Has anyone ever flown to Anaheim for just 1 day at Disneyland?

[brightlined]

I think the main problem with LAX here is the distance. If you're going to pay for an Uber to LAX, you might as well just grab a hotel room near SNA and take an earlier Saturday flight. A Saturday flight might be cheaper than Friday, too, which might justify the cost.

 

[DizMe]

Okay, since this is all opinions anyway...

As for LAX vs. SNA, I'll just say that LAX isn't nearly as bad as some people say it is, particularly if you normally fly out of any other major airport. The sheer number of destinations one can reach non-stop via LAX, and the higher number of flight options overall, is a significant advantage that should not be dismissed. Obviously having TSA Pre-check and/or CLEAR helps, as does a general level of travel savvy. For the once-a-year flyer who doesn't really know what they're doing, the advantages of SNA may overcome the (significant, to the experienced traveler) drawbacks.

Long story short to the OP, I say go for it! Come in with a realistic attitude and ability to roll with the punches, and you could have a really memorable, enjoyable day.

Thank you for that info on LAX! I haven't flown into LAX in a long time, but I used to years ago and I always liked the airport except for the time I had to catch a flight from the west terminal or some such thing. That was pretty dicey for 18-year-old me (I was going to Europe with a charter group). The horror stories have kind of scared me off in the past few years, and I don't normally need to go there so I don't. I do have to fly in and out of SFO sometimes and that's no picnic, but I imagine most large airports are more complicated than the regional ones I generally use.

But here's something to consider: my 93-year-old mom flew to LAX and had no trouble, LOL. She was with a friend.

 

[LAS2AMS]

LAX can be brutal around Holidays and major evens, hence its reputation… shortly before last Christmas, I left my office right after 7:30pm. There’s little flight traffic at LAX that hour, so normally it’s a straight 40 minute drive to be dropped off. Not that night - all traffic was routed through the then shuttered economy parking lot, where they made us wait 45 minutes before letting us into the line going into the terminal complex… then we waited almost 90 minutes before I was finally dropped off. Mind you, we were going to T6, which has a shortcut next to T1 (don’t go through the entire complex). I had plenty of time but many others didn’t… and they weren’t allowing pedestrian traffic.

But as I said, most of the year it is manageable.

 

[irlandaise]

As for LAX vs. SNA, I'll just say that LAX isn't nearly as bad as some people say it is, particularly if you normally fly out of any other major airport.

Yeah, I have nothing against LAX. For a Disneyland trip, one just needs to factor in the further distance and larger terminals and decide whether the extra time and cost are worth it if flights are available to your home airport from both LAX and SNA.

 

[LAS2AMS]

My suggestion to the OP and anybody considering this is to stay overnight if possible. There’s a number of solid budget hotels available for $75 - $125 (all in) via websites like Priceline, that are good enough for a place to sleep and shower.

You could “pay” for the room by choosing a cheaper option out of LAX. You can get to LAX for less than $20 by taking the Metrolink to Dowtown (the connecting ride on ART is free with a Metrolink ticket) and then taking the Flyaway bus to LAX.

 

[DizMe]

My suggestion to the OP and anybody considering this is to stay overnight if possible. There’s a number of solid budget hotels available for $75 - $125 (all in) via websites like Priceline, that are good enough for a place to sleep and shower.

You could “pay” for the room by choosing a cheaper option out of LAX. You can get to LAX for less than $20 by taking the Metrolink to Dowtown (the connecting ride on ART is free with a Metrolink ticket) and then taking the Flyaway bus to LAX.

This is a good suggestion, but there are some other considerations. First, you've added another meal to be purchased. Second, you have added another day of airport parking if you drove to your home airport and parked. Third, if you stay overnight, you won't want to fly out in the morning when you're right there and you'll probably spend more money at DL

 

[LKing]

The horror stories have kind of scared me off in the past few years, and I don't normally need to go there so I don't.

To me, LAX horror stories are analogous to Harbor Blvd horror stories. If you get a CM discount on a Disney hotel then go for it. If the price is a stretch for you, don't let the horror stories of Harbor Blvd hotels scare you. If SNA is cost effective, go for it. If not, don't let the LAX horror stories scare you.

 

[Geemo]

My day trip from Portland, Oregon were to see the seasonal decorations.
One day trips were just that ONE day.
Having the Annual Pass and free or cheap flights made it possible.

