Disneyland is located in Anaheim, California. A lot of people will tell you he's in Los Angeles, he's not. The nearest major airport is Orange County John Wayne Airport (SNA). I recommend flying to this airport due to its proximity to the resort.
John Wayne Airport is located in Santa Ana, California, just 15 miles from Disneyland. It is by far the closest airport to Disneyland. John Wayne Airport (SNA), also known as Orange County Airport, is the closest major airport to Disneyland. Located in Irvine, California, it's only 12 miles away and it shouldn't take you more than 30 minutes by car to get to even the busiest theme parks.
Without a doubt, John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana is the number one choice for Disneyland travelers. In terms of convenience and proximity, John Wayne is the favorite. Santa Ana International Airport is just 13 miles from the park's front door, making it the closest airport to Disneyland. Located 14 miles southwest of Disneyland, this is by far the most convenient airport for Disneyland trips.
On the other hand, you may have minimal time in California, so being as close to Disneyland as possible makes John Wayne preferable. Since most hotels near the park also offer transportation to the park, you can get to and from Disneyland without having to rent a car, something that is normally impossible in Southern California, a region famous for its traffic. All roads can lead to Disneyland, but in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, travel from area airports varies in terms of distance, time, traffic, transportation options, and the best times of day to travel. If you can find a good price with one of the four airlines, you'll have an easy experience at this small airport.
There are a variety of different airport shuttle services you can use to get transportation to the Disneyland area. But if your nearest airport doesn't offer direct flights to LAX, you might want to check in flights to John Wayne, as you'll still need to make a connecting flight. Long Beach Airport (LGB) is located about 19 miles from Anaheim, making it second in proximity to Disneyland flights. Karmel Shuttle is one of the remaining shuttle services where drivers will pick you up at the airport, load and unload your luggage and drop it off right at the front of your hotel.
Not only is the proximity of John Wayne Airport SNA convenient, but John Wayne Airport is also quite small, making it very easy to pick up your luggage and go out the door. Having lived in Southern California for a couple of years, we've had the “pleasure of flying in and out of every airport near Disneyland, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. It's a convenient option if you're staying in DTLA or north of DTLA, but when it comes to Disneyland centric options, Bob Hope Airport is an unreasonable and unlikely option. Most Disneyland guests will be familiar with Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and John Wayne Airport (SNA), the largest and closest airports, respectively.
In comparison, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is about 35 miles from Anaheim, making it one of the farthest airports in Orange County.