What would you do LAX or SNA?

[sallyjane]

Last year we flew into Orange county and just took a taxi- loved the airport easy to get in and out of short and cheap taxi ride to DL. The problem is that flying into Orange county is more expensive and there are no direct flights from my airport. The cheapest and only direct flights go into Los Angeles. How difficult is it to get in and out of LAX? I want opinions what would you do. Go through LAX with the shortest flight and no connections and cheeper fare or go through SNA with a connection and higher prices but closer to Disneyland and cheeper transportation to the good neighbor hotel? Also what are the transportation options and costs from LAX -we do not want to rent a car and try driving ourselves. Any help would be appreciated.
LAX= $158 and 2.5 hrs air traveling time
SNA= $381 and 4 hrs air traveling time
Thanks!

 

[BillyFan]

Wow, I was going to emphaticly tell you that it is so much easier to fly in and out of SNA until I saw the travel time and cost difference! Now that a difficult one. We always use SNA, and yesterday, I had a car pick us up 1 hour and 20 minutes before our flight home and had plenty of time. So when you are figuring out the differences, make sure to factor in the time and cost of transfering between the airport and hotel. I'm not sure about LAX, but it cost about 80 rt for transfers and took about 20 minutes each way. I imagine using LAX would be about 60 minutes at least each way.
Good luck deciding on this. I hope I didn't confuse you more!!!!

 

[MouseyMin]

I had exactly the same dilemma, and I picked LAX. The hassle of changing planes (and possibly having the airline misplace my luggage during the transfer) and adding several hours to an already long flight just wasn't worth it. Add on the additional cost, and the decision was really made for me. You can take the bus to Disneyland (or a van), so you won't have to deal with LA traffic.

 

[Phalene]

As much as I prefer SNA, with those details I'd fly into LAX without another thought!

 

[DisneyPhreak]

If things were even, Orange County is the way to go. But because of the price difference its a no brain-er to fly into LAX. We've done it lots of times and its really no big deal. Easy to get to the transfer area and the only thing you'll have to tackle is a longer drive to DL, which still isnt that bad of a drive depending on when you arrive.

 

[ACDSNY]

As much as I love SNA we usually fly into LAX due the price difference. We've used LAX so often I never feel like it's that difficult. Typically the car rentals are less at LAX too. I believe the Disneyland Express shuttle is around $28 RT.

I've been watching for flights for Jan. and SNA is $162 and LAX is $118 so it looks like it will be LAX for us again.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

We had no issues with LAX being difficult... my complaint is lack of things to do inside the airport while you are waiting for your flight out... I am used to PDX and PHX which practically have malls inside, and tons of restaraunt choices... not the case at LAX...

--Lisa

 

[scappyplants]

Hi -
I live in Socal and fly a bunch for business. If SNA is too much $, and I agree LAX is a pain, 2 alternatives are Ontario (ONT) and Long Beach. (jet blue flies into this airport, many flights). Ontario is newer, clean, (more of that SNA feel) very nice and less $ typically than LAX. There are carpool lanes from ONT to close to Anaheim. Which brings us to a car. >>>>>

As everything is so spread out around here, why not rent a car on hotwire and pick up at AP? I find rentals all the time for $20.00 / day or less. Then you can also go to Laguna Beach, Knotts Berry Farm, San Diego, etc. So much more pleasant to have your own wheels, just add a GPS if you dont know the lay of the land and away you go!

BTW - Going to Disney tommarrow with the teen daughters, 42 years of visits and I never get tired of it!. Have Fun.

 

[brenda1966]

Okay, I would always book the non-stop fight!

Getting in and out of LAX is not that bad, really! It's much easier that sitting in an airport, waiting for a connecting flight, having your first flight be late, thinking you may miss your connecting flight, etc. etc. etc.

Not to mention the $ you'll save.

I'm not sure why LAX gets such a bad rap. I really haven't had any trouble getting in and out of there. Sure the traffic is heavy all through LA and the Hollywood area, but that's just how it is.

 

[Sienna]

We flew into SNA last year on a direct flight and it was great. Much closer to DL and a lot less hassle than LAX. It was slightly more expensive to fly into SNA, but the shuttle was cheaper because it was closer, so it kindof evened out. However, given that it's MUCH cheaper for you to fly into LAX, and you'd have to connect to SNA, I think you should just go the LAX route.

