Has anyone ever flown to Anaheim for just 1 day at Disneyland?

[Pluto468]

I'm considering a slightly crazy idea. Fly into SNA for 9:30 am, leave SNA at 9:00 pm. It seems like I could get 7 or so hours in the park, but I'm wondering if this scheme just wouldn't work as smoothly as I imagine. I'd pick a day that's supposed to be lower crowds if possible, maybe a weekend to see the Christmas decorations and try to ride Tiana.

Has anyone else ever done something like this?

Thanks!

 

[AgentMama]

We've definitely flown in and out to different locations for a day. But I think you're looking more at the 6 hour range and not sure that's worth it. We love pushing boundaries, but not sure I would do that unless we could land earlier and leave later.

 

[DizMe]

I've done it many times! But I generally take the first flight out which means getting up very early as I live almost 2 hours from the airport. I come back on the last flight which is generally around that 9 pm time. I sleep on the plane both ways, LOL. It's about an hour and 20 min flight and I obviously don't have luggage so I can get out of the plane and straight off to Disneyland.

Essentially, I end up with about 8-9 hours at DLR with some variables like traffic, flight delays, etc.

 

[noisycricket]

True jetsetters. I'm jealous. Out of curiosity, where do you ask to be let off once at DLR? The Grand? Or is there another dropoff location that you're aiming for?

 

[irlandaise]

True jetsetters. I'm jealous. Out of curiosity, where do you ask to be let off once at DLR? The Grand? Or is there another dropoff location that you're aiming for?

Only people who have legitimate business at the GCH can get dropped off there. When I came in on a shuttle last week, they asked the driver for my name so they could verify that he was dropping off a hotel guest. When a local friend came to meet me for dinner at the hotel, his Uber driver would have had to state that my friend had a dinner reservation.

Anyone taking an airport shuttle just for the day would get dropped off at the appropriate shuttle stop on Harbor Blvd. (Unless there's also an approved dropoff near DTD off Disneyland Drive?)

 

[DizMe]

Only people who have legitimate business at the GCH can get dropped off there. When I came in on a shuttle last week, they asked the driver for my name so they could verify that he was dropping off a hotel guest. When a local friend came to meet me for dinner at the hotel, his Uber driver would have had to state that my friend had a dinner reservation.

Anyone taking an airport shuttle just for the day would get dropped off at the appropriate shuttle stop on Harbor Blvd. (Unless there's also an approved dropoff near DTD off Disneyland Drive?)

This is correct. I usually used Uber and I was dropped off at the Harbor site.

I don't know if there is an official airport shuttle, but back before Uber, I used to take SuperShuttle.

 

[StarlitNight05]

I say do it! Now that I have a MK, I'm toying with this idea too. I use a Southwest CC exclusively so always have tons of points. Just wondering how exhausted I would be...but how would I know if I don't try? LOL!

 

[Karin1984]

I am in the Netherlands, Disneyland Paris is a 1 hour flight away (or a 4 hour train ride). So, I have done that.

An important decision factor is whether or not you have visited the park before. For a first time visit, I would never do it. But I am an AP holder, just do the things I like, or see the seasonal entertainment.

Do not plan this when you have to work the next day or have some kind of event scheduled. These days are long and exhausting. Fun, but exhausting.

 

[Pluto468]

I say do it! Now that I have a MK, I'm toying with this idea too. I use a Southwest CC exclusively so always have tons of points. Just wondering how exhausted I would be...but how would I know if I don't try? LOL!

Same here-I have tons of Alaska points. I do wonder about how exhausted I would be! I'd probably have to get to the airport for 5am.

 

[Pluto468]

I've done it many times! But I generally take the first flight out which means getting up very early as I live almost 2 hours from the airport. I come back on the last flight which is generally around that 9 pm time. I sleep on the plane both ways, LOL. It's about an hour and 20 min flight and I obviously don't have luggage so I can get out of the plane and straight off to Disneyland.

Essentially, I end up with about 8-9 hours at DLR with some variables like traffic, flight delays, etc.

I love the idea of flying with no luggage! Plus no need to book hotels etc.

I checked flights again and some days I could get to SNA for 8:30am.

9pm is the latest flight out of SNA to my airport but I could try LAX on the way home maybe.

Do you take an uber or get a shuttle?

 

[Geemo]

I'm considering a slightly crazy idea. Fly into SNA for 9:30 am, leave SNA at 9:00 pm. It seems like I could get 7 or so hours in the park, but I'm wondering if this scheme just wouldn't work as smoothly as I imagine. I'd pick a day that's supposed to be lower crowds if possible, maybe a weekend to see the Christmas decorations and try to ride Tiana.

Has anyone else ever done something like this?

Thanks!

When I had an annual pass if I could find flights between PDX to SNA that would give me at least 6hours in the parks I'd go. People thought that I was crazy but I always had a fine time. The taxi ride and parking at the airport were the major expenses I would have for the day.

It was nice to see the seasonal decorations through out the year.

GO FOR IT!!!!

edited....
I forgot to mention for the trip to SNA book a seat as close to the front of the plane as you can.
The wait to exit the plane can be brutal.

