Help me convince my kids to fly into SNA instead of LAX

[avalon451]

UPDATE 4/21: after all the helpful points made here, I wrote them a quick summary of pros and cons of each airport, some different flight times and cost, and they happily decided to go with SNA! Thanks, everybody!
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Hi, all you wonderful experts,

Upcoming trip in September: DH and I, our two younger daughters DDs 21 and 17, are flying into LAX because with our dates we saved around $50 each. Our DD24 and her husband will be flying in a day later. I am picking up their tickets for them and they are paying me back later. With their dates, there is only an $8 difference between SNA and LAX, and they'll save that and more on the Uber ride, not to mention having MUCH less traffic sucking up their time and frustration levels. When I presented it to my practical daughter, she said, "Heck yeah!" Then later she came back apologetically and said that DSIL thought that LAX would be better, because he used to fly there when he was a teen and is familiar with that, and "he's had issues with flight delays due to gate changes and switching planes"... which to me sounds like LAX problems, not SNA... I don't know. Makes no sense to me. TBH, he's a sweet guy but not the sharpest tool in the shed and gets ideas into his head that can't be shifted. I don't like to force it, but I think flying into LAX is dumb when SNA is only $8 more. I've been watching the prices for a month and they haven't changed much at all; in fact the LAX flights seem to be filling up and the saver fares are becoming unavailable, so I better make a decision soon.

I need some quotes from you guys that tell me how miserable LAX is compared to SNA. I think DSIL thinks it's a podunk county airstrip or something. I'm going to send them several flight options with the pricing difference and flight times, and I'd like to tell them what some of the DIS experts have said about the two.

Thanks!

 

[mcm574]

I had to pick up my BIL at LAX a few years back; it took, I believe, over 90 minutes for us to get back to DLR. A few weeks ago, it took me 25 minutes to get to DLR from SNA. That was enough to convince me to only go with SNA for future Disneyland trips that require flights.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Stop. If you convince them to SNA & anything goes wrong they will blame you. We all have to live and learn some things so it sounds like a nice chance for DSIL to learn what LAX is like in 2019!

(You are obviously correct SNA > LAX btw. But this fight doesn’t sound remotely worth it.)

 

[alvernon90]

As an official DIS expert, here is my view: your daughter needs to divorce this loser.

Please note that I have never flown to Disneyland, I always drive.

 

[gottalovepluto]

But if you’re committed show them alternative SNA flights on the airline of their choice they could do if something goes wrong. Might put that portion to rest at least

 

[tink89]

Are you picking them up from the airport? It sounds like they are getting an uber so why would it matter. It sounds like you are paying for the plane tickets but i think if you are not flying with them and they prefer LAX and the price difference is only $8. Then LAX it is.

I also dislike LAX and will only fly if to there if price is significantly lower and DD11 isn't with us.

 

[dieumeye]

SNA is better, obviously.

The only reason (other than cost) for someone wanting to fly into LAX is if they can get a nonstop flight to LAX versus having to make a connection to get to SNA. In that case, I can see someone wanting to avoid a connection and the additional hours that could add to the total trip.

 

[kyrkea333]

So much time saved flying in to SNA and a much more relaxed way to start a vacation. I love SNA. When prices allow, I will fly into that airport over LAX without hesitation. Especially when we have to leave Anaheim, I love the fact that it's so much closer, so much less likely to have any traffic issues getting there, and consequently, less stress for me in planning our departure morning.

 

[pblack]

SNA or LGB (Long Beach) are my go to airports for DL. Both are so easy to navigate, especially LGB which is pretty small. They're also both about the same distance from DL. The few times i've been to LAX I hated it. Way too many people, it was just so congested and traffic is a nightmare.

 

[avalon451]

Stop. If you convince them to SNA & anything goes wrong they will blame you. We all have to live and learn some things so it sounds like a nice chance for DSIL to learn what LAX is like in 2019!

(You are obviously correct SNA > LAX btw. But this fight doesn’t sound remotely worth it.)

This... is a valid point.
He is a super sweet guy and very good to our daughter, if a tiny bit neurotic. (Which tbh coming from me is a bit like the pot calling the kettle black!)
I think I’ll probably present the choices to them when we talk to them next, explain briefly my reasoning, and leave the choice up to them.
PBlack, my dd’s Band group flew out of LGB last spring, and I agree that’s another nice little airport that is close!

 

[wench]

I don’t think I’ve ever had more than a 3 minute walk from my gate to my shuttle van at SNA. At LAX it’s been close to 1/2 hour sometimes with a couple never ending hallways that seriously make me question my sanity. He doesn’t need to be “familiar” with SNA, because it’s so easy, there is nowhere to get lost. And the drive to DLR is so much shorter.

 

[ashley0139]

LAX is a literal nightmare. It is the worst set up airport in the country. It's hell. There is literally no reason in the world they should choose LAX over SNA when the prices are the same. But they may just have to learn that themselves.

