Flying in at 1 a.m. - what's the best travel plan to DL?

[ced140]

Wanted to see if I could get opinions from those experienced with L.A.-Disneyland travel about which of these two options (or something totally different!) would be my best bet.

My flight lands at LAX at 1 a.m. Saturday morning. I'll be flying in for the Tinker Bell half that will take place the next day (Sunday), so I'm trying not to burn the candle at both ends that weekend. While I love to save money, my biggest concern is being rested enough for Sunday. Also, the less stress the better.

Option 1 ($454 for travel and hotel night):
Take a Super Shuttle to Disneyland Hotel right after my flight lands and stay there for the night. I'm thinking the traffic situation will be better on this one. Has anyone ever used a Super Shuttle this late? Did everything run smoothly?

Option 2 ($210 for travel and hotel night):
Take free shuttle to an airport hotel and stay near the airport overnight. Wake up and take the hotel shuttle back to the airport early-ish in the morning. Then, take Disneyland Express to the Disneyland Hotel.

So, savvy L.A. travelers: which makes more sense?

 

[valiamo]

I would go for the Disney Option, but would take one of the private shuttles. You will have a driver waiting for you at the arrivals gate, a quick trip to the hotel, and you can rest at the hotel on Saturday, do a warm-up and be ready for the race on Sunday.

Second option, has you doing too many changes and will have a hectic day on Saturday. Check in time is not until 4, and you will waste a day just moving between hotels.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Get to DL that night then you can sleep till the last minute in the am.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You should note that if you elect to stay in the Disneyland Hotel, likely arriving sometime around 3 am, you're spending a lot of money for a room you won't really enjoy.

 

[sheetz]

Depends on how you feel you can function at 1am. If you think you'll be very tired then you should stay overnight at the airport. Also you should always plan for fight delays. If you stay at the airport I would just take Uber from your hotel to Anaheim rather than taking the Disneyland Express.

 

[bumbershoot]

I like being where I'm going to be. Staying at the airport means you won't have a room in Anaheim until something like 3pm. That's a long day without a place to rest, when flying my overnight and with an early morning the next day.

On the other hand you'll be at the expo for part of it, and making sure you don't nap will help you go to sleep early and wake up earlier.

I'd do Karmel Shuttle, because I personally like them more.

 

[ced140]

Thank you for all the tips! Those are all good points, especially spending (more like wasting) a lot of the day traveling. Also hadn't considered uber. I'm probably now leaning toward the less hectic option - and getting the traveling out of the way

 

[grnflash]

I would do neither. I would uber to a cheaper hotel near DL, then uber over to DLH in the morning. DLH will give you a room as soon as one is available, you won't be waiting until anywhere near 3pm for your room. We've checked in as early as 6:30am. The only time we needed to wait the room was ready by 10.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would guess that by Tinkerbell weekend Uber will be allowed to pick up at LAX, but last I read it's not happening yet.

http://www.laweekly.com/news/it-could-be-halloween-before-uber-can-pick-you-up-at-lax-6027137

They voted to allow it, but now Uber and Lyft have to apply and jump through the hoops.

So just make sure Uber is picking up there for your trip, before you decide to not make arrangements with another company.