Airport Experiences in SoCal

[cmph]

Hands down SNA is my 1st choice...that being said, all my friends fly into LAX so they can "STAR" search! Yeesh! SNA has great amenities, easy to navigate and it is just the right distance to Disneyland.

This cracked me up! I wouldn't have thought of that reason, at all. I guess I can see that logic, although it would be lost on me. DD tells us about celebrities she sees, and I have yet to have heard of a single one. All influencers/youtuber types, I guess. I had one celebrity sighting at the airport (BWI) when I was in college - Drake Hogestyn from Days of Our Lives. That's how old i am LOLOL.

 

[cmph]

Any suggestions if we are planning to start with a few days at DL but then change hotels and go to UHS before we leave? Not sure which airport would be best for both locations.

I'm with @LKing on this one - definitely ideal to book two one-ways, SNA for DL and BUR for UHS. I book one-ways at least half the time, these days. I fly different airlines to/from, either to use points efficiently (personal travel) or to optimize departure times (work travel).

Otherwise, LAX makes the most sense on paper but is no one's favorite choice.

 

[dcfromva]

I like them all because they take me to southern California. I try to pick a non-stop flight. Usually that is LAX for us. My family also likes LAX because they like to stop at Randy's donuts.

But, I am looking forward to when they complete the automated people mover. I think I saw a date of October 17th 2024 in an article (though--I thought that was weirdly specific.) Sometime in 2023 had been the original completion date, but apparently that's not happening.

https://la.urbanize.city/post/new-people-mover-system-continues-make-progress-lax

https://labusinessjournal.com/featured/lax-6/

https://la.urbanize.city/post/new-people-mover-system-continues-make-progress-lax

https://www.fitchratings.com/resear...tive-outlook-affirms-rating-at-bbb-28-09-2023

 

[Pluto468]

Universal Studios Hollywood is very close to Burbank airport. Can you fly into SNA and out of BUR? If you want to fly in/out of the same airport, I would use BUR. You don't want to be late for a flight and Universal to SNA is a trek. You don't know what type of traffic you will encounter along the way.

This is a great idea. You'll be very close to BUR if you're staying overnight near Universal. We often go into one airport and fly out another. It saves money alot of the time, but I mostly do it to fit my schedule.

 

[mouschievous]

I've only arrived once and left from LAX once, but it wasn't as horrible as everyone seems to think. I was honestly surprised how quick everything was. It was an international flight so maybe that's why.

I've flown in and out of LAX many times, always domestically, and it's never been any better or worse than any other airport. I'm not sure if we're just super lucky or what.

That said, like so many others SNA is my top choice for Disney trips. Smaller, less busy, easier to navigate, super close to DL, super easy to get to ride share. We're even able to get direct flights from our home airport!

 

[kristensideaoffun]

Our experience with ONT was better than LAX. We didn’t have as much traffic getting to DL, and the airport was easier to navigate than LAX. It also took us less time to get to DL from ONT than LAX because there was less traffic over there.

If you’re driving during non-peak commuting hours, the drive between DLR and ONT is not bad. But that route is awful during traffic hour. Just as bad, if not worse, than LA traffic.

 

[brightlined]

But, I am looking forward to when they complete the automated people mover. I think I saw a date of October 17th 2024 in an article (though--I thought that was weirdly specific.) Sometime in 2023 had been the original completion date, but apparently that's not happening.

I think it's been delayed again - February 2025. But, agreed, that'll be the game-changer as far as LAX goes.

Most of my nightmares at LAX are Rental Cars and local transit. That whole Arrivals area is a mess - too many buses, not enough staff. (I recently saw a guy park a rental van in the Rental Car bus spot outside Terminal 3 and spend ten minutes slowly loading in his family of six, while a dozen passengers and two RC buses stood around and waited for him to move. In Atlanta, for example, I feel like staff would've tackled him.) Being able to reach rental cars (at the new central location) and the new transit station without having to go down there will (hopefully) remove most of the pain.

The terminals are better than they were - especially now that they're fully interconnected (as of last month). I won't miss the days of the Terminal 3 construction - Delta crammed Terminal 2 as full as they possibly could, and it was so terrible. (At one point, the connection to Terminal 1 was closed off, which was my go-to hideaway.)

