- Joined
- Aug 18, 1999
- Messages
- 9,211
Just my $0.02 
I used the DL Express for the first time this past February and I can easily say that I would never again use this service unless I was travelling with someone that needed to be close by to a washroom at all times.
The way my flight worked out, I landed right at the pick-up time, so I knew I would be waiting a bit for the next one. I was okay with that. Got my bags and headed out to where I should be. I had to wait about 55 minutes. During that time, tons of people gathered, waiting for the bus. About 90% of people were completely clueless, not sure where to wait, wondering if they should get on the multitude of shuttle vans that were name Disneyland Express, wondering why the bus was taking so long. I was friendly and tried to help where I could but honestly, it was exhausting after about 30 minutes. I don't know if it was the lack of signs or that people weren't prepared and didn't read the literature?
I watched about 15 or more Super Shuttle vans pull up and depart during my wait and I was wishing that I could have taken the shuttle instead.
By the time the bus actually arrived to Terminal 2 where I was waiting, it had completely filled up! Not a seat left!
After about 20 mins of loading passengers and their luggage, we were on our way. We then stopped at every single Terminal thereafter and the bus driver got out and told the people waiting that we were all full. I felt so bad for these people, most had little kids and the parents looked exhausted! There were more than a few groups that were REALLY mad. It took about 20-25 minutes by the time we actually left the airport.
I was way back near the bathroom so I don't know what the bus driver was saying to these people, I just sat near the window, watching their reactions, feeling awful for them.
I imagine they would have to wait another hour before they were picked up by the next bus?
I was alone, attending a work conference at DLR, so the wait didn't bother me much, however, if I had had my family with me, it would have been a whole other story! And if I had been unlucky enough to have been waiting at Terminal 3 (or 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8!) instead of Terminal 2 and after waiting an hour, I was told that I would have to wait another hour for the next bus, I might have lost it too, like some of those people I saw.
Once we got moving, it was about 45 minutes until we neared DLR. There were no movies or anything else showing on the screens but I chatted with the lady next to me to help pass the time. We were stopped just before going under Downtown Disney and we didn't move for about 10-15 minutes. Not sure what the hold up was but it seemed very congested with traffic and pedestrians.
I thought the first stop was supposed to be DL hotel which was my stop but we went to PP first, which took about 10 minutes. By the time we got to my hotel, I literally ran off the bus, I felt like I had been stuck in there for days!
Now, I'm sure that my experience is probably not the norm, however, it was bad enough to make me not book with them again. I think this service would be hugely improved if they had buses every 30 minutes instead of every hour.
For my return, I was staying at GCH. It had been raining that day and everything was quite delayed. The bus was about 25 minutes late and then we went to the DLH and waited there for another 20 minutes.
So keep in mind, when figuring out what time you need to get that bus back to LAX, most people on that bus had cut it way too close, in my opinion! It took me about 25 minutes to get checked in and scan my bags and then another 40 minutes in line for security. Give yourself plenty of time peeps!
I will say that the bus was very comfortable and Disney-fied! The driver was courteous as well. The one big advantage they have is the bathroom on board. If you are travelling with little kids, this might come in handy.
Next time though, I will be trying SuperShuttle
FYI, these are the vans that you want to avoid!!! If you are taking the DL Express, you are taking a large bus, not a van
I used the DL Express for the first time this past February and I can easily say that I would never again use this service unless I was travelling with someone that needed to be close by to a washroom at all times.
The way my flight worked out, I landed right at the pick-up time, so I knew I would be waiting a bit for the next one. I was okay with that. Got my bags and headed out to where I should be. I had to wait about 55 minutes. During that time, tons of people gathered, waiting for the bus. About 90% of people were completely clueless, not sure where to wait, wondering if they should get on the multitude of shuttle vans that were name Disneyland Express, wondering why the bus was taking so long. I was friendly and tried to help where I could but honestly, it was exhausting after about 30 minutes. I don't know if it was the lack of signs or that people weren't prepared and didn't read the literature?
I watched about 15 or more Super Shuttle vans pull up and depart during my wait and I was wishing that I could have taken the shuttle instead.
By the time the bus actually arrived to Terminal 2 where I was waiting, it had completely filled up! Not a seat left!
After about 20 mins of loading passengers and their luggage, we were on our way. We then stopped at every single Terminal thereafter and the bus driver got out and told the people waiting that we were all full. I felt so bad for these people, most had little kids and the parents looked exhausted! There were more than a few groups that were REALLY mad. It took about 20-25 minutes by the time we actually left the airport.
I was way back near the bathroom so I don't know what the bus driver was saying to these people, I just sat near the window, watching their reactions, feeling awful for them.
I imagine they would have to wait another hour before they were picked up by the next bus?
I was alone, attending a work conference at DLR, so the wait didn't bother me much, however, if I had had my family with me, it would have been a whole other story! And if I had been unlucky enough to have been waiting at Terminal 3 (or 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8!) instead of Terminal 2 and after waiting an hour, I was told that I would have to wait another hour for the next bus, I might have lost it too, like some of those people I saw.
Once we got moving, it was about 45 minutes until we neared DLR. There were no movies or anything else showing on the screens but I chatted with the lady next to me to help pass the time. We were stopped just before going under Downtown Disney and we didn't move for about 10-15 minutes. Not sure what the hold up was but it seemed very congested with traffic and pedestrians.
I thought the first stop was supposed to be DL hotel which was my stop but we went to PP first, which took about 10 minutes. By the time we got to my hotel, I literally ran off the bus, I felt like I had been stuck in there for days!
Now, I'm sure that my experience is probably not the norm, however, it was bad enough to make me not book with them again. I think this service would be hugely improved if they had buses every 30 minutes instead of every hour.
For my return, I was staying at GCH. It had been raining that day and everything was quite delayed. The bus was about 25 minutes late and then we went to the DLH and waited there for another 20 minutes.
So keep in mind, when figuring out what time you need to get that bus back to LAX, most people on that bus had cut it way too close, in my opinion! It took me about 25 minutes to get checked in and scan my bags and then another 40 minutes in line for security. Give yourself plenty of time peeps!
I will say that the bus was very comfortable and Disney-fied! The driver was courteous as well. The one big advantage they have is the bathroom on board. If you are travelling with little kids, this might come in handy.
Next time though, I will be trying SuperShuttle
FYI, these are the vans that you want to avoid!!! If you are taking the DL Express, you are taking a large bus, not a van
