car rental from LAX to get to Anaheim

We arrive at LAX at noon on July 10. We are tossing up whether to rent a car and drive to Anaheim where we are staying for 5 days or take a taxi/minivan/bus. Does anyone know what kind of delay is involved in hiring a car at LAX? Can you hire straight off the car rental company parking lot rather than at a booth in the airport? (We will be staying opposite a parking lot on an earlier trip) Is it better/cheaper to book in advance or can you decide on the day? I have heard about sharing a van/shuttle to anaheim. Is that a cheaper easier option? If I self-drive is it a challenge to navigate to Disneyland?

KJB148

car rental from LAX to get to Anaheim

If it was me, I would try for a 1-week rental from Priceline. If you have a reservation, I think you just hop on the bus at the terminal. I like the freedom of having a car to be able to visit other locations in the OC area, like the beach, the Block at Orange, and the new Garden Grove center. The drive is pretty straightforward; almost all freeway, but you will want to avoid morning and afternoon rush (6:30-8:30 and 3-8:30 or 7.)

Taxi is pretty expensive, but you might check Super Shuttle prices (one of the shuttle vans.) You can hop on one without a reservation, but I don%26#39;t know how much it costs. I would guess that for 4 people, the rental car would come up cheaper.

car rental from LAX to get to Anaheim

In my opinion, possible delays for pick up of a car hire depend upon the policies of the rental agencies.

Here are my experiences, keeping in mind these were not at airport locations.

Hertz uses only a computerized check out at the counter, asks you if you prefer insurance or not while you are at the counter, and has you sign the computerized form right there at the counter. Then they take you to the car, which usually has a full tank of gas. They sometimes may do a quick ';walk around'; of the car to check out existing damage on a small form. When you check in your car, you give the rep. your contract and keys. They either go and check the miles, or you right it on the contract envelope for them. And that%26#39;s it.

Enterprise uses a computerized check out at the counter. Then the representive prints out a full page contract, takes you to the car with the contract on a clipboard, does a complete and detailed ';walk around';, talks to you about your insurance options, attempts to upgrade your choice of insurance options, and then has you sign the contract. Their cars are usually not checked out with a full tank of gas, but the airport may be different. If I use Enterprise, I usually have to stop at a gas station. At check in, you hand the rep. your contract and keys and wait for him/her to do a complete ';walk around'; and check inside the car as well for damage and left articles.

Shuttles sometimes circle the airport looking for more fares.

Disneyland Express is a good way to go, in my opinion, if you have a small number of people. Round trip for $30 each adult and a discount online. I have only read one complaint about delays. But they do go to various hotels in the Anaheim Resort/Garden Grove area.

If you would like to rent a car to go somewhere while staying in Anaheim, there are agencies there. I know of a Hertz that is open 7 days a week and Alamo is in Downtown Disney. When considering renting from the airport, think about how many days are you actually going to use the car. Is it going to sit in the parking lot of your hotel when you are in the Disneyland Resort. Will you hotel charge you a parking fee? Consider that you can take the Anaheim Resort Transit to get to some places from your hotel, such as The Block, riding for $3 all day for an adult.

Making a reservation for a car hire is always the wise and courteous thing to do. They need to know how many cars they are going to need. (Airport locations take cars to other locations when those other locations are short.) I know the Hertz for one has the policy of requesting a courtesy call for cancellation of a reservation, but absolutely no penalty for not even calling to cancel. I would assume that is the standard practice about other agencies, but not certain. So, in other words, if you need to cancel, no worries. I just think it is wise to make the reservation so that you can get a good deal on line (go to the website of you company of choice to view specials) and so you have more of a chance of knowing you will have a car available when you get there. Also, if you reserve a car and have a problem getting one the rep is more likely to bend over backwards trying to get one for you.

Hi, like I just posted on another question, my experience is that if you have three or more in your party consider booking a Limo from Execucar (cost about US$135) picks you up at the arrivals hall, drives you stright to Anaheim. If you want to spend less they have Execuvan were you share the van with other travellers and visit the diferent hotels on the way. We always use Execucar and always hire our car in Anaheim at the Hetz rental depot on West Katella just around the corner from the Disney Main Entrance. Go online to Hertz.com, search for %26#39;Downtown Anaheim HLE%26#39; (that%26#39;s the depot on West Katella) and book what you need. Good thing about Hertz, you don%26#39;t pay until after your rental ends and you take the car back! As long as you book with your credit card that is. If you decide to book a Hertz car at LAX they have Hertz coutesy buses passing all terminals continuously so very easy to get to the Hertz depot at LAX just grab one of the many free buses at Arrivals. C3PD

Hi - for five days we usually rent a car at Lax and drive down to Dl. Navigation is not hard, and the driving is not too mindblowing (but I%26#39;m from Auckland!) As as previous poster says, numbers of travellers make a difference - if there are four of you, a rental will be competitive.

You take a shuttle bus to the rental agency from outside the terminal. It takes about 30 mins from shuttle to exit.

You might want to bear in mind parking at the other end - make sure your accommodation has free parking if you do decide to go with a rental.

Its hard to predict rental car costs, depends on the size you are after, but will be from around 150 US.

Thanks for all these suggestions.Very helpful!

KJB148