LAX Construction - travel to Disneyland

[rthib]

My college age daughter and friend are traveling to LAX for a Disneyland trip.
Just saw a press release about horrible traffic and construction in Sept at LAX.

Any recommendations on how to avoid the mess to get to Disneyland and back?
They are college students so cost is a factor also.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Do you mean an alternate airport to fly into? That's SNA for DL. If you just mean avoiding traffic at LAX I saw this article with a thorough run down of what is happening where. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_r...nstruction-expected-to-cause-passenger-delays

In all honesty they're just going to have to deal with whatever they find. That's the nature of travel & LAX is a great introduction to a massive yet inefficient airport. Don't let the media freak you out, millions of people a year travel through LAX successfully. LAX is & has been under "major construction" for years now. (And will continue to be for years to come.) It's always a traffic disaster- but then so is the rest of LA! Baggage claim can take FOREVER. And car rentals are a pain. This is par for the course at LAX. In general people seem to budget 2-3 hours to get to DL depending on the time of day. Some people get lucky and do it in less! The only place they'll save time is in transit to DL. They undoubtedly know about Uber & Lyft and using those should come close in cost to SuperShuttle without the time loss of picking up/dropping off other people.

 

[Darkbeer1]

You have both John Wayne/Orange County/Santa Ana (SNA) and Long Beach (LGB), both are 14 miles from the DLR.

I prefer Long Beach. Both LGB and SNA rental car pickup is right next to the Terminal.

 

[paintingoncelluloid]

Yeah, at LAX there pretty much is no "avoiding the mess," there is merely "accepting the mess" and "saving time for the mess." Probably the only thing they can do to save time is not check bags (and, even then, hope they aren't forced to gate check at boarding). But even though things are slow, and with construction things can be confusing, it's not like the airport doesn't function. The single best thing they can do is just give themselves plenty of time.

People might also have more specific advice about navigating depending on if your daughter wants to rent a car, or take a shuttle/cab/bus&train, etc.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Uggghhhh - we usually do SNA but are flying in and out of LAX this time. What time would be safe to leave for a 7:50 pm international (Canada) flight given the current state of construction?

 

[Darkbeer1]

What day of the week Newbie Mouse?

Will you be returning a rental car?

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

As opposed to the horrible traffic on the freeways between LAX and DLR? If cost is a factor, LAX will almost certainly be the cheapest airport to fly into, and a shuttle like SuperShuttle the cheapest transfer option.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I disagree with LAX being the cheapest, Southwest, JetBlue and Alaska all fly into LGB and/or SNA.

I would do the true shopping and not just go to a default...

And then, if the transportation from LAX costs say, an extra $50 each way, and then the time you save in less driving to the DLR, a visitor should look at all their options and overall costs.

Same with Hotels/Motels, you need to look at the free meals they offer (mainly breakfast), parking fees, WiFi fees, etc. Plus then access to the parks, and other places such as off property shops and restaurants, which are a lot cheaper. Better to go to CVS/Walgreens and grab a quart of milk and some cereal than the GCH.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I disagree with LAX being the cheapest, Southwest, JetBlue and Alaska all fly into LGB and/or SNA.

I would do the true shopping and not just go to a default...

And then, if the transportation from LAX costs say, an extra $50 each way, and then the time you save in less driving to the DLR, a visitor should look at all their options and overall costs.

Same with Hotels/Motels, you need to look at the free meals they offer (mainly breakfast), parking fees, WiFi fees, etc. Plus then access to the parks, and other places such as off property shops and restaurants, which are a lot cheaper. Better to go to CVS/Walgreens and grab a quart of milk and some cereal than the GCH.

Southwest is always cheapest into LAX, due to fewer flights and fewer direct flights into SNA and LGB. the other two airports are convenience airports for SWA, but you pay for it. Shuttles are also cheaper from LAX to DLR than from LGB to DLR, and there are more transfer options overall at LAX. All you get from SNA is a shorter cab ride, and from LGB sometimes you don't even get that.

