Disneyland-- Which Airport?

[dcfromva]

A lot of folks have expressed an interest in visiting Disneyland for the 50th anniversary. Is is to be an 18 month long celebration starting May 5th, 2005.
One of the first questions that comes up is--which airport is the closest to DL? I have complied some links and some information here to help.

I thought I would start this thread and we can keep adding additional information to it. When shopping for an airfare to the Los Angeles area, there are several airports from which to choose. (When I make a selection, it is the price of the ticket that is the deciding factor for me. But, coming from the east coast, I will pay a little bit extra for a non-stop flight. )
If you've found a great airfare to the LA area, post it here!

I have very little information on the ground transportation (as we always rent a car from National Rental Car, Emerald Aisle), so if anyone has any info on ground transport, please share it here!

SNA John Wayne, Orange County airport (http://www.ocair.com/) is approximately 13 miles to Disneyland(map). (http://maps.yahoo.com/dd_result?ed=4pIYBeV.wilAsDmBPMBd3f3VaoPIbpDAxMt_A hwHlf69XKBttB83wgvK&csz=&country=us&tcsz=Anaheim%2C+CA+92802-2317&tcountry=us)
Here is a Link to the list of airlines which go to SNA (http://www.ocair.com/commercial_air_carriers.htm)
Pros--It is the closest airport to DL.


LGB Long Beach Airport (http://www.longbeach.gov/airport/) is approximately 18 miles to Disneyland. (http://maps.yahoo.com/dd_result?ed=OnPpfeV.wilhnpFMQJpKl0U23ovMtDw8lLb3H EG5SZg6Rwb9FYRZHV5O&csz=&country=us&tcsz=Anaheim%2C+CA+92802-2317&tcountry=us)
Here is a Link tothe list of Airlines which go to LGB (http://www.longbeach.gov/airport/airline_travelers/default.asp)
Pros--It is pretty close to DL, the airport is not very congested and there can be some very good fares into this airport.


LAX Los Angeles International Airport (http://www.lawa.org/lax/laxframe.html) is approximately 34 miles to Disneyland. (http://maps.yahoo.com/dd_result?ed=W23mauV.wimddOwunIZy5Hzaey4UIDTjwI7ej J6vplcXlTXUJ2kQ9_Hh&csz=&country=us&tcsz=Anaheim%2C+CA+92802-2317&tcountry=us)
Here is a Link tothe list of Airlines which go to LAX (http://www.lawa.org/lax/laxairlines.cfm)
Pros-- There are a lot of non-stop flights going into LAX.
Cons--It is a very busy airport! You have to take a shuttle to get all rental cars
"Con--LAX is a nightmare to navigate. Personal opinion. It wasn't planned well in the beginning and hasn't improved with time!"...TajainAZ

ONT Ontario International Airport (http://www.lawa.org/ont/default.cfm) is approximately 36 miles to Disneyland. (http://maps.yahoo.com/dd_result?ed=GirBoeV.wikahdRuXznMREihx7vNu8aOm0eRq kJa.jdzZeIPnRBuE1dm&csz=&country=us&tcsz=Anaheim%2C+CA+92802-2317&tcountry=us)
Here is a link to the list of Airlines which go to ONT (http://www.lawa.org/ont/ontAirlineList.cfm)
Pros--The airport is not as congested as LAX. The commute doesn't seem as bad coming from ONT to DL vs LAX to DL (although traffic is usually busy no matter where you are in LA)
Cons--You have to take a shuttle to get to all rental cars.

BUR Bob Hope, Burbank Airport (http://www.burbankairport.com/) is approximately 39 miles to Disneyland. (http://maps.yahoo.com/dd_result?ed=IrYU0uV.winJiH7Mnh8eCrSvYgBAiPMgX5F4l Vro.LfPMGEjMyBSSJuz&csz=&country=us&tcsz=Anaheim%2C+CA+92802-2317&tcountry=us)
Here is a link to the list of Airlines which go to BUR (http://www.burbankairport.com/AirlineSchedule.htm)
"Pros: Small, easy to get around. I think the rental car counters are inside. Easy access to Interstate 5 (Golden State Freeway south at that point), which becomes (merges or something) the Santa Ana Freeway (still Interstate 5 if I remember correctly) with exits to Disneyland. Leu mentioned that Disneyland now has it's own freeway exits and entrances, alleviating the bottlenecks that used to occur at Harbor Blvd. and Katella.".... Tajainaz
"Another pro: If you're considering a day or two relaxing in Santa Barbara, there is (or was) a small Amtrak train station adjoining the airport, with a convenient stop Santa Barbara. If anyone is interested, let me know and I'll check with Leu. She doesn't use computers (I know, I'm working on it!), so it can take a few days to connect by phone considering our schedules are very different!".... Tajainaz
"Cons: Limited operational schedule. Since it began life as a test airport for Lockheed and became a commercial airport long after the surrounding neighborhoods were established, scheduled flights for commercial and large charter or business aircraft are limited to non-emergency take offs and landings between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Flights can be routed there for emergencies at any hour (usually weather related at other airports). The airlines are very good at bending the rules, so if you see flight schedules slightly outside those hours, don't panic. They're real!" .... Tajainaz


SAN San Diego International (Lindberg Field) (http://www.san.org/) is approximately 95 miles to Disneyland. (http://maps.yahoo.com/dd_result?ed=Vxuwa.V.wil0MOB.RxoQLuRhww5Cc_juDUhbZ iYLI0GYFkPKUudkYtKh&csz=&country=us&tcsz=Anaheim%2C+CA+92802-2317&tcountry=us)
Here is a link to the list of Airlines which go to SAN (http://www.san.org/airport/flights/airlines.asp)
Pros--This might be an option, if you are also considering a visit to San Diego.
Cons--

