SNA vs. LAX

[Snurk71]

Been a while since I've been around the DL area of the Dis. But we have a trip planned for spring break (VGC), so I'll probably start checking in here a little more.

We've been to DL 4 or 5 times and have always enjoyed flying through SNA (last trip was March 2011) - nice, easy (small) airport to get in and out of, 20-30 minute ride to DL. So our preference is to use SNA as long as the cost is reasonable.

For those like me that enjoy the conveniences of SNA, how much total cost difference would be a dealbreaker for you to consider LAX (further, more chance of traffic, shuttle's probably a little more, much busier airport) instead?

Thanks

 

[Sgtfox]

Recently, for some reason I can't explain, SNA has been cheaper than LAX by quite a bit. We always use SNA now.

 

[d1gitman]

i would spring for either SNA or LGB. unfortunately, for our December trip we are forced to do LAX due to pricing

 

[ethanwa]

I've done LAX a number of times and SNA for the first time this trip. I HIGHLY recommend SNA. It's a small airport and easy to navigate through and only 20-30 min from the park. I'll take SNA from now on, regardless of price. The ease of the airport alone is worth it to me.

 

[wannagoback]

I generally plan my vacations around affordable airfare and hotels. So, if air to SNA or LGB is not a price I am willing to pay then I just don't even consider the vacation!

But, assuming my dates have little flexibility and to actually answer your question. The price break for me would probably be about $50/person, regardless of how many people I am actually paying for. This means that would pay $250 extra for the convenience of getting my whole family to SNA but only $50 if I was only paying for myself.

 

[jdb in AZ]

How are you getting to Disneyland from the airport? Is ground transportation cheaper from SNA than LAX would be? That would justify slightly higher airfare.

 

[Mel522]

This year we did LAX because it was $40 cheaper a person. Totally not worth it. Will definitely do SNA or LGB next time.

 

[ethanwa]

How are you getting to Disneyland from the airport? Is ground transportation cheaper from SNA than LAX would be? That would justify slightly higher airfare.

We take the Disneyland Express bus and its cheaper with SNA. Any money you may save on your flight might not be worth it depending on time and cost of transportation.

 

[anc876]

I'm from AZ and would do SNA except it's slighty cheaper to go into LAX for some reason, but the kicker is that flights into SNA have a layover making it a 4.5 hr trip vs a 1.5 hr nonstop. We have a toddler and want the quickest route possible. SuperShuttle (with coupon codes) is who we use for transport.

 

[Ancient Purple]

I am in Phoenix and will avoid LAX like the plague. The price would have to be at least $50 or more cheaper to fly into LAX before I would abandon flying into any other airport in the region. Even Ontario is a better option than LAX.

SNA is a complete breeze to get in and out of including returning a rental and getting around in the terminal.

 

[MillauFr]

I am in Phoenix and will avoid LAX like the plague. The price would have to be at least $50 or more cheaper to fly into LAX before I would abandon flying into any other airport in the region. Even Ontario is a better option than LAX.

SNA is a complete breeze to get in and out of including returning a rental and getting around in the terminal.

Agreed. I'll drive 40 miles to ONT to avoid LAX. ONT was really low key. Almost too much. There was no one there and there was very few concessions. Made it easy though to get in and out. SNA is the best though with LGB a close second.

 

[scoker]

I'm thinking for my family of three the ticket price difference would have to be at least $50 before I would consider LAX. A bigger determiner would probably be direct vs. indirect flight. We have more than one option to fly from Houston to SNA directly so for us it is 100% price vs. convenience.

 

[SA mom]

I think the direct-v-indirect flight would also be an important factor. We went through SNA in June and it was breeze. It was cheaper for us (from San Antonio) and we had to make a connection no matter what.

 

[Geemo]

My choice is SNA. The smaller airport makes it a breeze to come and go.

For ground transportation we have used super Shuttle, 24/7 and Yellow Cab.

As long as Yellow cab has "Flat Rate" fares, we'll go with a cab.

