A timing question (LAX-CCI-DL)

[Zippa D Doodah]

We arrive June 13 at 4pm at LAX. Considering that we have to grab luggage, take a shuttle to a nearby car rental agency, navigate our way to CCI, then check in and unwind a bit -about how long should all that take, roughly estimating?
And I notice that DL is open until midnight. What would be some good things to try and do (2 adults, 2 kids ages 14 and 11) for a few hours at DL that first night? This will be our first DLR trip.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

If everything is on time, I'd say probably about 3 hours or less. But another thing to keep in mind--where are you coming from? If you're coming from North Carolina, you're body is going to feel 3 hours ahead. So if you get to the resort by 7:00pm local time, you will feel like it's 10pm, and if you stay at the park until Midnight, then that's 3am your time and you'll probably be exhausted the next morning. If it were me, I'd save the money on park entrance for that day and just walk around DTD or something and give your body some time to adjust to the time change.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

If everything is on time, I'd say probably about 3 hours or less. But another thing to keep in mind--where are you coming from? If you're coming from North Carolina, you're body is going to feel 3 hours ahead. So if you get to the resort by 7:00pm local time, you will feel like it's 10pm, and if you stay at the park until Midnight, then that's 3am your time and you'll probably be exhausted the next morning. If it were me, I'd save the money on park entrance for that day and just walk around DTD or something and give your body some time to adjust to the time change.

Yeah, I probably won't do a whole lot that evening one way or the other. But I do have an "extra" day to enter the parks so was thinking about simple things to do as an appetizer for the next day. It's been a while since I've flown to CA so will definitely obey what my body is telling me upon arrival. Usually jet lag (over even greater distances) is not a problem for me or DW. But I don't know how the kids will fare.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

I'd watch the fireworks or maybe try catching Fantasmic depending on what time you actually get here. You can hop on the train and circle the park to get excited about what you'll be doing the rest of the trip. The Monorail will give you a peek of DCA as well. I love riding the Jungle Cruise at night, or any of the rides where you aren't inside a building that might whet your appetite for what's to come. A nice walk around for the atmosphere, a ride on the train, a quick service light dinner, and a good spot for the fireworks or Fantasmic would be a great first night I think.