be open? Don't plan your return to LAX during "rush" hour and you should be fine.

08-24-2012, 10:54 AM	#5
soxyes Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lake in the Hills, Illinois Posts: 292	Thanks everyone! I think we'll likely settle on LAX. Good point on making sure the car rental will still be open. I guess I need to figure out when we plan to land first, huh? Thanks again!