Flying to Disneyland from Edmonton: LAX or SNA?

[chimo2u]

Hello my fellow Canucks! I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm going on the Dis DIVA ladies only trip in February. I'll be flying to CA from Edmonton, AB. What are the typical prices for return tickets - right now things are pricing around $515 return -- I think that's a bit high for Edmonton to CA! Do flight prices to Los Angelos/ Anaheim get any cheaper?

Secondly - which airport is best to fly into? Orange County is closer to DL, but I have to switch flights in Vancouver -- I hate flying as it is, and that means up, down, up and down to get to My destination!

There is a direct flight to Los Angeles.....only up and down once
Pricing is close - within $20 of the SNA flight. Timing is close.....SNA arrives at Anaheim by 1:50, LAX route arrival is 12:30'ish

LAX route, as I stated is direct and a 3 hour flight. The SNA route is about 5 hours with the layover/ transfer in Vancouver.
Which route would be best? Is there a direct plus to flying into Orange County over LAX airport?

any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I'd go with the direct flight to LAX. Also if you are looking for transportation to the Disneyland area supershuttle is pretty good and doing a google search for discounts for them can be very helpful too.

 

[sherilaine]

We face the same choice flying out of Calgary.

We refuse to do the connection through Vancouver - remember too, if you have checked baggage - you'd have to pick up your bags in Vancouver, then go through U.S. Customs and then board your flight to SNA. That adds to the hassle.

We got a seat sale direct from YYC to LAX for $400 per person return. The cheapest I have ever seen was around $350 and that is very off season pricing, but that is when you are going so keep an eye out, you won't see those prices though till much closer to your date.

If you travel Westjet - subscribe to their newsletters for updates on prices - they also have updates on Facebook as to days when they have promotions on certain travel routes.

 

[mom_rules]

I prefer the smaller airport-LAX drives me nuts

 

[ABCanada]

Our preference is LGB (Long Beach). Short cab ride. Great small, old airport.

If you are going to connect, I would fly one of the US airlines and clear customs in Edmonton. Your connection time will be reduced.

If you do fly into LAX, we do not like the shuttle vans, they can drive around the airport until they are full and drop off at a number of locations making the trip longer than necessary and uncomfortable. We find the Disneyland Resort Express Bus a more comfortable experience.

 

[chimo2u]

Well I decided to bite the bullet and pay the $260 for the direct one way flight into LAX. No transferring to worry about. Now I will take my time and see if I can get a return flight perhaps from SNA/ Orange County at a seat sale price I'm at least guaranteed to have my outbound flight right now and have time to look for my return. I am not flying home until March 2

 

[TagsMissy]

SNA or LGB, I avoid LAX like the plague when humanly possible! These two airports are smaller and closer to DL. That being said in your situation I'd go direct.

 

[Susie63]

I would definitly go with direct to LAX. Terminal 2 is super easy and really straigt forward. Once you get off your plane you will walk by security, go down the escalator to the carousel and grab your bag and go out the door. I recommend the Disneyland Resort Express. Round trip with a coupon from Anaheim.OC.org is $27. You will have bus sevice every 1/2 hour at that time of day. If I can be of any more help...just ask. We always travel in February. We love it!!!
Seat sale prices come up around Sept. Last year we paid $1475 for 3 of us out of Grande Prairie. They were not advertised but I found them by checking every night around 10 or 11 pm. I also booked our trip as one way flights.

 

[DisneyFairytale]

Hello my fellow Canucks! I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm going on the Dis DIVA ladies only trip in February. I'll be flying to CA from Edmonton, AB. What are the typical prices for return tickets - right now things are pricing around $515 return -- I think that's a bit high for Edmonton to CA! Do flight prices to Los Angelos/ Anaheim get any cheaper?

Secondly - which airport is best to fly into? Orange County is closer to DL, but I have to switch flights in Vancouver -- I hate flying as it is, and that means up, down, up and down to get to My destination!

