How bad is it really from LAX?

[HauntedMansionFan]

So I have heard horror stories of people driving or taking the shuttle from LAX to Disneyland.... like it taking 2 hours travel time. Last time I went to Disneyland I flew into SNA and it only took like 25 minutes which was nice. The reason I ask is that United has a non stop flight from Boston for a great price, but wasn't sure if I should pay the $50 bucks extra and just fly into SNA. The flight that I'm looking at would fly into LAX at approx noon, would traffic be really bad at this time? And the flight going back would leave at like 10 a.m., which I'm sure I'd hit rush hour traffic. Any thoughts?

 

[steen995]

I'm curious too.

HauntedMansionFan - I love Alias too!!!

 

[GalDisney]

Pay the extra 50.00 and fly into JWA/SNA, it will save you much aggrevation. SNA is a smaller airport than LAX, much easier to get in and of by car or however you will be going to DL.and will get you to Dland faster

 

[Kitty-chan]

Arriving at LAX around noon, you won't hit the worst of the LA traffic -- that's reserved for the morning and evening rush hours. But anytime you're driving through LA, there's some risk that you'll end up stuck in a bad traffic jam.

As for which airport to fly into . . . it's probably a topic on which reasonable people can disagree. I tend to fly into LAX because I try to consolidate my frequent flier miles, and United is my airline of choice. I've gone from LAX to DL three times, and only once did I hit real traffic (around 3PM on weekdays). The other times I was leaving LAX closer to noon, and didn't run into any major delays. But I can completely understand the appeal of smaller airports!

 

[CamColt]

I had to fly into LAX for the first time last fall and I was alone. I was really worried about how the airport would be, how would I get to DL on the shuttle, etc.. I was pleasantly surprised.

The airport itself was a piece of cake. I walked off the plane, started toward luggage claim,then took a quick bathroom break. I continued to luggage claim (which had clear directions) and as soon as I arrived, my bag was turning the corner of the carousel. I grabbed and it and again followed the clearly marked sign to the shared vans island outside. I was probably actualy in the airport for 10-15 minutes total.

The Super Shuttle rep was right there, I gave him my voucher and told him where I was going. I waited maybe 10 minutes for a van and we were on our way. There were other people in the van and we did have to make 1 stop before mine (not sure where it was, seemed to be an apartment complex). The ride itself was probably about 45 minutes, definitely under an hour and we didnt hit any stopped traffic the whole time. This was about 10:30-11:30am.

I would do it again.

 

[GailT]

I am flying into LAX at Christmas time, I am using my miles on Delta so going into another airport was not an option for me. I am just excited about going to DL and as far as traffic, I am going to be seeing different sights then when I get into traffic going into Boston. I am not sure what I would do if I wasn't using miles...is this your first trip to CA?

 

[Soccer Canada]

We flew into LAX in February and had no problem getting to and from the airport. The one problem we did have is getting the car back to the airport location of National Car Rental as it isnt on site at LAX you have to take a 5-10 minute shuttle ride. But in terms of traffic it wasnt too bad.. One word to the wise is on the way to Disneyland from the airport we took Manchester Ave (I think its ave, but its a major road right near the airport) and it took us FOREVER to get anywhere because it has a traffic light every 50 yards.. Much better to get on the freeway even if there is some traffic (and your comfortable in traffic)

Thanks
Robb

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

I am flying into LAX at Christmas time, I am using my miles on Delta so going into another airport was not an option for me. I am just excited about going to DL and as far as traffic, I am going to be seeing different sights then when I get into traffic going into Boston. I am not sure what I would do if I wasn't using miles...is this your first trip to CA?

It's my second time going... I was there last October and flew into SNA. Thank you all for the tips, I might just book into LAX because it IS non-stop and a bit cheaper. I'm not worried about the ride out as it will be at noon, but the ride in for the flight out of LAX leaves at 10:00 a.m., so driving in we will be hitting a brunt of the morning rush hour.

 

[Rapunsel]

LAX is not as bad as everyone thinks.. it is smaller than Orlando, Chicago Ohare, Dallas.... It was worse before they double deckered it for the 1984 olympics.. I've been flying there for 25 years and never had any trouble..

It can just be confusing. You can also use the carpool lane for 90% of the drive to Disneyland. That is both ways.. So take the cheaper flight and save the money to spend when you get there!

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

Thank you all!! I think I'm booking the flight that gets in to LAX at approx 10:30 a.m., so I won't hit the morning traffic getting out. The flight back leaves at 11:00 a.m., so I figure I might hit some traffic, but I'm thinking that I'm going to be taking the shuttle or the Disney bus. Can these modes of transportation use the HOV lanes also?

 

[CamColt]

I just realized you said you are coming from Boston. Have you checked out Jet Blue to Long Beach. We have done that twice and had no problem. Their fares are pretty good.
I was booked on Song to LAX for this February and 5 weeks before the trip they cancelled the flights. I was then able to find cheaper flights with Jet Blue.

 

[Kitty-chan]

Thank you all!! I think I'm booking the flight that gets in to LAX at approx 10:30 a.m., so I won't hit the morning traffic getting out. The flight back leaves at 11:00 a.m., so I figure I might hit some traffic, but I'm thinking that I'm going to be taking the shuttle or the Disney bus. Can these modes of transportation use the HOV lanes also?

I do believe any vehicle with enough occupants can use the HOV lane -- so the shuttles and Disney buses should certainly be able to.

And I noticed your comment above about LAX being a nonstop. That is always a question for me too -- nonstops not only generally mean less time in transit, but also less possibility of delays/cancellations because you're talking about fewer flights. (Can you tell I'm a paranoid, frequent business traveller? I've spent too much time stuck in airports and my brain has gone soft! )