LAX to DLR

[Christine]

what do you all recommend? Is there a bus like Mears? Taxi? Rental car? I can't believe I'm planning my first trip to DLR finally! And we leave in 64 days!!

[faline]

On our first visit, we took a van shuttle - similar to what Mears used to offer at Disney World. On our last trip, we rented a car.

[Christine]

On our first visit, we took a van shuttle - similar to what Mears used to offer at Disney World. On our last trip, we rented a car.

Is the traffic hard up drive in? Which did you prefer?

[CanadianWDWFan]

We rented a car. We arrived later in the evening so traffic wasn't bad. I had no problems getting to the hotel. The one issue is that the car rental places are all off-site. So there are shuttle buses to the lots.

[Dopey's Girl]

We had a car too. I don't like being at the mercy of some outside source for transportation. It was crazy driving there (SO BUSY!) but I had my GPS, so it wasn't a problem.

[Melanie]

Every girl trip, we've done Disneyland Express and it's fine and reasonably priced. This trip we are renting a car, but only because James has many plans not involving Disney. lol! It's really what you prefer, but traffic is crazy (and I'm not talking I-4 crazy).

[magicofdisney]

I have nothing to offer other than congrats! I too just booked my very first trip to Disneyland! I'm so excited! I was going to fly into LAX but ended up with a flight into SNA which is about a 20min drive to Disneyland and 5min to my hotel. I'm so STINKIN' excited!

[Melanie]

I have nothing to offer other than congrats! I too just booked my very first trip to Disneyland! I'm so excited! I was going to fly into LAX but ended up with a flight into SNA which is about a 20min drive to Disneyland and 5min to my hotel. I'm so STINKIN' excited!

Good deal! If I had my choice, I'd always fly into SNA. Love that airport.

[bruin1344]

we rented a car so we could explore Orange County, LA, and Santa Monica

[Disney4us2]

Every girl trip, we've done Disneyland Express and it's fine and reasonably priced. This trip we are renting a car, but only because James has many plans not involving Disney. lol! It's really what you prefer, but traffic is crazy (and I'm not talking I-4 crazy).

I would agree.... use the Disneyland Resort Express (DRE). You can always rent a car. There is a car rental near the DL hotel in DTD. Traffic can be horrible. It took me well over an hour last Sunday afternoon (3pm)to drive home, It was stop and go most of the way. UGH. Don't know what the I4 traffic is like yet. But I-5 is always crowded. If you do rent a car, remember that when you use your DVC points, self parking is free at the hotels. Wish we were still in CA for this event. Hopefully we can get together before your DL Trip.

[Christine]

I would agree.... use the Disneyland Resort Express (DRE). You can always rent a car. There is a car rental near the DL hotel in DTD. Traffic can be horrible. It took me well over an hour last Sunday afternoon (3pm)to drive home, It was stop and go most of the way. UGH. Don't know what the I4 traffic is like yet. But I-5 is always crowded. If you do rent a car, remember that when you use your DVC points, self parking is free at the hotels. Wish we were still in CA for this event. Hopefully we can get together before your DL Trip.

Thanks Mel and Marci! This sounds perfect- use DLE (I'm assuming you can reserve that in their website?) and rent a car from property IF we choose to sightsee. That way if we change our mind we didn't drive thru there for nothing.

DD13 is begging to see Hollywood! And I'd like to see the Pacific Ocean for the first time!

[faline]

Is the traffic hard up drive in? Which did you prefer?

We rented the car because we planned a couple of off-site trips - Universal and San Diego. We found California traffic unlike anything we've every experienced. I kept laughing at the speed limit signs as it appeared you could only actually do the speed limit if you driving in the middle of the night.

Our first car was defective so we had to find our way back to the airport to exchange it which took a considerable amount of time given the traffic we were in.

On the day we drove to Universal (about as far from Disney as I drive to the office on a daily basis), I'd figure we'd get there in fairly good time as we did not set out until after what I would consider traditional commuting times - the roads were still crawling. It took twice as long to get to Universal as we anticipated!!

Getting to and from San Diego was a bit better but we did that on a weekend when folks weren't commuting to work.

The shuttle was more relaxing - We were so busy yakking we didn't really notice how long it took us to get from point a to b.

[tinkwest]

... We found California traffic unlike anything we've every experienced. ...

I've lived in California my entire life so I never can comprehend what people find so different about driving here. I guess I just don't know any better!

