Traffic at 3pm?

[iheartcoasters]

Hi! I'm a long time lurker and finally decided to create an account. I've found lots of great advice here and look forward to receiving more.

We are going to the Halloween party on Wednesday Oct 12. Our flight lands at 3pm and I'm wondering what kind of traffic we will hit and if we should fly in earlier. We will be taking a taxi from SNA to the hotel.

I don't want to sit in hours of traffic but I also don't want to have to leave Portland really early and have sleepy kids at the party - they are 11 and 9 so no naps.

Will the traffic be bad at this time?

Thanks

~Terri

 

[grnflash]

Unfortunately yes. By the time you get the off the plane, collect your luggage, make your way out and get a cab, you're probably closer to 4 now than 3. And if you're stopping at the hotel first, then that's even more time till you get to the park. I'd shoot for an earlier flight and hopefully you can check into your room early and chill before the party.

 

[Tommy_B]

If you mean LAX, then definitely get an earlier flight. Leaving LAX from 3-6PM would double the drive time to Anaheim. If it is Friday, try to arrive before 2PM.

 

[iheartcoasters]

thanks for the replies! We are flying into Orange County on a Wednesday. I was hoping we would be leaving for the hotel before the worst of traffic and I wasn't sure if traffic around Orange County was bad or not. Always hear LA's is scary.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

thanks for the replies! We are flying into Orange County on a Wednesday. I was hoping we would be leaving for the hotel before the worst of traffic and I wasn't sure if traffic around Orange County was bad or not. Always hear LA's is scary.

Yeah, Orange County is bad during rush hour as well. You probably want to be off the road by 3 pm, so maybe aim to land at 1 pm, an hour to get off the plane and rent your car, then 30 minutes to get to DLR with a bit of time to spare.

 

[SMD]

I'd arrive earlier rather than chance a flight delay when you're already scheduled to miss part of a hard ticket event. Given the new costume restrictions and security procedures I'd plan an hour to get through security. I've already been there on days when it takes 40 minutes on the Harbor side and there weren't any costumes for security to worry about.

Also, LAUSD is off that day, it could be a full party, or at least there will be a lot more people at the resort that day when other weekday parties.

 

[iheartcoasters]

I'm very glad I asked! Thanks a lot!

 

[Tommy_B]

thanks for the replies! We are flying into Orange County on a Wednesday. I was hoping we would be leaving for the hotel before the worst of traffic and I wasn't sure if traffic around Orange County was bad or not. Always hear LA's is scary.

If you are flying into John Wayne don't bother changing. Yes, traffic will be heavier, but you have car pool lanes leaving right from the airport.

 

[jammyjam25]

Also, with your Halloween Party ticket you can get into the park three hours before the start of the party itself - so 3pm for a 6pm party night, or 4pm for a 7pm party night. Why not get in earlier and take advantage of that extra park time? You're already paying for it!

 

[Imdboss]

Last Aug we landed at 3pm, off the plane, checked bags in hand, in our car service and at our hotel at 3:40. Now this was a Saturday which is different traffic than a Wed but that airport is so small and quick to get out of. Since it's so close to DL, appx 15 miles, even with traffic I don't think the drive has ever taken us more than 30 min. That same trip we left at 5pm on a Friday and it only took 23 min to get to the airport. Over the years we've arrived at various times and days and never had issues, love SNA! Now since you are going to MHP I would change the flight to get in around 1 just so you have time to get to your hotel and not miss out on any of the pre-party hours (even though that 3 hours is really busy).

 

[DisneylandDarling]

We've usually always get there at that time, and haven't had any problems (knock on wood). If you were coming from LAX, I would tell you to get there as early as possible, but if you're just coming from SNA, you're completely fine getting in at 3.

We flew in one time at 4 and traffic was horrible, but the ride only lasted 35-40 minutes tops to get to our hotel. The carpool lanes definitely help.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

Here's the current traffic at 4:15 pm. You can see it's pretty much red the whole way, but it's close enough where maybe you won't go too crazy. It's reporting 45 minutes, though I learned during my time there that you shouldn't underestimate the traffic if you need to get somewhere at a specific time. I don't know about the carpool lanes since I never really took them when I lived there, but sounds like others have favorable experience with them.

 

[goooof1]

Carpool lanes are good, but you will have to leave the freeway and travel some on surface streets, which can be jam packed as well.... I'd try to get in earlier, especially since you will be able to get into the park at 3:00.

 

[ehrawn]

I posted this a while ago. Google maps has a great tool to help you with this question.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/google-maps-tutorial.3400268/

 

[iheartcoasters]

So many wonderful helpful responses!

Thank you

I decided to switch to an earlier flight. I don't want to take a chance that we will get there too late and feel rushed and stressed out!


~Terri

 

[DisneylandDarling]

So many wonderful helpful responses!

Thank you

I decided to switch to an earlier flight. I don't want to take a chance that we will get there too late and feel rushed and stressed out!


~Terri

We're actually going to the same Halloween party as you!! Maybe we'll bump into each other! lol

Just look for a Cinderella (I think that's the costume I'm going with this year...), a Fairy Godmother, and something else (he hasn't decided yet)!