Flying into LAX

[MVBowers111]

Southwest is running their fall special on airfares right now and I'm looking to book a flight to Disney...but, the only airport showing up for the sale is into LAX. How far is that from Disneyland? Does anyone know how much approximately a taxi van would cost? We were originally hoping to fly into SNA because I think I remember reading that is was closer to Disney. But, I could be wrong...should I book our flights into LAX or just pay to fly into SNA?

Thanks for any help!

 

[jenergy]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297

That thread will tell you everything but here's an answer to your question.

SNA is 14 miles versus LAX being 34. The Disneyland Express goes to both tho and you can get discounted fares for it through Get Away Travel. I took it from SNA last year and it worked out great.

http://www.getawaytoday.com/tickets

When are you going? There should be tix into SNA. I'm going in August and there aren't any as early as I'd like so I'm going into LAX but they're still there.

EDIT: Fall special probably means you're going in fall?

 

[MVBowers111]

We are leaving on August 31, coming home on September 3...and as I see, SNA isn't one of the airports on sale. LAX seems to be so far...I'm not sure what to do. Thanks for the links, I will check them out.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think the last time I heard, it's about $80 for a cab?


Your other options are shuttles like Super Shuttle and Karmel (I most recently took Karmel and liked them more than I've liked SS), and a coach bus run by Grayline called the Disneyland Resort Express (NOT run by Disney).

 

[jenergy]

Are you flying out of SLC? If so, its showing flights going into SNA at $121 one-way. Also, do you not want to take the Disneyland Express? Cause it's totally worth it for the price. And it's only a ~15 min diff from LAX to Disneyland without traffic (30 of course with it)

 

[rosie2283]

We flew into LAX last fall and plan on flying into it again for our trip this November. We used Karmel shuttle. It was all very smooth. We were at out hotel about an hour after we landed.

 

[SomeDude78]

How much is the fare difference between LAX and SNA? SNA is a lot closer and there's less traffic en route. But of course LAX gets most of the air fare deals because it has higher capacity.

If it's a matter of money, I'd personally only go the LAX route if you find a flat rate to get to/from DLR. Otherwise any savings in air fare can be eaten up quickly by ground transportation costs.

When visiting DLR I just drive, but I've taken taxis from both LAX and SNA to various parts of OC for business (not DLR but frequently neighboring Garden Grove which is essentially the same thing for all intents and purposes). Fare to/from SNA usually runs ~$40, whereas fare to/from LAX is ~$80 in the best case, but usually $100-$130 (and occasionally more) given traffic.

IMO I'd do LAX only with a flat rate shuttle, otherwise pay the extra air fare for the convenience of SNA.

 

[MVBowers111]

THe price difference between SNA and LAX is only ten dollars, but I can get a direct flight with no layovers if I fly into LAX. Everything into SNA has layovers and takes at least three hours...and since we don't have much time as is, I think we'll go the LAX route and then take one of the shuttles you've all mentioned. Thanks so much for all your help, I love this community...everyone is so helpful!

 

[Carolynleanne]

I think we'll go the LAX route and then take one of the shuttles you've all mentioned. Thanks so much for all your help, I love this community...everyone is so helpful!

I think that's a good call. Layovers are the worst!

Btw - we flew not lax 2 months ago and took the magical express to our hotel. It was fine, took a good hour maybe more to get to our hotel because it was the last stop on the route. The price made up for it though.

 

[ryleeranger]

I just booked through the Southwest fall sale into SNA....

 

[XGrumpy1]

In January we flew into LAX, rented a car, and ran into LA traffic. 2 hours to go the 34 miles. It worked out well for me though, I told the Worldmark people I had a dinner reservation at the Napa Rose and did not have time for any of their spiel (and it was true)!

 

[Vala]

I'm doing the LAX route for the 4th time now. The worst part for me is the International Terminal... the customs lines there do take almost an hour on its own.

Once out I also hop either onto Supershuttle or the Magical Express. Both go on the carpool lanes, so even if traffic is bad the journey is relatively smooth.

 

[DisneytheKid]

Super shuttle is $16a person from lax to disneyland. Jut in case you need it!

 

[darph nader]

(Why do I have Arlo Guthrie running through my head?)

 

[mystic_path]

LAX is a hub and a much bigger airport which deals with more airlines meaning they can transport more people during a day offering more flights in and out then SNA can. This is why you are able to get more direct flights into LAX then SNA.

If you fly into LAX you are looking at around a 45 minute drive from the airport to Disneyland, where flying into SNA you have a 20 minute drive. I would never recommend taking a cab from LAX if that is where you end up flying into. I would recommend Super Shuttle to you, as it is only like $10-15 (at least this is what I have paid the last few times I few in there), where if you took a cab your looking at $100+. Also with Super Shuttle you have a small van that holds up to like 8 people. I've rarely ever had to share a shuttle with another family or other individuals when using that service from LAX. If you do, then you may have one or two drop off before your own, but they should be in your area. Plus it takes much less time then the Disneyland express which is a tour bus that holds 3 times as many people.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think that's a good call. Layovers are the worst!

While I like a good layover at an airport like O'Hare (though only in the United terminal where I can get my panini at Cafe Brioche), a layover like the one the OP would face just makes me nutty.

 

[ltl engine]

We are having the same problem--SNA has 1 direct flight each way the rest have 2+ hours layover with Southwest. But we are renting a car for the week. When I check rental prices for LAX they are about $200 less than SNA for the week. I know it is still early but that is a big difference.

 

[basketlacey]

What about flying into ONT? That airport has my best choices as far as times and sale.

 

[GrandBob]

I'm doing the LAX route for the 4th time now. The worst part for me is the International Terminal... the customs lines there do take almost an hour on its own.

Hmm, that's funny. I just came in through the Bradley International Terminal in April for a business trip. Customs took 10 minutes, tops.

(Why do I have Arlo Guthrie running through my head?)