Anyway . . . I'd agree with what most have said. Let someone else take you from the airport to the hotel. It may or may not take longer (with additional stops) but just knowing that someone is driving that knows where they are going takes a lot of responsibility/stress off of your shoulders. If you decide to do a day trip Disneyland Hotel should be able to help you with arranging car rental. On that subject, I'd choose Huntington Beach or Newport Beach any day over Hollywood.

[Melanie]

On that subject, I'd choose Huntington Beach or Newport Beach any day over Hollywood.

Agreed, and in fact I told Christine this a few weeks ago. Go to HB and eat at Duke's! Yum.

[magicofdisney]

I was trying to figure out which beach to hit but had no clue where to go. Thanks for the suggestions, y'all. And thanks to Christine for starting this.

Agreed, and in fact I told Christine this a few weeks ago. Go to HB and eat at Duke's! Yum.

Melanie,

I just googled Duke's. Is it on the main beach strip?

[Elias1901]

The Disneyland Resort Express is my #1 go-to choice every single time I visit the Disneyland Resort, wether I am travelling alone or with friends and family! We have yet to have a bad experience with this service. Every time we visit the Disneyland Resort area without a rental vehicle, I always book a round trip with them. The Disneyland Resort Express is owned and operated by Southern California Gray Line and is the best way to get to and from the airport comfortably and as quickly as possible. There isn't many other better options (for the price) than this service... you could also try booking a SuperShuttle, but often times those are cramped and crowded. The Disneyland Resort Express bus is a big Gray Line bus with tons of room to stretch your feet out after a day of travel. The driver is usually very friendly and willing to help you out with your luggage, if required.

A high point to this option is that the busses themselves evoke the feeling of Disney's Magical Express busses at the Florida parks and area a great opener to your vacation! The busses are decked out in promotional Disneyland Resort decals advertising their current attractions, promotions, etc. It was really cool to see the Star Tours design with Darth Vader on it when the attraction re-opened! There were also ones themed to Word of Color and Toy Story Mania! I'd assume you could see some sort promotions for Cars Land on the busses now-a-days.

Another great thing about using the Disneyland Resort Express is that you do not need a reservation! You can simply get off your flight and catch the next bus out to the Disneyland Resort area. Here's some information about their pick-ups at LAX:

After exiting the baggage claim area, please proceed to the center island. The Disneyland Resort Express picks up underneath the overhead GREEN sign.

• Hourly departures between 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM
• Departures every 30 minutes between 10:30 AM and 4:30 PM
• Hourly departures between 4:30 PM and 10:30 PM
• Reservations are NOT required

For additional information, use the link to the official website of the Disneyland Resort Express run by Anaheim Gray LIne: http://graylineanaheim.com/shuttles.shtml. As I mentioned above, reservations are not required, so you can just hop aboard the bus when you see it and pay at the end of your ride at the Disneyland Hotel. Ticketing agents will climb aboard the bus and you will make a payment to them. There is even a $5.00 off coupon you can use for a discount on your fare(s)! Simply print this coupon off, cut it out and hand it to the mobile merchants when you pay: http://anaheimocorg.anaheimoc.netdna...2013_16394.jpg (Note: You will need to print a coupon for EVERY member of your party to get discounts on each traveler's fare!)

If you prefer to book online, I'd suggest booking through All Anaheim Tours. We always book through them because they offer tickets at a discounted rate. So far, it is the best deal we've found online for the Disneyland Resort Express. Their booking website can be found at this address, go look them up: http://www.allanaheimtours.com/body....ge=TourDetails

I hope I've been of service to you!

[Melanie]

I was trying to figure out which beach to hit but had no clue where to go. Thanks for the suggestions, y'all. And thanks to Christine for starting this.



Melanie,

I just googled Duke's. Is it on the main beach strip?

It is, right by the Huntington Beach Pier. Beautiful oceanfront dining. I've eaten at this Duke's and the one in Waikiki, and it's so good!

[Christine]

Thank you so much Disney C! That was a huge help!!!

[CanadianWDWFan]

It is, right by the Huntington Beach Pier. Beautiful oceanfront dining. I've eaten at this Duke's and the one in Waikiki, and it's so good!

Huntington Beach has got to be one of the nicest beaches around. I never tried Duke's but the area is awesome.

[Elias1901]

Thank you so much Disney C! That was a huge help!!!

Glad to be of service.