Las Vegas to Disneyland: Fly or Drive?

[jsmla]

We are flying in to attend a wedding in Las Vegas and plan to visit Disneyland afterward. I see that it's a four hour drive or a one hour flight. I'm thinking, though, that getting to and messing around with shuttles and in the airports will even the time factor out.

I've done a bit of price checking and it looks like flying would be cheaper by quite a bit, especially when factoring in car rental and the parking fee at DLH. We'd probably have to check luggage though-it's a themed wedding and we'll have costumes as well as rehearsal dinner wear with us. DH's shoes alone would fill a carry-on!

I've also poked around the different airport transportation options and they seem to be either time consuming or pricey. Our time at DL is limited and I don't want to spend it waiting around the airport or seeing all of Anaheim from aboard a shuttle bus.

DH enjoys the West and likes driving out there. Is there anything to see between Vegas and DL? Which do you think would be the better option? Right now I'm leaning toward driving, it just feels like less of a hassle.

Thanks!

 

[keishashadow]

jhmo it's well worth it to grab a SWA flight out of LAS into SNA. have never paid more than $90, im sittting on tix for Oct that only cost $50-something pp

we tend to book a property in south strip that departs in late am, leave the resort less than 2 hours prior and always have plenty of time. it's an efficient airport vs many we've experienced.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

There is nothing of note to see on that drive; I think it is rather boring. You might find this of interest:

http://californiathroughmylens.com/stops-drive-la-vegas

The drive can be longer than 4 hours if you hit traffic.

I have taken the Super Shuttle from LAX (much cheaper to fly into than SNA for me) to Disneyland; it was pretty quick and convenient.

 

[jsmla]

Thanks, I'll pass this along to DH! If we fly we want SNA, right? I'm more interested in cutting commuting time than, within reason, cost. How are the private limo-type services between SNA and DL?

 

[Imdboss]

Last Dec we were in Anaheim for a Xmas party and planned to drive to Vegas but the rental car price was more than both of us flying so we opted to fly. I would definitely fly vs driving, it will be faster. We are in Vegas several times a year and leave the hotel about 1.5 hours before our flight leaves and always have plenty of time. SNA is a small airport so you will be out of there really quick, even with checked bags. Take a taxi or Uber (that's what we use) and you'll be to your hotel in 20-30 minutes.

 

[maltdizzy]

Used to drive and motorcycle from LA to Vegas a lot.

Not much along the route.

It's 100 miles of mostly nothing from Vegas to Baker, California...there are a trio of Casinos at the State border, but the rest is desert...not painted desert, not vistas of bluffs...just dry country. In Baker, Ca., they advertise the world's tallest thermometer (a digital thermometer on top of high pole) and the west's best Gyrops (never tried one).

It's another 100 miles of nothing from Baker to Barstow. Barstow has the Calico Ghost Town, originally started by the Knott's family...they had bought up several ghost towns in California for props for Knott's Berry Farm, and opened Calico as an homage (and tourist trap)...it's actually fun. My aunt describes Barstow as, "that poor, pathetic town, they really thought they would be the next thing." But it is a small city, with shopping and restaurants.

From Barstow in the LA area, you go over the San Bernardino Mtns and into the "Inland Empire" a stretch of urban/suburban living so large most of the U.S. wouldn't comprehend unless they see it.

It's 4 hours on a good day (late at night, middle of the day, middle of the week), but it can be 6-8 hours when traffic is bad, especially near weekends. It's mostly two lanes each way on I-15 with no alternate route, so once traffic backs up it's there until nightfall Once into the Inland Empire, alternate routes are abundant.

 

[Geemo]

Have you thought about shipping all the Wedding items home before you go to Disneyland?

That would make traveling to DLR a little lighter luggage wise.

Geemo

 

[jani3]

Depends on when you're going and what time of day you're planning to drive. My friends just drove from Vegas to LA last Saturday and it took 8.5 hours. There's construction on the I-15 while going through the San Bernardino mountains: number of lanes reduced, some exits closed, southbound lanes diverted/crossed over to the northbound side which caused confusion and accidents. Anyway, she said it's a nightmare and her frustrated kids drove her nuts too.

So check the construction timeline and see when that's over.

 

[goooof1]

Fly into SNA and taxi to your hotel. Easy and around $40/45. As PP suggested.....ship home all luggage you won't need..(great idea!)

 

[goofyfordisney]

Thanks, I'll pass this along to DH! If we fly we want SNA, right? I'm more interested in cutting commuting time than, within reason, cost. How are the private limo-type services between SNA and DL?

I would fly! If you haven't already done so, sign up for SW weekly deal emails -- every Tuesday they publish lower rates.

As far as a private limo between SNA and DL -- we've always used Sunny's Transportation https://www.affordabletowncarservices.com. We've done this a few time and its great! Sunny (Sanjay) has been there waiting for us before the plane even lands! So nice and both cars we've been in were clean and in good condition (Suburban and a towncar).

 

[JenniSurf]

We're doing the opposite this Sept. DL first for 5 days then driving to Vegas for 5 days, for us it just made sense to drive. We used to live in AZ and drove to Vegas all the time (which was 6 hours) so 4 didn't seem like a big deal & when we factored in the cost of flights with uber/taxi transfers it was cheaper to rent the car. We pick up our car Fri morning and return it in Vegas Sat afternoon, we only pay for 1 day of parking at the hotel & it allows us to hit up our fave restaurant in Huntington Beach for a sunset dinner on our last night in CA. There are plenty of car rental places around DL. I would drop the bags at the hotel, return the car and walk back rather than pay for parking. Good luck & safe travels with whatever you choose!

 

[calilou]

The traffic can be absolutely horrible from Vegas into LA. I would fly as long as you're flying into SNA/John Wayne.

 

[tarheelalum]

Flying always beats driving.