Vegas to DLR

[thewesterberg]

I recently won tickets to DLR and a night's stay at Ayres Hotel from a Facebook promo that Ayres was doing. Which means unexpected trip to Southern California!

We are looking at flying from our hometown airport to Las Vegas on Allegiant as we found an awesome fare in January. Our flight would get in late Monday night so we will spend the night somewhere in Vegas.

The plan is to get up the next morning and drive to the Anaheim area. Is following what Google Maps says the best option? What time do you think we should leave to avoid the worst of traffic?

The plan is to spend Tuesday night at a Ayres Hotel (haven't decided which one) and visit some of the sites in Hollywood probably. Then use our DVC points for Wednesday night and Thursday night at the Grand Californian. Wednesday we'd hang out at the hotel and hope the weather is nice enough to get some pool time in. (We're from Northern Minnesota so if it is 60F, the kids will be in the pool!) We'd visit DLR on Thursday using our free park hoppers.

Then Friday we'll head back to Vegas. The flight is at 2:30pm. What time should we leave the resort to get back there in time for our flight? I know it's going to have to be pretty early.

Thanks for any tips you can give us!

 

[mickeymom02]

Just recently did the drive from DL to Vegas....it took about 5hrs as we had traffic issues in LA. Once out of the city, it was clear sailing and no one on the road. That was Tuesday, Oct 1st. There isn't much along the route so be sure to get gas and take breaks when you can. It's a very easy drive...have fun!!

 

[dcraythorn]

It's normally a 4 1/2 hr drive from Vegas to Anaheim. When we leave Anaheim, we normally don't go near Los Angels.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

We did this route just last week. We were cruising along when we hit traffic near metro LA. Took just over fore hours.

 

[ParkHopper1]

OK...I'll ask...WHY are you flying into Vegas for a trip to Disneyland? You are 4-5 hours out. Does the cost of the rental car, gas and time make up for the cheap flight over cost to go into one of the 4 So Cal airport options and loose the time in the parks?

You have Orange County, LAX, Long Beach, Burbank...heck even San Diego or Ontario would be better options.

 

[thewesterberg]

Just recently did the drive from DL to Vegas....it took about 5hrs as we had traffic issues in LA. Once out of the city, it was clear sailing and no one on the road. That was Tuesday, Oct 1st. There isn't much along the route so be sure to get gas and take breaks when you can. It's a very easy drive...have fun!!

Thanks! Sounds like we should plan on 5 hours... If less then that's a bonus!

 

[thewesterberg]

It's normally a 4 1/2 hr drive from Vegas to Anaheim. When we leave Anaheim, we normally don't go near Los Angels.

What route do you use leaving Anaheim? What Google maps suggests or something else? Thanks!

 

[thewesterberg]

OK...I'll ask...WHY are you flying into Vegas for a trip to Disneyland? You are 4-5 hours out. Does the cost of the rental car, gas and time make up for the cheap flight over cost to go into one of the 4 So Cal airport options and loose the time in the parks? You have Orange County, LAX, Long Beach, Burbank...heck even San Diego or Ontario would be better options.

Yes, it does make more sense for our family to fly to Vegas. If we fly Alleigant from our hometown our flights are $168/person/round trip. If we fly Delta from the same airport to LAX it is $452. Times three, we are looking at around $900 savings. Gas is expensive but not that expensive!

If we drive 2.5 hours to our nearest large airport tickets may be around $300 but we have to pay for gas to get there and parking, which isn't cheap. Plus we get to drive that stretch of road all the time. I'd rather see new sites.

We won't lose park time as our free tickets are for one day. Maybe we will upgrade and add a day but we aren't sure yet.

We have to rent a car anyways no matter where we fly into so gas (and our time) is what's on the table. None of us have been to Vegas and none of us has seen the desert first hand before. I'm chalking it up to a new adventure, new places to see and we will save some money in the process!