When I wanted more than one day, any or all of my grandkids would jump on board! We would go for 4 or 5 days depending on school schedules.

Most years with an AP I would have so many multi-day trips the one day ones were nice.

Pluto468 let us know how it goes!

 

[MissMindy1984]

I'm considering a slightly crazy idea. Fly into SNA for 9:30 am, leave SNA at 9:00 pm. It seems like I could get 7 or so hours in the park, but I'm wondering if this scheme just wouldn't work as smoothly as I imagine. I'd pick a day that's supposed to be lower crowds if possible, maybe a weekend to see the Christmas decorations and try to ride Tiana.

Has anyone else ever done something like this?

Thanks!

I am attempting this for the first time this weekend! I also have a ton of Alaska miles stored up. I will be leaving my home airport at 7 a.m. and getting into SNA at ~9:25 a.m. I scheduled the EVE Shuttle to pick me up at 9:40 a.m. and hope to be in the park a little after 10 a.m. I admittedly have very low expectations because I will be with my two-year-old. My main goal is to take in all the decorations, watch the parade, get pictures with the characters, eat all the snacks, etc. The focus will be less on rides this visit.

I estimate we will have about 8 hours to enjoy in the park. I scheduled the EVE Shuttle to pick us up at the Hub at ~7:15 p.m. Our flight leaves SNA at 9:25 p.m. and we will be home by midnight. It will be quite the day. Please send some fairy dust our way that all goes smooth! I have never been to the park during the holidays so I am SUPER excited

 

[MissMindy1984]

True jetsetters. I'm jealous. Out of curiosity, where do you ask to be let off once at DLR? The Grand? Or is there another dropoff location that you're aiming for?

The EVE Shuttle will drop you off right at the Hub. It is $15 one-way from SNA to the HUB. Just FYI.

 

[DizMe]

The EVE Shuttle will drop you off right at the Hub. It is $15 one-way from SNA to the HUB. Just FYI.

Wow! I've never heard of this shuttle, but I usually fly into LGB. Is it something like SuperShuttle? I don't even know if that still exists...

I hope you have a fantastic time!! That's pretty brave IMO with a 2-year-old, but what fun! I bet you'll both have a blast--sometimes the best trips are when you just take things as they come rather than running around trying to do this and this and this.

Be sure and let us know how it goes!!

 

[MissMindy1984]

Wow! I've never heard of this shuttle, but I usually fly into LGB. Is it something like SuperShuttle? I don't even know if that still exists...

The EVE Shuttle is part of the Anaheim Transportation Network (ART). It's been awesome for us because we have small kids which makes Uber/Lyft more difficult. You can schedule an EVE Shuttle weeks in advance through the Away We Go app. There is more info on the ART website!

 

[Pluto468]

Update! Thanks for all the input and suggestions.

I'm afraid I waited too long to implement this plan. My daydream flights of arriving at SNA at 9:30 am and then leaving SNA at 9pm aren't working for the dates I need them.

The closest thing is arriving at LAX at 8am and then leaving LAX at midnight. But I'd have to get up at a truly ungodly hour to get to the airport on time on the way to CA, which I don't mind in theory but is kind of setting everyone up for a bad day.

A new factor is that my family want to go, too! Which would be super fun but all of us going means using up most or all of my Alaska miles. It might be smarter to save the miles for our big trip in November next year.

One other issue...The only day I could do it is Friday Dec 13 and I'm not sure if that's so close to Christmas that it would be crazy crowded.

That said...
I haven't totally given up on this idea! If I felt like being really crazy and going through LAX at the crack of dawn that would still leave alot of miles leftover for next year. Plus by staying until night time we could have dinner and maybe catch the evening parade showing.

2 questions, though:

What's a realistic travel time estimate between LAX and Anaheim at 9am on a Friday and 10pm on a Friday? It would be a bummer to go through all that and not end up in the park until noon or later.

What's the best way to get to Anaheim from LAX? I assume a shuttle, but which one is most reliable and affordable?

 

[LAS2AMS]

At 9AM, heading south, there will be pockets of traffic but traffic levels will be declining. If you do a ride share or shuttle, you’ll have access to the carpool lane. The drive will be between 75-90 minutes. At 9PM, heading north on a Friday, there will be minimal traffic. The drive will be about an hour.

