What time to leave DL?

psimon

Will travel for turkey legs!
Joined
May 20, 2000
Messages
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I have a 11:50PM flight out of LAX to come home after a day at DL. I have to drive to the airport and return the rental car.

What time should I leave the property, considering TSA at the airport, travel and traffic to LAX and car return?

Thanks...

---Paul in Southern NJ
 
The general travel time is about 45 minutes from DLR to LAX, without traffic. With traffic, I'd double that just to be safe, especially if you are driving during rush hour (albeit it always seems like there is traffic in LA). Other than that, it depends on how much time you want to allow to get checked-in, return the rental, and get through security.

You might also post down on Disneyland board because lots of folks on that board know LA area traffic really well.
 
I'd allow at least 3 to 4 hours, car rentals are offsite at LAX, you have to take a shuttle back.
 
11:50 flight

9:50 walking into airport (after nearly missing a flight out of LAX that is our absolute even for domestic...if it's 1:59 I'm starting to panic)

9:20 getting onto shuttle from rental agency

9:00 pulling into rental agency

7:30 IN car with keys at the ready, pulling out of DL parking lot, because getting TO the highway and finding the rental agency can be challenging and time-consuming, even if it's only 45 minutes on the actual highway.

And, of course, don't forget the gas fill-up.

6:30 leaving the park, going to where the car is...where's the luggage? if luggage is at hotel with Bell Services, 6:30 is leaving the GATES of the park, not just starting the walk out of the park. And if you've parked at mickey&friends I would have a half plan of walking to the parking lot unless the tram's line is nonexistent and it's about to leave as you walk by...add more time in if you have to take the tram or have to take a tram/shuttle to another disney parking lot.



This might seem conservative, but I do the math just like this for every plane trip I take, and since I started doing it I haven't missed, or nearly missed, a flight since. Nor do I have to run. And I generally have time for a coffee or snack somewhere, with time to people-watch.

I've breezed through TSA at LAX, and I've had long lines there. The main long-line moment was a time when I didn't see ANYONE, not any other travelers, until I got to the line. It was weird. Although I had an oddity with a metal detector there (sensitivity dial apparently was set to 11, where it sent off over a normal Goody brand barrette of mine, just after going wild over DH's shorts zipper), the TSA agents I've had dealings with there are fabulous, but kind TSA agents doesn't necessarily mean there's no time involved. I leave *plenty* of time for it.
 

What airline?


SW has HUGE lines for luggage check. Delta has TSA agents who spend forever on each person.

Plus you are hitting the end of rush hour.

LAX is not passenger friendly. Allow lots of extra time.
 
What airline?


SW has HUGE lines for luggage check. Delta has TSA agents who spend forever on each person.

Plus you are hitting the end of rush hour.

LAX is not passenger friendly. Allow lots of extra time.

United!
 
No clue on United I have not flown then out of LAX.

But if I drive up from my office I want 4 to 4.5 hours. My office is about 15 miles south of Anaheim. However, I also know exactly where my rental car company is, the gas station is.

Traffic in that area has to be seen to believed.
 
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