 

[SMD]

Southwest is always cheapest into LAX, due to fewer flights and fewer direct flights into SNA and LGB. the other two airports are convenience airports for SWA, but you pay for it. Shuttles are also cheaper from LAX to DLR than from LGB to DLR, and there are more transfer options overall at LAX. All you get from SNA is a shorter cab ride, and from LGB sometimes you don't even get that.

That's not true about SNA. There are some routes where Southwest fares are the same to LAX, BUR and SNA. I'm not sure about LGB because they've only been flying there for a few months. If there is a slight difference it's on routes where the flight to LAX is direct and to SNA there is a stop which incurs an additional fee for the segment, but that is a few dollars most of the time.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

That's not true about SNA. There are some routes where Southwest fares are the same to LAX, BUR and SNA. I'm not sure about LGB because they've only been flying there for a few months. If there is a slight difference it's on routes where the flight to LAX is direct and to SNA there is a stop which incurs an additional fee for the segment, but that is a few dollars most of the time.

Yes, but that's relative. Because there are fewer flights beyond LAX, cheap fares go fast. The time horizon to book them passes weeks further in advance than one can book SWA fares into LAX. That fare flexibility is part my point. My apologies, I should have been more specific about it.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Ok, I just used Google Flights picking the Bay Area (San Francisco) to the Southland, picking the first Monday thru Friday in October.

Cheapest was Spirit from OAK-LAX at $81, but they charge extra for everything, the next lowest was jetBlue from OAK to LGB at $112 RT.

So as stated, shop, look at alternative airports for both legs, and also look at extra fees such as baggage, and how much will you bring (many folks can do just one bag), also what type of deals do you have with Frequent Flyer miles and Credit Cards. Also reserved seating, some offer it at no extra charge, Southwest will place you a bit forward in their queue for $15, and then for Wi-Fi $8, some things that others don't charge for. I much prefer a true reserved seat, especially if I am travelling with a group.

I have a high level United FF miles, but try to not to use them for "puddle" jumpers.

Same with Hotels, I have lots of points for IHG, Marriott and Choice, but when it comes down to who is paying, I prefer Choice when it is coming out of my wallet.

And of course, the airports involved, as a SoCal, I avoid LAX if at all possible, and it has been that way for decades. Look at things like ease of access to rental car pickups. and just basic feel in regards to crowds and how the entire experience is....

So do your homework, only you know the exact dates of the trip, where you are coming from, and if you are a bit flexible in flight times/dates. Those are things we don't know.....

 

[SMD]

Yes, but that's relative. Because there are fewer flights beyond LAX, cheap fares go fast. The time horizon to book them passes weeks further in advance than one can book SWA fares into LAX. That fare flexibility is part my point. My apologies, I should have been more specific about it.

Sometimes exactly the same ≠ always cheapest into LAX.

I don't understand how what you're saying adds to the discussion. There's a road repaving project at LAX and construction. LAX publishes alerts. The OP saw one of those alerts. You expressed your bias against LA traffic, which may or may not be true at the time her daughter will be traveling. You added that LAX is always cheapest, which isn't true. The OP's options are to suggest her daughter check fares and ground transportation options from all local airports and weigh the total cost and convenience factors. Simply bashing all traffic or making absolute statements or clarifying by saying she's missed the opportunity to possibly get an equivalent fare isn't helpful. Although the first thing she should do is check to see if the tickets can even be changed. We have no info from the OP indicating that her daughter is even flying on Southwest, making any discussion about which airport moot.

 

[NewbieMouse]

What day of the week Newbie Mouse?

Will you be returning a rental car?

It's a Tuesday and yes, we will be returning a rental car. TIA!

 

[rthib]

They already have tickets - LAX was cheapest direct flight from MCO for them, so that is already set.
They are coming in for a weekend late Sept. No checked bags. How much time should they allow going and coming back. Will probably cab or uber or shuttle.

 

[Darkbeer1]

OK, let's work backwards NM....

7:50 AM flight, even though it is to Canada, it is treated as a domestic flight, since all the customs/immigration will be handled when you arrive. So you need to check in, go through security and that is about it. Alas, LAX is very busy in the early mornings. Presume you have a boarding pass and seats, I would say shortly after 6 AM to play it safe.

