American families love… no… need vacations. At least once or twice a year, it’s nice to get away from all of your worries and your strife. And there’s no better place in the world to relax and have fun with your family than the Happiest Place on Earth: Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
In 2017, 18.3 million people visited Disneyland, where they experienced iconic sights such as Disney princesses, Main Street U.S.A., the Space Mountain roller coaster, and nightly fireworks extravaganzas with Mickey Mouse. In 2019, visitors will even be able to explore a galaxy far, far away when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens to the world.
Disneyland is truly one of the most magical places in the entire world. It doesn’t matter if you’re heading there for the 30th year in a row or you’re planning a trip with your brand-new family for the first time ever, it’s hard not to feel like a little kid when you step through the entrance gates.
First, you have to buy park tickets, book a hotel, and find cheap flights. As you plan your trip, you may be wondering what is the best airport to fly into for Disneyland. Located in Anaheim, Orange County, Disneyland is close to several major airports, which gives you a number of great choices for flights.
What is the best airport to fly into for Disneyland?
Hands down, John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana is the number one choice for Disneyland travelers. In terms of both convenience and proximity, John Wayne is the clear favorite. The international Santa Ana airport is only 13 miles from the park’s main gate, which makes it the closest airport to Disneyland.
However, that’s not the only reason to check SNA flights first. In addition, most of the hotels that serve park guests are just a 15 to 20 minute trip from the arrivals terminal. And since so many Disneyland travelers fly through the John Wayne Airport, it’s easy to arrange a hotel shuttle to pick you up from the airport. Since most hotels near the park also offer park shuttles, you can get to and from Disneyland without ever renting a car, something that’s usually impossible in Southern California, a region famous for its traffic.
Alternative Airports for visiting Disneyland
The John Wayne Airport isn’t your only option when visiting Disneyland. You can also look for cheap flights to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which is located in central Los Angeles. LAX is about 35 miles from Disneyland by car. Of course, 35 miles in Los Angeles traffic can feel more like 200 miles anywhere else. Even so, LAX is a much larger airport, which means it will be easier to find flights. If you want to head to Disneyland from Los Angeles, make plans to rent a car.
While Burbank’s Bob Hope Airport is a common alternative airport for Los Angeles travelers, it’s not ideal for Disneyland visitors. Yes, Burbank is home to Walt Disney Studios, but it’s located north of Los Angeles, the opposite direction of Disneyland. If you can’t find cheap flights to SNA or LAX, then look for flights to the Long Beach airport (LBG). While it will be much harder to find direct flights to Long Beach, the smaller airport is often easier for families traveling with kids.
Need help finding cheap flights to Disneyland?
With CheapOair, you’ll be able to find some amazingly priced tickets to Southern California, no matter which airport you choose. Despite what you may have heard, you can visit Disneyland without breaking the bank.
Whether you are planning a Disneyland trip a few months in advance or spontaneously decided with your family that now is the perfect time for a last-minute trip, CheapOair is here to help you get to the place where all your dreams come true.