Disneyland Shuttle From Santa Ana Airport

Now there’s an even more connivent way to grab a Disneyland Shuttle from Santa Ana Airport to Disneyland, plus I’ve got tons of tips on flying into SNA, the closest airport to Disneyland. This article answers of your most important questions on getting you from John Wayne / Orange County / Santa Ana Airport to Disneyland including:

• Location and Drive Time – 14 miles, as little as 20 minutes
• Shuttles from SNA to Disneyland – I recommend Karmel Shuttle or EVE (outlined in its own section)
• SNA Car Rentals – Closest reputable rentals at the airport
• Ride Share –  How to grab an Uber or Lyft from SNA to Disneyland
• Public Transportation – EVE for its overall connivence among Orange County airport shuttles

I’ve got all the answers on how to get from SNA to Disneyland. I fly in and out of Orange County several times per year and whether you call it SNA, Santa Ana, John Wayne or Orange County airport, they are all one in the same. We’ll go over all the basics of the closest airport to Disneyland Anaheim. Santa Ana Airport Drive Time to Disneyland is about 15-20 minutes. 

In California, we don’t typically speak in miles, but for sake of information—Orange County airport (SNA) is 14 miles from Disneyland. You can get to Disneyland from SNA in as little as 20 minutes, and even with traffic, that timing is pretty consistent.

How long does it take to get from SNA to Disneyland?

You can get to Disneyland from SNA in as little as 15-20 minutes and the drive time is pretty consistent. If you’re extra worried or traveling during rush hour, go ahead and double that time just to ease your mind.  If you’re looking for information on other Southern California airports, you can check out related articles here:

• LAX to Disneyland 
• Long Beach Airport to Disneyland
• All other area airports (including Burbank airport)

How long does it take to get to SNA from Disneyland?

When you’re planning to depart out of John Wayne after your Disneyland Vacation, you want to give yourself the time needed according to your travel style.

Plan on leaving Anaheim 2 hours before your flight if you like buffer zone. As a frequent traveler, I push my departure time to arrive 45-60 minutes before my flight. Airport arrival time and how much time you need before your flight depends on many factors such as:

• domestic or international flight
• baggage check
• security check points (for example, do you have TSA precheck?)
• dining or errands before your flight
• number of people in your party
• if you’re returning a rental car
• which terminal your airline is located
• holidays and travel delays

It’s always smart to check your airline’s current recommendations for arrival time as well. I personally have TSA pre-check and don’t mind pushing my airport arrival time when I am traveling solo, with only carry on bags.     SNA departure travel time tip: Check google maps each day for a couple of days before your flight, at the same exact time you’d like to leave. This will give you an idea of what traffic is like around your departure time.

Shuttles from SNA to Disneyland

An easy option when arriving at SNA is to schedule a shuttle, they can pick you up curbside and it’s very simple at this smaller SoCal airport. I recommend Karmel (get special rates here), book a shared or private shuttle to get to Disneyland as quickly as possible. Karmel can also take you to and from Universal Studios Hollywood if needed. If you’re taking a shuttle and have kids, remember car seats are needed for most transportation methods for kids under 8 years old to make sure you’re in compliance with current California car seat laws.  

 When you travel to and from Disneyland in a shuttle, rental car or rideshare you are required to provide a car seat—if needed, for your child. Very few services offer car seats. And if they do I would be concerned.  Here is why I think you should bring your own car seat with you when you travel:

1. Your child’s car seat can come with you for free! Trips with Tykes explains it all here and adds, “Every U.S. airline allows you to check a car seat free of charge when traveling with a child. You can check your car seat at the airport baggage counter or wait and check it at your gate.”
2. If your child has a plane ticket (2 and over require one anyway), it’s so nice to have them secure on the plane in a place they already feel comfortable—their own car seat.
3. The biggest reason is going to take more explaining. And it has to do with insurance and liability. Let me explain…

In addition, you know your child and their needs best, along with their car seat requirements and the condition of your car seat (including expiration dates). I recommend these travel gear options for any ride share or van service:

• $ Gate check car seat travel bag with bright neon straps
• $$ Padded, adjustable and chic car seat travel bag
• $ Bubble Bum inflatable booster seat
• $ hiccapop UberBoost travel seat

We used a car seat travel bag similar to the ones above for 13 years for our little one’s car seats. It was seriously a life saver, and let me tell you that thing got beat up! Better the bag than the expensive car seat, that’s for sure.