 

[sallyjane]

Wow, Thanks everyone for all the advice. I think you are all right and I will have to try LAX. It will probably be easier than I think. I do not want to drive so I will probably do the shuttle option. Things might change before I make the ressies. I am kind of hoping that Alaska air will annouce the kids fly free deal soon then I may splurge on the SNA airport anyway. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[lovedoggies]

We checked into it and a taxi seems to be the best bet. Its about $35-40 from LAX to Disneyland area.

Super Shuttle was $32 per person, and round trip. I forgot to ask the child price. You dont necessarily get your own van. So you may make other stops before you get to your hotel. But they said there are usually no more than 3 stops.

The Disney Express was cheaper. I think it was $28 round trip for an adult and $20 for kids. This is a full on bus so I am sure it makes many stops.

We are going to try a taxi.

 

[ballarinamom]

LAX for $35-$40? That's what we paid for cab from John Wayne to Disneyland and LAX is so much further away

 

[Mrs. Bee]

I have flown from Omaha to Santa Ana dozens of times in the past couple years. I never even check prices to LAX anymore. There are no direct flights from Omaha to SNA or to LAX so for us...it's better to pay the extra money for the convenience of John Wayne. Getting in and out of SNA is so much quicker and less stressful.

But in your situation is sounds like LAX would be better.

 

[lovedoggies]

LAX for $35-$40? That's what we paid for cab from John Wayne to Disneyland and LAX is so much further away

Thats what the ground transportation people at LAX told me. Do you think they are wrong? Maybe I should try calling someone else. I just trusted them, but maybe I shouldn't have.

 

[Baloo2003]

Wow, Thanks everyone for all the advice. I think you are all right and I will have to try LAX. It will probably be easier than I think. I do not want to drive so I will probably do the shuttle option. Things might change before I make the ressies. I am kind of hoping that Alaska air will annouce the kids fly free deal soon then I may splurge on the SNA airport anyway. Thanks again for all the help.

TIP: When you get your luggage at LAX and walk out to transportation, notice the terminal number on the columns, because when you return, you will want to remind your driver the terminal number you need to go to.

I flew AirTran which is not a big airline at LAX so the driver almost missed the terminal when we returned. I acciedntally remembered the terminal number and was grateful.

 

[ballarinamom]

I think that sounds wrong, but I could be mistaken. I would just think if it costs $35-40 for John Wayne, LAX would be more since it is further away. You could also call your hotel as they should know the cost of cabs

 

[sallyjane]

I am interested to hear what the actual cab cost is. I think that $35-$40 is too low. Last spring we got a flat rate for a taxi from SNA for $35. Has anyone gotten a rate from LAX - do they have a flat rate like at John Wayne. Also we will have 5 people so if we do take a cab we will need a van- would we have to call ahead for the van cab or do we just have to wait until one gets to the front of the taxi cab line? You know how they line up and you have to take the first one in a row at John Wayne I assume it is the same at LAX?

 

[Hojoanaheim]

I am interested to hear what the actual cab cost is. I think that $35-$40 is too low. Last spring we got a flat rate for a taxi from SNA for $35. Has anyone gotten a rate from LAX - do they have a flat rate like at John Wayne. Also we will have 5 people so if we do take a cab we will need a van- would we have to call ahead for the van cab or do we just have to wait until one gets to the front of the taxi cab line? You know how they line up and you have to take the first one in a row at John Wayne I assume it is the same at LAX?

I don't know that cab companies have a flat rate from LAX, but I can tell you that the cost for a cab from LAX to Anaheim is going to be about $80, one way. As far as whether or not you'd need to call ahead to schedule a van, I'm not entirely sure. I have a phone number for Yellow Cab that you could call to find out about that though! It's 800-535-2211.

There's also a company called Jag Transportation, and they are a private car service. They're fees are pretty comparable with Yellow Cab- the only exception being that if they were to do a pick up from the airport, they do charge a bit more. You can get rate quotes from them at 714-381-9897.

Hope this helps a little!

Lorealle