Ride share will be your best bet. Expect to pay around $70 each way. From LAX, the earlier you leave, the more you’ll pay (deeper into rush hour), so if you’re on the ground earlier than scheduled, it may benefit you to hangout for a bit. 1/2 an hour could save you $30 or more.

I suggested earlier to stay at a cheap hotel overnight and take public transportation. That option will pay for most or even all of your room.

And I’m sure you know this, but in case you didn’t… you can always fly into SNA and out of LAX (or vice verse).

 

[Louis63]

leaving LAX check the ride share you're going to use only certain types can come to the terminals like uber black, others you have to shuttle to a lot

 

[LAS2AMS]

Yes, only premium ride share options can pick up at the terminals whereas everyone else has to use the designated lot…. But that lot is less than a 10 minute walk from Alaska’s terminal. If you’re not traveling with bags, walking is generally faster than the bus.

Any ride share option can drop you off at the terminal - the designated lot is only for pickups.

 

[mel2014]

Aww man, why did you have to ask this question? My daughter and I upgraded our tickets to Believe Keys while we were at Disneyland over Veterans Day weekend and I had resigned myself to the fact that we would miss all of the holiday entertainment/food/overlay because the odds are Christmas won't be in full swing by the time our Keys expire next November (and really we would only have a single day on November 2nd-- hoping to go for fall Dapper Day if it happens that day). And who knows if Storytime with Deadpool and Wolverine will be back next year. . .

But when I saw your question, I started debating whether we could go for a December weekday, which would mean a day of missed work and school. . . We could fly in the night of the 16th and out Wednesday morning. Frontier ticket would be $30 for the trip down to LAX and we could fly back on SW points on the 18th. Motel 6 would be $208 for two nights. . . . Two ride shares would be probably $100. Now I'm spinning in a "Should I do it" state?

 

[Pluto468]

I am attempting this for the first time this weekend! I also have a ton of Alaska miles stored up. I will be leaving my home airport at 7 a.m. and getting into SNA at ~9:25 a.m. I scheduled the EVE Shuttle to pick me up at 9:40 a.m. and hope to be in the park a little after 10 a.m. I admittedly have very low expectations because I will be with my two-year-old. My main goal is to take in all the decorations, watch the parade, get pictures with the characters, eat all the snacks, etc. The focus will be less on rides this visit.

I estimate we will have about 8 hours to enjoy in the park. I scheduled the EVE Shuttle to pick us up at the Hub at ~7:15 p.m. Our flight leaves SNA at 9:25 p.m. and we will be home by midnight. It will be quite the day. Please send some fairy dust our way that all goes smooth! I have never been to the park during the holidays so I am SUPER excited

That sounds like an amazing trip! Have a magical time

 

[Pluto468]

At 9AM, heading south, there will be pockets of traffic but traffic levels will be declining. If you do a ride share or shuttle, you’ll have access to the carpool lane. The drive will be between 75-90 minutes. At 9PM, heading north on a Friday, there will be minimal traffic. The drive will be about an hour.

Ride share will be your best bet. Expect to pay around $70 each way. From LAX, the earlier you leave, the more you’ll pay (deeper into rush hour), so if you’re on the ground earlier than scheduled, it may benefit you to hangout for a bit. 1/2 an hour could save you $30 or more.

I suggested earlier to stay at a cheap hotel overnight and take public transportation. That option will pay for most or even all of your room.

And I’m sure you know this, but in case you didn’t… you can always fly into SNA and out of LAX (or vice verse).

I usually book my trips one-way instead of round trip for flexibility. It turns out I could get to SNA by 9:30, so that might be a good choice and I could leave via LAX because the miles are way less doing that for some reason.

I've considered an overnight but the draw of the one day plan is no packing, no luggage etc. Plus I know I'll spend more if I'm there overnight!

 

[indoshakespeare]

Probably not worth it. I almost never make my whole vacation about Disney. When I go to Japan, it's never for just Tokyo Disney. It's Tokyo + Tokyo Disney + Kyoto or Osaka or another city we've never been to. When I go to Hong Kong, it's never just for Hong Kong Disneyland. It's Hong Kong Disneyland + Hong Kong + Macau + Singapore maybe