 

[SMD]

I can understand wanted to see a desert, but 4 hours of that drive is pretty much a strip of highway and dirt on either side. You might consider a 1 way car rental and then pricing a cheap flight back to Vegas from SNA, LAX or LGB. Try Southwest, JetBlue or Virgin. If you book early enough from LAX, even Delta, United and American are usually under $100 for a one way.

 

[letthembelittle]

I don't think there are many options on getting out of Vegas, pretty much get on the I15 and drive south. Its a boring drive but as long as there isn't traffic a fairly easy one.

 

[sonnyjane]

I loathe that drive. I live in SoCal and I choose to pay to fly to Vegas on SW instead of drive the 5 hours there. The worst lol! Maybe you could look into cheap Southwest flights FROM Vegas and compare the price? I typically get flights for $69-$79 per person one-way.

A few other things to be aware of:

If you're using prize tickets, you typically cannot upgrade those.

Also, DVC points at GCH are really in high demand so make sure you have a reservation secured at the earliest possible time before you go forth with making your flight reservations (unless you already did so?).

 

[TheChapman6]

I like driving I live an hour from the Denver airport and we flew to Vegas and then drove. (My parents live there and went with us to disney) I loved the drive! It's scenic and there are fun places to stop ALIEN JERKY!

 

[TheReeders]

I live and Vegas. I just came home yesterday from DL. Depending on the time of day, you can make it in 4-4.5 hours. The route that google maps gives you is the most accurate, quickest way.

 

[Davey Jones II]

One day is hardly enough to do everything you might want at DLR, especially since Cars Land is open. I would recommend adding three day park hoppers, then switch to a more affordable hotel once your free night is over.

 

[thewesterberg]

I live and Vegas. I just came home yesterday from DL. Depending on the time of day, you can make it in 4-4.5 hours. The route that google maps gives you is the most accurate, quickest way.

Thank you for answering my question and sharing your experience! Good to know Google maps is accurate in this case! Are Friday mornings pretty busy with traffic heading from L.A. to Vegas?

 

[Disdedalus]

I like driving I live an hour from the Denver airport and we flew to Vegas and then drove. (My parents live there and went with us to disney) I loved the drive! It's scenic and there are fun places to stop ALIEN JERKY!

Sorry to hijack the thread a bit but "alien jerky" is way too cool to pass up. Where, pray tell, does one procure this delicacy?

 

[thewesterberg]

Sorry to hijack the thread a bit but "alien jerky" is way too cool to pass up. Where, pray tell, does one procure this delicacy?

Hijack away! I'm curious too!!

 

[letthembelittle]

Its a little store in Baker, here is their site: http://www.alienfreshjerky.com/default.asp

We stopped once, dh thought it was overpriced for what you got and while trying to take our ds potty found the most disgusting bathroom he had ever seen We drove down the street to McDonalds instead.

 

[DLfan4]

hi I recently posted a similar question on the DIS (sorry I don't know how to link my post in) but I was asking about the drive from LV to Disneyland and back. (for similar reason as you, we are going to fly on Allegiant into Vegas).

anyway, I was informed by others that while the trip usually takes about 3-4 hours, during the busy times it can possibly take take 8+ hours !! the busy times they said are Sunday travelling from Vegas to LA and also Driving Friday from LA to Vegas. So you may need to give yourself extra travelling time on Friday.

 

[sonnyjane]

hi I recently posted a similar question on the DIS (sorry I don't know how to link my post in) but I was asking about the drive from LV to Disneyland and back. (for similar reason as you, we are going to fly on Allegiant into Vegas). anyway, I was informed by others that while the trip usually takes about 3-4 hours, during the busy times it can possibly take take 8+ hours !! the busy times they said are Sunday travelling from Vegas to LA and also Driving Friday from LA to Vegas. So you may need to give yourself extra travelling time on Friday.

Stuck behind a semi-truck accident? 7 hour drive. Hated life that day.