What would you do? Transportation from LAX.

[tammytam]

Hi everyone! First time poster here.. who has been reading and researching posts for a few months

I've been to Disneyland as a kid in 1989 and just one other very brief, impromptu trip in 2007... so all this planning is a new thing!

I'm taking my DD (who will be almost 8) to Disneyland at the end of April.. just the two of us. We are flying from Canada and arrive at LAX on a Saturday around 5:30pm. I've read about the Disneyland Resort Express bus, which seems like the most economical (as DD would be free).. so just $48 round trip for both of us. However, I'm not sure we'd catch the 6pm bus.. depends on how long it takes to gather luggage and get outside the terminal (I'm guessing likely longer than 30 minutes).

What would be the next best option when keeping budget in mind?

Our return trip to the airport is early the following Saturday morning (we'll have to leave the hotel around 7:30am-ish). I'm a bit worried the 7:40am scheduled pick up (on the DL Resort Express bus) returning to LAX might not give us enough time to catch our 10:55am flight. But I could be completely wrong! I guess it depends on how many pick ups it does at other hotels and how long the drive takes. I'd like to err on the side of caution

We're staying at the Tropicana Inn.

Any insight, info and suggestions are greatly appreciated

 

[sherilaine]

We have always rented a car from LAX so I can't comment on the Express Bus.

We have travelled to the aiport from Anaheim on both a Saturday and Sunday morning though and traffic has always been very light, but I know that is not a guarantee. Just to be safe, since it is considered an international flight, we always leave in plenty of time - so much so my kids always complain about having to kill time in Terminal 2. But since we always show up early, we normally have not run into long lines dropping off our bags or heading through security - we did however notice how much busier the airport became later in the morning. I'd say that if you took the 7:40AM express, you should call and find out what time they expect to be arriving at your terminal at LAX, as there are several. If your flight is at 11AM then you should be at the airport by 8:30 at the latest. I'd not be comfortable arriving any later.

And by the way - welcome to the forum!!

 

[DisneyBrewingCo]

I think the best option is Uber. I just traveled to Disneyland resort from LAX 2 weeks ago. I had 3 people in my party and a lot of luggage so we opted for a Uber XL. Our trip was $76. I believe that if we would have taken an Uber X it would have been around $50. There is a fare estimator online that you can check out but I think Uber is the best way to travel. Have fun!

 

[MillauFr]

I used Lyft last month. $41 from LAX to the Candy Cane.

 

[realrellim]

I don't think it would be a problem for catching it, especially because it also has stops at 7 pm and 8 pm. If you only have carry-ons, you'll be fine.

In 2013 I flew into LAX with my two girls, then aged 3 and 8. I think our flight landed 10 minutes before the (then) scheduled 6:30 Disneyland Express. We only had carry-ons (due to my utter inability to manage anything beyond the 3-year-old + her carry-on and personal item + my carry-on and personal item...the 8-year-old was left to manage her own stuff), and after a quick bathroom stop we made it out to the bus island with plenty of time. I don't think the bus made it to the bus island right at 6:30 pm--and I think it had a few stops around the airport before it got to us. In any case, it was super easy and the girls loved it. Our trip was pretty short too: about 40 minutes from LAX to the Disneyland Hotel (longer to other locations).

We didn't take it back because we were meeting my husband at the hotel (he was there for a conference and flew out before us). However, I remember that traffic back to the airport was also really light, so I think you wouldn't have a problem that early on a Sunday morning.

We're headed out again in April, this time as a family (and the girls are 6 and 11, which is way easier) and planning to take the Disneyland Express both ways. Part of the reason is that I didn't want to drag 2 car seats through the airport, so this solved this problem. We'll only have carry-ons for this trip too, which will simplify the trip from the gate to the bus island.

 

[tammytam]

Thanks everyone!

I think I may go for the bus. It's such a good deal... would love to spend the extra dollars in the parks

I should have mentioned that our flight connects in Seattle, so we'll technically be flying domestic, which should save some time at the airport (especially departing). I'm going to definitely contact them and see what time the 7:40am bus usually arrives at the airport.

I also did some sleuthing on the LAX website and it looks like Delta flies into terminals 5 and 6, so with the 6pm bus scheduled to depart terminal 1.. it will give us some extra minutes as well. Although.. I'm not a good enough packer to only have carry ons! lol

 

[smartlabelprint]

If you can get a lyft for $51 way better deal IMO.

 

[tammytam]

If you can get a lyft for $51 way better deal IMO.

I do like the idea of not making a bunch of stops (on a bus).. however I've never used Uber or Lyft before.. and the unknown scares me a bit. I'm not well-traveled, and have never navigated LAX or LA before (we're coming from a small town in Canada). In a car.. I'd also need a booster seat for my daughter (which I didn't think of until now). I guess in my head I've thought I'd go the greyhound/shuttle bus route. Even at $40-50 for Lyft (plus tip I imagine), it would cost double what the Disneyland resort express is. Hrmmmmm.. I have to decide sooner or later! lol I do appreciate all the input

 

[bumbershoot]

I personally like Karmel shuttle.

Missing the intended bus and waiting for an hour at lax is very boring. Lax is not a fun airport for a long wait outside the secure area.

