Orange County vs LAX??

benolathe

Mouseketeer
Joined
Oct 11, 1999
From reading these boards, I had decided to fly into Orange County (John Wayne) airport instead of the traditional Los Angeles airport for our visit to Disneyland.

Well, I'm finally researching airline tickets and need some opinions. It costs roughly $50 more per ticket to fly to Orange County than LAX and no direct flights are available to Orange County. In fact, only two airlines offer direct flights from Kansas City to LAX. Of course, I would prefer a direct flight!

So, is it really that much of an advantage to fly into Orange County instead of LAX? I understand that my cab fares to the hotel and then back to the airport will probably be more flying into LAX, but does anyone know how much more? Also, is LAX really that much of a hassle? I read that Orange County is just much easier to get in and out of.

My dilema is that to fly into Orange County instead of LAX would cost me an extra $150 (not considering extra cab fare from LAX) and I would have to change planes somewhere along the way instead of having a direct flight. My question is - Is Orange County airport worth this much extra over LAX?

Sheila
sheila.bennett@home.com
Wilderness Lodge; Dec 1999
Disneyland March 2001!

[This message was edited by benolathe on 01-05-01 at 09:48 PM.]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> My dilema is that to fly into Orange County instead of LAX would cost be an extra $150... My question is - Is Orange County airport worth this much extra over LAX?
[/quote]

For me, I would pay $150.00 more to fly into Orange County, especially if it were more than one ticket/person flying in.

Orange County is only about 20 minutes away.

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I've done it both ways several times. (And you should be able to get straight through flights, we have.) Orange County/John Wayne Airport is definitely smaller and "cooler," but the shuttle trip to your Disney area hotel is not that much shorter. (OK, it's shorter, but from LAX is not unbearable in an airconditioned vehicle) (Don't get a taxi$$$$) Just plan your flight time into and out of LAX as far away from rush hour if you can. Remember, the shuttles and buses can do the carpool lane thing, and they make good time. If you are renting a car, I would go with Orange Co. just because it will mean less chance of getting lost. If you have the money, do Orange, but I would save the dough and spend it elsewhere and go LAX. LAX is older and well, not as sparkly as Orange, but is laid out well, and easy to find your way through (has good security in case you are curious).

I would use a shuttle rather than the Airport bus though, unless you know for sure the Airport bus goes RIGHT to your hotel. They usually just make a few stops per street which means you have to haul your luggage to and from the hotel, a major pain. Apparently there is some law/rule/unsure what to call it, that limits the bus traffic in the DL vicinity. We learned this the hard way.

I also want to mention... take into consideration your hotel check-in time when scheduling your arrival time. You don't want to arrive too early and not be able to check in for hours. If this is the case, double check with your hotel on whether they have safe luggage storage. We had a bad experience with the Carousel Inn. Your options here are only to leave your belongings in a common area that anyone in the hotel had access to (off in a little room in the parking area) and we did not feel safe leaving our good stuff there, so we wasted literally hours hanging on to it until we could check in. (See my hotel report on the Carousel if anyone is interested.)

Whatever you decide, you have to weigh your options. Just have a good time once you get there! :cool:
 
So, how do I find out about the shuttle service from the airport to the hotel? We are staying at the Candy Cane Inn and I don't think they specifically have a shuttle.

Is there a specific shuttle service that we can use? I would like to find out pricing, if possible. We do not plan on renting a car at all.

Sheila
sheila.bennett@home.com
Wilderness Lodge; Dec 1999
Disneyland March 2001!
 


We always fly into LAX to save the money. It is a very busy urban airport....but safe. From where you pick up your luggage, you only need to walk out the door, walk to the right half a block, and cross to the median, to catch the airport bus.

I think the Airport bus is convienent....but we pack light and only use suitcases that roll, so we don't mind a little walk to the hotels.
Besides that we just think of the 40 minute bus ride as a free tour of LA. ;)

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I would pay the $150 also. When we have landed at Orange County it's been so nice. Last time we had reservations on a shuttle to one of the Best Western's in the Disneyland area. It was great.
 
I too prefer the John Wayne/O.C. airport , but if I can't get a direct flight and if there is a big difference in the cost of the tickets then I fly into LAX . We have always taken the Airport Bus from both airports . If you called them maybe you could find out if they drop off at your hotel -1-800-772-5299 .
Rhonda


Disneyland
1988 , 1992 ,1994 ,July 1996 , Dec 1996 , 1997 , 1998 , July 1999 , Nov 1999 , July 2000 and Dec 2000
 


From either airport you can get the Super Shuttle www.supershuttle.com and they will pick you up and take you to your hotel. If you are deciding which airport pick the airport that gets you in the earliest that day, due to you need to be at the parks early since you are paying for the full day on your tickets. Don't spending $150 if you have to. :eek:

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