Flying in--LAX or SNA?

[michygoomy]

I'm attending a conference at the Anaheim Convention Center and I have some traveling questions--and what a better place to ask them then this DIS boards, right?

So--where to fly into--LAX or SNA? Our travel service is recommending SNA, with TWO or THREE connections. Ugh.

I'm looking at LAX flights and they are way cheaper and have fewer connections.

So, questions:

Where do you guys typically fly to when going to DL?
How long would it take to get from LAX to that area?
What transportation options are available (the travel service said 100 bucks to get to the hotel!)

In case you haven't noticed, our travel service bites.

(And I will get a chance to go to California Advertures while I'm there, if not DL).

Thanks in advance!

 

[dianedisney]

I always fly into SNA, but Alaska Air has direct/non-stop flights from Seattle. Travel time from LAX to DL area could be 30min up to 1hr. It depends on the traffic. LAX is MUCH larger than SNA so getting to baggage claim then to shuttle takes about 30 min. SNA is a small, quiet airport where baggage claim is only 5 min from gates and shuttle just 50 yds from baggage.

 

[missypie]

I agree that SNA is much quieter and more convenient. But I don't know if I would fly into there if I had to make 2-3 connections and pay a lot more.

 

[Uncle Buck]

American (Dallas) and America West (Phoenix) have one-stop flights from Philly to Long Beach (LGB). Not sure what your fares might be, but might be worth a look. Typically 20-30 minutes from LGB to Anaheim (outside of rush hour). You'll make up tons of time not having to traverse a huge airport or picking-up a rental car.

 

[Friend Owl]

Are there car rentals at/around SNA?

 

[Uncle Buck]

^ countless, including all the biggies, Enterprise (on and off-site), and some small regional agencies. Check Orbitz/Expedia.

Here's a link to the official aiport listing:

http://www.ocair.com/rental_cars.htm

 

[mom_rules]

We got a good fare on America West (from Toronto) one stop in Pheonix (45 mins) then to SNA. We are also going to a conference at the convention centre. Budget rentals is on site and has some really good specials on now. We booked a mini-van for $199./wk.

 

[almostGoofy]

Yes, SNA is a smaller airport which would make getting in and out of there eaiser than LAX but if it meant changing planes two to three times, I'd go LAX. It would be more stressful to me worrying about missed connections. That and the hassle of getting to a gate that might not be in the same terminal let alone the boarding routine would NOT make it worth my while.

I vote with Uncle Buck: if you can get a flight into Long Beach with no more than one connection and the price difference isn't much, I'd go that route. Chances are, LAX will offer the lowest fares.

 

[ChibiJones]

I grew up about 1/2 hour from DL. I absolutely HATE going in/out of LAX. It is not anywhere near a 1/2 hour from Orange County. It is at least an hour away, alot more in rush hour traffic. When getting dropped off there, my family budgets at least two hours. With SNA, we can be there in 20 minutes at most. Maybe if you were coming in at 3am, it wouldn't be so bad, but because it is an international airport, they have flights coming/going at all hours.

SNA will be much more convenient to DL than LAX. They have some on-site car rentals so you don't have to take a shuttle. 5 minutes to baggage claim & a short walk to your rental car. I know National is on-site because that's what we used last time.

BTW, check Expedia or one of the other online sites. My BF would pick out his flights on Expedia & then give the info to his travel dept. I would do that too when booking travel for my old bosses. At least you can get on them for booking you on 2-3 connections when you can pull up flights at the same price with only 1 connection.

 

[mom_rules]

To get to California from TO, Canada is a least one connection no matter which airport you fly into. We were fortunate to get a flight with one connection in Phoenix (one hour) only. It was less expensive for us to fly into SNA than LAX (go figure). Can you tell me what the airport in Phoenix is like? Big/Small-confusing/straight forward?

 

[michygoomy]

BTW, check Expedia or one of the other online sites. My BF would pick out his flights on Expedia & then give the info to his travel dept. I would do that too when booking travel for my old bosses. At least you can get on them for booking you on 2-3 connections when you can pull up flights at the same price with only 1 connection.

Yep--that's what I'd NORMALLY do--but now they're hooked on one specific carrier, so if it means two connections to me, so be it. Now I have flights that are not only inconvenient, but expensive!

For the record, I went with SNA with two transfers. I'll be taking the scenic trip cross-country.

Rental car is out, as the conference will provide most of the transportation while there. Looks like a shuttle or taxi for me!

Thanks to all of you for your input. I admit, I'm not looking as forward to this trip as I am WDW in August!

 

[mom_rules]

Michygoomy-When are you going to DL and what airline are you taking from PA?

 

[michygoomy]

9/13-9/18 USAirways