VDH Opening

[Chili327]

I’m planning the first Disneyland trip for this summer. Sounds like Uber in the morning from LAX to Disneyland on a weekday is a good idea? Is Uber from Disneyland to LAX on Saturday around noon also okay?

I wouldn't say weekday LAX to DL in the morning is a good idea, morning commute traffic in LA is no joke, but you gotta do what makes most sense with your flight, etc.

For me, it's what I call the "money value of my time". As someone living in So Cal, I'll actually spend the extra time flying into and out of LAX if it means not having a layover in PHX, SLC, DEN, or wherever. An extra 2 hours, getting on and off another plane, navigating gates in a second airport, the added chance for a delay, etc., all make the 40 or so minutes I might have to take getting to LAX (assuming I'm alone and driving and not using carpool/HOV lanes) worth it. You also enjoy far more frequency, which means arriving earlier or departing later, getting more "time" on your vacation. Plus, about 90% of the time, any other airport around here (Long Beach, Santa Ana, Burbank, Ontario) are all more expensive than LAX and have infinitely fewer nonstops.

Yes, direct flight is also worth it.!!

 

[DonMacGregor]

I wouldn't say weekday LAX to DL in the morning is a good idea, morning commute traffic in LA is no joke, but you gotta do what makes most sense with your flight, etc.

As a rule, yes. But.... The trip from LAX to DLR is almost all carpool/HOV (with one very short +/- 2 mile break on the least busy freeway). As long as you're carpooling it isn't bad at all. The busiest part of the trip is the eastbound 105, and that freeway is typically busier westbound in the morning (marginally). Once you're past that, you really are going against traffic.

 

[KPeterso]

For me, it's what I call the "money value of my time". As someone living in So Cal, I'll actually spend the extra time flying into and out of LAX if it means not having a layover in PHX, SLC, DEN, or wherever. An extra 2 hours, getting on and off another plane, navigating gates in a second airport, the added chance for a delay, etc., all make the 40 or so minutes I might have to take getting to LAX (assuming I'm alone and driving and not using carpool/HOV lanes) worth it. You also enjoy far more frequency, which means arriving earlier or departing later, getting more "time" on your vacation. Plus, about 90% of the time, any other airport around here (Long Beach, Santa Ana, Burbank, Ontario) are all more expensive than LAX and have infinitely fewer nonstops.

as another Disneyland local, I go to lax for my flights to mco. It costs less and is direct. And that is paying for parking or Uber to lax. I live less than 10 minutes from sna and it just works better to go to lax for the wdw flights.

 

[DonMacGregor]

as another Disneyland local, I go to lax for my flights to mco. It costs less and is direct. And that is paying for parking or Uber to lax. I live less than 10 minutes from sna and it just works better to go to lax for the wdw flights.

Yup. Yorba Linda here. For business, if I'm flying within CA or just over to Vegas or Phoenix, it's SNA 100% of the time. If I'm headed to Texas or Florida, it's LAX. Plus, there are a ton more lounges at LAX... LOL.

Have you tried the LAX parking app? You can get serious discounts on parking using the app (like up to 50% off). It makes parking in P2 or P3 (I prefer Delta) actually reasonable versus long-term parking and the extra time required.

LAX Parking


My receipt for 5 days in P2, directly across from the Delta terminal.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Flights from Hawaii to SNA direct is very hard to find and very expensive. I hate the LAX to Anaheim schlep but it always end up being cheaper and better arrival/departure times. Getting into LAX though, NOT flying into TBIT makes it 1000% more convenient

 

[KPeterso]

Yup. Yorba Linda here. For business, if I'm flying within CA or just over to Vegas or Phoenix, it's SNA 100% of the time. If I'm headed to Texas or Florida, it's LAX. Plus, there are a ton more lounges at LAX... LOL.

Have you tried the LAX parking app? You can get serious discounts on parking using the app (like up to 50% off). It makes parking in P2 or P3 (I prefer Delta) actually reasonable versus long-term parking and the extra time required.

Irvine here. I used the new LAX economy lot last month for my trip. Super easy in and out and was under $100 for the week. Totally planning to use again and I am getting tons of emails now with discount codes. I am contemplating for September but I will have my mom and the wheelchair so I need to figure that out. We have parked at the Marriott several times and that works too.

oh and I have become a big delta fan. The new delta terminal at lax is great! It has become my preferred in the last 5 years.

 

[Brian Noble]

Ironically; Disney just did away with all resort parking fees in WDW -- weird.

