Advice needed on travel time from John Wayne in the morning

[OB1]

LOCAL ADVICE NEEDED:

This will be a first time trip to DL. I will be attending our World Conference in Palm Springs at the end of SEP, and plan to take the last 2 days in SEP at DL & CA. I will be driving from Palm Springs to John Wayne airport on THURS morning. The plan is to take the shuttle from there to the hotel, and then return on SAT morning for my flight back east.

SO . . . . . what will my travel time/traffic be on a THURS morning. I would like to be a DL for park opening. My current plan is to take the supershuttle. I am think arrive at the airport around 7:00am to get to the Best Western near DL in time to check my bag and head out to the park.

Thanks in advance - and REALLY looking forward to this trip. I will be solo, but I have done this over the last 10 years at WDW during a similar business trip.

 

[lalasmama]

I plan on an hour to get from the airport to the hotel, but it's never actually taken that long... I just feel rushed otherwise.

 

[OB1]

Thanks lalasmama. I will be on the supershuttle, which may have other stops, so that takes longer. I was also concerned about morning traffic.

I have 2 fulls days to experience both parks, and want to use all of the day. I worked this out to be there before the weekend, so hopefully not too busy.

 

[SuperRob]

Thanks lalasmama. I will be on the supershuttle, which may have other stops, so that takes longer. I was also concerned about morning traffic.

Traffic won't be the prevailing issue, the number of stops will be. If you're unlucky, you'll have several individuals all with different stops, all before yours. That could eat a couple hours. If you're lucky, it'll be just one group, and they'll be going the same place you are. If you're really concerned about the time, don't take the shuttle. Get an Lyft/Uber or some other direct method.

 

[SMD]

Why not just keep the rental car and go straight to the hotel, skipping the SNA stop? 2 additional days of a rental car plus whatever your BW charges for parking can't be that much more than 2 shuttle rides.

 

[ParkHopper1]

If you are time sensitive DO NOT take SupperShuttle. Cab or Uber it...20-30 min ride on demand rather than waiting for a shuttle and Gawd knows how many stops till they drop you off.

 

[bumbershoot]

Why not just keep the rental car and go straight to the hotel, skipping the SNA stop? 2 additional days of a rental car plus whatever your BW charges for parking can't be that much more than 2 shuttle rides.

Absolutely.

Not to mention having to get off the freeway, return the car, walk to the shuttle area, etc; there's enough wasted time in there that they could nearly be to their hotel by the time the shuttle leaves the airport.

 

[OB1]

Thanks to all of you with some excellent ideas. I may just keep the car and take my chances that I won't get totally lost (I'm bad even with the GPS). The car will only cost $3 to keep for the extra 2 days since it becomes a week long rental. I also think I have free parking at the hotel.

 

[Imdboss]

Thanks to all of you with some excellent ideas. I may just keep the car and take my chances that I won't get totally lost (I'm bad even with the GPS). The car will only cost $3 to keep for the extra 2 days since it becomes a week long rental. I also think I have free parking at the hotel.

Getting around the area is quite easy. I just drove in CA for the first time. Kids and I drove from LA to DL twice and never got lost. I had my phone on Google Maps to navigate us, DD (12) held the phone, I'd listen to what it said and verify with her. Plus the street signs in DL area make things very easy to navigate.

 

[minniegirl25]

We just did Uber this past weekend from SNA to Grand Legacy at the park hotel $18 each way, took us about 15 minutes to & from. I will only Uber from now on, the shuttles take too long. There was 4 of us so Uber was also cheaper for us, even after I tipped the drivers. I have fallen in love with Uber!

 

[Brock552]

It would be much less of a hassle to keep the rental and drive to Disneyland. Finding your way around LA isn't too bad.

 

[Keels]

I landed this morning at 8, had to wait for my bag and then called my Uber. I was at the Fairfield Inn by 8:30 (after checking in) and was walking through bag check at the Esplanade at 10 til 9, when I realized I needed to kill an hour before the park opened, so I went to UVA Bar for breakfast and a mimosa.

It was perfect. My UberX cost $16.28.

 

[Keels]

Also, driving is incredibly easy. I've done it to-from Santa Monica multiple times, you'll be fine!

 

[MillauFr]

Yes keep the rental car and drive from Palm Springs to Disney on Thursday morning. I would take 10 -> 60 -> 57. The traffic will be pretty slow on the 91 through Corona and on the 57 but you will still save quite a bit of time over your other plan on going to SNA on the way.

 

[OB1]

AWESOME Suggestions everyone.
I will keep the car. My plan is to leave Palm Springs no later than 6:00. Google Maps reports a 2 hour drive, but I am giving myself 3 hours to get through traffic, and then from my hotel to park entrance. Only 3 1/2 weeks away, so getting pretty pumped for my trip.

 

[philliplc]

Different question than OP, but from SNA to DL does anyone just follow MacArther to Harbor and then north up Harbor? Seems convenient if you want to avoid the freeways and need to hit Walmart or Target on the way since goes right by both.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

You don't necessarily have to keep the rental car if you don't want to. Many rental companies have drop offs or full service near Disneyland. You might want to look into that. We have never paid a drop off fee for doing that either.

 

[minniegirl25]

Different question than OP, but from SNA to DL does anyone just follow MacArther to Harbor and then north up Harbor? Seems convenient if you want to avoid the freeways and need to hit Walmart or Target on the way since goes right by both.

When we have rented a car in the past that is the only way we will come & go from Disney to SNA. Avoids most traffic and of course avoids the dreaded California freeways.

 

[OB1]

The dreaded CA traffic is what started this thread since I will be traveling in around 8:00. I will try to be earlier if possible.

Will check the best route. I am staying at the Best Western Courtesy Inn, which is about 1 mile away. Should be easy enough once I get in the general area.

 

[bumbershoot]

We just drove from San Diego to LA this morning and the only thing dreaded about the traffic at 8am was how slow it was.