Disneyland Resort is located in Anaheim, which is a city in Southern California. Guests planning to visit Disneyland Resort will likely fly into one of three nearby airports – Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), John Wayne Airport (SNA), and Long Beach Airport (LGB).
There are other airports that are within reasonable driving distance of Disneyland Resort, such as Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), but the three listed above are the ones most commonly used by Disney guests.
So, which airport is the best to use while visiting Disneyland? We’ll discuss the pros and cons before giving our verdict at the end.
Contents:
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- John Wayne Airport (SNA)
- Long Beach Airport (LGB)
- Our Verdict
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the largest airport that’s located near Disneyland Resort. It’s also one of the busiest airports in the country, ranking in or near the top-5 U.S. airports in total annual passengers.
Located about 34 miles from Disneyland Resort.
Pros
- Has the largest schedule of flights and most direct flights.
- Airport’s size means largest number of dining options and amenities. Handy when a flight is delayed or cancelled.
- Might be a better option if planning to visit other LA tourist attractions first.
Cons
- The size of LAX (it’s huge!) might be overwhelming for some travelers.
- When it’s busy it is busy.
- Commute between LAX and Disneyland will likely encounter the infamous LA traffic.
John Wayne Airport (SNA)
John Wayne Airport (SNA) is considerably smaller than LAX, and is the closest airport to Disneyland Resort. John Wayne Airport has one of the shortest runways of any major airport in the United States, which limits what planes are allowed at the airport.
Located about 14 miles from Disneyland Resort.
Pros
- Closest airport to Disneyland Resort.
- Sometimes described as the perfect size. Not too big, not too small.
Cons
- Doesn’t have the largest schedule of direct flights. (SNA isn’t even an option for us due to this reason)
- Small runway means fast and steep ascents on takeoff. Some passengers call it the “scariest airport” due to quick, shuttle-like launches.
Long Beach Airport (LGB)
Long Beach Airport (LGB) is the smallest of the three airports near Disneyland Resort. Southwest Airlines makes up the vast majority of flights offered at Long Beach Airport.
Located about 20 miles from Disneyland Resort.
Pros
- Basically the total opposite of LAX in terms of size. Extremely manageable. It’s almost impossible to get lost.
- Small size means super fast security lines and walks to the gate. No need to arrive hours ahead of departure.
Cons
- Its size can also be a con – small flight schedule and few dining options. This can be a big problem if a flight is cancelled.
- No jetways. Passengers walk on the tarmac and use ramps or stairs to board planes.
Our Verdict
Choosing an airport for a Disneyland Resort vacation ultimately depends on carrier preferences and flight schedules. Many guests may not have a choice if their favorite airline only flies into one airport.
All of that said, we recommend either John Wayne Airport (SNA) or Long Beach Airport (LGB) when visiting Disneyland Resort. You really can’t go wrong with either. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) should only be used as a last resort if the other two don’t offer flights that work for your schedule.
Which airport near Disneyland Resort is your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
