MCO to LAX, or the longest flight I've ever taken...

[RayaniFoxmur]

Who do you recommend for a flight from MCO to LAX? We're going to Disneyland next year for the first time and we'll definitely be flying but the flights seem to expensive right now. At least from what I can gather (Our dates aren't open quite yet). Southwest looks like it's going to be the cheapest, but that seems like a long flight to be in what I've read is cramped quarters and nothing but peanuts.

Being the longest flight I've ever even looked at taking I'm just nervous I'm going to make a wrong decision. I've done both Delta and Continental for CLE to MCO and liked them but I'm not sure if that's who I should go with for a flight to LAX.

Thanks!

 

[AlexDurrani]

I think if you want to split your trip a bit try flying continental MCO-->iah-->lax or SNA. If you are going to just visit disneyland then fly to orange county (SNA) it's closer to Disneyland.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

Is there any kind of transportation from SNA to Disneyland like I know there's the bus from LAX? We are newbies to this whole thing and I know there's no true Magical Express out there.

 

[LBIJim]

Who do you recommend for a flight from MCO to LAX? We're going to Disneyland next year for the first time and we'll definitely be flying but the flights seem to expensive right now. At least from what I can gather (Our dates aren't open quite yet). Southwest looks like it's going to be the cheapest, but that seems like a long flight to be in what I've read is cramped quarters and nothing but peanuts.

Being the longest flight I've ever even looked at taking I'm just nervous I'm going to make a wrong decision. I've done both Delta and Continental for CLE to MCO and liked them but I'm not sure if that's who I should go with for a flight to LAX.

Thanks!

Are you looking for non-stop flights? If so, I think United, Delta, and American all offer this service. Not sure if Southwest flys MCO-LAX non stop, but if they do, it will be in a cramped 737. The others are more likely to offer larger planes.

Personally, I DON'T want a non-stop for cross-country flights. I prefer a break at about the halfway point. Continental (now United) via Houston or American via Dallas/Fort Worth are the most likely choices. Delta via Atlanta or USAirways via Phoenix are less attractive alternatives.

Orange County (SNA) is another choice in the Southern California area, but all flights to there will involve a connection.

Jim

 

[MAH4546]

Orlando to LA is not that long. In the winter it can often be less than 4 hours 30 minutes. I've done LAX to Miami in 3 hours 30 minutes thanks to amazing tailwinds. Take the non-stops and don't worry about the hassles of connecting. American, Delta, Virgin America and United offer non-stops.

Delta has a meal service in coach on MCO-LAX; while American often offers reasonably priced first class upgrades at check-in since its not a premium-heavy route (but no guarantee upgrades will be available). Virgin America has the best on-board coach service with plenty of entertainment options.

 

[mytripsandraces]

Is there any kind of transportation from SNA to Disneyland like I know there's the bus from LAX? We are newbies to this whole thing and I know there's no true Magical Express out there.

Try SuperShuttle. They charge $16 or so each way from LAX to the Disneyland Hotel and probably similar rates for the entire area.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

Thank you to everyone so far for your opinions! We're really open ended on how we do this, I've done both non-stop and connecting flights before, so I can go either way. I just know if I am connecting I am trying to avoid that dreaded 4 hour layover we had one time ugh!

Flying is not something I'm very versed in as it is, as almost all my flights have been done between the same two airports. So your experiences are so much appreciated! Gets me a different perspective you know?

 

[JB2K]

Keep in mind, if you fly...

American Airlines - connections in Chicago or Dallas-Ft. Worth

Continental - you will most likely connect in Houston (also, Continental will begin the merger process with United in a few weeks).

Delta - Connections in Atlanta and/or Minneapolis St-Paul, Detroit, or Salt Lake City.

United - connections in Chicago O'Hare or Denver (Again, they will soon start merging with Continental)

Southwest - some flights are non-stop, others have stops and/or connections in the usual SWA cities (Phoenix, Las Vegas)

I saw some references to the "cramped 737" - before you use that as your reasoning to choose, keep in mind other airlines are no different (plus, you will most likely have to navigate a "superhub", somewhere).