 

[amyg1975]

I do like the idea of not making a bunch of stops (on a bus).. however I've never used Uber or Lyft before.. and the unknown scares me a bit. I'm not well-traveled, and have never navigated LAX or LA before (we're coming from a small town in Canada). In a car.. I'd also need a booster seat for my daughter (which I didn't think of until now). I guess in my head I've thought I'd go the greyhound/shuttle bus route. Even at $40-50 for Lyft (plus tip I imagine), it would cost double what the Disneyland resort express is. Hrmmmmm.. I have to decide sooner or later! lol I do appreciate all the input

No extra tipping for Uber- the tip is included in the price. We used Uber, but we always bring a carseat for our daughter (we use it on the plane too). My husband never ever wanted to try Uber, but now that is all he will use from the airport.

 

[tomato]

Hi everyone! First time poster here.. who has been reading and researching posts for a few months

I've been to Disneyland as a kid in 1989 and just one other very brief, impromptu trip in 2007... so all this planning is a new thing!

I'm taking my DD (who will be almost 8) to Disneyland at the end of April.. just the two of us. We are flying from Canada and arrive at LAX on a Saturday around 5:30pm. I've read about the Disneyland Resort Express bus, which seems like the most economical (as DD would be free).. so just $48 round trip for both of us. However, I'm not sure we'd catch the 6pm bus.. depends on how long it takes to gather luggage and get outside the terminal (I'm guessing likely longer than 30 minutes).

What would be the next best option when keeping budget in mind?

Our return trip to the airport is early the following Saturday morning (we'll have to leave the hotel around 7:30am-ish). I'm a bit worried the 7:40am scheduled pick up (on the DL Resort Express bus) returning to LAX might not give us enough time to catch our 10:55am flight. But I could be completely wrong! I guess it depends on how many pick ups it does at other hotels and how long the drive takes. I'd like to err on the side of caution

We're staying at the Tropicana Inn.

Any insight, info and suggestions are greatly appreciated

Hi tammytam, you sound very much like me. We are also coming from Canada and flying into LAX. This is our fifth DLand trip, though, so we're feeling a little less fish-out-of-water.

Our first trip we planned on taking the Disneyland Resort Express Bus. It worked out great. We enjoyed the bus with A/C and the videos onboard that were teaching us about DLand! It took us straight to our hotel -- we were the first stop (Disneyland Resort Hotel). But because our return flight was early in the morning, we had to rent a car and driver to get us back to the airport. (The hotel set it up for us, but it wasn't ideal because the company insisted we arrive at the airport 2 hours early, and leave an hour for driving ... it was WAY too early and we sat at the airport for 2 hours!!)

Our second trip we were going to do the DLand Resort Express Bus again. We were waiting for it and a van pulled up that said Disneyland Express. We were a little confused as to who the van and driver were. The driver kept saying, "Same thing, same thing!" He put the four of us in his van along with another family. He drove us straight to the resort and charged us the "same thing" as the bus would have cost us. It was a much less comfortable trip than the bus. (My seat belt didn't even work and we were all crammed into the van.) I found out afterward that although the van carries the name "Disneyland Express," it's NOT the same company as the bus. (When he told us "same thing," we thought he meant it's the same company. It kind of annoyed us to realize that he basically poached business from the Resort Bus.) But this driver made arrangements with us for our return trip and booked a time with us and came back when WE said we wanted him back, which was at least a little more to our liking.

For our third trip we weren't staying at the DLand Hotel, so we went with the Disneyland Express van again. By the way, in terms of waiting times, we've never stood there for more than 5 minutes before we were picked up at the airport. And the fact that you can book in with the same driver to return always makes us feel more comfortable.

On our fourth trip I went on the recommendation of people here and decided to book a private car and driver. Because there are four of us, the cost was actually less than the price to put four of us on a bus or van. It was a total treat for small-town people like us to arrive at LAX and have someone there holding a sign with our name! LOL And, bonus for us, it included a one-hour stop at a store of our choosing. (We chose Target and ran in and bought a couple flats of water and some snacks. It saved us a ton of money at the parks.) Our driver was very generous and told us to take all the time we wanted in Target.

So you have a few options open to you. I just wanted to share our experiences with you because I know exactly what you mean when you say you are not an experienced traveler and aren't comfortable with Uber or taxis or whatever. We weren't either, and these options all worked well for us and were easier than we expected them to be. Hope this helps you!

 

[sherilaine]

I grew up in small town Canada - I know where you are coming from too. However, I have since lived in some much bigger cities and LA is not a lot different than Toronto really - in terms of driving and getting around.

The best thing anyone who isn't well traveled can do, aside from travelling and getting personal experience under their belt, is exactly what you are doing - research!!

The internet changes things entirely - forums such as this, google maps, all changes our access to information - those who choose to show up completely blind and think they are going to just find their way can do that if they wish, I'd rather be over prepared and under stressed. So I think all of this will ease your stress when the day comes - who wants to be stressed about Disneyland??

Have fun!

 

[courtneybeth]

Shuttle2Lax.com does $21 for the first person and $14 for the second person - it's a company of Primetime shuttle and they'll take your directly to your hotel.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Thanks everyone!

I think I may go for the bus. It's such a good deal... would love to spend the extra dollars in the parks

I should have mentioned that our flight connects in Seattle, so we'll technically be flying domestic, which should save some time at the airport (especially departing). I'm going to definitely contact them and see what time the 7:40am bus usually arrives at the airport.

I also did some sleuthing on the LAX website and it looks like Delta flies into terminals 5 and 6, so with the 6pm bus scheduled to depart terminal 1.. it will give us some extra minutes as well. Although.. I'm not a good enough packer to only have carry ons! lol

I didn't realize the $46 you mentioned was round trip go for that!