Arriving at LAX 6:35am from Oz. How long for customs, baggage etc?

[backinoz]

Hoping for some help from other internationals who've arrived in LAX in the early morning.

Our flight is mean to arrive at 6:35am in early December, how long will it take to go through immigration, collect bags & clear customs etc.?

Given the first Disneyland Express bus leaves at 7.30, will we be out in time to be on it, or does it take ages and we'll have to wait for the next one at 8.30? Or... do we book a private shuttle (probably Execucar Express - seems best value for 3 of us at around $72 one way).

Thanks

 

[rosie2283]

Hoping for some help from other internationals who've arrived in LAX in the early morning.

Our flight is mean to arrive at 6:35am in early December, how long will it take to go through immigration, collect bags & clear customs etc.?

Given the first Disneyland Express bus leaves at 7.30, will we be out in time to be on it, or does it take ages and we'll have to wait for the next one at 8.30? Or... do we book a private shuttle (probably Execucar Express - seems best value for 3 of us at around $72 one way).

Thanks

We booked Karmel shuttle. They were fabulous. I booked a 9 passenger van. There were 5 of us so I knew we would have only to share with 4 more at the most. I believe it was about $100 round trip and definitely the best use of time. Driver was super quick and we ended up only having to share with one other person!

 

[Aussie Princess]

I've arrived from Sydney at around that time and it has taken me up to an hour to get through immigration before collecting bags and customs

I usually go with super shuttle the last time I was in Anaheim at 9

 

[jacs1234]

I think it will be really tight and you might not make it to the 7:30 bus. We hire a private stretch hummer or limo lol. And last time had them come into the airport with our name on a sign. It was great.

 

[minjo]

I think it will be really tight and you might not make it to the 7:30 bus. We hire a private stretch hummer or limo lol. And last time had them come into the airport with our name on a sign. It was great.

Which limo company did you use? We used the one that Disney Travel uses since we went through then but we had to call after we got our bags to have them pick us up curbside. We would love to have our name on a sign for once.

 

[greenkai3000]

Just to give you some perspective as to how crazy it is to go through US Customs...I'm a US Resident, and when I flew back to Dallas from Paris, our line (Citizens and Residents, as opposed to Tourists and Visitors) was at least 1hr wait. Granted DFW is quite a large airport, LAX customs has probably more traffic (visitors) going through. I would imagine it's going to take you just as long as it did us, if not longer But hopefully that won't be your case. Safe (and speedy) travels!

 

[Disneydreamsdancer]

Depends how many other flights are arriving at the same time. Ive been through in 30 minutes before and some times its well over an hour just standing in line! Id say you probably wont make the 7.30am disneyland express. Have a great trip!

 

[backinoz]

Thanks for the info you've all provided.

Think I'm gonna procrastinate a little longer before deciding what to do. Will check with a few friends that have flown into LAX from Brisbane and see what their recent experiences with immigration and customs were. I know when we were there last (in 2008), it only took us 35 minutes (there was a HUGE line for US residents, but not so big a wait for foreign visitors).

So I will wait for December park hours to be released, (to see how precious our time will be), and then decide if we should book a pick-up or try our luck with the Disneyland Express.

If anyone has experiences they'd like to share in the mean-time, please keep them coming

 

[miss.potatohead]

If you are flying with VAustralia - I have heard that they fly into one of the shared domestic/international terminals of LAX so it takes much less time to get through the customs/immigration fun...but don't quote me on that. Pop over to the Australian sub board (under Other Lands I think from the main forum) and some others may be a bit more help!

 

[Czardas]

I have never experienced getting through immigration quickly and I am amongst the first passengers off the plane.
We have twice now experienced our luggage being taken off the carousel before we can get out of immigration. I tend to always pick the dud queues
I would also recommend a town car pick up if you don't want to wait for the shuttle times.

 

[jacs1234]

Which limo company did you use? We used the one that Disney Travel uses since we went through then but we had to call after we got our bags to have them pick us up curbside. We would love to have our name on a sign for once.

I will look it up and let you know. We've been 4 times now and only had a man with a sign once, it depends on how big the car is, some can't fit in the car park so you have to call them to get them to drive through to get you, I hate waiting out the front for them, having to call them and they don't answer and worrying about that, it was so nice for him to meet us in the airport and walk us to the car.
This next trip will be my first flying with virgin.