 

[Pluto468]

I am in the Netherlands, Disneyland Paris is a 1 hour flight away (or a 4 hour train ride). So, I have done that.

An important decision factor is whether or not you have visited the park before. For a first time visit, I would never do it. But I am an AP holder, just do the things I like, or see the seasonal entertainment.

Do not plan this when you have to work the next day or have some kind of event scheduled. These days are long and exhausting. Fun, but exhausting.

A 1 hour flight is nice and short! Mine is about 2.5.

I'd probably try for a Friday or Saturday so I can sleep in the next day! I've been to Disneyland loads of times and will certainly go many more. So I'd pick one or 2 things I really want to do but otherwise just enjoy being there and seeing the Christmas decorations.

 

[irlandaise]

I checked flights again and some days I could get to SNA for 8:30am.

9pm is the latest flight out of SNA to my airport but I could try LAX on the way home maybe.

Think hard about that tradeoff. Unless the LAX flight is 11:00 p.m. or later, I think you'd still have to leave Disneyland at the same time to account for the longer driving time and the longer time getting to the gate at LAX (going through security, walking alllllll the way to the gate in those huge terminals).

Does my timing jibe with what others here would say about LAX vs. SNA?

 

[LAS2AMS]

A 1 hour flight is nice and short! Mine is about 2.5.

I'd probably try for a Friday or Saturday so I can sleep in the next day! I've been to Disneyland loads of times and will certainly go many more. So I'd pick one or 2 things I really want to do but otherwise just enjoy being there and seeing the Christmas decorations.

Lots of people do day trips to Orlando. Why not Anaheim?

5:39PM is the last fight to Seattle on Saturday. The 9PM departure does not operate. A ride share to LAX will be $49 to $60 more than SNA.

There are several budget hotels within easy walking distance (mile) to DL that go for $75 to $100 (all in). They also border the parking lot of the Toy Story lot. It’s just a place to sleep… it’ll give you 5 more hours in the parks, and some time the following day to explore DTD for a few hours.

 

[DizMe]

As those above have said, LAX is not really worth it. Plus it's just so huge and crazy that to be doing it solo without any wiggle room would be daunting for me.

From SNA (or LGB, which I now use more often due to lower fares from SMF), I use Uber or Lyft now. I used a Shuttle in the pre-ride-share days.

If you could get to SNA at 8:30 am, that would give you a nice amount of time in the parks with regular hours! You'd have 9 hours or so if you needed to be back at the airport by 7, say. It's so easy when you don't have to deal with luggage and you're making all of the decisions

 

[joseph821]

Living on Long Island in NY, I have thought about it many times, take a 6AM flight from JFK to LAX then car service to the park then take the Midnight flight home on the red eye....almost 12 hours of flight time in one day.....I guess that is why when I plan my trips I am here for 9 or 10 days at a time. Got 2 trips planned for 2025! After seeing the Christmas decorations and Tiana and ISWH...maybe a shorter 3rd too! I miss Disneyland so much! WDW is not the same!

 

[DizMe]

I say do it! Now that I have a MK, I'm toying with this idea too. I use a Southwest CC exclusively so always have tons of points. Just wondering how exhausted I would be...but how would I know if I don't try? LOL!

Me too! I rack up a LOT of points on SW since I pay for everything I can with my Chase SW card and then pay it off right away.

I do miss the days of the periodic $29 SW fare from Sacramento to SNA (which would often prompt me to go to DLR for a day!).

 

[irlandaise]

I do miss the days of the periodic $29 SW fare from Sacramento to SNA (which would often prompt me to go to DLR for a day!).

They have some $49 specials sometimes, right? Dunno whether that includes Sacto...

 

[LAS2AMS]

Southwest is increasingly excluding Orange County (SNA) from its fare sales. Likely has to do with the passenger cap in place at SNA - it’s been reached the last couple of years, so SNA has forced flight reductions near year end.. Thus Southwest wants to maximize its high paying holiday traffic and Monika’s the number of people paying “cheap” rates the rest of the year.

Doesn’t mean a deal can’t be had but pricing is much better from Long Beach and Los Angeles.

 

[Iceman93]

Okay, since this is all opinions anyway...

Yes, it's worth it. I've done things like this at Disney parks and other places I wanted to visit, knowing the tradeoffs. It's like an adventure, getting all geared up to make the most of a short time someplace. And you also have to be prepared for travel hiccups that cut into or potentially completely disrupt your plans. In one regard not fun, but also PART of the fun, if you know what I mean.

As for LAX vs. SNA, I'll just say that LAX isn't nearly as bad as some people say it is, particularly if you normally fly out of any other major airport. The sheer number of destinations one can reach non-stop via LAX, and the higher number of flight options overall, is a significant advantage that should not be dismissed. Obviously having TSA Pre-check and/or CLEAR helps, as does a general level of travel savvy. For the once-a-year flyer who doesn't really know what they're doing, the advantages of SNA may overcome the (significant, to the experienced traveler) drawbacks.

Long story short to the OP, I say go for it! Come in with a realistic attitude and ability to roll with the punches, and you could have a really memorable, enjoyable day.