Flying in to LAX that bad?

[aleh021]

I've read some bad experiences from people traveling into LAX saying they will never fly in to LAX every again and some say they don't mind it at all. I just want to hear your opinions if it really is that bad?

I am flying in from Boston and can get a direct non-stop flight in to LAX. And also a direct non-stop flight back to Boston. The flight times are perfect for me flying into LAX but I was also looking at SNA (John Wayne) however its a longer trip time with 1 stop each way. When it comes down to cost, its really maybe only a $20 difference.

Would you guys pick a direct flight with better times or go for the airport closest to Disneyland?

Thanks! Look forward to reading your replies

 

[Disneyluv111]

We flew into LAX and I thought it was great. Nothing to rave about. We had no issues. Picked up our car and headed out to Disney. Easy.
Enjoy, don't worry.

I would do direct flight. We did 1 stop each way to WDW and we were exhausted. My daughter even said it was too much. But the trip was much longer than going to CA. It was 7 hours total. I did make sure that the stops were not long. It was about 15-20 minutes wait time in between. Even at that we were completely exhausted. lol If I had a choice to do it again, I would pay the extra and do direct. Some people are willing to do stops because they're on a tight budget and that's understandable.

 

[ashley0139]

I'd do the direct flight to LAX. It also makes a difference what time you are arriving into LAX how annoying it is.

 

[sheetz]

The biggest problem is for people who don't feel comfortable driving through LA to get to Anaheim. If you don't mind the drive or are taking a shuttle then LAX is fine.

 

[aleh021]

We flew into LAX and I thought it was great. Nothing to rave about. We had no issues. Picked up our car and headed out to Disney. Easy.
Enjoy, don't worry.

I would do direct flight. We did 1 stop each way to WDW and we were exhausted. My daughter even said it was too much. But the trip was much longer than going to CA. It was 7 hours total. I did make sure that the stops were not long. It was about 15-20 minutes wait time in between. Even at that we were completely exhausted. lol If I had a choice to do it again, I would pay the extra and do direct. Some people are willing to do stops because they're on a tight budget and that's understandable.

The direct flight is actually cheaper surprisingly! Lol yeah I think ill go with the direct flight! I have an early flight and I leave mid afternoon so maybe traffic wont be that that bad. Coming from Boston, ive become immune to traffic to some degree lol.

 

[aleh021]

I'd do the direct flight to LAX. It also makes a difference what time you are arriving into LAX how annoying it is.

My flight would land at 10am in LAX & then my flight leaves at 3:00pm on a Monday so maybe the traffic on a week day wont be to bad.

 

[ashley0139]

My flight would land at 10am in LAX & then my flight leaves at 3:00pm on a Monday so maybe the traffic on a week day wont be to bad.

Sounds like you actually might avoid traffic mostly (although you never know). I hate layovers so I would do that, but it's probably not a huge difference either way.

 

[2tinkerbell]

I go for the times of the flights over the airport. I have flown into LAX the last 3 times and I find it not difficult at all. One thing to consider is your ground transportation costs. For me, while flying direct into LAX is cheaper, by the time I add in the extra ground transportation costs, it comes out about the same. Then I look at arrival/departure times and the overall travel time.

 

[mom2rtk]

We have flown into both SNA and LAX. At SNA we had to schelp our bags a really long way to get to ground transportation. At LAX we could catch our shuttle right outside the baggage pickup area.

We usually fly home out of SNA though. I like taking a taxi to the airport on departure day and that's cheaper to that location. And I don't have to worry as much about traffic delays.

 

[OnePrincessMom]

I had the exact same concerns flying from NJ. It seemed a lot of people preferred SNA but the direct flights were few and far between. We opted for non stop to LAX and it was way easier than I was worried about. We didn't rent a car (used Disneyland Express) and we landed around 11 am so traffic didn't come into play either. Have fun!!!

