SEA or PDX airports? Any big difference?

[rszdtrvl]

We are going into SNA, so that is no exception.

But we can't decide if it is more beneficial to fly out of PDX or SEA.

We are going to do the Park N Fly thing the night before, and leave on an early flight.

Is there any big money difference between the two? Which is easier to maneuver inside? And personal preferences? Why?

Thanks!

 

[bumbershoot]

The onsite parking at PDX is much much more sane than onsite at SEA. The Economy lot is $10 per day with the 7th day free, according to their website.

That's even better than the offsites at SEA that I've found.


Just looking at their site, man, we've got to start flying out of PDX... Especially b/c we'd simply be forced, forced I tell you!, to stay at a McMenamins the night we get back, instead of driving allllll the way back to Tacoma.

on the other hand, if you like eating at the airport, SEA has "street" pricing, so you can get your Starbucks at a reasonable price, unlike at other airports where it's a king's ransom for a latte. (on the other other hand, no sales tax in PDX!)

 

[rszdtrvl]

McMenamins?? Isn't that in Centralia? I know they have one there (my hometown).

We will be doing the Park N Fly thing, so our car will be at the hotel the entire time we are gone.

I know the first year we went to DL, we drove and parked in the economy lot. That was not a problem at all - easy peasy.

In March, we overnighted and did a Park N Fly, and to me that was just the most wonderful thing since sliced bread! No worrying about traffic, car accidents, or any possible mishaps the morning we are supposed to leave. Plus the hotel driver took us directly to our gate and picked us up from the airport and back to our car. I know that after we figured in parking at PDX, our hotel was only around $40 for the night. That alone is worth peace of mind.

If we fly out of Seattle, this is the hotel I am eyeballing as a PNF :
http://www.suttonsuites.com/

The price I got for up to 7 days parking and one night at the hotel is only $99 and includes : Two Queen Beds Suite. Free shuttle to and from Airport. Plus 7 Days parking included. $8/day after 7 days.

To me, that is AMAZING!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Ah, I thought you just meant a offsite lot.

I used to stay at Super8 for their park/sleep/fly thing...and then Super8 got gross, and I read some articles about rampant auto theft and breakins at all of the park/sleep/fly hotels. Since then we've just parked at the secured, monitored lots.


Mcmenamins started as a small chain of brewpubs, and now they have B&Bs. There's one in Centralia (Olympic Club), but that's a small one. Troutdale has the lovely Edgefield, Forest Grove has the Grand Lodge, there's one downtown Portland with another one opening soon near Crystal Ballroom (also McMenamins owned). Hotel Oregon is out in McMinnville, and there's also Kennedy School in Portland as well. We almost had our wedding at Edgefield, but changed over to another McMenamins property in Hillsboro, called Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, b/c Edgefield felt like a wedding factory.

We *love* McMenamins...


That is a great price! I would just call them, see what their security is like. Things might have gotten shored up since the news stations out here were doing their exposes of the hotels with extended parking. All I could remember then, though, was the really sad chain link fence, no light lot that Super8 had (back then they seemed to be the only ones doing the long term parking).

 

[JustAKid]

Never flown out of SEA but deal with PDX about 4 times a year for the last 3 years. I LOVE it. It's surprisingly small, which is nice if you have to run. Not that I've ever done that... . The security lines really do go pretty quickly. They're very efficient at keeping the line going, and during busy times spreading the mass of people so that you get through quicker. I will say that the check-in people are on the slower side (Southwest is all I've flown out of PDX) and those lines can take some time. Plus, at PDX you have to take your luggage to the check-in counter, have it weighed, and then move it AGAIN to the loaders, which is a pain. It's not very busy at night, or during the week. I was JUST pricing flights out of there to SNA and the lowest (advance purchase, no refunds, on Southwest) fare I found was about $158 per person, round trip BEFORE taxes. Hope this helps!

 

[Harold]

We have had alot of luck flying out of SEA on the 6:45am Alaska flight to SNA. We always use the Masterpark garage which has an online coupon and gives Alaska miles. Thier courtesy shuttle has always been reliable and is just a few minutes away from the terminal. The Alaska 6:45 gets you to SNA in time to catch the first Magical Express bus (if that is an option) which gets you to GCH or DH pretty quick.

 

[1-disneyfan]

We love going out of PDX! we go down the night before and stay at Embassy Suites....they keep our car for free and DH loves to get up and eat before traveling I'm always too nervous or excited to eat.

Have fun planning, just booking our trip for next month.

On a side note, Centralia is my hometown too now in Oly.

Kris