LAX or Long Beach

[fkwok]

Which airport is closer to DL and has betetr rental cars options?

 

[DangerMouse]

Long Beach is much closer, and a very tiny airport (no jetways, just stairs to deplane). Super simple to navigate and get out of. I'm not sure about rental cars, but I would choose LGB over LAX any day.

 

[ballarinamom]

Orange County is as close as LGB but has more options for rental cars.

 

[JustAKid]

I have not heard much about Long Beach, but instead have heard a TON about people prefering SNA - John Wayne Airport - Orange County, over LAX. You may check into that instead of Long Beach or LAX. Good luck!

 

[8gr8mouseketeers]

Long Beach is our airport of choice. We love how small and easy it is! We did LAX once (our very first trip) and would prefer never to do it again.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

Long Beach or SNA are much closer than LAX! We have flown into both LAX and SNA and unless the price was a lot cheaper at LAX we would use other other airports for sure! You can be at your hotel within minutes where LAX is a longer drive.

 

[fkwok]

thanks everyone for your recommendations. i think jetblue flies to long beach. not sure if they fly to john wayne. gotta check. hoping to run the disneyland half marathon on labor day 2010.

 

[rune_74]

Jetblue flies to long beach...and its pretty easy to get a good deal on rent a cars there...I got a full size car through hot wire for 8 days for 261

 

[ballarinamom]

We have flown into SNA and LGB. We liked both for their closeness to DL. LGB is one of those small airports where you exit the plane on to the tarmak. You literally walk about 100 yards in and out of the one terminal and your luggage is there on the carousel right at the taxi stand. It's THAT small. But we loved it. Be advised, that the only real place to get food is BEFORE security. We had a 7:00pm flight so the snak bar in the terminal was closed. I had to leave security to get a couple of sandwiches and get drinks back inside from the vending machine. No big deal as We were only one of three families in the waiting area. A quick in and out through security. So I don't know the car rental situation. But I would assume the choices are very limited.

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

I have only flown into/out of long beach. The smallness was both a good and not as good thing. I like to sit down for a meal and/or drink at an airport AFTER security, so this is the one and only lack I found at LGB.
As mentioned the security is super easy and every one is so relaxed. Traveling with 2 young kids, it was no big deal to go through security, nor did I feel rushed by the people behind us (to be honest there was no one behind us, we were the only ones in the entire security area)

The rental cars are all directly accross the street (100 yards from bagage claim). All companies share the same building and parking lot,I would say there were/are 5 different rental companies. No need for a shuttle to the car.

FWIW, last april we got a mini van rental for 9 days through a name your own price company for $311 tax and fees total.

 

[asianbma]

John Wayne airport is the closest to Disneyland. It is located in Costa Mesa.

 

[raftislander]

SNA is the closest, but the fares are always higher. LGB is small and closer than LAX; you can often find cheap fares into LB, but you wont find as many options on flights/airlines. We booked on Alaska when it was offering $59 flights to LAX and $89 flights to SNA- LGB wasn't an option. I work with a woman who always flies into LGB. She indicates that the only drawback to LGB is that if something goes wrong - flight cancelled,mechanical issue, missed flight- that it seems to take longer to get things back on track at LGB. Anyone renting a car who is intimidated by the thought of driving LA's freeways should probably avoid LAX.

 

[fkwok]

Thanks eveyrone for all your input! WOw. I prefer Long Beach, even with the walking on the tarmac and th esomewhat limited car rental options. How far, distance or time, is it to DL? I am assuming you all recommend getting a rental car vs taxi.

 

[Tasmen]

We usually fly into Long Beach. It's just an easier airport to deal with. LAX can be quite the type of 'experience' I'd prefer to avoid on a vacation.

 

[ballarinamom]

Thanks eveyrone for all your input! WOw. I prefer Long Beach, even with the walking on the tarmac and th esomewhat limited car rental options. How far, distance or time, is it to DL? I am assuming you all recommend getting a rental car vs taxi.

It takes about 25-30 minutes to the hotels in the area. We actually prefer getting a cab or car service. Dh doesn't like getting stressed out driving