DLR or WDW?

[alicenwonder99]

as far as i can tell, you can just show up at the airport and get on a super shuttle and go to your hotel. or you can book it with your hotel on sites like orbitz etc. not sure if there is an advantage to either method, though. its something like $13 each way for adults, less than that for kids 3 and up, free for kids under 3.

the only thing is you need carseats for young'uns. thats my biggest obstacle. both of my kids will require carseats if i go. so that means me + a 2.5yo + a 4yo + 2 carseats + a stroller + whatever bags we can bring = pack mule?

best i can figure it:

i wear a carseat on my back via the pac back, i put the other carseat in the stroller, the kids walk (one can ride on the standing step of the stroller), the bags get piled onto the carseat in the stroller and dd and ds wear little backpacks with stuff for them to do. and when i get on and off the plane, i beg the flight attendants for help . ditto for getting on and off the shuttle, and into and out of the hotel. i suppose 2 days of annoying travel (one to and one from) is worth 5 or 6 days of disneyland awesomeness.

ETA: ok wait a sec. i am reading about the disneyland express bus, which goes to and from LAX and SNA. im wondering if that goes to offsite hotels or just DLR hotels? if it goes to offsite hotels, i wont need a carseat for dd (4yo, ill bring 2.5yo ds's seat since he will likely sleep on the plane). that would make things A LOT easier. anyone know if disneyland express bus goes to all the hotels or just disney hotels?

OK, here's how you do it with the 2 carseats: You check the 4 y.o.'s car seat along with the luggage (we've done that many times). The 2 y.o.'s car seat will be on the plane. Bring the stroller onto the plane and they will store it for you. Don't bother with a purse, use a large backpack to carry your stuff so your hands are free. Have your 4 y.o. carry her own backpack with her airplane stuff (snacks, coloring books, mp3 player, etc.). When you get off the plane (and just be the last ones off because you have to wait for the stroller anyway), load up the 2 yo into the stroller, have the 4 yo walk, put the car seat onto the top of the stroller. You just have to make it to the luggage carosel. Once you get there, find one of those luggage porters (or whatever they're called). They will get a large wheeled carrier. You just have to point out which luggage is yours and they get it for you off of the carosel. He will even take it out to wherever you are going (to the outside waiting area). Tip him around $1-$2 per item. Also, tip the shuttle driver (after you get to the hotel) to get all of your luggage onto the shuttle.

So, where did you hear about the Express bus to Disneyland? Did you find any other info about it? If we end up staying at a Disneyland hotel, well there goes my idea of a "cheap" vacation. I wonder if the bus is something like WDW's Magical Express? I wonder if it's free?

 

[JB2K]

JB2K thank you! i do think i have chosen DLR for this year. southwest does have some great deals, but i refuse to use them as i have heard they wont let families preboard, and ive heard of kids being separated from their parents because there werent any seats together. i dont want to give them my business, because i do not agree with their new policies, even if it means i could save money. its unfortunate that they have made these choices, as i really did like flying with them in the past.

My pleasure -- but, as I just returned home on SWA, today (with a child), I can assure you that Southwest does let families pre-board (once the "A" group boards -- and those travelers are usually a handful of business travelers).

 

[nancy drew]

alicenwonder99

load up the 2 yo into the stroller, have the 4 yo walk, put the car seat onto the top of the stroller.

i think you forgot that my 2yo is in the stroller... he wouldnt like having a carseat on his head . but in all seriousness, i can either wear the seat on my back or let him stand on the standing board of the stroller (or wear my 2yo on my back, he loves that and it certainly keeps him from running away from me . hmmm. im a bit nervous about checking a carseat, but maybe i can handle this after all.

well heck, i have no choice because ive already booked it

the disneyland express bus sounds cool, but im not sure its the right choice. its not free, and apparently it doesnt stop at all of the hotels. sometimes it stops at a place between hotels, and you have to walk with all your stuff. but the super shuttle goes right to your hotel. it does sound like the magical express in that they play a movie on the bus, but i think the similarity ends there. i havent booked the shuttle or bus yet, but im leaning toward super shuttle because it seems more reliable.

JB2K thats good to hear. i read something on another message board which implied that children were being forced to sit away from their parents. however whoever said that may have been exaggerating .

 

[alicenwonder99]

i think you forgot that my 2yo is in the stroller... he wouldnt like having a carseat on his head .

LOL! I meant put the car seat on top of the stroller's canopy.

We've checked our car seat a few times. Never had a problem with it.

I've flown SW since they put the new changes in. They do allow the family boarding right after the A people. Once, we got in the B group. We ended up about middle in the line for the B group (and it was a full plane). We had no problems sitting together. Everyone wants to sit in the front. The kids and I just headed to the back.

Glad to hear you are already booked! I mentioned it yesterday that I wanted to take the kids to DLR and I have about 5 other family members who want to go with. Well, there goes the "cheap" vacation. I don't think I can afford it right now with 8 people going! Maybe if I just sneak away, no one will notice the little ones and me gone...lol.

When are you going?

 

[nancy drew]

ah, got it. the stroller canopy wouldnt hold a carseat, but that would be a good idea.

we will be going in may! im super excited!

 

[spokanemom]

Coming late to the party, but I wanted to add that Super Shuttle is very easy to use. There are also coupons out there for $2 off the cost per person, per direction. You can pre-book online & they will be expecting you!

They are in the Entertainment book: yk25n
OR Anaheim/OC visitors Center: z4m3d

The visitors center has many other coupons available as well that may be of interest to you. I am not sure of posting the links to them, but if you would like them, PM me.