DL newbie needs some advice and/or suggestions

[RweTHEREyet]

We are potentially planning a quick trip in January--main purpose is to see son's new home and where he works, etc. with a day or two at DL thrown in the mix (our first time ever to get to DL). My questions are all about airports and transportation, etc.

Flying in from Raleigh/Durham, we can use SW, Delta, United, etc. We will probably need to arrange our own transportation from airport to VGC, where we will stay our first couple of nights and our own transportation back to the airport.

Flights into SNA are about $250 more for the two of us than into LAX.
Ground transportation expense seems to be about the same for either airport.

After hearing how much easier it is to negotiate the SNA airport and the shorter distance, etc., is it really worth it for me to spend $250 more for flights to go into SNA rather than LAX? My son keeps recommending SNA, but he won't be picking us up because he will be working, so the airport we use won't make any difference to anyone but us.

I would love to be able to fly JetBlue, even with having to go thru NY, but their return flights for my dates are all the red-eye, which I do not want.

 

[jlmarr]

Flights into SNA are about $250 more for the two of us than into LAX.
Ground transportation expense seems to be about the same for either airport.

After hearing how much easier it is to negotiate the SNA airport and the shorter distance, etc., is it really worth it for me to spend $250 more for flights to go into SNA rather than LAX?

I'd say no. DW recently took the Disneyland Express bus from LAX and said it was a breeze, and she would do it again. It's a different story if you're driving or asking someone else to pick you up, but if you're taking DL Express you just sit back and anticipate your arrival. The standard advice with DL Express is to prepay since there are competing services that will try to pass themselves off as DL Express, but if you tell them you're prepaid then they'll leave you alone. Here's their info page: http://graylineanaheim.com/airport_info.shtml

Another option for you would be Long Beach (LGB), which is as close as SNA but no DL Express - you'd need to take a shuttle or taxi (14 miles). JetBlue flies to LGB.

 

[spacemermaid]

If you're not renting a car, I'd say, go with LAX & take the Disneyland Express...that way, you don't have to negotiate driving around LAX (a nightmare! For me, anyways, and I'm familiar with the place!). You just pick up your suitcases, walk across the curbside-pick-up/taxi area, and wait for the bus.

 

[Eeee-va]

I read that SNA is actually under construction for a while--I don't know when it ends, but from what I've heard, Mom may have done the right thing flying into LAX this month!

The website just says to allow 90 minutes to 2 hours, which isn't bad, especially since if you take a shuttle you don't have to deal with parking.

http://www.ocair.com/

Still, I think that IF you can take a shuttle to the parks and back, I think LAX is probably worth the savings. If you have to get a rental car, LAX is still probably worth it, but it will involve some icky driving.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Go to LAX... Then get a car servce or a limo... the driver can meet you at the baggage claim and take care of your bags...

 

[Leofoenget]

I would say save the $250. That's a HUGE difference.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I read that SNA is actually under construction for a while--I don't know when it ends, but from what I've heard, Mom may have done the right thing flying into LAX this month!

The website just says to allow 90 minutes to 2 hours, which isn't bad, especially since if you take a shuttle you don't have to deal with parking.

http://www.ocair.com/

Still, I think that IF you can take a shuttle to the parks and back, I think LAX is probably worth the savings. If you have to get a rental car, LAX is still probably worth it, but it will involve some icky driving.

allow 90 minutes to 2 hours for what, to get from LAX to DL?

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

allow 90 minutes to 2 hours for what, to get from LAX to DL?

Yes, while LAX is only 34 miles from DLR, you can expect to encounter at least some traffic which will cause the trip to take at least an hour. If you arrive anytime during rushtime hours you can expect the trip to take up to two hours with a lot of sitting in traffic. This is a reason why most people choose to take the Disneyland Express or a shuttle with set rates rather than take a taxi.

At a savings of $250, I would still likely choose LAX myself. It's what we did on our last trip because it saved us over $100 (though we lucked out and were able to fly into John Wayne due to our flight being delayed!). If you have not yet looked at the comparitive information on the Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information
thread, it might help you determine your best course of action.

While transportation from John Wayne (Orange County's SNA airport) is usually less expensive than transportation from LAX, it's not going to be $250 less expensive. If the difference in cost is closer to $50, however, sometimes, it makes more sense to fly into more expensive John Wayne because you make up the difference in ground tranportation. You certainly save on the amount of time it takes to get from the airport to the resort!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Thanks everyone. Just setting up this quick trip makes me realize how easily I can knockout a plan for a WDW trip, and how foreign heading to DL is to me.

 

[Eeee-va]

The 90 minutes to 2 hours I referenced was the time the SNA website said to allow to get through their airport! (Again, without needing parking you shouldn't need THAT long, but still.)

Use caution when traveling the Airport roadways and plan to arrive 1-1/2 to 2 hours prior to your flight departure time to find parking, go through security screening and get to your gate on time.

http://www.ocair.com/

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Thanks again for all your input. I went ahead and booked us to fly in to LAX. Guess I need to book the DL Express next. And I don't know if I am going to make a plan for the Parks or if I just want to go in and explore. I have lots and lots and lots of DWDW trips in my past, and this does not make me ready for DL, but at least I am not a Disney park novice.

 

[spacemermaid]

Good choice

Here's a coupon for the Disneyland Express: http://www.mousesavers.com/DisneylandResortExpress.pdf

Have fun on your trip!!!

 

[Jaxum]

If you plan on renting a car, I would recommend flying in to LGB, Long Beach. I love this small airport, and I usually can be in the park in around 20-25 minutes. However, they do not have Magical Express. The best part is they have the lowest ticket cost as compared to LAX and Orange County.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Good choice

Here's a coupon for the Disneyland Express: http://www.mousesavers.com/DisneylandResortExpress.pdf

Have fun on your trip!!!

Thank you space mermaid. I am so excited about finally seeing the Park that started it all and being able to walk where Walt walked.

 

[goldwest]

I recomend you use the ridemax site for planning your rides at the park. I have 6 trips to disneyland only one (last one) to world. Ridemax works really well for disneyland.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Good choice

Here's a coupon for the Disneyland Express: http://www.mousesavers.com/DisneylandResortExpress.pdf

Have fun on your trip!!!

Very cool, Spacemermaid! The Orange County one seems to have expired/disappeared, so I'll add this to the Ground Transportation thread. Nice find.