Best way to get to Disneyland from LAX??

[jimmysmom74]

We have a group of 8. I was trying to decide on best option for getting to the hotels outside DL. Hoping someone has had some experience with the shuttle services and/or taxi. Thanks in advance.

 

[boscoj]

We just got back and used Karmel Shuttle from Grand Cal to LAX for a party of 8. Would highly recommend....prompt and very professional!

 

[BeckWhy]

I'm not a very picky person, but I'll give you my account of my experience with Super Shuttle.

After I got my luggage I went outside to find the Super Shuttle pick up location. According to the instructions it was to the right past the terminal. I walked and walked and walked. Finally I went back into the terminal and did a GPS locator on it. It was pretty far down. I would have never guessed. But I think all the shuttle services are that far away.

I checked in with the attendant and he said my shuttle would be there shorty. It arrived about 5 minutes later, maybe. We boarded and then we were off. We made two most stops after that to pick up other people and we were on our way to Anaheim.

The driver asked me several times where I was going and I told him. And he had no idea what I was talking about (BW Stovall's Inn on Katella). And I was like "HERE do you want my confirmation so you can see?!" And to me it seemed dumb because he has a monitor that tells him where everyone is going and can GPS the locations.

The driver spent the hour driving screwing around with his computer monitor, arguing with someone on his phone, and arguing with a passenger (the passenger thought they paid for the shuttle service but booked the wrong day...). I'm not from a large city, but I've been to NYC enough times to know what bad traffic was like. My Super Shuttle driver scared me.

After he dropped me off at my hotel, he stood there waiting for a tip. Granted I had every intention on tipping him, but in reality tipping is based of services... and me being scared for an hour drive probably shouldn't warrant a tip.

Anyways, for my trip BACK to LAX I got a couple calls on my cell phone from an unknown number. Of course they don't leave a message and I don't answer unknown numbers. Well I was getting so many I decided to answer. It was Super Shuttle calling to tell me when my transport would be at my hotel.

My shuttle back was actually early, which is OK with me because I was ready to go. Of course that meant waiting at the other pick up locations for passengers because we were early.

He was a bit of a scary driver and I mean he would speed up and then slam on his brakes because he was on top of the car in front of us (and we were in rush hour traffic). But he didn't answer his phone while driving or play with the monitor. But all in all he was a more polite driver. He helped everyone in and out of the van and tried to make light conversation while we were waiting for the other passengers.

At the LAX drop off, he was gone before I could even tip him. I felt bad.

Would I use Super Shuttle again? No probably not. But at the same time, I don't think I'm going to go back to Disneyland again either.

 

[mellers]

We have a group of 8. I was trying to decide on best option for getting to the hotels outside DL. Hoping someone has had some experience with the shuttle services and/or taxi. Thanks in advance.

If their vans take 8 people (and I think they do), I'd go with either SuperShuttle or Prime Time Shuttle. I've used them both, and been very satisfied.

 

[NWT]

I like the Disneyland Express. It is the most affordable, and my kids love getting on the Disney bus. It starts the Disney experience right from the airport. Also, if I remember correctly, pick up is right outside the luggage carousel.

I live in a little northern Canadian town. I am not used to the speed on the highways in California. The taxis and shuttles kind of freak me out. I find the buses more relaxing.

 

[robertdangelo]

I like the Disneyland Express. It is the most affordable, and my kids love getting on the Disney bus. It starts the Disney experience right from the airport. Also, if I remember correctly, pick up is right outside the luggage carousel.

I live in a little northern Canadian town. I am not used to the speed on the highways in California. The taxis and shuttles kind of freak me out. I find the buses more relaxing.

Did you get reservations ahead of time for the Disneyland Express? I have seen it listed on some sites stating reservations are not necessary... is this true? The last time we did DL, a friend picked us up at the airport.
Thanks!

 

[Satchmo128]

I think we are going to do DL Resort Express for our trip next weekend. Everything I have read states that reservations are not required.

 

[crazzeddisneyfan]

Make sure if your going to use the Disneyland express you get on the bus not the van, pretty much a company with the same name pulled up to the curb and had it on the side of his van, other people were waiting for him so we assumed this was it and we got on. Worst drive ever they guy was flying down the road on the phone no use of signals and was heavy on the brakes , We decided to pay him the flat fare and little tip. On they way from the hotel to LAX we used supper shuttle was great the gentleman was early loaded the bags asked how our trip was and was very professional. I would recommend them or the real Disneyland express

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I had a positve experience with Karmel shuttle. They were on time for pick up and I liked that they guaranteed only one other pick up/drop off.

 

[bumbershoot]

I have really liked Karmel as well.

I've had "meh" experiences and fair experiences with the Express and SuperShuttle. I've had really good experiences and one OK experience with Karmel. So far, Karmel is winning.

 

[robertdangelo]

How about the return Trip to LAX from Disneyland Hotel? How frequently does the Disneyland Express come to the Hotel? How much time ahead of flight should we plan on being at the bus stop?

 

[dmband]

How about the return Trip to LAX from Disneyland Hotel? How frequently does the Disneyland Express come to the Hotel? How much time ahead of flight should we plan on being at the bus stop?

They run half hr and hr depending on the time of day
They have a chart on their site that tells you the time you need to be there based on flight time

 

[bluebirdie]

I've used the Disneyland Express from/to LAX many times over the years. You don't need to make a reservation and the pick up is right outside the baggage area. The bus will pick you up and then it drives to the Disneyland Hotel to take care of payment/vouchers and then it will make the rounds to all the other hotels.

You may want to check out the website because they have a special family deal, $99 for up to 5 people R/T. I think you have to buy the family deal voucher in advance though (at least, that was how it was the last time I needed it for that many people, but that was 2 years ago). It doesn't seem to specify that now, but the savings is worth it to buy in advance.

Also, like a previous poster mentioned, be aware that lots of other van shuttles will be driving around trying to get you to board their shuttle (one actually had "Disneyland Express" on the side and then in tiny letters it had some other word between the bigger words that showed it was actually a different company). I remember joking about it with my boyfriend the first time I took him on the express (I had always been with family before). He was still suprised by how aggressive some of the shuttles can be. But I've always been happy with the Express for LAX travel (with SNA I usually just take a taxi). In fact, we're using the Express again next week .

 

[DisSarahK]

I like the Disneyland Express because it has a bathroom and sometimes little kids have to go even if you just made them go at the airport. Plus with it being a big bus, you don't need to haul carseats.