A trip to Disneyland might just be the most enjoyable trip you can take with your family. Disneyland has so many things to do and see that it’s possible to visit many times without getting bored. Even if you only go once in a lifetime, you’re sure to form lasting memories. A trip to the Magic Kingdom is an important milestone for children and adults alike. It makes sense to minimize any inconvenience during your stay, so you can enjoy it fully. One of the easiest ways to save money and time is to use car rental near Disneyland to save money and time.
You’re Already Renting a Car at Disneyland
No matter what kind of excursion you had in mind for Disneyland, you’re already renting a car. Or more accurately, you’re renting a series of cars, taxis, shuttle buses, or trams. There’s no way around it. In order to get to Disneyland in Anaheim, you have to fly into the nearest airport, which for most people is LAX.
LAX is located in Inglewood, which is fairly close to Disney in Anaheim. It’s only about 30 miles, and if the traffic is moving right along, you’ll be at the park in less than 40 minutes. Even though it’s not that far, one way or the other, you’re going to have to make the trip.
Your Free Car Rental Is Going To Cost You
There are many different methods available to get from LAX to Disneyland. Disney vacations come in all shapes and sizes. You may qualify for free shuttle service to Disney, or at least to some intermediate location that offers free shuttles. There’s a hitch with any free shuttle service to Disney, however.
Many families don’t rent cars for Disneyland trips. It’s a smart strategy if you have an all-inclusive Disney vacation. It’s quite possible to get everything you need inside the park. There are lodgings, restaurants, and shops of all kinds on the premises. If you’re a set it and forget it type of vacationer, an all inclusive vacation is the way to go.
There are downsides to all inclusive vacation packages to Disney. They cost big money. Many consumers are shocked when they see the ticket prices at Disney. They might be more surprised to find out that admission is actually a bargain for all the benefits it offers. It’s all the other amenities at Disney that really cost a lot compared to services outside the park.
Free Things At Disney Require Waiting
At first sight, paying for a car rental near Disneyland seems silly. If you’re entitled to a free shuttle bus service with your vacation package, it’s money you won’t have to spend. There’s a problem. Free things are popular, and popular things involve waiting.
Your trip to Disneyland gives you a limited amount of time to see and do everything. The last thing you want to do is wait in any lines you can skip. You’ll naturally spend a lot of time waiting in lines inside the park. Rides are fun, and park visitors like to go on them multiple times. There’s not a lot you can do about lines for rides. It’s smart to avoid all the other lines you can.
Shuttle buses might be free, but they run on a schedule that you can’t change. Depending on when you arrive at LAX, you could be required to wait for long periods for the right one to show up. During the parts of the day when the shuttle runs more often, there are more people trying to use it. Late at night, when the crowds thin out, the bus schedule is cut back to reflect smaller ridership. Either way, you end up waiting.
Car Rental Near Disneyland Is All About Freedom
If you spend a little extra money on a car rental at LAX, you’ll save a lot of time in the long run. You’ll also get many more opportunities to save money. That’s because you’ll be able to come and go from the park anytime you wish.
The amenities inside Disneyland are great, but they cost a lot more than similar services outside the park. If you use shuttles for your transportation, you’ll be trapped inside the park, and you won’t be able to save money by visiting businesses outside the park:
Restaurants
The restaurants inside Disney are first-rate. They’re also crowded at regular mealtimes, and they cost a lot more than a comparable meal just outside the park. If you have a rental car at your disposal, you can find hundreds of good, affordable restaurants within a few miles of the park. You’ll save money, and you’ll be able to choose any kind of food you want. You’ll also have less trouble with crowds at mealtime.
Hotels
Once again, the accommodations inside the park are fantastic. Like the restaurants, they cost a whole lot more than comparable lodgings outside the park. Many smart Disney travelers stay at clean, comfortable hotels and motels just outside the park, and use the money they save to buy admission tickets. If you have a rental car from LAX, you’ll be able to come and go as you please.
Beverages
Even if you skimp on meals inside the park to save money, one way or the other, you’re going to need something to drink. Anaheim can get hot, and you’ll be out in the sun a great deal. Disney charges a lot for soda, coffee, and even water. It’s much less expensive to purchase drinks for the day outside the park.
Souvenirs
It may sound odd, but buying Disney souvenirs inside the park isn’t a smart move. You can buy Disney souvenirs online, or in many shops in the area, always for less than you’ll pay in the park. If you want to buy souvenirs for your children or yourself, it’s smart to buy them beforehand, and bring them with you, or purchase them outside the park before you go in.
Clothing
If you’re flying into LAX, the amount of luggage you can carry is limited. You’re bound to need at least one article of clothing you can’t pack ahead of time. Clothing and other personal accessories are very pricey inside the park. If it looks like rain, and you don’t have a poncho, having a rental car to shop outside the park can save you the cost of the clothes in one trip.
Looking For Affordable Car Rental Near Disneyland?
There is no “right” way to visit Disneyland in Anaheim. Different visitors have different ideas of what an ideal vacation to the Magic Kingdom looks like. If you’re a budget-conscious shopper, or just like the idea of the freedom that your own personal transportation offers, rent a car at LAX and take a trip to Disney on your own terms.