 

[ilovethisplace]

Not trying to throw a wrench in the works but I booked Boston to San Diego non-stop on Alaska for $292. I can't remember the last time I flew to California for less than $300 but I would guess it was at least 15 years ago. It is a longer drive for sure but it can take the same amount of time as LAX depending on traffic. LAX is fine to fly into/out of but the traffic can be brutal. It makes 128/93 seem like nothing.

 

[ParkHopper1]

As a weekly flier I would take the non stop. Any time you will spend more time at a layover than any extra travel time. Your transportation costs to DL may be a bit higher...but the direct flight will be with it in my opinion.

If you were traveling during rush hour I would have said SNA, but with your schedule it is a toss up.

 

[Bud Ice]

Traffic is the biggest deal flying into lax. And a bit of a drive. Well worth the price difference in most cases tho. Lot more airlines means fares are cheaper.

 

[Watchtower]

What about searching for a direct flight from Boston to Long Beach Airport? It's a smaller, nicer airport....and half the distance to DLR.

 

[madmaxx]

We've always had great experiences flying to/from LAX. We found this week that flying out of LAX was even faster; they've improved the checkin/security process enough that it was less than 30 minutes total, and the other improvements around the airport are pretty solid too (charging stations, etc). Traffic is busy, but we tend to take the bus or shuttle so don't have to worry too much about it.

 

[valiamo]

I've read some bad experiences from people traveling into LAX saying they will never fly in to LAX every again and some say they don't mind it at all. I just want to hear your opinions if it really is that bad?

Have flown into LAX numerous times, and have taken the shuttle bus, rent-a-car, and private town car. All of them are OK, and I would have no problems with doing it again. LAX is an older airport, and the terminals are showing their age. Deplaning and walking to luggage is easy, tho do you have to travel some distance and have to get downstairs. Arrivals is much easier than departures, as there is not much that can go wrong with arriving. Departures is sometimes a pain, as TSA can get bunged up some times, depending on the day and flights.

In most cases you can leave the terminal and catch either your shuttle bus (to hotels or rent-a-cars) or private car to your hotel. The car rental place is a couple of miles away from the terminal, and you catch the bus for your agency. Usually one driving around the terminal and you just look for the right color post. Signage is excellent and if you take the time to read, you will find your way easily.

Driving in a rent-a-car is an interesting experience. Make sure you have a GPS with you (makes life MUCH easier to reach Anaheim). I come from an area where a traffic jam is 2 cows and a crow (kidding), and I did not feel uncomfortable driving in LA.. just go with the flow. Remember it is a LOOONNNNGGGG drive and traffic is heavy ALWAYS.

We are trying SNA in 2 weeks, so will be able to note the differences between the two.

 

[smilezlie]

I live near Disney and prefer flying out of LAX. SNA is old and small and confusing (if I remember correctly). Plus flights are terrible.

LAX is only terrible if you have a flight during rush hour. A flight arriving between 9am-12pm at LAX should have you headed south before evening rush hour starts. Rush hour headed north towards LAX starts as early as 6-6:30am and does not end until around 11am.

Always give yourself an extra hour in case there is an accident or road work. If you do not drive during rush hour the drive isn't bad at all.

 

[Belledisney]

Not a huge LAX fan but for the right price I will go. I fly Boston to LBC though it's closer to Disney and way less stressful then LAX. It's usually a red eye back to which I love.

 

[aleh021]

I had the exact same concerns flying from NJ. It seemed a lot of people preferred SNA but the direct flights were few and far between. We opted for non stop to LAX and it was way easier than I was worried about. We didn't rent a car (used Disneyland Express) and we landed around 11 am so traffic didn't come into play either. Have fun!!!

Thank you! Well hearing you flew from the east coast definitely makes me feel better about flying non stop in to LAX. I don't know why I have been over thinking on this decision making lol.

 

[aleh021]

As a weekly flier I would take the non stop. Any time you will spend more time at a layover than any extra travel time. Your transportation costs to DL may be a bit higher...but the direct flight will be with it in my opinion.

If you were traveling during rush hour I would have said SNA, but with your schedule it is a toss up.

Awesome thanks for helping me feel better about flying in to LAX!