Question about flying into Long Beach

[momma2twincesses]

So the difference in money is 430.00 if we fly into Long Beach instead of Orange County. So my question is, do they have a shuttle to take you to Disney from there, and how much is it? Or if we decide to rent a car, is that a fast process at that airport? Do they have car rentals right there so we don't have to take a shuttle/cab somewhere to get the car? Mapquest says its about a 35 minute drive, which isn't that big of a deal, I KNOW the traffic is bad but we arrive on a Sunday morning, and leave Saturday night, so it shouldn't be that bad, right?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

We love LGB! Great little airport. We usually use a transportation company ~ check out this thread, my post is #5 *you'll see other options as well - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2313198&highlight=ron "Our" guy most recently took us from the GC to LGB in early Dec.

 

[Brady's Mom]

Long Beach is a teeny tiny airport that has outside baggage carousels (covered) and the car rentals are literally across a very small street. It is easy to navigate, easy to get in and out of and you can usually get a very good car rental rate. We have used hotwire a lot for car rentals at LGB.

Super Shuttle does run from LGB, but the prices are higher - $35 for the first person and $9 for each additional person. For our family of 5 or 6 people traveling at a time a car rental is usually more affordable. We like to stop at a grocery store on our way to the hotel and there are lots on the way to DLR when you use surface streets instead of the freeway. We have never driven on the freeway to DLR and our hotel since it seems to go out of our way and we never go during peak driving times. You should be fine with a Sun. morning and a Sat. evening. It literally took us 45 minutes to drive from the airport to the hotel and that was with a grocery store stop and a fast food breakfast stop on the way.

We choose LGB for our flights because it's easy to get on and off the plane, go to the car rental and get to our hotel across the street from DLR. We also can usually get great rates from JetBlue (no baggage fees) and a really good car rental deal, which we love.

I keep checking car rental prices right up to our trips and have seen our prices drop by about half most of the time. So I am not opposed to booking and rebooking our car rentals if it doesn't cost me anything and will save me money.

 

[Todd Lee]

Long Beach is the BEST airport to use for Disneyland! As mentioned, it's very small, they don't even have jetway's. You just walk right out to the plane, and up the stairs! We always rent a car when we go, because we stay with family down past Irvine, in El Toro. We've flown in to LB in the morning, rented our car, driven to families house for breakfast, and still made it to the park for right around opening.

 

[dmked]

We usually fly into LGB, it is very fast to get in and out of. We normally get a flat rate van taxi (same price as a regular car taxi) for $45 to our hotel. It takes 20-25 minutes to get there.

 

[jlmarr]

It's an easy drive if you avoid the freeways. Straight out of LGB onto Wardlow Road, which becomes Ball Road when you cross into Orange County from LA County. Hang a right when you get to Disneyland Drive or Harbor Blvd, depending on where you are staying.

 

[PoohBearFriends]

Great thread. We are flying into LGB with Jet Blue for the first time in 3 weeks. It sounds pretty user friendly to me. Thanks for all the info.

 

[jcatron243]

I've flown into long beach twice now and I really like it. (I did orange county before that).
FYI~The taxi rate is flat on the way from the airport, but it isn't on the way back. It cost just about $50 for us on the way back.

 

[Todd Lee]

Thanks for the driving tip jlmarr! We always stay with family down in El Toro. Normally, we travel down the 405 to El Toro (just past the junction to the 5) and have breakfast at the house before Disneyland. The 1 time that we drove straight to disneyland, I still drove clear down the 405 then took the 5 back up to the parks. I did that more out of habit I guess, but I won't do it again! LOL

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Long Beach is the BEST airport to use for Disneyland! As mentioned, it's very small, they don't even have jetway!. You just walk right out to the plane, and up the stairs! We always rent a car when we go, because we stay with family down past Irvine, in El Toro. We've flown in to LB in the morning, rented our car, driven to families house for breakfast, and still made it to the park for right around opening.

My DSis and I are flying JetBlue into LGB for the first time in late April. So, what you're saying is we would have to hand carry our carry-on and personal items with us down the boarding stairs when we arrive? We both have some physical limitations, and while carrying our carry-on and personal items for short, straight distances can be done, carrying them down more than 2 or 3 steps will present challenges.

Am I understanding you correctly? If so, I want to try to figure out how we will handle this.

 

[sas_mk]

I am flying into LGB for the first time next month.

I was just going to use SuperShuttle to get us to and from the airport, but I just found a great deal through National Car Rental.

I used Contract Code #5000304 (which I believe is the WalMart code and anybody can use) and my rate came in over $100 less than anywhere else.