I'm grateful that they're finally doing all of this. I just wish they'd started twenty years ago.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I'm not sure what to do for an upcoming trip, SNA costs about $80 more per person which is $400 for the 5 of us, as well, the flight leaving SNA to get home is at 1pm but I could do an 8pm flight from LAX, so could really have a pretty full last day at DL if we left from LAX.

 

[Sweettears]

Always use SNA

 

[LKing]

I'm not sure what to do for an upcoming trip, SNA costs about $80 more per person which is $400 for the 5 of us, as well, the flight leaving SNA to get home is at 1pm but I could do an 8pm flight from LAX, so could really have a pretty full last day at DL if we left from LAX.

Did you check LGB? For us, it is usually cheaper than SNA. LAX definitely offers the most flexibility with times.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I'm a Long Beach local so some bias there, but I'd put LGB over SNA by a hair, then BUR or ONT if you can find a flight, then LAX if you are desperate. In fact, if your plans include San Diego too I'd even consider flying in there before LAX. Some details others have not mentioned;
LGB has no jetways. You depart from a ramp they wheel to the front of the pane AND stairs they wheel to the back of the plane. Yes, you load and unload from both the front and the back. It's a really cool throwback to the way we all used to travel.
SNA approach/departure is an E-ticket ride during gusty Santa Ana wind events (like this last week). The residents in ritzy Newport Beach would not OK the airport if the planes had not reached a certain altitude AND cut the engines back by the time they got over the beach - so they do. I was surprised to learn (the hard way) that the planes follow this same pattern when they take off away from the beach too. It can be downright terrifying if you are not ready for it and the pilots usually warn you when you are loading the plane. We've always found SNA flights are more expensive but others in this thread have found otherwise - YMMV.

As nice as SNA and LGB are, LAX stands in stark contrast. If you don't think LAX is all that bad you do not have a large enough sample size - it can be MISERABLE! Bad traffic, thick pot smoke, crime, and just awful, rude behavior, I've seen it all - It's a terrible way for us in So Cal to welcome visitors. IMHO, the peoplemover they are building is not going to help all that much. You will still need to carry your bags on the peoplemover BEFORE you check them in, and it does nothing for the traffic in the loop. As others have said, you have to REALLY love someone to agree to give them a ride to LAX, but I also tell people that if you have never driven to LAX, DON'T. Have someone else drive, you are just going to get in the way.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I live here and have only flown from LAX, Long Beach, and Burbank. There is a saying locally "You really love someone if you drop off or pick up from LAX."

Seeing as Anaheim is in Orange County, expect it to take about an hour or so depending on the time of day to get to Disneyland from LAX. Rental car outlets require a shuttle to lots offsite from the airport so they take a while to get to.

Often LAX is a necessary evil due to the sheer number of flights going to and from there. Plan plan plan! I'd suggest if renting a car maybe take some time to check out some L.A. sights prior to the drive down the 5 to Disneyland. A lot of you folks gain 2-3 hours with the time change so grab a bite to eat somewhere touristy or check out the beach. I also highly recommend a stop in Long Beach or Huntington Beach because there are some great spots along the coast to grab a bite to eat. One I recommend is Habor House Cafe in Sunset Beach. https://www.harborhousecafe.com/

You don't get to the 5 until you are in Downtown LA - would not recommend. Also, DO NOT take PCH the whole way from LAX to Orange County, no matter how romantic and picturesque you think the drive will be. It's OK from LAX to the 110, but from the 110 through West Long Beach it's...not great - at best. You could take the 110 to the Vincent Thomas bridge and into Downtown LB. If you do that it will eventually meet up with PCH again in Southeast Long Beach and take you through Seal Beach and Huntington Beach - that's nice. That's also going to take you a lot longer than staying on the 405 though. Waze is your friend in So Cal.

