LAX to Disneyland: Rideshare versus car rental experience?

[Becca43]

Hi all, I'll be travelling to Disneyland (good neighbour hotel) from LAX on an upcoming trip in January (I know, I know, but I can't get a direct flight to SNA from where I am so...better of two less than perfect options). Looking for advice about the best way to get to DL from LAX as a solo traveller who uses a rolling walker. Basically, it seems my best options are Uber/Lyft or renting a car, but I'm wondering if anyone can share which is better option in their opinion: the shuttle and waiting at LAXit for a rideshare or dealing with the car rental places in the airport? For context, I will be travelling in the early afternoon on a weekday.

I'd love to know a bit more about how each experience works so I know what to expect.... price-wise both look like they will be similar, so less concerned about that. My priority is essentially causing myself minimal stress lol, so I'm trying to figure out which is most likely to have a quick, smooth process. I'd prefer not to take the shuttle for LAXit if I don't have to, but I know some car rental places will have shuttles also. And I don't want to then also be waiting in line forever to get my rental, even with a reservation, but I've never rented a car there before to know if the long lines you get at some airports are common or not. I so wish there was an easy answer for DL like Mears for WDW, but any insight you can share would be a big help! Thanks in advance!

 

[sayhello]

Have you checked out Long Beach airport? I try to always fly into LGB. It's WAY smaller, and super easy and quick to get either a rideshare or a rental car from there to Disneyland. And much closer to Disneyland than LAX. I've done it both ways and found the rideshare a tad simpler (mostly because I don't use the rental car at all while at Disneyland) but they were both great options.

Sayhello

 

[Becca43]

Thanks for the suggestion! I can't get direct flights this time of year to anywhere other than LAX, unfortunately, though. Struggles of travelling during the off-season? (We've only got two airlines that even fly direct routes to LAX this time of year from here, I believe.) But will definitely keep LGB in mind for future trips!

 

[Louis63]

Renting a car usually adds a parking a parking fee at the hotel, if you use uber black or lyft black they can pick up at the terminal

 

[Hyphen677]

If you are flying Southwest, the rideshare pickup area at LAX is close and easy. I haven't flown out of any of the other terminals. It usually takes us between 45 minutes to an hour to get to Disneyland.

 

[LAS2AMS]

You can request an Uber/ Lyft as soon as you land, and the apps are intelligent enough to “wait” until you’re near the LAX-It lot to process the ride request. It even knows if you’re on the shuttle or walking (for the average person, the lot is 15-20 minute walk from the furthest terminal).

The major car rental companies have programs that you can enroll into for free that will allow you to skip the line. I generally rent through Avis for example - an hour or two before my scheduled arrival, I get a notification of my assigned car. I just get into the car and drive off.

The ride share option will be faster than renting a at, but a car gives you flexibility. You can get groceries, eat better food for less, etc.

A rideshare will cost $65-$80 (unless you hit rush hour traffic) each way. A rental car may cost more, given the rental cost, parking fees and fuel (currently around $4/gallon in Anaheim - more toward LAX). If you pick a value car rental agency, stick with reputable ones like Fox and avoid ones like Ace — which will publish low prices, offer ridiculous cars that don’t exist (manual transmission pick-ups) and try to get you to pay extra for more reasonable options. You’ll pay more than you would’ve if you had rented elsewhere to begin with.

 

[Becca43]

Thanks for your thoughts, all. I didn’t realize you could also walk to LAXit if you wanted to, so that’s good to know.

For the rental cars, are there any that offer pick up directly at the terminals or do they all shuttle to nearby lots? Even going with a standard car rental agency (vs budget) looks like it will be on par or cheaper when you factor in the exchange rate, to be honest (incl. gas). Just want to make sure it won’t be a total pain to pick up/drop off.

Also, if renting a car and driving, what are tolls like from LAX to Disney? Can you avoid them? I know you have some freeways in LA but the whole toll roads situation in the US is majorly confusing when you’re not from the US.

Thanks again!

 

[dina444444]

Thanks for your thoughts, all. I didn’t realize you could also walk to LAXit if you wanted to, so that’s good to know.

For the rental cars, are there any that offer pick up directly at the terminals or do they all shuttle to nearby lots? Even going with a standard car rental agency (vs budget) looks like it will be on par or cheaper when you factor in the exchange rate, to be honest (incl. gas). Just want to make sure it won’t be a total pain to pick up/drop off.

Also, if renting a car and driving, what are tolls like from LAX to Disney? Can you avoid them? I know you have some freeways in LA but the whole toll roads situation in the US is majorly confusing when you’re not from the US.

Thanks again!

All of the rental cars are offsite and require a shuttle. Starting in 2026 all the big names will be in the conrac which will have the APM running to it.

Edit: there are no toll roads between lax and Disneyland.

 

[Mommb]

I avoid driving in Southern California whenever possible. I always end up in the wrong lane on the freeways, and crossing 4 or 5 lanes of traffic to get to the exit I need is stressful.

If you won’t have need for a car while at Disneyland, I would go with a car service.

 

[RainyDayPixie]

Unless you are used to driving in a big city, I would just use the ride share. You have to really “drive with purpose” in So Cal, it can be intimidating.

I would say it’s about the same shuttling to rental car v shuttling to ride share. Closer to ride share I bet.

Last trip I flew into LAX, did ride share to DL and then rented a car back. Both were totally fine!