Rent a Car and Drive from SNA to Disneyland 

Where are SNA rental cars located?

Rental car counters are located on the Arrival (lower) Level, between Terminals A and B. Rental car pick-up and return is located on level “0” of Parking Structures A2 and B2 and is open from 5:30am-11:30pm. Take the elevator down in parking structures A2, B2 or Ground Transportation Center to access level “0”. I love that you can walk right to the rental car spots to pick up your car without needing to take a shuttle elsewhere.  What you need to drive a rental car from SNA Airport to Disneyland:

• A valid driver’s license recognized by the state of California. If you have questions about the validity of your foreign license in California, contact the state department of motor vehicles.
• A credit card for securing your rental reservation.
• A car rental reservation, I like using Costco Travel for the best choice and rates, if you have a membership.
• Car Seats for children under 8; make sure you’re in compliance with current California car seat laws.
• Your destination entered into your preferred navigation method (I like google maps).
• A good navigator who can tell you what steps are coming next as most GPS-type of methods are too slow to announce the quick moves you might need to make.
• Patience. If you miss a turn, an on-ramp or exit, relax. You will get there.

Note that most hotels charge for parking, so be sure to add that into your cost when determining the best method of transportation for your group. I’m talking $40 a night at the Disneyland Hotel, plus tax!

  Get your Disneyland discount tickets from our partner, Get Away Today before heading over to The Happiest Place on Earth or an Anaheim Convention Center event.

Using Ride Share from SNA to Disneyland (Uber or Lyft)

Ride share programs are so easy, but they do not offer car seats in California 100% of the time. This service is just being introduced and sometimes you schedule a car with a car seat and one shows up without it. It’s very tricky because you never know the condition of the car seat either.

There are plenty of signs in the airport telling you which way to go for ride share pick up. The pick up spot is so close, I recommend requesting your ride as soon as your luggage is in hand.  I’m a huge fan of Ubering to Disneyland. The price is usually pretty decent and you can even preview pricing by inputing your pick up and destination before your trip. 

EVE Shuttle to Disneyland

Newer on the market to public transportation is EVE and EVE is much better than just a bus ride. It’s meant specifically for Disneyland Resort guests and will drop you off at a number of area hotels.

While EVE itself is still fresh and young, it’s part of the Anaheim Transportation Network composed of ART (services between hotels and Disneyland) and FRAN (offering Free Rides Around the Neighborhood). You can trust that EVE knows what they’re doing. With EVE you simply bring a carseat if needed and you’ll get curb to curb service when you schedule your ride in advance, plus the assurance of professional drivers trained and ready to start your vacation right.  

I tried EVE for the first time myself in September 2024. Here’s how you get to Disneyland with EVE Shuttle from Santa Ana Airport:

• Step 1: Book your ride up to 90 days in advance or on-demand through the A-Way WeGo mobile app. Choose Your pick up and drop off spots before departure.
• Step 2: Buy your pass on the A-Way WeGo app, adults are $15.00 one way and kids ages 3-9 are $7.50 one way. Keeping it real, yes these prices are higher than an Uber if you’re going with a group—but no need for car seats AND you have the benefit of knowing your driver is professional, background checked, etc.
• Step 3: Activate your ticket as you board. Load your own luggage and note that tipping the driver is not even allowed! How’s that for a bonus perk?

Here are a few more helpful tips to navigating the Away We Go app. It’s nice that you can do this before your trip so there’s no last minute stress while you’re on the ground waiting to go to Disneyland. 

1. After opening the A-Way WeGo app, tap the 3-lined menu in the top left corner and select the EVE service from the drop-down menu.
2. Then select the Trip Planner button on the homepage to begin the request:
   1. Input your start and end locations from ATN’s available stops
   2. Tap the human icon button to input the date, time, mobility needs, and passenger count for the requested ride
   3. In the Pickup Notes section, provide contact information, flight information, request booster seats, etc.
   4. Select ‘Request Ride’ and wait for the confirmation page to appear
   5. Then you are all set!