Airport Traffic and decisions...

[Xenorye]

Hey all. We are flying Southwest, in on a Wednesday morning, and flying out on a Saturday afternoon/evening. Here are my options and concerns:

OKC -> SNA (via DEN): 6:55am Central -> 9:35am Pacific
SNA -> OKC (via PHX): 3:40pm Pacific -> 10:00pm Central (or so)

OR

DAL -> LAX (nonstop): 6:00am Central -> 7:25am Pacific
LAX -> DAL (nonstop): 5:05pm Central -> 10:00pm Central

Other background info: No kids to worry about this trip, the cost works out to be about the same (we live in OKC, more expensive flights; if we fly out of Dallas, cheaper flights, but we have to pay for a hotel for the night before and the night after, plus gas to drive, and then larger transportation costs once we get to LAX). Flying out of Dallas means a potential of an extra couple of hours on arrival and departure day in the park. However, here are my questions:

1. What is traffic like from LAX to Disneyland (staying at the Desert Palms) on a Wednesday morning? Is traffic bad both ways, or is it bad towards LAX, leaving us a clearer path to get from LAX to the hotel? What about the return trip, from the hotel to LAX on a Saturday afternoon?

2. If the traffic is bad, is it bad enough to potentially negate the extra time we'd be giving ourselves?

Thanks for any help.

 

[endy]

Being the same price then definitely flying into SNA. It's closer, smaller and very easy to get around. If you're renting a car they are onsite, simply pick up your luggage, walk to rentals, pick up your car and drive away.

 

[Xenorye]

Thanks. We aren't renting a car - planning on Uber/Lyft instead. And that's another thing we're trying to balance -- is it worth the hassle for potentially 2-3 extra hours total in the resort? Sounds like it might not be.

 

[lk2500]

That is a tough one. Do you have to go through security again for the connecting flights? I personally would seriously consider the direct flights since flying is not our favorite thing, especially DW.

SNA - Shorter security lines by a lot. Closer to DLR. Connecting flights can be a hassle.
LAX - Longer security lines, but not horrible. Longer drive by at least 30-60 minutes depending on traffic, but you're just sitting in a car chillin' so is it that big a deal?

 

[Albort]

its about 1-1.5hr(at most) in traffic. We do have Carpool lanes that should speed it up. Do you have Waze? Waze gives a pretty good estimate on how traffic is like at certain times.
But LAX --> Disney vs SNA --> Disney, your uber will probably cost u more from LAX.

 

[valiamo]

We have used both SNA and LAX, and much more prefer SNA for the convenience and closeness to the resort.

LAX is getting harder and harder to get around and recently customs/security has been reported as taking up to 2 hours. Travel time is lllloooonnnnggg to the resort, and traffic is very heavy.

SNA security is very light, and the last time it took us less than 20 minutes to get from the street, drop off bags and past security, what a breeze.

If the price difference is any less than $50 difference (flying into LAX is usually less than flying into SNA) then I will book SNA every time. Alas for me SNA is running $250 a person more expensive than LAX.

 

[Xenorye]

Thanks everyone. We've decided to go with SNA, which was our original plan. The greedy side of me loved the idea of getting a couple extra hours in the parks, but the practical side of me realized there was too much risk that it would be negated by traffic and distance, plus, such a hassle all around.

 

[ktlm]

We fly to and from OKC too. If the prices are the same, it would hands down be SNA for us (we typically do SNA even if the price is a little higher). The convenience and easiness of SNA outweighs the nonstop flight for us. . Been through both airports. I really don't see that you are going to get any extra time at DLR flying into LAX. DLR is usually a 15 to 20 minute drive from SNA. DLR is usually a 45 minute drive from LAX if there is no traffic- it can be an hour to an hour and a half with traffic. SNA is a much smaller airport and security is easy to get through. For your departure, you will not have to leave SNA to fly out as early as you would have to get to LAX to get through security etc. Also, on arrival, you typically wait a shorter time for your bags at SNA.

 

[disneycat321]

I think you made the right choice. Given the longer wait times for everything at LAX - security, baggage claim, etc. - and the much longer drive from LAX to DLR, I think you'd get less extra time than you're thinking. LAX to DLR is about 45 minutes with no traffic, so you'd get that time if you landed at say, 1 or 2 am, basically.

I used to be a SoCal local, and the only reason we ever flew out of LAX was price. Otherwise, SNA is a million times easier.

 

[Xenorye]

Thanks again everyone, and good to hear from someone else from here @ktlm.