Originally Posted By Tanyaj111 I am considering flying into LAX because of the really cheap rates on Southwest ($34 to $39 each way). Worst case scenario, how long would it take to get from LAX to Harbor Blvd. I would be arriving around 8:00 a.m., picking up a rental car and heading to my happy place. How long do you thing it would take? Do you think it is worth saving $15 to $20 per ticket (getting two tickets) each way? or should I just go to Long Beach as usual? Thanks
Originally Posted By LuLu Questions for you, are you arriving on a weekday, and is your departure on a weekday and what time of day? You could potentially be hitting a lot of traffic on weekdays.
Originally Posted By Tanyaj111 I Will be arriving on Friday at around 8:00 a.m. and leaving on Monday around 7:00 p.m. Thanks
Originally Posted By LuLu If your flight's at 7p Monday, you'll have to allow *lots* of time to get to the airport. Traffic can be pretty dicey in the late afternoon/early evening. You have a chance of getting stuck in late morning traffic Friday also. But more of a concern, check Darkbeer's topic on the runway construction at LAX. That, on top of what LAX "normally" dishes out, may set you back a bit. I haven't used Long Beach in many years, but I know it's small and therefore easy to get in and out of. Plus it sounds like you're more familiar with it. I'm not an expert, so I hope others will chime in, but *to me* it wouldn't be worth $30 - 40.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer The best route is mostly Carpool lanes... the 105 to the 605 to the 91 to the 5. And you can do it in less than an a hour. By the time you get your luggage and rental car, you will be past most of the traffic on Friday, and the dirve should be less than an hour. On Monday evening, I would leave around 3 PM to get to the airport around 4:30 to check in the car and your luggage.
Originally Posted By mamacita I am with RoadTrip. I have never had a good experience flying into or out of LAX. Long Beach as usual is my vote.
Originally Posted By Tinkerbell819 Add me to the list of voters for Long Beach! (Although I've never flown there! I have no choice, but to fly to LAX this time b/c it was a $400 difference. (for 4 of us, compared to SNA or ONT.) I would definately pay $40 more to NOT fly there, though. The drive doesn't bother me, it's the long lines inside, the rude people that work there, having to take the shuttle to get the rent a car, the rude rental car people...Now, I'm dreading my own trip! lol (I told my kids that we'd never fly there again after our trip last Dec. and they don't know we are flying in and out of there again...If only I had $400 to blow!)
Originally Posted By DIS Ohana I agree with Tinkerbelle, if it's just $40 more I'd do it. It's not just the traffic from LAX, it's a much busier airport. Getting luggage, car, etc is a lot more difficult. We got caught in late afternoon traffic on our last trip to DL, it definitely takes some of the fun out of the whole experience.
Originally Posted By TinksBestFriend I don"t understand why so many of you think it's a problem driving to/from Disneyland from LAX. I live about a mile north of LAX and drive the route Darkbeer suggests all the time. Once on the 105 East it is about 45-50 minutes. Be sure to gas up the car (if you have to) in the Disneyland area because gas is about $.15 to $.25 more a gallon in the LAX area. Enjoy your Happy Place.
Originally Posted By seanyoda I'm going to agree with the LAX backers. You're looking at a route that's mostly carpool lanes. The drive to Disneyland on Friday morning will be against the commute for the most part. The drive back will take longer.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I don't think people mind the drive so much as LAX itself, I'd rather not fly into or out of there if I don't have to.
Originally Posted By seanyoda I've only flown out of Terminal 1 (US Airways & Southwest) and Terminal 3 (Frontier). While Terminal 3 is a total pit (so sad to see the remnants of its former days as a TWA terminal), Terminal 1 is decent. TSA has expanded the number of security lanes, and as a result, the security line moves pretty quickly. Plus, LAX does have <a href="http://www.encounterlax.com/" target="_blank">http://www.encounterlax.com/</a>
Originally Posted By LuLu Wow! Is the restaurant as cool as the website? I've wanted to eat there for so many years, but never made the time for it, as I don't think of it til I see it, which is either when I'm arriving to catch a flight, or waiting for someone to pick me up!
Originally Posted By oc_dean There is no doubt, SoCal freeways are a disaster. HOWEVER ... Once the Century 105 Freeway was built in the mid 90s (Now refered as the "Glen Anderson Freeway") LA's last freeway to be built .. it's unique placement .. beginning at LAX ..with a clean shot eastward is a blessing for one major reason: CARPOOL lanes! The even though it's only a 3-lane in each direction corridor ... that carpool lane is a blessing. Once a person can board the 105 and take it it's entire length .. more than half of your travel distance is complete to the DLR. And from there ... the distance from the 605 Freeway .. to the 91 East .. to the 5 South is almost a breaze. Use signs that lead you directly to the 105 from LAX .... and the ride should be a (relative) joy. DO avoid the San Diego 405 AT ALL COSTS. This is, by far, an awful freeway to get involved with. It's a real stinker!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I don't think people mind the drive so much as LAX itself, I'd rather not fly into or out of there if I don't have to.>> BINGO!! The freeway didn't seem all that bad. The airport was terrible. If Terminal 3 is the worst it must really be terrible. I certainly didn't think much of Terminal 2 (Northwest Airlines among others). My dissatisfaction was more with the personnel than the physical terminal though.
Originally Posted By Tinkerbell819 <<I don't think people mind the drive so much as LAX itself, I'd rather not fly into or out of there if I don't have to.>> That was my feeling, also. The drive was nothing to complain about either way the two times I've flown to/from there. (Although, once I got off at a wrong exit b/c there was not an exit from the carpool lane. Even that wasn't bad finding my way back to the freeway.) I can't recall what terminal United is in, that's the airline we've flown both times from LAX. This time we'll be flying Southwest. The people at Southwest always seemed so nice on the A&E show. Maybe their terminal has friendlier folks! lol
Originally Posted By Darkbeer FYI, the makeover of the LAX Theme Building to the Encounter was done by Walt Disney Imagineering in the mid 90's.... <a href="http://thelope.blogspot.com/2006/04/future-was-so-cool-in-1961.html" target="_blank">http://thelope.blogspot.com/20 06/04/future-was-so-cool-in-1961.html</a> Heck, even LaughingPlace is mentioned in the above link.....
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I ate a lunch there once back when it was the Theme Room, it was no great shakes. But Encounter looks pretty groovie.
Originally Posted By Tanyaj111 I think I am going to stick with Long Beach. By the time it takes me to get my luggage, catch the shuttle to the rental car office, rent the car and travel to my happy place, I could be sitting on Main Street sipping on a Mocha, eating a Mickey shaped cookie dipped in chocolate and taking in all of the scenery. 100 days to go. Thamks so much for all of your input. I will avoid LAX.
