LAX vs SNA help!!!!

[mrswh]

I don't know what shuttles you have been using but none of the shuttles I have used have ever insisted on leaving 5 hours early. 2-3 hours is the norm.

It was actually from Costa Mesa (just up the road from Anaheim) and it was SuperShuttle. They asked what time my flight was and once they knew, refused to pick me up any less than 5 hours before my flight time. My flight was mid-morning if I recall. Perhaps it was because we'd be driving during the morning rush?

I did not notice whether OP has to connect to get into SNA. For me, coming from DEN, I do not have to connect to either LAX or SNA, and they usually cost about the same; however, I would pay more (especially in miles vs. cash) to fly into SNA. I agree with the PP, though, that connecting is not ideal, especially in winter if you have to go through a city where snow is possible. Also, flying OUT is worse than flying IN (as is the case anywhere).

I have flown in and out of many busy airports (LGA, BOS, IAD, ORD, etc.) and IMO LAX is by far the worst. Just my opinion!

 

[jlmarr]

We're ok with LAX if it will save a significant amount of money and/or enable us to get a non-stop. DL Express generally takes about 45 minutes, which isn't bad for 35 miles. And someone else is doing the driving. Don't stress over it.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

American Airlines stinks. Just last month we had a terrible experience there.

Anyway, 15,000 points is a lot and personally, I'd save them and fly to LAX, especially if it's nonstop.

DLE can be really hit or miss. The drive itself takes 40-45 minutes, however, the DLE may sit circle and wait for other passengers multiple times before you go. If you get on the DLE right as it's leaving the airport, you're all good. But if not, it can add a bunch of time.

I do recommend shuttles. They are constantly running and rarely circle the airport more than once (and usually not at all). I actually feel safer in a shuttle because it's just a big van and I get to wear a seatbelt. I get nervous on a big bus on the freeway knowing that in an accident I will, at the very least, go slamming into the seat in front of me if not fly around the whole bus.

And yeah, coming from Costa Mesa, if your flight left before 11:00am I can see why they would insist on getting you out early. Costa Mesa is actually not very close to Anaheim--a good 20 minutes south without traffic--and the only freeways in or out are the 405 and the 55 which are always packed. From Anaheim there are a number of different options that makes it much quicker.

 

[MxFarmgirl]

In 2008 we took the Disneyland Express bus, and by the time it dropped off at all the hotels, it was well over an 1 1/2 hours. We stayed at the Park Vue, right across the from the entrance to Disneyland.

In Sepember of 2010 we took the Super shuttle. Oh yeah, our driver was fabulous, we made it in less than 40 minutes! To the Best Western Plus, park place Inn, again right across from the entrance to Disneyland.

We would certainly take the Super Shuttle again next year. We paid less than $40.00 for the two of us.

Cheers!!