Your opinion please...

[TChrist05]

We are flying into LAX....how long and how direct is it from the airport to Disneyland Hotel? We rented a car since I hate being without one....and I probably won't need it but the price was right....
Thanks....
Tom

 

[dcfromva]

We are flying into LAX....how long and how direct is it from the airport to Disneyland Hotel? We rented a car since I hate being without one....and I probably won't need it but the price was right....
Thanks....
Tom

Tom,
It depends on the time of day because there is the traffic factor. We generally allow an hour for the drive during non-peak times. Also, another factor to consider is you have to catch a shuttle to get to your rental car and that takes some time--depending on which airline you use (and which terminal you are in). I generally allow an hour for the pickupyourluggageshuttleridepickoutyourcargothroughrentalcarcheckout procedure
On our most recent visit, we flew on SWA (which is terminal 1) arriving at around noon on a Monday, and I believe it took us about 50 minutes for the baggage/shuttle/rental car (National Emerald Aisle).

We stopped off on our way, but it was no more than an hour in non-rush hour traffic. (We used the Aviation to I-105(east)/I-605(south)/I-91(east)/I-5(south)/Disneyland Drive route)

Oddly enough, on our return back to LAX (8am Sunday morning), there was virtually no traffic--the drive using the reverse routing only took 30mins. The car drop off, shuttle ride, baggage check-in, security only took another 30 mins. We arrived at the gate almost 3 hours before departure! DS declared that we should have gone on a couple of rides before we left DL. (But, you just can't count on having lucky breaks---there has been other times when we arrived at the airport 3 hours prior to departure and ended up getting to the gate just as they were starting the boarding process! ) As a general rule, I would allow 2 hours to drive/return the car and shuttle to the airport and more time if it is rush hour.

For the time periods that we were on the road, we found the drive pretty painless. Another good thing (unless you are by yourself, of course ) is that they have carpool lanes that you can use, too.

We enjoyed having the use of the car. We took several shopping trips to the malls, a side trip to Newport Beach and one evening, we ate out at one of my favorite restaurants (The Old Spaghetti Factory --which you can get to by going North on Harbor Blvd -cross st is Santa Fe, in Fullerton. )
(They don't have any in VA, so I always like to stop by at least once a visit )
-DC

 

[TChrist05]

DC....we are arriving on the 7th of August...a Sunday at 9:30 in the morning so we figured it would be pretty painless and our return flight leaves on Wednesday night at 10 p.m. so we figure we are in good shape....my only question is what time should we leave DL on the Wednesday night back to the airport....is leaving 2 hours before the flight cutting it too short? Don'r want to miss that flight.....
Thanks....
Tom

 

[dcfromva]

DC....we are arriving on the 7th of August...a Sunday at 9:30 in the morning so we figured it would be pretty painless and our return flight leaves on Wednesday night at 10 p.m. so we figure we are in good shape....my only question is what time should we leave DL on the Wednesday night back to the airport....is leaving 2 hours before the flight cutting it too short? Don'r want to miss that flight.....
Thanks....
Tom

Tom,
Hmmm. This is just me, but I probably would be panic stricken if we left 2 hours before the flight (we like to get to the gate early--don't want to take any chances). As a minimum, I would plan 3 hours prior to departure just to give some cushion. From which terminal will you be arriving/departing?

-DC

 

[TChrist05]

DC...we are flying Song....don't really know anything about LAX...we have never been there so we are at a distinct disadvantage to others....I am kind of a safe person so I think we will probably do a trial run back to the airport just to make sure we have it down pat....and we are also thinking of taking a tour of LA while we are there one morning just to see the other sights....actually my wife is a little scared I will really like Disneyland a little too much and push her to go there more often...since I spend as much time at Disney World as I can...big kid at heart and you only live once....
Tom

 

[dcfromva]

DC...we are flying Song....don't really know anything about LAX...we have never been there so we are at a distinct disadvantage to others....I am kind of a safe person so I think we will probably do a trial run back to the airport just to make sure we have it down pat....and we are also thinking of taking a tour of LA while we are there one morning just to see the other sights....actually my wife is a little scared I will really like Disneyland a little too much and push her to go there more often...since I spend as much time at Disney World as I can...big kid at heart and you only live once....
Tom

Whoops, I just checked my link to the lax teminal map in the post above (and it was broken). Here is a link to the LAX airport: http://www.lawa.org/lax/laxframe.html
I looks like Song is in terminal 5.... The terminals probably won't be as congested in the evening when you are going out, but the ground transportation (the rental car shuttle) will most likely drive the entire horseshoe (around term1,2, ec't.) to drop you off --so, that might end up taking a little more time than when they pick you up, intitally.
The tour of LA is a great idea--there is lots to see! Will you get a chance to visit The Getty Museum while you're there?

-DC

 

[alyssa810]

We're WDW AP holders, and DVC members, and as much as we love WDW, there's a lot to be said about DL. Like others have said, it's the original, and it's truly Walt's dream....and we have SO MANY new lanyard pins to trade for!! I'm really looking forward to our trip, and even though I consider WDW heaven on earth, what better place to celebrate the 50th Anniversary celebration that at the original park!!?? And my 29th birthday to boot!?!? You'd never catch me at WDW in August, not with the crowds and humidity!!!

 

[TChrist05]

I have to admit we kind of have the best of both worlds...we are spending 4 days in Disneyland....then on 9/11 going down to WDW and spending 4 nights in the Boardwalk and then 3 nights on the Disney Wonder....then on November 26th we are sailing on the 7 night Magic...so we are blessed....like I said....still a big kid....
Tom

 

[boosmom96]

Tom,
I would tell your "friends" to "put a sock in it!!!" DL is wonderful! We just got back 2 days ago and had a fabulous time (as always!!) We stayed at the GC, for the first time (theme park view), and, except for the view, my DH and I both agree we prefer the DL Hotel. I'm glad we tried the GC, but from now on we will stay at the DLH.
We are heading down to WDW in Nov. for the first time and I am trying to remind myself to not be disapointed!! I know I'll love Epcot, but MK sounds kind of overblown to me. I love New Orleans Square in DL and I'm afraid I will really miss it. The intimacy of DL is a big part of it's charm for me. I love being able to run back and forth between DL and DCA, and still go back to the hotel for a nap if I want. I can't imagine anyone being disapointed by DL. It is truly a magical experience.
I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time!!!!