 

[DisneyMax74]

Long Beach is a great airport to fly into. Its small, very easy to get into and out of. And it never takes us more than say 20 minutes to get from there to Disneyland once we leave the airport. Just go east on Wardlow rd I think it is till that turns into Ball Rd. Ball basically runs right into Disneyland. Just make sure to turn right on Harbor when you get there, depending on where your hotel is. Its a shorter route than map quest gave me.



Also car rental is right across the street as was stated. Its litteraly a 2 minute walk across an airport drop off area from the bag claim. Also there are almost always taxis just haning out, right outide the terminal if you dont want to get a car. I cant imagine they are much more than 30-40 bucks for the quick shot over to DL.

 

[Todd Lee]

My DSis and I are flying JetBlue into LGB for the first time in late April. So, what you're saying is we would have to hand carry our carry-on and personal items with us down the boarding stairs when we arrive? We both have some physical limitations, and while carrying our carry-on and personal items for short, straight distances can be done, carrying them down more than 2 or 3 steps will present challenges.

Am I understanding you correctly? If so, I want to try to figure out how we will handle this.

Yes, and no. I've used steps, and a ramp to get on/off the plane. On our jetblue flights, the planes aren't too high, but there are more than 3-4 steps up into the plane. I've also used the ramp that has a switchback on it.

Here is a photo I found that shows a ramp. http://images.google.com/imgres?img...&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&sa=N&start=21

Look at picture 7 of 15 in that same link, it shows the stairs.

I don't remember them being that high, nor that long, but I guess they are. I'm sure that the airport offers assistance for those in need. I'd recommend giving them a call, it will be well worth your time. Long Beach is such a small and simple operation, I highly recommend it!

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Yes, and no. I've used steps, and a ramp to get on/off the plane. On our jetblue flights, the planes aren't too high, but there are more than 3-4 steps up into the plane. I've also used the ramp that has a switchback on it.

Here is a photo I found that shows a ramp. http://images.google.com/imgres?img...&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&sa=N&start=21

Look at picture 7 of 15 in that same link, it shows the stairs.

I don't remember them being that high, nor that long, but I guess they are. I'm sure that the airport offers assistance for those in need. I'd recommend giving them a call, it will be well worth your time. Long Beach is such a small and simple operation, I highly recommend it!

Thanks, Todd! This helps. I'll call and ask how its determined whether a ramp or stairs are used. A ramp would be no problem. The last time I deboarded or boarded a plane using stairs rather than a jetway was over 30 years ago, when stairs were no big deal for me. At least I'm finding about this now and not surprised when I arrive at LGB.

 

[briangl]

I would fly into LGB but Alaska doesn't use 737s from SEA anymore. I believe Horizon flies the small commuter planes on that route now.

 

[jlmarr]

I would fly into LGB but Alaska doesn't use 737s from SEA anymore. I believe Horizon flies the small commuter planes on that route now.

JetBlue also flies SEA-LGB and (according to Orbitz) uses the Airbus A320. It says Horizon uses the Canadair 700 - is that a puddle-jumper?

 

[momma2twincesses]

Thanks for all the info! So I think I will fly into Long Beach. We will be flying Jetblue, I've never flown them but the rate is cheaper, and it doesn't seem like they charge a fee for your 1st checked bag, which is great!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Thanks for all the info! So I think I will fly into Long Beach. We will be flying Jetblue, I've never flown them but the rate is cheaper, and it doesn't seem like they charge a fee for your 1st checked bag, which is great!

We love Jetblue!

 

[karylrocks]

I am flying into LGB for the first time next month.

I was just going to use SuperShuttle to get us to and from the airport, but I just found a great deal through National Car Rental.

I used Contract Code #5000304 (which I believe is the WalMart code and anybody can use) and my rate came in over $100 less than anywhere else.

I got a great rate using a coupon from the Entertainment book that gives me a compact car for 4 days for $62. Midsize would be just a few dollars more but there will just be two of us with carryons.

Thanks for all the info! So I think I will fly into Long Beach. We will be flying Jetblue, I've never flown them but the rate is cheaper, and it doesn't seem like they charge a fee for your 1st checked bag, which is great!

The JetBlue planes are awesome! So much more legroom.

 

[DisneyMax74]

Thanks for all the info! So I think I will fly into Long Beach. We will be flying Jetblue, I've never flown them but the rate is cheaper, and it doesn't seem like they charge a fee for your 1st checked bag, which is great!

You will love Jetblue. Great legroom, leather seats, everyone gets their own tv. And they are usualy the cheapest.

We fly Jetblue all the time.