Disneyland Express vs Supershuttle (SNA)

[inluvwithbuzz]

In your opinion what is more convenient, Disneyland Express or SuperShuttle?

I will be flying in and out of SNA in early February.

Just wondering what do people find easier. I would like to pre purchase my tickets ahead of time.

In the past I have flew in and out of LAX. And rented a car. So I have never used a shuttle service before.

 

[DizMe]

How many are in your party? I personally prefer Supershuttle. I pay online before I go and get a discount. I even pay the tip. The total comes to $7 pp each way plus whatever tip amount you want to apply (if any). That is with a $3 discount--the normal fare is $10 each way. I opt for the recommended 18% tip which comes to $16.52 each round trip. I have always had good service and been taking to and from the airport quickly. One time, we ended up dropping some guy off in Anaheim Hills which added about 15 minutes to our travel time, but it was sort of a fluke that hadn't been planned. I've heard that happens from time to time but in my many many trips on SS, it has only happened to me that once.

Now, if I have a party of 4 or more I usually just get a taxi.

 

[inluvwithbuzz]

Its just myself and my 5yo son. I am not too worried about going from the airport to the hotel. I am more worried about going from hotel to airport. Do you find they have good service when picking up from the hotels?

 

[Nintfamily]

Myself, DH and 3 kiddos (ages 12, 10 and 9 at the time) used the Disneyland Express from SNA to the Tropicana and back to the airport. It was fine for us. No hitches. I was worried about getting to the airport on time as we had an early flight but no problems on time and great service.

 

[wildboyzmommy]

I took Super Shuttle with my three kids last month. From airport to hotel was a very quick trip. We had about a 5 minute wait at the airport and then maybe a 5 minute drop off at a hotel down the street from ours. From the hotel to the airport was even quicker, we had a van all to ourselves and the driver was about 5 minutes early.

We also booked online with a discount and added the tip on before hand.

lisa

 

[MinnieMom13]

Super Shuttle is cheaper (you can use the discount code for each person instead of for your party if you book everyone online separately) and it typically makes fewer stops. I don't pay the gratuity in advance. After a few aggressive drivers, I tip once we arrive based on how safely they drive.

 

[boscoj]

Just a heads up.....when my brother and his family caught the SS a few years ago from LAX to GC it took them 2 hours! It all depends on who else is in the shuttle and where they have to b dropped off. You would think they would try to group everyone who is going to the same vicinity but that wasn't the case....at least for them

 

[tanyaewa]

Primetime shuttle worked really well for us. We were 8ppl and got a private van DL to SNA for $72.

 

[gabsandalex]

We took a cab last time and it worked out great - no wait and I think that it was something like $38 from the airport to the hotel and maybe $36? back to the airport (plus tip on top of that). The driver gave us his card so we used the same one both trips. Since we were a party of 5, it ended up being much cheaper than the shuttle options.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I'm traveling with a toddler who needs a car seat. It is my understanding that he can't use a car seat on the Disneyland Express (because it's a large coach-type bus) but he would need a car seat on SS because it's a van. Is this correct?

We're traveling with DS as a lap baby (he'll be 16 months and the flight is only 2 hours) on this trip and whether I have to check a car seat and haul it around is a big consideration for us.

 

[Rhonna]

Just a heads up.....when my brother and his family caught the SS a few years ago from LAX to GC it took them 2 hours! It all depends on who else is in the shuttle and where they have to b dropped off. You would think they would try to group everyone who is going to the same vicinity but that wasn't the case....at least for them

This would be my concern. We've taken both. The DL Express only stops at their three properties. The other shuttle services may go directly to DL OR they may have other stops around Anaheim that delay you. And we were coming in from SNA which is a LOT closer to DL than LAX but it took Super Shuttle a LONG time to get us to DL.

I remember SuperShuttle making at least two non-disney stops that took us quite a way out of our way and took time. Wasn't the most pleasant thing. We didn't realize that could happen. Plus, add traffic and someone who is being dropped a little distance away and it might take a lot longer than expected. We had an older lady who was being dropped at her condo after her flight, plus it was rush hour. She was giving the driver directions, street by street, "turn here, go down 3 blocks, use this entrance, you have to stop at the guard booth, drive down to this bldg." Then she made the driver take her luggage INTO her condo on the second floor! There was also a gentleman who was in town for business and he got dropped at his hotel before us also. It took forever for us to get to DL - which of course, was their last stop. For some reason the A/C wasn't working well and it was cramped with all the people in there.

We took the DL Express to the airport on our way home and had a huge, completely empty bus except for us and the driver, with A/C and windows that were coated to block the sun out. Much nicer experience.

On the flip side, if you had a group that was large enough to fill up the Super Shuttle and no one else could be on it, then you would not have to worry about other stops. And if you were going during a super busy time, the disney bus might be completely full - all that luggage to load and unload.

So, take into account all those things before you decide.

 

[inluvwithbuzz]

Doesn't the Disneyland Express stop off at the DLH, PPH and GCA first before makind stops at anyother hotel around the area?

I think I will be going with the Supershuttle. Travel day is a write off so it doesnt matter if its takes a bit to get to our hotel. I can handle a few other stops. It just seems like they have quicker pick-ups.

Where does one find the discount code for Supershuttle?

Thanks for all the help it is greatly appreciated.

 

[Sorcerer Jody]

How often does the Disneyland Express pick up from the Orange County airport?