And flying into LAX has jot been as bad for me as some say it is.

Have a great trip!

 

[LAS2AMS]

Thanks for your thoughts, all. I didn’t realize you could also walk to LAXit if you wanted to, so that’s good to know.

For the rental cars, are there any that offer pick up directly at the terminals or do they all shuttle to nearby lots? Even going with a standard car rental agency (vs budget) looks like it will be on par or cheaper when you factor in the exchange rate, to be honest (incl. gas). Just want to make sure it won’t be a total pain to pick up/drop off.

Also, if renting a car and driving, what are tolls like from LAX to Disney? Can you avoid them? I know you have some freeways in LA but the whole toll roads situation in the US is majorly confusing when you’re not from the US.

Thanks again!

The car rental shuttles stop at each terminal and take you directly to their car rental lot. Upon your return, the shuttles will drop you off at your termajl. As noted, LAX is building a consolidated car rental facility that will eventually be reached via elevated automated train. While some car rental agencies like Avis have already moved into the consolidated facility, they are still using their own shuttles until the complex goes live.

No tolls between LAX and Anaheim. I always recommend taking the 405 to the 22, then getting off at Harbor or Haster. There is far less traffic in the 405 (south of the airport) than the 5.

Traffic is far more manageable outside of Los Angeles, like around Orange County. It may seem intimidating at times but it’s really not that bad, especially in the GPS era.

 

[twodogs]

Renting a car usually adds a parking a parking fee at the hotel, if you use uber black or lyft black they can pick up at the terminal

This may have been lost up-thread. Regular Uber and regular Lyft make you go from the terminal to LAXit to be picked up. Uber Black or Lyft Black (more expensive but through the same app) can pick you up at your terminal.

 

[irlandaise]

All of the rental cars are offsite and require a shuttle. Starting in 2026 all the big names will be in the conrac which will have the APM running to it.

What are "the conrac" and "the APM"?

 

[hardcorestitch]

How to get to Disneyland with less stress:

option 1: AVOID LAX and fly through ONT, SNS, LGB or BUR.
option 2: Have relatives get you if possible if you can’t avoid LAX instead of Uber.

 

[LAS2AMS]

How to get to Disneyland with less stress:

option 1: AVOID LAX and fly through ONT, SNS, LGB or BUR.
option 2: Have relatives get you if possible if you can’t avoid LAX instead of Uber.

I live minutes from SNA and regularly choose LAX (I drive past SNA and LGB en route to LAX) for more flight options and better pricing. LAX isn’t as bad as these forums make it out to be. And it’s much less of a hassle if you’re visiting rather than originating.

 

[dina444444]

What are "the conrac" and "the APM"?

Consolidated rental car facility and the automated people mover.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Like the OP I have no choice, I have to fly into LAX as I am international.

Its not helpful to keep sugessting SNA, when the OP has asked for help from LAX.

I use Midwilshuttle for pickup from LAX. Its a set charge, agreed before the pick up. As a solo female, I feel safer using a company, than just UBER or Lyft.

Midwillshuttle have a WhatsAp number to text when you land. The messages go to the driver. As its a private car service, they can pick up curbside. When you text that you are at the pick up area they send the make of car and the drivers name. The fare is paid in advance, so there are no surges and getting stuck in traffic does not increase the cost.

In June 2024 I used public transport to get from Disneyland back to LAX.

I got on the 460 Metro bus at 1.30pm. This cost $1.75 with my TAP card. The bus stop is at the pedestrian entrance to Disneyland, on Harbour Boulevard, underneath the Monorail track.

I arrived at Norwalk train station at 2.55pm and got the 3.00pm C Line Metro train. I used my TAP card again, and as I was transferring from bus to train , I was not charged another fare. There was an elevator but I didnt use it. I was able to haul my 50 pound 4 wheel spinner case and carry on bag down the stairs, from street level to the platform.

I got off at Aviation and LAX station at 3.30pm. This time I took the elevator from the platform down to street level.

The shuttle bus to LAX airport is clearly marked and there were a few other people waiting for the bus.

The bus arrived at 3.40pm and then it was direct to LAX. The bus drops off and picks up at the arrivals level of each terminal.

At 4.00pm I was in the check in queue for my airline in Tom Bradly International Terminal.

The journey from outside Disneyland to the International terminal at LAX was very smooth and efficiant. It cost me $1.75 and took about 3 hours. I am used to public transport, and used to hauling my luggage on and off busses and trains. I would do the journey again, but only in the daytime. As a solo female I wouldnt do the journey after dark.

By 5.00pm I was through TSA and it was time for some food.

 

[KPeterso]

I live minutes from SNA and regularly choose LAX (I drive past SNA and LGB en route to LAX) for more flight options and better pricing. LAX isn’t as bad as these forums make it out to be. And it’s much less of a hassle if you’re visiting rather than originating.

Same here! I fly out of LAX more often than SNA despite living about 5-8 minutes from SNA. I can get direct flights where I want to go at LAX and I value that more than flying out of SNA with a connection.

 

[irlandaise]

Consolidated rental car facility and the automated people mover.

So instead of rental agency shuttle buses going around to the terminals, there will be a people mover that will take everyone to the rental area?

 

[dina444444]

So instead of rental agency shuttle buses going around to the terminals, there will be a people mover that will take everyone to the rental area?

Yes, it will be like the apm at MCO except it’s one route with multiple stations. The conrac is the last stop outside the airport.