Land value is VERY VERY different in Lake Buena Vista vs. Anaheim. VERY.

there are a ton more lounges at LAX... LOL. [...] (I prefer Delta)

The new SkyClub in LAX is awfully nice.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Irvine here. I used the new LAX economy lot last month for my trip. Super easy in and out and was under $100 for the week. Totally planning to use again and I am getting tons of emails now with discount codes. I am contemplating for September but I will have my mom and the wheelchair so I need to figure that out. We have parked at the Marriott several times and that works too.

oh and I have become a big delta fan. The new delta terminal at lax is great! It has become my preferred in the last 5 years.

I added a copy of my receipt from my last trip. $100 in P2 for 5 days. Oh, and they are almost done with the walkway connection to the Bradley terminal, so now there's going to be direct airside access to the Centurion Lounge as well as the Delta Lounge(s).

 

[DonMacGregor]

The new SkyClub in LAX is awfully nice.

It is the nicest one I've been in, even nicer than any in Atlanta (which is surprising) or the one in SLC (the next newest). And as I said above, the walkway between the Delta terminal and the Bradley terminal is almost done, so you'll have airside access to the brand new Centurion Lounge as well.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Land value is VERY VERY different in Lake Buena Vista vs. Anaheim. VERY.


The new SkyClub in LAX is awfully nice.

It is the nicest one I've been in, even nicer than any in Atlanta (which is surprising) or the one in SLC (the next newest). And as I said above, the walkway between the Delta terminal and the Bradley terminal is almost done, so you'll have airside access to the brand new Centurion Lounge as well.

Is it just me or the AMEX lounge at LAX is just meh

 

[Dobermanns]

Yup. Yorba Linda here. For business, if I'm flying within CA or just over to Vegas or Phoenix, it's SNA 100% of the time. If I'm headed to Texas or Florida, it's LAX. Plus, there are a ton more lounges at LAX... LOL.

Have you tried the LAX parking app? You can get serious discounts on parking using the app (like up to 50% off). It makes parking in P2 or P3 (I prefer Delta) actually reasonable versus long-term parking and the extra time required.

LAX Parking

View attachment 755492
My receipt for 5 days in P2, directly across from the Delta terminal.

Wow that’s awesome parking rates! We fly delta from LAX to MCO, and also LAX to HNL, all direct flights. We use the Parking Spot for our trips. So using the LAX parking app and parking at P2 or P3?

 

[Dobermanns]

No, I think owning makes sense. You might do better by investing the purchase price/annual dues and using the proceeds to rent from an owner. But renting is more work than owning, and not having to do that work has value.

Plus, as someone on TUG reminded me: "This is a TOY. You are buying a TOY. Treat it like a TOY."

So, not an investment, but a nice toy.

Agreed. After running some numbers (not looking to invest, just savings over cash booking) and processing the ToT and potential parking charge, I am going to buy a small nice shiny toy/door knob

 

[DonMacGregor]

Is it just me or the AMEX lounge at LAX is just meh

The one they just opened last year? I think any lounge is going to pale in comparison to the new Delta Skylounge.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Wow that’s awesome parking rates! We fly delta from LAX to MCO, and also LAX to HNL, all direct flights. We use the Parking Spot for our trips. So using the LAX parking app and parking at P2 or P3?

Yeah. The further out you reserve (and pay), the less expensive it is (not an issue for DVC trips). Obviously, that $100 trip was booked 5 months out. Prices do vary by season/demand too. Discounts apply at the economy lot as well.

 

[take36]

No, I think owning makes sense. You might do better by investing the purchase price/annual dues and using the proceeds to rent from an owner. But renting is more work than owning, and not having to do that work has value.

Plus, as someone on TUG reminded me: "This is a TOY. You are buying a TOY. Treat it like a TOY."

So, not an investment, but a nice toy.

Yeah running the scenarios for a family member as she is super interested but can’t justify the 100 point buy in much less then 150 for full membership.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Hey LAX people...do any of you use TSA pre-check? If so, is it super helpful?

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Hey LAX people...do any of you use TSA pre-check? If so, is it super helpful?

Oh yeah, that is a pre requisite. I really need to activate my clear membership actually

 

[ClaraOswald]

Oh yeah, that is a pre requisite. I really need to activate my clear membership actually

We don't fly much at all but we're considering applying for the pre-check before we make a trip out to MCO. For our home airport (Omaha) and SNA, the lines have never been too bad. But I think it might be worth it even if we only fly once a year.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Hey LAX people...do any of you use TSA pre-check? If so, is it super helpful?

TSA Precheck AND Clear. To be honest though, it's more helpful at MCO. The security lines in that place are the worst I've seen anywhere.

 

[take36]

Hey LAX people...do any of you use TSA pre-check? If so, is it super helpful?

LAX also has Fast lane program for select flights if you don’t want/afford/qualify for TSA pre check.