Next thing going backwards is the Rental Car, with a large group, I would drop everyone and the baggage off at the actual terminal, and then return the car by myself, and no need to hassle with luggage. Two of you, that depends on how you travel. Al rental cars at LAX are off-property and need to take a shuttle to LAX. Let's add about 30 minutes. (5:30 AM)

So now the drive to LAX from Disneyland, I would say just under a hour. My preferred route (2 or more people), 5 north, get in the carpool lane asap, take the special carpool exit to the 91 west, head over to the regular lanes shortly before the 605 north exit, take the 605 north to the 105 west, once again, back to the carpool lane, to the LAX area.

So you don't want to hear it, I would say 4:30 AM to play it safe...

Enjoy your visit.

 

[NewbieMouse]

OK, let's work backwards NM....

7:50 AM flight, even though it is to Canada, it is treated as a domestic flight, since all the customs/immigration will be handled when you arrive. So you need to check in, go through security and that is about it. Alas, LAX is very busy in the early mornings. Presume you have a boarding pass and seats, I would say shortly after 6 AM to play it safe.

Next thing going backwards is the Rental Car, with a large group, I would drop everyone and the baggage off at the actual terminal, and then return the car by myself, and no need to hassle with luggage. Two of you, that depends on how you travel. Al rental cars at LAX are off-property and need to take a shuttle to LAX. Let's add about 30 minutes. (5:30 AM)

So now the drive to LAX from Disneyland, I would say just under a hour. My preferred route (2 or more people), 5 north, get in the carpool lane asap, take the special carpool exit to the 91 west, head over to the regular lanes shortly before the 605 north exit, take the 605 north to the 105 west, once again, back to the carpool lane, to the LAX area.

So you don't want to hear it, I would say 4:30 AM to play it safe...

Enjoy your visit.

This such a detailed and incredibly wonderful response. You're my hero! But it's 7 :50 p.m. - so you think about 3.5 hours before still?

 

[Darkbeer1]

This such a detailed and incredibly wonderful response. You're my hero! But it's 7 :50 p.m. - so you think about 3.5 hours before still?

OOPS! OK, the check-in/security at LAX will be a bit quicker, but you are hitting afternoon rush hour on the freeways. Using the carpool lanes will help (except for the 91 to 605 area, which can be bad any time of the day). So yes, that is about right, once again, sorry, I haven't had enough coffee yet this morning....

 

[gilsan]

OK, let's work backwards NM....

7:50 AM flight, even though it is to Canada, it is treated as a domestic flight, since all the customs/immigration will be handled when you arrive. So you need to check in, go through security and that is about it. Alas, LAX is very busy in the early mornings. Presume you have a boarding pass and seats, I would say shortly after 6 AM to play it safe.

Next thing going backwards is the Rental Car, with a large group, I would drop everyone and the baggage off at the actual terminal, and then return the car by myself, and no need to hassle with luggage. Two of you, that depends on how you travel. Al rental cars at LAX are off-property and need to take a shuttle to LAX. Let's add about 30 minutes. (5:30 AM)

So now the drive to LAX from Disneyland, I would say just under a hour. My preferred route (2 or more people), 5 north, get in the carpool lane asap, take the special carpool exit to the 91 west, head over to the regular lanes shortly before the 605 north exit, take the 605 north to the 105 west, once again, back to the carpool lane, to the LAX area.

So you don't want to hear it, I would say 4:30 AM to play it safe...

Enjoy your visit.

Thanks, this is helpful for us. We have a flight to Canada on a Monday morning at 7am and dropping off a rental car. I was planning on leaving the hotel around 4am but maybe we will try for 3:30-3:45

 

[NewbieMouse]

OOPS! OK, the check-in/security at LAX will be a bit quicker, but you are hitting afternoon rush hour on the freeways. Using the carpool lanes will help (except for the 91 to 605 area, which can be bad any time of the day). So yes, that is about right, once again, sorry, I haven't had enough coffee yet this morning....

Again, so helpful - thank you! I love DISers.