Flying with LA followed by Disneyland

[Frozen2014]

I've posted and also read that many recommend flying to SNA when visiting Disneyland....both for closeness to the parks and since it's a smaller airport. We're coming from Toronto and I actually would prefer flying to LAX because it is the only direct option, but SNA is $1000 less for four of us so that's a big savings A couple questions:

1. Would you still fly to SNA if you were starting the trip with a few days in LA (but ending it at DL)?
2. Most flight options through SNA have 1.5hr layover (in Houston, Denver, or San Francisco). Is this a long enough layover? It seems like a good time, but what if the flight is late leaving Toronto?
3. Any other suggestions? From what I see flying to Long Beach is even pricier than flying to LAX. And San Diego is similar pricing and flight route to SNA but then you have a 2.5hr drive.

 

[starvenger]

1. My kids are not good with layovers so I personally would not do this. But it's definitely a viable option

2. It should be enough time in Houston or Denver. However in San Francisco you may have to switch between terminals which means going through security again.

3. I like San Diego as a direct flight vs LAX. As you noted it's a bit of a drive - going up the southern part of the PCH is nice but it obviously adds some more drive time. Plus there's the Zoo.

So comparing to SNA it's essentially whether you want to worry about making a connection or worry about a longish drive.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks for the reply. Our kids will be 12 and 8 so hopefully a layover will be ok. Personally I'm not thrilled with it either since even a direct flight is close to 5hrs but for $1000 savings that is significant and money we can out to other things on the trip.

Ok good. I guess they wouldn't offer the layover and connections if it didn't work but arriving 1.5 he's before a flight seemed close even without delays. Good to know if connecting in San Francisco then it is tight.

For San Diego, it would be less stressful having a direct and then driving ourselves (since we are on our own timeline) but I didn't see direct flight at a cheaper cost. Do for the same price we can just fly to LAX.

 

[ronandannette]

It's a bit of the reverse situation, but there are absolutely no direct flights from Calgary to Florida, so whenever we go there we have a layover - most often in Houston. 1.5 hours is lots; no problem - even with having to take me of the trains to a different terminal. The not wildcard is whether or not your original flight will leave but there's no way to predict that.

 

[starvenger]

Full Disclosure - I previously worked in Houston for the primary tenant at IAH (pre-merger, rhymes with "Bontinental"), so I have a fondness and perhaps an inherent bias for the airport.

The layout in Houston is actually quite convenient so long as you're not in Terminal A. Getting to Terminal B from C/D/E does require taking the terminal train but it's very quick and doesn't require going through security again. In 2015 we went from E to B after a 1 hour layover coming back from Hawaii (long story) and didn't have any issues at all - there was ample time to get to the gate, sit down and buy breakfast.

I will also say that on that same 2015 trip we had a 2 hour layover in SFO and had zero issues transferring between terminals, so I apologize if I caused any undue concern there.

 

[JenluvsDisney]

If you're starting your trip in the LA area, you could also explore the Bob Hope airport in Burbank (BUR). This summer we flew into SNA and did Disneyland before spending a few days in the Hollywood/Burbank/LA area, then flying out of the Bob Hope airport, which is maybe even smaller than SNA. BUR flights will also likely involve a layover but the airport is super easy to get around and is in the heart of many Hollywood attractions.

Best of luck with your planning!

 

[Aladora]

If you're starting your trip in the LA area, you could also explore the Bob Hope airport in Burbank (BUR). This summer we flew into SNA and did Disneyland before spending a few days in the Hollywood/Burbank/LA area, then flying out of the Bob Hope airport, which is maybe even smaller than SNA. BUR flights will also likely involve a layover but the airport is super easy to get around and is in the heart of many Hollywood attractions.

Best of luck with your planning!

We did something similar the trip we did Universal. We flew YYJ-BUR, did USH, hired a car and driver to take us to DL then flew SNA-YYJ.

 

[Zakery]

Are you renting a car? If so then I think either option is fine. I have done both and found both worked well. Of course I didn't land right around rush hour.

 

[Frozen2014]

Hi,

Thanks for the responses. Yes, we would rent a car, at least for our LA part of our trip. I feel better about the short-ish layover time in Houston or Denver (actually it's a perfect time...unless any delays). I've also marked Burbank as an option. I did a quick check and it comes up to similar pricing and timings as SNA, but I guess it's an option for the LA side. Need to price out if we book each way separately at different airports. Sounds like that is common to do though?

 

[Aladora]

Hi,

Thanks for the responses. Yes, we would rent a car, at least for our LA part of our trip. I feel better about the short-ish layover time in Houston or Denver (actually it's a perfect time...unless any delays). I've also marked Burbank as an option. I did a quick check and it comes up to similar pricing and timings as SNA, but I guess it's an option for the LA side. Need to price out if we book each way separately at different airports. Sounds like that is common to do though?

I just booked it as a multi city trip, yyj-bur sna-yyj and the price was not far off from round trip yyj-sna-yyj.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks. Will definitely look into it... especially if the cost is close. To confirm then, if we say start in LA and end at Disneyland, then it makes more sense to fly into Burbank than SNA from a distance point of view, right? Then fly out of SNA.

I want to ensure I'm looking at the right airports from practical point of view if their are similar options by cost.

 

[Aladora]

Thanks. Will definitely look into it... especially if the cost is close. To confirm then, if we say start in LA and end at Disneyland, then it makes more sense to fly into Burbank than SNA from a distance point of view, right? Then fly out of SNA.

I want to ensure I'm looking at the right airports from practical point of view if their are similar options by cost.

Yes, you've got it. BUR is closer to Universal and SNA is closer to DL/DCA. You could also look at flying in to LAX and out of SNA if LAX is more convenient to your Los Angeles plans.

 

[Frozen2014]

Yes, you've got it. BUR is closer to Universal and SNA is closer to DL/DCA. You could also look at flying in to LAX and out of SNA if LAX is more convenient to your Los Angeles plans.

Thanks. LAX is ideal cause it's direct but not for the $1000 difference. So will look at either SNA or mixing with BUR.