Flying into Lax this weekend...

[farmfresh2]

We are heading to DL from overseas, (regular DL visitors) arriving Sunday...and we are seeing some pretty scary news about federal military deployments into the area. I know it's a big place, but at one point the 101 was closed. Any thoughts on best strategies from airport? We don't want to cancel but it feels like this is just getting started.

 

[LAS2AMS]

The activity that’s taking place is nowhere near the touristy areas, especially if you’re just going from LAX to DLR.

 

[RedHead0186]

Reports from people in Los Angeles say it's not nearly as bad as what's being portrayed. Yes, there is some deployment happening, but a lot of it is trumped up. You should be fine!

 

[Mathmagicland]

We are heading to DL from overseas, (regular DL visitors) arriving Sunday...and we are seeing some pretty scary news about federal military deployments into the area. I know it's a big place, but at one point the 101 was closed. Any thoughts on best strategies from airport? We don't want to cancel but it feels like this is just getting started.

Are you planning to go between DL and Universal? That route goes where the 5 merges into the 101 (the 110 crosses the 101 here as well) in the downtown LA and is the general area where most of the happenings are taking place. If you are going LAX to DL, you should be OK as that route is south of downtown and never goes on the 101.

 

[gottalovepluto]

...We don't want to cancel but it feels like this is just getting started.

Frankly, if you don't feel it's a safe time to go you shouldn't go. If you don't feel safe, you aren't going to have a good vacation because your anxiety will be off the charts. Even if you feel safe at Disneyland you could spend the whole trip freaking out about getting back to LAX to go home. Disneyland isn't going anywhere.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Don't go to downtown LA - you'll be fine. Frankly that's my best advice in the best of times. If you are just going to DL there is no reason why you would. Take the 405 south to the 605 or 22 and you are good to go.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Frankly, if you don't feel it's a safe time to go you shouldn't go. If you don't feel safe, you aren't going to have a good vacation because your anxiety will be off the charts. Even if you feel safe at Disneyland you could spend the whole trip freaking out about getting back to LAX to go home. Disneyland isn't going anywhere.

Scaremongering. The activity is contained to non-touristy areas and by most reports is being dramatized by political theater. There are no disruptions on the roadways.

I was at DLR this weekend and it was business as usual.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Scaremongering. The activity is contained to non-touristy areas and by most reports is being dramatized by political theater. There are no disruptions on the roadways.

I was at DLR this weekend and it was business as usual.

Agree with all of this except that the agitators (I would not call them protesters) have managed to close down part of the freeway downtown. It does not affect OP though.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Scaremongering. The activity is contained to non-touristy areas and by most reports is being dramatized by political theater.

OP literally said they “feel” it’s just getting started. Reality doesn’t matter in that context. Would I hesitate to go to DL? No. Does that matter? Nope. If OP doesn’t feel safe, they will not have a good time.

 

[China Expat]

I disagree with the notion these are non touristy areas. Grand park is right across from our amazing concert hall and theaters and was made a mess of yesterday. I guess of you are not going toward the federal buildings or music center you are fine.

 

[evilmommie]

Are you landing at LAX and then heading straight to DLR? Or are you heading to Hollywood/LA to start your trip? Your post doesn't give specifics. You won't be taking the 101 to Disneyland. Current drive time to DLR from LAX is 55 min @ 5:50pm.

 

[LAS2AMS]

OP literally said they “feel” it’s just getting started. Reality doesn’t matter in that context. Would I hesitate to go to DL? No. Does that matter? Nope. If OP doesn’t feel safe, they will not have a good time.

Most people try to overcome irrational fears. But then again, this is a Disney forum…

 

[Tink3815]

News is reporting protests have now started in Santa Ana which is on the way to Disney from LAX. Google maps show as 6.7 miles on I-5 Santa Ana to Disneyland.

 

[LKing]

News is reporting protests have now started in Santa Ana which is on the way to Disney from LAX. Google maps show as 6.7 miles on I-5 Santa Ana to Disneyland.

Coming from LAX, Santa Ana is past Disneyland.

@farmfresh2 , if you are staying near Disneyland and not driving (other than to and from the airport) then there is nothing to worry about. There are multiple freeways that one can take from LAX to Disneyland. You are more likely to encounter traffic because of an accident than because of protests in DTLA or near federal buildings.

Edit to add: Looking at your recent posts, it sounds like you are staying at the GCH. If so, you will be well insulated from the outside world.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We are heading to DL from overseas, (regular DL visitors) arriving Sunday...and we are seeing some pretty scary news about federal military deployments into the area. I know it's a big place, but at one point the 101 was closed. Any thoughts on best strategies from airport? We don't want to cancel but it feels like this is just getting started.

Edit to add: Looking at your recent posts, it sounds like you are staying at the GCH. If so, you will be well insulated from the outside world.

OP, I agree with @LKing. We were in the parks this past weekend and did not notice anything scary or disruptive In the parks, GCH, or DTD.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I am in Los Angeles now, there is minimal disruption to 99% of our lives beyond the traffic disruption (but no worse than when they shut down the freeways and streets because a sitting president is in town to hit donors up for money)…what’s being shown on the news is maximum drama for ratings.

If I was not an American citizen, I would be far more concerned about the occasional detentions at the border than my safety in California, especially if I planned to be at DLR the entire time. If you are nervous about bad traffic jams or being close to protests, there’s also the option of flying into SNA, but coming from overseas I assume that requires a connection.

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

LA and Southern California in general are gigantic urban sprawls that you can easily access a lot of tourist attractions without having to get near DTLA. Most of the "action" is confined to relatively small areas despite what you'd see on the news or online echo chambers.

 

[BrianL]

Reports from people in Los Angeles say it's not nearly as bad as what's being portrayed. Yes, there is some deployment happening, but a lot of it is trumped up. You should be fine!

Interesting phrase there. I kind of figured it wasn't quite as widespread as they make it seem, though at the same time, some of the stuff going on is still rather terrible. I wouldn't worry about it though if I were going to the Disneyland area. I'm sure it's fine there - maybe factor in a little extra travel time if anything spills over onto the route to/from LAX.

 

[MillauFr]

I would be more concerned about getting rejected at passport control.

 

[Pyxie]

I would be more concerned about getting rejected at passport control.

If they have all necessary documentation and are entering the country legally, they aren't going to be rejected. They may need to allow for extra time at passport control, but they'll get through.

Unless they happen to be in one of the countries that are affected by the travel ban, but I kind of doubt that.