There are a variety of airports near Disneyland that are available when flying into the area from out of town, but one stands out as the best due to its close proximity to the resort and ease of access.
John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA) is the best airport to fly into Disneyland due to its proximity to the resort (just 14 miles away) and its small size which makes it easy to navigate, but first-time visitors to the airport may be in for a surprise when its time to leave from the airport.
Keep reading to learn about what makes this airport near Disneyland unexpectedly one of the scariest in America! You can see our guide to flying into Disneyland for more tips on traveling to and from the parks.
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Why John Wayne Airport (SNA) is Considered the Scariest Airport
While John Wayne Airport is our top pick for the best option for flying into Disneyland at just about a 20-minute journey from the resort, it also stands out as what the Daily Mail and ABC 20/20 call one of the scariest airports in the US.
At just 5,700 feet, its runway is very short compared to the average runway, and takeoffs are often intense and jarring. The average flight leaving an airport takes off at about a 10-15 degree angle, but flights leaving John Wayne Airport need to depart at a 20-25 degree angle. For those who are not anticipating a takeoff like this, it can be a bit of a scary experience and one last unexpected thrill ride after a day in the parks (see the best Disneyland roller coasters ranked!)
There is an interesting reason why this takeoff is so intense—according to John Wayne Airport's website, it is one of the most noise-sensitive airports in the United States. Because the airport is located in the middle of Orange County, it is surrounded by several influential residential communities, and it maintains these noise rules to mitigate noise from aircraft that could be disruptive.
On John Wayne Airport's website, they describe how in the past, older aircraft had to depart at full power and suddenly reduce power to minimize noise until reaching the coastline, which was unnerving to some passengers. However, according to John Wayne Airport, you can rest assured that “the newer, quieter aircraft of today often do not need to execute as deep of a power cut-back (or at all) as was the case in the past.”
Gavin Doyle, the founder of Mickey Visit, shared: “Often takeoffs from Orange County feel like normal flight takeoffs that I experience around the country, but as recently as fall 2023, I experienced a dramatic roller coaster type takeoff from John Wayne. Our pilot let us know that the dramatic takeoff was coming and even compared the experience to the rollercoasters at Disneyland.
Doyle continued saying “These are by far the scariest takeoffs that I have ever experienced. The closest comparison that I can make is a flight that I was on out of the Mammoth Lakes Airport where the plane has to immediate gain elevation over a close by mountain.”
According to SFGATE, at one point, Newport Beach and the FAA considered a plan to ask planes coming out of John Wayne Orange County Airport to execute a complicated ‘S-curve' maneuver, directing them all the way over the ocean before leveling back out to reduce noise even more in the area. This maneuver is typically employed at airports facing hazards like nearby mountains.
The experience of flying out of John Wayne Airport can be scary for those who are caught off guard by the loud sounds and abrupt and steep takeoff, but don't let this deter you from utilizing this airport for your travels—if you know what to expect, you'll be in for a smooth trip.
Despite these scary factors, John Wayne Airport is still our top choice for convenient travel to and from Disneyland. For more information on traveling to and from the resort, see the best ways to get from John Wayne Airport to Disneyland.
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lol… last flight out of there, the Southwest pilot (sw is always fun!) said, “ok! Hands in the air like on a Disney coaster!” Everyone laughed as our hands waved around in the air!