Here's my dilemma...my husband and I are going to be flying in on Sat., April 19 and I'm torn between whether to fly into LAX and arrive at 4:15pm or to fly into SNA and arrive at 7:10pm. We'll have a car either way but want to get to Disneyland that evening for a few hours (I think they're open till midnite that nite). Is the earlier arrival at LAX worth it or should we stick with flying into SNA to arrive a few hours later for convenience sake?

We're flying home on April 24 so will have at least 2 full days and whatever is left of Sat evening and then Sun evening to visit DL.

It's been about 10 yrs since we were at DL so are looking very forward to returning. Have visited WDW in between though but are definitely overdue for our Disney fix.

Have you checked all your options? Such as the Long Beach Airport, which is just as close as John Wayne (SNA) is?

But if you only have the choice of the 2 airports, the drive from LAX is about 1 hour, maybe a bit more, as compared to 20 to 30 minutes from John Wayne.

Both routes have mostly Carpool lanes, so it is quicker than the regular lanes.

From LAX, take 105 East the entire length of the freeway, which has Carpool Lanes. At the end of the 105, take the 605 south for just a few miles to the 91 East, once you get on the 91, get back into the Carpool lane. Take that to the 5 South, which has a special Carpool lane exit ramp. Then take that to Disneyland Drive, another special Carpool exit, and you will be at Disneyland.

From John Wayne, follow the exit signs to the 55 North exit, it does take about a mile (you drive next to the 405 North) before you get onto the 55. Once you do, get into the Carpool Lane as soon as you can (You CANNOT cross the Double Yellow Lines, you must wait until a broken white line is on the side of the lane). Then take that to the special Carpool 5 North exit. Making sure you stay on the 5, get off at the Disney Way Carpool exit.

So you are looking at about an extra hour, saying 30 minutes extra at LAX to deal with getting the Rental Car (which is off site), and then an extra 30 minutes on the freeway. So you are gaining an extra 90 minutes to 2 hours if you fly into LAX.

I would think that landing at 4:15 at LAX would put you in PRIME commuting time. And that's not a good thing. Maybe the carpool lanes are enough of a help, but I sure would not envy anyone trying to navigate Los Angeles in commuting time.

I would think that landing at 4:15 at LAX would put you in PRIME commuting time. And that's not a good thing. Maybe the carpool lanes are enough of a help, but I sure would not envy anyone trying to navigate Los Angeles in commuting time.

Thanks for the input DarkBeer and Drince88. We have to fly Northwest and I don't think they fly into Long Beach. The day we arrive is a Saturday so traffic might not be as bad from LAX I assume?? But anyway I think SNA just makes more sense and I can get a cheaper car rental rate there too.

Personally, I would rather have a bunch of scorpions dumped on my head than fly into LAX at prime time (business travelers are coming home for the weekend), have to fight to get luggage and get through LAX (which I loathe) and then fight the traffic. An hour during rush hour to get to Disney would be rather conservative, IMO.

I would definitely go for SNA, but that is just me. You could also try Ontario. It might not save you much in freeway time, but it is a MUCH easier airport to get through. Happy travels!

Ohhh. For some reason I was thinking you came in on a Saturday. That changes everything. While I still hate LAX, it would not be nearly the same nightmare as a Friday evening. I think I might chance it, but I would still check Ontario.

I only go to LAX under protest. I would rather go anywhere than there. Too big, too loud, too many lines.

Last week my husband and I were variously at SNA, LAX, Denver, Chicago, Atlanta, and somewhere in Ohio (too tired to recall). So we're pretty comfortable with getting through airport security, chilling through gate delays, whatever hassles the airlines throw at us. But a big airport plus potential LA traffic--no way would I go there over SNA. Or Long Beach or Ontario. The two hours you "save" might end up costing you several years of emotional health. :eek:

You're probably getting the gist of my feelings by now...

Elizabeth

Thanks again everyone for your recommendations that we avoid LAX at all costs. We will heed your advice and stick with SNA. Can't wait - the countdown is on - only 51 more days till we leave!

Not to put a wrench in your plans, but given your circumstances, I would go for LAX. Yes, I hate flying out of LAX, but that has a lot to do with driving into the airport, parking and traffic. But flying into LAX and picking up a rental car (and not having to return it to LAX) would be just fine with me. Once you jump on the 105, the drive is pretty nice. It's not a particularly busy freeway. The 405 going north is really the head banger. And you would get a good hour and half extra time out of your day. That would be worth it for me.

Now, if you have to fly back out of LAX, that changed the whole dynamics.

I am an aviation nut, received my degree in aviation management, and hold a private pilots rating...

My first choice would be to fly into KSNA rather then into KLAX and the drive back to the OC. But..... you have to remember that the KSNA field does close to commerical traffic later in the evening. So if your plane is delayed you might just get diverted to KLAX anyway.

An alternate airport that is also open 24 hours is KONT. Flying into KONT has always been cheaper for me then either KSNA or KLAX and the drive into the OC is not as bad as attempting it from the city of smog.

Just my two cents worth. I have been flying into southern california from the midwest (wichita/tulsa) for over 20 years now on various airlines.

One added plus about flying out of KSNA is their short field lenght. Most commercial departures are "short field" takeoffs (i.e. they lock the brakes, throttle up the engines, and then release brakes). Also due to the noise restrictions airlines climb at max rate at min power. Its a fun takeoff compared to either KLAX or KONT.

John Wayne... waha.

BuNo148999

Until my DD and I went in February we have always flown into LAX. But never again after flying into SNA in February. What a beautiful, more peaceful airport! I cannot say enough good things about it. I personally liked the food options compared to the Terminal we normally fly into at LAX. Be stranded there for 6 hours and have a choice between Burger King, Starbucks, and a crummy bar!

Personally, I would rather have a bunch of scorpions dumped on my head than fly into LAX at prime time (business travelers are coming home for the weekend), have to fight to get luggage and get through LAX (which I loathe) and then fight the traffic. An hour during rush hour to get to Disney would be rather conservative, IMO.

I would definitely go for SNA, but that is just me. You could also try Ontario. It might not save you much in freeway time, but it is a MUCH easier airport to get through. Happy travels!

What he/she said!