I, too, have the carseat problem - both my toddlers use carseats and I am not bringing them with me on the airplane, so I think the Disneyland Expres bus is my only option. Otherwise I would definitely take a cab.

 

[lozzypop]

This would be my concern. We've taken both. The DL Express only stops at their three properties.

This isn't true. DL Express stops at almost all of the hotels in the resort area. At the airport, the driver will ask you before you board which hotel you are going to. The drop-off route will depend on which hotels they have to stop at and the most efficient route through traffic to get everyone dropped off. On the way back to the airport, DL Express has a brochure that gives pick-up times at the hotels.

I have taken three different modes of transport from SNA and they are (in order of preference):

1. cab
2. Disneyland Express
3. Super Shuttle

I like Disneyland Express but I tend to have problems on the way back to the airport, there can be a lot of waiting at the DLH while they coordinate the different buses to LAX and SNA.

 

[DizMe]

While it's true that you *can* get delayed with SS, the likelihood is low. It happens sometimes, but many many more times it's a quick 20 minute drive from SNA to your hotel. They generally try not to put individuals going to a residence in with those going to DLR. There are enough DLR passengers that you nearly always have a van with others going to DLR.

ETA: The code UYR59 will get you $3 off each way on SS. Enter each person in your party individually so that you can get the discount for each person; otherwise, it will just give it per party. There are other codes out there and you can google to find them but that's the best one I know. Also, be sure to put 'hotel' into the menu and not 'zip code' or you will get a much higher rate quote.

 

[Rhonna]

This isn't true. DL Express stops at almost all of the hotels in the resort area.

I wasn't sure about this, never had it happen. Thanks.

 

[keishashadow]

While it's true that you *can* get delayed with SS, the likelihood is low. It happens sometimes, but many many more times it's a quick 20 minute drive from SNA to your hotel. They generally try not to put individuals going to a residence in with those going to DLR. There are enough DLR passengers that you nearly always have a van with others going to DLR.

ETA: The code UYR59 will get you $3 off each way on SS. Enter each person in your party individually so that you can get the discount for each person; otherwise, it will just give it per party. There are other codes out there and you can google to find them but that's the best one I know. Also, be sure to put 'hotel' into the menu and not 'zip code' or you will get a much higher rate quote.

Thanks for posting the codefor SS

We took a towncar from SNA to DLH last trip (can't remember which company but pricey) thought we'd try shuttle this trip.

btw, we used the express bus service back home via LAX and found it rather confusing. We were directed to stand in front of DLH near parking area with our luggage. trying to find the right bus pulling up among so many of them (all unmarked as to destination & headed to different airports, etc.). Hoping a shuttle is easier to spot next trip.

just wondering though...does anybody know 'ballpark' price for taxi from SNA to VGC? semi nervous taking a cab though not knowing if the fare is a 'flat rate' pre-determined from airport vs possibility of getting stuck in traffic & watching the meter keep turning over lol.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

We used the Disneyland Express when we were at DLR from Oct. 22-26. It was the best option for us, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone with a kid under 6.

California law requires that any child under 6 or under 60 pounds be in a carseat or booster seat. Because of this, you will need to bring a seat yourself for SuperShuttle or any of the other shuttle services that do not use a large bus. They do not have them to rent. As far as I know, the Disneyland Express is the only shuttle service that uses these buses.

We absolutely were NOT carting a carseat all the way there and back just to use on the shuttle, so we used the Disneyland Express. We were pleased with it, and will use it again until our daughter is old enough not to need a booster.

We stayed at the Best Western Park Place Inn. On the way there, we arrived at SNA before they every-half-hour time slot started. It took FOREVER to get our luggage, and we missed the bus I had planned for us to get. We ended up waiting about 35 minutes for a bus, which wasn't THAT horrible. The kiosk/pick up area was very easy to find. The trip was quick and easy. The bus stopped at the GCH, then DLH, then PP. I think we were the next stop, although it may have stopped at the Ramada Maingate before our stop, and there were still people on the bus, so I'm assuming it made several more stops before it was empty.

On the way back, it picked us up right on time according to the brochure at the front desk. It made 2 or 3 other stops before stopping at the DLH. The people going to SNA got off the bus; we were going to LAX and stayed on the bus. The other LAX people got on, and we were off. I'd estimate the stop at the DLH was less than 10 minutes. It was a slow day, though, and it might take longer if there were more people on the bus.

We orderd the vouchers from getawaytoday.com. They had a GREAT price, and it was super easy. We just gave them the voucher and, literally, that was it.

 

[DizMe]

Thanks for posting the codefor SS

We took a towncar from SNA to DLH last trip (can't remember which company but pricey) thought we'd try shuttle this trip.

btw, we used the express bus service back home via LAX and found it rather confusing. We were directed to stand in front of DLH near parking area with our luggage. trying to find the right bus pulling up among so many of them (all unmarked as to destination & headed to different airports, etc.). Hoping a shuttle is easier to spot next trip.

just wondering though...does anybody know 'ballpark' price for taxi from SNA to VGC? semi nervous taking a cab though not knowing if the fare is a 'flat rate' pre-determined from airport vs possibility of getting stuck in traffic & watching the meter keep turning over lol.

They have a flat rate from the airport, but on our trip in Oct. the driver told me that the metered rate would be cheaper. I think the flat rate is $45 and our metered rate was $40. The driver told me it was usually around $38.

If you're staying at GCH, go to the Guest Services desk and ask for a voucher for a taxi from the hotel to the airport. It was only $32! We had a party of 5, btw. They use vans if you have a larger party.