Geemo

 

[DebbieB]

I also agree that non-stop vs connection is a consideration for me. If I can get a non-stop to LAX vs a connection to SNA, I will go with the non-stop as long as the prices are close. The shorter total airline time is worth extra ground transportation time, plus less stress worrying about making a connection. Unfortunately for me lately, it's been a connection to either so I've been doing SNA.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I am so glad I read through this thread. We are going to be flying out of Chicago next June to head to DLR (first trip) and just assumed that we would have to fly into LAX. I am so glad to know that there is a better choice to fly into. We fly out of O'Hare Airport all the time and personally I really don't care for it because it is too big and crowded. I prefer Midway Airport which is much smaller and less crowded therefore I really like the thought of flying into SNA for our trip. The only question I have is does anyone have a preferred shuttle service that would take us from the airport to VGC and then back again? Of course without spending an arm and a leg to do so too?

 

[BeckWhy]

I just got back this morning and I flew in and out of LAX (first time ever). Here's my opinion:

I didn't think the terminal I was in was confusing. You walked off the plane and straight down the escalators to the baggage claim. When returning walked right into the terminal, the check-in desk was right there and security was to the left (in my case). Then the gates were just straight ahead.

I didn't have my boarding pass printed for my return flight and I needed to check a bag (I flew Southwest). They (Southwest) had two major counter spaces, 1) if you needed a boarding pass and to check luggage and 2) if you just needed to check luggage. #2 had no line what-so-ever. #1 had a line, but it moved really quickly (much more quickly than my home airport which is small). Security was really long but it moved rather quickly (again faster than it was at my home airport).

My gates were both at the end of the terminal, which was less than a 5 minute walk from security.

They had quite a few charging areas for electronics.

Food choices were limited... McDonald's, Starbucks, a deli...

There was always a line at the restrooms.

Super busy, I had to wiggle around people. And I ran smack into someone while trying to dial out on my phone. It didn't seem like there were enough chairs around the gates.

I felt like the airport was rundown, old, and dirty. Plus the runways seemed like they weren't very well kept.

I used Super Shuttle to my hotel (Stovall's Inn) and back. It only cost me $28 round trip. It was no Disney Magical Express, but we loaded fast and was on the road. The first driver (to the hotel) scared me a bit (on his cell phone, playing on his computer thing, speeding...). But the driver on the way back ignored his cell phone and I didn't feel like he was going to rear end the person in front of us... and he still got us to LAX in 45 minutes even though we were in rush hour traffic.


FYI: it's really hard for me to judge other airports because my home airport was recently remodeled and looks marvelous. Plus it's small-ish with only one major terminal.

 

[MissSlimskys]

Long Beach is just a few minutes farther than SNA and it's adorable. A real old fashioned airport where you can get a snack at the outdoor cafe on the tarmac and walk from the plane to your shuttle in about 3 nano-seconds. Jet Blue is the main carrier (US Air and Delta have a flight or two I think.) The Super Shuttle to Disneyland has service from there...

 

[Disney Dreams]

We live in So Cal. LAX is not bad -- it's just a big airport. We fly in and out of it most of the time due to pricing and direct flight availability. SNA tends to connect you through somewhere --- sometimes LAX. If we can fly in/out of Long Beach, sold! But again, it tends to not have the direct flights.

It depends on what's important to you.

Price
Direct non-stop
Closest to destination

As for whether to fly into LAX or SNA for DLR (oy vey! how's that for abbreviations! )...

If money doesn't matter, SNA is easier, closer, and more convenient all around. If money matters, you have to figure out how you are getting from LAX to DLR. Add that cost to your flight cost. Then figure out how you would get from SNA and add that cost to your SNA flight. You may find the LAX is still cheaper. Then it just becomes a question of time. And that's a question only you can answer.

With several airports in close proximity, you have choices. Depending upon what's most important to you, the "best choice" for you will probably become clear.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[GrandBob]

I am so glad I read through this thread. We are going to be flying out of Chicago next June to head to DLR (first trip) and just assumed that we would have to fly into LAX. I am so glad to know that there is a better choice to fly into. We fly out of O'Hare Airport all the time and personally I really don't care for it because it is too big and crowded. I prefer Midway Airport which is much smaller and less crowded therefore I really like the thought of flying into SNA for our trip.

Check out Southwest. They have nonstops between MDW and SNA, and they're usually pretty cheap! We live in NorCal, but for our upcoming trip, we're taking DGD to DLR and then going to my Mom's 91st birthday in Chicago. So we're doing SJC-SNA, SNA-MDW, then MDW-SJC.

-Bob