 

[Sweettears]

I fly out of chicago on southwest and have found the cost to SNA the same if not a bit better. You certainly save on the transportation if you’re not renting a car

 

[brightlined]

IMHO, the peoplemover they are building is not going to help all that much. You will still need to carry your bags on the peoplemover BEFORE you check them in, and it does nothing for the traffic in the loop. As others have said, you have to REALLY love someone to agree to give them a ride to LAX, but I also tell people that if you have never driven to LAX, DON'T. Have someone else drive, you are just going to get in the way.

Unless they change the plan, it should drastically cut down on the number of buses going through the loop, especially at Arrivals. It'll entirely get rid of the Rental Car buses and the C-Line shuttle. I believe hotel shuttles and some buses will move over to the West ITF, with local buses moving to the East ITF. (Hopefully, anyway.)

I'm quietly hoping that a direct Metro route might encourage more people to go that way, too. (Weirdly, Google Maps doesn't know that the C-Line shuttle exists, so their route recommendations can be stupidly over-complicated, and often include a mile-long walk to/from Sepulveda via a local bus route.)

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

For reference we live in NorCal:

1A) SNA
1B) LGB
3) Driving
4) Walking
5) Literally any other option
6) LAX

 

[lilsonicfan]

Did you check LGB? For us, it is usually cheaper than SNA. LAX definitely offers the most flexibility with times.

Thanks! Yeah unfortunately from Vancouver, no good flights other than LAX or SNA, I’m not willing to have a stop since it’s only a 3 hr flight!

 

[RockyMtnMouse]

This is all so reassuring. We're flying into BUR and doing USH in March then driving down for a few days at DL. We'll fly out of LGB since SNA was more expensive. I've flown into SNA and ONT and I prefer SNA but it's always more $ than the other airports. ONT was fine; bit of a drive and dated but cheaper than SNA. Proud to say I've always avoided LAX, it sounds awful.

 

[Iceman93]

You people who hate LAX crack me up. All I can assume is that you have no experience with actual airports anywhere else.

If you can get a convenient non-stop flight from where you live to either SNA or LGB, then yes both of those airports are smaller with all the commensurate benefits (and drawbacks). ONT and BUR are less convenient for getting to and from Disneyland, so even if you can get non-stops to/from them, they are not going to be a good choice.

LAX is a world-class airport that serves tons of airlines, has a wealth of flight times to choose from, offers every possible rental car option, and is convenient to several of the nation's most-trafficked interstate highways. Getting to and from the airport is no harder (and in fact easier) than pretty much any other major airport in the country. But if you'd rather pay more for less convenient flight options to those other local airports, have at it!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I have only flown in and out of LAX and SNA to go to the Los Angeles area. I will be flying out of Long Beach this spring and I'm looking forward to trying it.

As for getting to the airport experiences LAX has given me some of the worst experiences ever. One time it was gridlock traffic and we (and many others) ended up just leaving our rides/Ubers and walking to the airport. The next time I tried LAX it wasn't as bad but we were in stop and go traffic for a decent amount of time and that was right near the airport. I have had a couple experiences where it wasn't that bad but the two experiences are enough to cause a little trauma. CDG in Paris gave me LAX vibes when I was arriving at it to fly back home, lots of traffic. Although I don't mind the actual airport terminals, with the renovations it is a decent big airport. Flying into LAX has been fine and I have been able to get out quickly or at least quicker.

Still with not so great experiences, I will still use LAX if it is the best option price wise. The only airport I truly actively avoid is Atlanta, I have had terrible luck there.

 

[Sweettears]

You people who hate LAX crack me up. All I can assume is that you have no experience with actual airports anywhere else.

If you can get a convenient non-stop flight from where you live to either SNA or LGB, then yes both of those airports are smaller with all the commensurate benefits (and drawbacks). ONT and BUR are less convenient for getting to and from Disneyland, so even if you can get non-stops to/from them, they are not going to be a good choice.

LAX is a world-class airport that serves tons of airlines, has a wealth of flight times to choose from, offers every possible rental car option, and is convenient to several of the nation's most-trafficked interstate highways. Getting to and from the airport is no harder (and in fact easier) than pretty much any other major airport in the country. But if you'd rather pay more for less convenient flight options to those other local airports, have at it!

I live by Ohare and I can tell you getting there is a heck of a lot easier than LAX. Plus as I stated the airfare to SNA is comparable if not cheaper