Tips on flying to DisneyLAND from the east coast?

[Karenj2]

Hi all! We are planning on flying to CA from Philly to visit with DH's brother and visit DL. I'm looking at flights, and I have a question for you - would it be better to get a nonstop flight to LAX (an almost 6 hr flight) then have to drive down to Orange County, or get a 1 stop flight that can get us into SNA (much closer to BIL, but a longer flight).

I should add that when we go, we'll have a 5yo and twin 2yos (all girls), and my MIL & FIL are thinking of going with us, so we'll have a bit of help around the airports...

What's it like with kids on a connecting flight? What happens when the flight has a stop but you don't have to change planes?

 

[bjscheel]

I'm not on the East Coast, but in 2013 we flew into SNA, in part because it's a much smaller airport and probably easier to manage with kids. Nonstops are a plus if it bothers your kids' ears to go up and down, but on the other hand with connecting flights, it really is kind of nice to get them out and run around a bit between flights.

I've only been on a flight that stops without a plane change on SW, so I don't know about all airlines, but they had us stay on the plane for a head count after everyone else got out, then we could move to new seats (we moved up front) and wait for the next take-off.

 

[Camshell]

I'm from the West Coast of Canada. We have take two flights to get to Disneyland. We don't have any direct from our city. One to Seattle and then one to Disney. We have flown into LAX and Orange County. We much prefer Orange County. It is a smaller airport so it is much faster to get around in the airport (on arrival and departure) and the lines seem significantly shorter too. It's also closer to Disneyland so that is faster.

That said I always prefer non-stop flights and I would probably choose a non-stop flight over a 1 stop flight any day. What type of layover between the two flights do you have?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

to OP what time would you be arriving at LAX? because if you are arriving during afternoon rush hour it will take you longer to get to Orange county driving than you if take the longer flight time with the change. plus you could be looking at an hour car ride after just getting off plane are your girls going to be ready to sit back down for a major car ride after the plane? as you can tell I would take the Orange county flight even though it is longer. I grew up in southern Cal but now live in Lancaster, Pa area. think about traveling though Philly with your kids at rush hour after being confined for 5 hours. is that something you want to try?

 

[Lynne G]

We are east coasters, in Philly, and went to California twice on Southwest, into LA. Southwest does not have direct flights. We never changed planes on the way out, but always on the way back. If we don't change planes, you can change seats, but unless a long time before taking off again, they will not let you off the plane. On the changing planes, you just get off at the switching airport and go to the other plane. Sometimes we had a good walk, most of the time, just a few gates away. I had my 2 kids with me, it was not hard. I think only US Air flies direct, and for me, it was more cost effective, even though a longer ride, and having to stop 1 time over, to fly Southwest. My kids did not mind.

As said, LA is a huge airport. Rental cars are a good 10 to 15 minutes away. I don't mind it though, I find it just like Philly. The SNA airport is closer and smaller. I found it more expensive to fly into.

Have a great trip. We may be headed to California again. Family is out there, and we like to visit every couple of years.

I always rent a car.

 

[Karenj2]

Thank you all for your responses! It sounds like other than the downside of a layover of some sort, flying into SNA is the better option...

One thing I thought of that's a bit scary (for me), is that we'll be using car seats on the plane for the twins (since we'll have to bring them anyway), and the last time we had to use them, it was VERY difficult to get them set up and taken out... If we have to change planes, that could be a disaster! Hmmm...

The flight I was looking into at LAX was supposed to arrive around 1pm local time.

We'll be renting a car (either an SUV or mini-van to fit 4 adults & 3 kids) too - SNA has car rentals, right?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Absolutely - get the nonstop, especially if you're traveling with kids and car seats. Plus, it should be cheaper flying in and out of LAX. Driving from LAX to DLR in the early afternoon should work out okay, traffic wise.

 

[msmama]

When in the trip would the layovers be? When I've flown to CA I take a one hour flight and then the longer part. It's nice to have a little bit of a break I think, but not smack dab in the middle either.

I flew into San Diego in order to avoid LAX (have family there too though)!! So that's another reason I'd vote for the smaller airport!

 

[navyblue8]

We flew nonstop from BOS. No kids but we didn't have any issues. I didn't think LAX was bad at all when we arrived at night.

 

[laughinplace199]

We flew into LAX in August, nonstop from Boston. We landed around noon on a weekday, rented a car (10 min shuttle from airport) and drove to DL. The traffic wasn't bad at all.

Our kids are older, so no car seats anymore, but if I had to deal with car seats, I'd definitely take the non-stop.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

with a 1pm landing by time you get rental you may be starting rush hour driving as you head to Orange county are you really wanting to rise that far at rush hour? think about Philly at rush hour and your kids have been confined for 4 to 5 hours then an hour car ride with no where to pull off. yes I have driven both Philly and LA at rush hour with young kids neither is fun. remember that rental cars, at least used to be off site at LAX. so plan on shuttle ride plus long hike out to shuttle with luggage and kids

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I'd take the connecting flight and just check the car seats instead of installing them on the plane. Car seats are free to check...you don't pay the baggage fee like you would for a regular bag. We bought an inexpensive carseat bag off Amazon that we use when we check our car seats.

SNA is probably the nicest airport I've ever been in and it's easier to navigate to/from than LAX. A 6 hour flight would be tough for my kids, and so while I'd normally take a nonstop, in this case, I think having a break where the kids can get up and stretch out a bit would be good.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I disagree about taking connecting flight if you can get a non-stop for two important reasons. First, the most dangerous part of the flight is the take off and landing. Why experience more of those than is necessary? Secondly, every connection increases the possibility of delays, misconnected bags, etc.

 

[delilah]

I have flown into LAX once, and that was enough. Since then, we have always flown into SNA while going to the LA area. The SNA is a much more manageable airport. As a matter of fact, I am going to a conference in April. The airline cancelled the original flight I booked, offered to switch me to a flight through LAX. I said, "no Thanks". Where I am, there are no direct flights to LAX, either.

 

[bethy]

I have travelled a LOT with young children, including cross country and to Hawaii and Mexico. I personally prefer a layover versus a nonstop flight that's longer than about 4-5 hours. As long as it doesn't significantly lengthen the trip (like with a 4 hour layover or an out of the way stop). The ability to get up and stretch our legs and get a change of scenery is well worth the hassle in my opinion. Also, you get a fresh set of fellow passengers. Another thing I avoid like the plague is departing any time after about 2 pm. My kids do much much better when they are not tired. Finally, I DO travel with carseats till they are pretty old. My three year old would trying to climb over the seats and into the next row if she didn't have a 5 point harness to contain her. Plus it's cozier and more familiar than a lap belt in an airline seat. We have a carseat we purchased especially for travelling. It's a pain but my 13yo is in charge of carting it an installing it (she boards before us to get it all set up). And once it's in I am sooooooo glad we have it!!!!

Oh and we are Disneyland regulars and SNA is soooooooo much nicer and easier on families than LAX! Plus the commute is far superior.