My .02

 

[bumbershoot]

If money were no object (or if I had more time to save), I would go with Virgin America. They have higher fares and they charge for even the first ticket, but wowie are they worth it. Gorgeous interiors, "mood" lighting (I swear it has calmed people down on two of the flights I've been on, that if we were on a normal plane with normal yellowish lighting people would have been rioting), award winning media thing in the seatbacks (listen to music, play games, watching movies/tv, most of it for free)....


Both LAX and SNA have Grayline Disneyland Resort Express, and both have SuperShuttle as an option. If using SuperShuttle, be sure to get the quote by using the name of the hotel you're going to, NOT the zipcode (higher rate if using zipcode).

I wouldnl't go on a flight if it connected in LAX for SNA, though. That would just be obnoxious, I'd rather just drive or ride for those miles.

 

[biolabetty]

If it had been the right timing, I would have booked Virgin for our trip in 2 weeks from LAX to MCO. They don't start service between the two until after we've left. Right now they have a price of $129 one way for that flight, which is pretty decent. We are flying American this trip, but in the past we've done United and Delta. All pretty cramped feeling, particularly for me since I always get the center seat!

 

[cccdisney]

I would definitely check out Virgin America. Non stop from Orlando to Los Angeles!

 

[boatman987]

your best bet is to fly via DFW to SNA/LAX with AA, or via IAH with Continental

 

[DebbieB]

Delta has non-stops MCO/LAX. Some of their planes have individual TV's. Through Atlanta to SNA.

I'm connecting in Atlanta going to SNA in December. I intentionally picked planes that have TV's from ATL/SNA.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Repeat after me... SNA, SNA (Orange County)

Unless you NEED to go to LAX avoid it. It's a huge airport, very crowded and not at all "user friendly"

SNA is the exact opposite. Plus the Disney Express bus takes you direct to the Disney area and it's MUCH closer to the Disney park!

I travel from Atlanta to the West Coast on avg twice a month (hence my user name) SNA is a breeze. Nice small airport, friendly staff (for the most part) and user friendly!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

By the way. ALL of them are cramped and none of them give more then "snacks" anymore unless you pay $$$. SO the SW "cramped and peanuts" applies to DL, USAir, etc....

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

SO the SW "cramped and peanuts" applies to DL, USAir, etc....

If you go with United, you at least have the option to pay a bit more and fly Economy Plus. That extra legroom makes a lot of difference.

 

[DebbieB]

By the way. ALL of them are cramped and none of them give more then "snacks" anymore unless you pay $$$. SO the SW "cramped and peanuts" applies to DL, USAir, etc....

USAir doesn't even serve peanuts or pretzels anymore.

 

[bumbershoot]

Unless you NEED to go to LAX avoid it. It's a huge airport, very crowded and not at all "user friendly"

That's your opinion. I personally don't mind LAX at all. It's big, but if you're not changing terminals you don't even have to notice that. You just go to the area where your plane is and it's all straightforward, no wandering around or getting lost like, for instance, at Seatac where it's all connected and you can wander for an hour. Only issue I've ever had there that was the airport's fault was trying to find the elevator, when we had DS in the stroller and didn't want to deal with him walking and folding the stroller etc...but that was a minor issue.

The time I was at SNA it simply felt like a tiny airport with nothing to do. My flight was delayed over 2 hours, and I was there 2 hours early (as I am wont to do), and it was late and nothing was open...yawn.

You gave your opinion on LAX vs SNA, and the above is mine.

 

[Danibelle]

From personal experience, I would definitely take a non-stop if offered. If you have to connect, try NOT to use DFW. It is the one place you might be "running" to make your connection. Houston and Chicago are both better (even Atlanta is a bit better) than DFW.

 

[mytripsandraces]

Keep in mind, if you fly...

American Airlines - connections in Chicago or Dallas-Ft. Worth

American has at least one nonstop flight each way between MCO and LAX, but they're not at the most convenient times (around 8 am for the MCO to LAX flight and midday for the LAX to MCO flight).