There is a direct flight to Los Angeles.....only up and down once
Pricing is close - within $20 of the SNA flight. Timing is close.....SNA arrives at Anaheim by 1:50, LAX route arrival is 12:30'ish

LAX route, as I stated is direct and a 3 hour flight. The SNA route is about 5 hours with the layover/ transfer in Vancouver.
Which route would be best? Is there a direct plus to flying into Orange County over LAX airport?

any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks!

I would always consider direct flights to LAX. You will get there much quicker and you will be able to board 1 flight to get there with no layover. It's only a 30-45mins drive from LAX airport to the resorts and good neighbor hotels. You will be way less tired being to have such a short trip vs your other option for flights, which in my opinion is totally not worth it.

 

[sherilaine]

We just returned - flying direct to LAX from Calgary - there were ZERO issues, no delays, no hassles - easy on both sides. We flew into LAX in the evening and out in the early morning - so I think we likely saw reduced crowds due to that.

 

[chimo2u]

We just returned - flying direct to LAX from Calgary - there were ZERO issues, no delays, no hassles - easy on both sides. We flew into LAX in the evening and out in the early morning - so I think we likely saw reduced crowds due to that.

So good to know Sherilaine!!! I am probably going to grab another flight home from LAX just because it's direct. I was thinking of looking for a return flight from SNA, but I really don't like the layovers and LAX>>YEG seems pretty quick at about a 3.5 hour flight with no up and down at all! I am not the best of flyers - the whole take off/ landing and turbulence makes me nervous, so I prefer just to go up once and come down once!!
I'll be keeping my eyes open for Seat sales in SEPT!

 

[JoeKir]

We flew from van to sna last year and had to change planes in sfo both ways. SNA gave us no problems but the thought of collecting bags the clearing customs in yvr would make pick the direct flight. It may be one of the nicest looking airports I've been in, but really would not want to have to run around like that. Any other airport I'd probably not care as much cause it'd be an adventure lol.

 

[chimo2u]

Well, thankful I chose my departure flight direct to LAX when it was $269! Now there are no more ECONO fares left, it's gone up to FLEX fares and now $300 for the same flight!
This is making me think I should book my return flight now. There is ONE flight left on the date I need from SNA to Edmonton for $280 USD....or $290 CDN
Flights from LAX are already over $300, I'm nervous to hold out for a seat sale where I may only save $50 or so.....I can't see the fares dropping to the $199 range, although I could be wrong, I've never flown in FEB/Mar to California. Should I jump and purchase now or hold out in hopes of better savings???
PS....for going home I'm thinking SNA might make for a quicker trip to the airport from DL, it would be nice to steer clear of LAX craziness going home....yes, I'll have to transfer in Vancouver for my flight to Edmonton, but I have 1.5 hours to do it, and it might be nice to stretch my legs!

 

[chimo2u]

UPDATE MAY 18, 2013
Well, I took the plunge and decided to purchase now. I am flying INTO LAX on my arrival day - direct flight from Edmonton, arriving 12:30pm on Feb 25.
Price $260 - glad I bought when I did because now the flight has gone up to $300
RETURN: I decided to fly home from SNA airport. It's closer to DL and hopefully less hectic. I depart at 2:50 pm on Sun.March 2 - hopefully this will give me a more leisurely check out day. Time for a nice breakfast or brunch, and perhaps another look around before heading to the airport. price was $280 USD, but I was worried about it going up or losing out on availability for the timings/ flight I wanted. The stop in Vancouver will give me time to clear customs and perhaps gab a bite to eat before boarding for my Edmonton flight. I only have a 1.5 hr layover, so I won't be languishing in the airport bored!
Pricing was a little higher than I liked, but at least I am now guaranteed and my flight is booked! So excited, as I haven't been to DL since 1990! Looking forward to seeing the changes and meeting the DIVA Ladies on this trip!