 

[CO2CA]

I'm always so shocked to hear how terrible people say LAX is. We've flown in and out of there and it's much easier than even our home airport, but you never hear our home airport getting hate (well there is all the conspiracy theories, but otherwise lol). SNA is preferable because of proximity, but if we're saving "real" money ($30+ each), we'll absolutely choose LAX. TSA lines are short, the terminals have separate pickup areas, easy to navigate, etc.

Of course only $8 more would outweigh the added ground transportation costs but if they want LAX, I would just let them.

 

[wowsmom]

LAX is doing construction and just shut down a bunch of lanes around Terminal 3, which I think will affect pretty much any cars that need to go through there. I haven't flown through SNA but LGB is great, if you can get direct flights.

 

[dieumeye]

I'm always so shocked to hear how terrible people say LAX is. We've flown in and out of there and it's much easier than even our home airport, but you never hear our home airport getting hate (well there is all the conspiracy theories, but otherwise lol). SNA is preferable because of proximity, but if we're saving "real" money ($30+ each), we'll absolutely choose LAX. TSA lines are short, the terminals have separate pickup areas, easy to navigate, etc.

Of course only $8 more would outweigh the added ground transportation costs but if they want LAX, I would just let them.

Ironically, LAX is a lot like Disneyland. There's too many people for an old facility that wasn't built to handle the crowds it gets, but if you know what you're doing, you can bypass a lot of the crowding and navigate in and out quite easily. But I'd never recommend it over another airport to anyone visiting unless they had a good reason to use LAX.

 

[CO2CA]

Ironically, LAX is a lot like Disneyland. There's too many people for an old facility that wasn't built to handle the crowds it gets, but if you know what you're doing, you can bypass a lot of the crowding and navigate in and out quite easily. But I'd never recommend it over another airport to anyone visiting unless they had a good reason to use LAX.

Maybe we're just using different terminals, too? We've gone there with United, Frontier, and Southwest. We were one of those people who would no way, no how arrive into LAX for any reason. Too big, too scary we thought. Well, we finally visited LA for the first time a couple years ago and couldn't believe how quick we made it out of the terminal. Then coming back we made it out of the Uber, through TSA, and to our gate in less than 20 minutes! Same experience the next few times in and out of there.

The part we like the most is that they have separate terminals that are fairly compact in size. Just drive up to your specific terminal, go through your specific terminal's security, then head right into the gate.

 

[gerilyne]

I have only flown into LAX once and that was enough. it's big, busy, and just a nightmare to maneuver not to mention the traffic to and from. I will always fly into SNA. It's easy to get around, I've never had a problem with delays or gate changes. And even in rush hour traffic it still only takes a half an hour to get there. I can't imagine going back to LAX.

 

[DLgal]

SNA is super modern, efficient, and small, while offering great service. Everything is within a couple minute walk, at most. It is clean. It is literally a rectangle, divided into 3 terminals. There is no possible way to get lost. Delays and cancellations are not very common, and usually related to issues with the incoming plane. Baggage comes out super fast. It is the best airport I have ever used and I have flown a lot. A gate change here means walking an extra 10 steps. Seriously.

LAX is the scourge of our beautiful state of CA. It is quite literally the worst airport in the state, possibly the entire west coast. It is old, run down, dirty, crowded, slow, inefficient (baggage takes like an hour to arrive on the carousel), staffed by rude people, and a traffic nightmare (the terminal is a horseshoe shape and it takes forever for an Uber to get to you after you call it...like 45 minutes+ most days.

SNA is worth, IMO, 50% more in airfare just to avoid LAX. I can use either airport. I pay significantly more to fly out of SNA when I travel. I like LGb too, but only go there when I fly Jet Blue.

 

[pixiedustedme]

LAX is a much dumpier airport than SNA. We flew into SNA and out of LAX for our Disneyland trip a year and a half ago, and SNA was pleasant and fairly modern, while LAX was under construction and generally run-down in spots. For our Alaska cruise last June we had to connect through LAX and it was an absolute cluster.

So yeah, you should stick with SNA if the price is fair. I'd spend a lot more than $8 to avoid LAX. And the fact that LAX is farther from Disneyland than SNA makes SNA the clear winner, as well.

 

[gottalovepluto]

This... is a valid point.
He is a super sweet guy and very good to our daughter, if a tiny bit neurotic. (Which tbh is a bit of the pot calling the kettle black!)
I think I’ll probably present the choices to them when we talk to them next, explain briefly my reasoning, and leave the choice up to them.
PBlack, my dd’s Band group flew out of LGB last spring, and I agree that’s another nice little airport that is close!

Ooh! I always forget about LGB! Now that is definitely the smallest of those airports but I’d still happily fly via LGB before I fly via LAX. SNA has 3 terminals for goodness sakes! LGB will most likely be an option if you’re looking at JetBlue flights fwiw. Good luck