When you are shopping for airfares, don't overlook Jet Blue (http://www.jetblue.com/). Jet Blue fares can only be booked from Jet Blue (they don't show up on Expedia, for example). Link to Jet Blue system map (LGB, ONT, SAN) (http://www.jetblue.com/travelinfo/routemap.html)


Another airline to consider is Southwest (SWA) (http://www.southwest.com/) SWA fares can only be booked from SWA.
Lnk to SWA cities (SNA, LAX, ONT, BUR, SAN) (http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/routemap.html)



-DC :ears:

[dcfromva]

Just a footnote--If you have any pros/cons to add to the airports, I will incorporate them.

I do not know whether you have to take a shuttle to ALL the rental cars for SNA/LGB/SAN and BUR. (I suspect you don't for LGB judging by this Image:)
http://www.longbeach.gov/images/airport/terminallayout.jpg
but, I don't know for sure.

-DC :ears:

[Tinker]

I found a rate on US Airways from Philadelphia PA to Los Angeles,CA for $516.00 round trip for 2 . I don't know if this is a good rate and if I should book with US Air .

[JuniorMickey]

That seems really high. no one knows what is going to happen with US Air but personally I would steer clear of them until I know what's going on (at least for flghts in '05)

[Tinker]

$516.00 is for 2 people , still too high ? I've paid over $400.00 for DH & I to FL. :shrug: Thanks JM , Thats what I was thinking ! :)

[JuniorMickey]

Ahh for 2... makes a little more sense... I've flown Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco for $210PP, most I've paid was $250 PP

[Tinker]

:thanks:

[tajainaz]

Burbank Airport

Pros: Small, easy to get around. I think the rental car counters are inside. Easy access to Interstate 5 (Golden State Freeway south at that point), which becomes (merges or something) the Santa Ana Freeway (still Interstate 5 if I remember correctly) with exits to Disneyland. Leu mentioned that Disneyland now has it's own freeway exits and entrances, alleviating the bottlenecks that used to occur at Harbor Blvd. and Katella.

Cons: Limited operational schedule. Since it began life as a test airport for Lockheed and became a commercial airport long after the surrounding neighborhoods were established, scheduled flights for commercial and large charter or business aircraft are limited to non-emergency take offs and landings between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Flights can be routed there for emergencies at any hour (usually weather related at other airports). The airlines are very good at bending the rules, so if you see flight schedules slightly outside those hours, don't panic. They're real!

Another pro: If you're considering a day or two relaxing in Santa Barbara, there is (or was) a small Amtrak train station adjoining the airport, with a convenient stop Santa Barbara. If anyone is interested, let me know and I'll check with Leu. She doesn't use computers :eek: (I know, I'm working on it!), so it can take a few days to connect by phone considering our schedules are very different!

[tajainaz]

Southwest also flies into Burbank, although the fares frequently are lower (at least in the west) to LAX.

LAX is a nightmare to navigate. Personal opinion. It wasn't planned well in the beginning and hasn't improved with time!

[dcfromva]

Taja,
Thanks! I will add in your info.

Southwest also flies into Burbank, although the fares frequently are lower (at least in the west) to LAX.
Whoops! I'll add that in, too. I've found the same to be true (higher fares into BUR) coming from the east coast, too. But, I always like to check, just in case. :)

-DC :ears:

[tajainaz]

Okay, here's some additional information about the Burbank Airport.

Address: 2627 North Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505

Link to Burbank Airport (http://www.burbankairport.com/)

Directions from Burbank Airport to Disneyland (I used the Harbor Blvd. address--I think Ball Road may be the one Leu was talking about) courtesy of MapQuest (with an occasional personal comment).

From the airport:

North on Hollywood Way approximately 1 mile to the I-5, southbound entrance. The entrance is on the right.

Merge onto I-5, southbound, approximately 39 miles

Take the Harbor Boulevard exit. Approximately .3 miles.

Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto South Harbor Boulevard. Approximately .1 miles.

End at 1313 South Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim, CA.


My comment was the I-5 freeway entrance, eliminating the Burton Avenue reference. It's a tiny side street that you'll never find if you're looking for it!

[PsychoAlice]

Burbank is not too far from me!! thats a Pro!!

Also the Disney Studios (ya know where it ALL started..literally) is in Burbank!!

[Johnie]

Burbank is not too far from me!! thats a Pro!!

Also the Disney Studios (ya know where it ALL started..literally) is in Burbank!!

omg! she lives!!!

[PsychoAlice]

yes yes I havent left you all I just took a vacation to get to know that man of mine who has been playing in the sandbox for 6 months!

[dfkurzweil]

I use to live in Orange County.

SNA (John Wayne airport) is closest to Disneyland. It is a very nice airport - very easy to get into and out of, MUCH less traffic than LAX, and the airport itself is a nice facility.

Only a few cons - Airfares tend to be more expansive there than LAX. There are also fewer non-stops, if you are coming from farther away.

Also, because of noise regulations for the beach communities directly to the west, flights take off at a VERY steep angle. I would not call it scary, but it is disconcerting the first time you experience it.

[uscwest]

Umm, you do realize you just replied to a 4 year old thread don't you? :D

[Tinker]

That is much needed information for me as DH and I are thinking of going to DL and knowing which airport is better & closer to DL, works for me . :wink: