Anyone Familiar With The DL Area?

[CamColt]

We are going to be making our first trip out west this summer. Obviously we have no clue about the area and transportation. What we are thinking of doing is flying into Long Beach, then going to DL for a few days, then on to the Magic for a cruise. Our return flight will be late on the day we get off the ship so we would like to spend that day exploring LA, but we will have all our luggage with us.
So my question for the experts is, what would you suggest is the best way to do all this? Would a rental car for the whole 12 days be the best way to go or would it be a waste of money since we really wont use it much except for the last day? Im saying that about the last day because I assume an official "tour" is out of the question with all our luggage. Would bus transfers be a better deal than to rent a car for the whole time? If so is there a rental car place near the port where we could get a car that also has a place at the airport where we could drop it off at?
Thanks for any help. As Im sure you can tell I have a lot to learn about CA over the next 10 months.

 

[jayally]

We live locally and go to Disneyland all the time. Personally you will get more out of your trip by renting a car unless you are fine with a limited number of restaurants and attractions close to your hotel and some hotels are out of the way. Nothing is very close in california and public transporation is almost non existant. Southern CA is all about driving and freeways and usually that is the only way to see what you want to see. Long beach is not too close to Disney, neither is John Wayne airport, probably as far away as Orlando airport is to Disneyworld. With luggage I think the least hectic thing to do is rent a car and be able to go where you want, when you want. But then I like to have the freedom to make lots of choices when I travel. Car rentals are usually cheaper if you rent for 2 full weeks instead of 12 days or 1 week instead of 6 days. Go figure!

 

[Judy from Boise]

I am not sure i would end my trip "exploring LA". It might be better to just pick one thing to do that you know you will enjoy. Mary Jo has a nice thread "stuck" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=567683p

that might help. There is a beautifull aquiriam right at LB. I bet they would have lockers which might eliminate the need for a car. I personally never rent a car on my Disney trip. Part of the relaxation is leaving the driving to others !