Ground Transportation?

[ChrisMouse]

Hey again, Disney Gurus with all the answers!

My question this time is about transportation from John Wayne Airport to the Disneyland Hotel...

There will be 6 of us (me, DH, DD, DS, and my two parents). Originally my dad (who always wants a car on vacation) was going to rent a minivan. Now that he's seen the Disney Vacation Planning DVD, however, he doesn't think we need one--that we'll be on property all the time and the car will be a waste.

So...now my job is to research the best/cheapest/most convenient/easiest and fastest transportation from the airport to the hotel and then back again, keeping in mind we have two kids who would ordinarily require booster seats.

Can anyone offer any insight for me as to what has worked for you? TIA. You're the best!

Chris

 

[shyboy72]

My girlfriend a I always use the Super Shuttle van for transportation, and have never had a problem with it...

 

[SamIAm21]

Hey again, Disney Gurus with all the answers!

My question this time is about transportation from John Wayne Airport to the Disneyland Hotel...

There will be 6 of us (me, DH, DD, DS, and my two parents). Originally my dad (who always wants a car on vacation) was going to rent a minivan. Now that he's seen the Disney Vacation Planning DVD, however, he doesn't think we need one--that we'll be on property all the time and the car will be a waste.

So...now my job is to research the best/cheapest/most convenient/easiest and fastest transportation from the airport to the hotel and then back again, keeping in mind we have two kids who would ordinarily require booster seats.

Can anyone offer any insight for me as to what has worked for you? TIA. You're the best!

Chris

Disneyland Express Bus! Do not pass go, do not collect $200 and Do Not Take Super Shuttle! Disneyland Express is by far the best way for you to get from SNA to DLR. The second best way is that Prime Time Shuttle has a service called GoSedan, which will transport you and your gang directly from the airport to the hotel. If you take a "shared ride van" you may be stuck shuttling several people to their personal residences before arriving at DLR. It can take nearly twice the time to get there!!

 

[ChrisMouse]

Great...now how do I reserve the spaces on the Disneyland Express??? and how are children seated? Is there a seatbelt? (I am picturing maybe a shuttle van like when you are going from the airport to a rental car place...)

Thanks for your help!

 

[SamIAm21]

ChrisMouse, The Disneyland Express Bus is a big old bus, so no booster seats or car seats are necessary. I think you can just buy the roundtrip tickets when you get to the airport. There is probably more information regarding the bus on the disneyland web site or above on the wdwinfo website.

Totally avoid Super Shuttle if at all possible. It's by no means horrible, but since you are staying on property, you should definitely use The Disneyland Resort Express Bus.

From Mousesavers.com

Disneyland Resort Express Bus

One of the least expensive options is Disneyland Resort Express, a private bus service that serves two major airports and a host of Disneyland-area hotels on a regular schedule.

No reservation is required. Payment can be in cash, traveler's checks or by major credit card.

From LAX, Disneyland Resort Express will cost approximately $19 one way/$28 roundtrip for an adult; $16 one way/$20 roundtrip for a child, plus tip.
From SNA, Disneyland Resort Express will cost approximately $14 one way/$24 roundtrip for an adult; $12 one way/$16 roundtrip for a child, plus tip.

Disneyland Resort Express from the airport - after picking up your luggage at the airport, proceed out to the pickup location:

At LAX, go to the center island and stand under the overhead green sign. The bus departs hourly between 6:00 am and 10:00 am; every 30 minutes between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm; and hourly between 7:00 pm and midnight.
At SNA, go outside to the Ground Transportation Center and find the area in front of the ticket booth on your left. The bus departs hourly between 7:45 am and 9:45 am; every 30 minutes between 9:45 am and 7:45 pm; and hourly between 7:45 pm and 10:45 pm.
Disneyland Resort Express to the airport - Ask for a schedule at your hotel. Almost all hotels in Anaheim participate, with buses departing hourly starting as early as 5:00 am and as late as 8:00 pm (to SNA) or 9:00 pm (to LAX). The bus will pick up right from your hotel.

If there are four or more people in your party and you are flying into Orange County/John Wayne Airport (SNA), don't bother with taking Disneyland Resort Express. It's faster to take a taxi or taxi van, which should cost $40 or less (one way) including tip. No reservation is required: just find the taxi stand outside the terminal doors.

HEADS UP. On Mousesavers, there is a coupon you can print up for $1.00 off your ride.

http://www.mousesavers.com/shuttle.html#dl

 

[hlbtimes2]

Personally, I would book a private van with Super shuttle. It will be $47 each way. It will take up to 7 people for that rate. You'll go directly to your hotel, rather then have to mess with transfers and what not on the express bus.

 

[samkj]

Like Linda said above, get the exclusive van service with Supershuttle. It is $47 each way for up to 7 people, they are very professional and ready and waiting at both arrival and departure. The Disneyland Express will cost more and will take longer to pick up/drop off additional passengers.

SamIam, that was good information, but in this case Supershuttle is a great choice.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Last time we went, we got a rental car. We reserved a smaller car, but actually wound up with a full-size. THANK GOODNESS, because the luggage and stroller just barely fit in the huge trunk!

There are 4 of us, and I think a taxi costs $36 or so. Would you think the taxi would be OK for us (space-wise), or should we go with a private shuttle instead?

 

[ChrisMouse]

That sounds PERFECT (and so reasonable!!!!). Do I call SuperShuttle directly or book through Disney? I should use the words "Exclusive Van" or "Private van"? This sounds like a GREAT deal, though I AM nervous about no seatbelts/carseats....of course, this way at least I don't have to BRING the booster seats...

So you don't have to wait a long time once you land? And it's easy to arrange transportation back to the airport when you are ready? This all sounds too good to be true!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Chris, they will caution you that California law requires carseats for all children under X weight and age. It is the responsibility of the customer to either provide carseats, or rent them appropriately. They can refuse to transport your party if you do not have them available. (I don't know if that actually happens, and should they actually transport you without them, they are not liable for any fines resulting from getting caught by an officer.)

We brought two carseats from home. It was a hassle, but decided it was better to have the kids safe, especially since we had the rental car (and assumed we'd be using it.)

 

[Alex2kMommy]

The bus, for some reason unknown to me, is the only transportation option that is not required to use carseats.

 

[ChrisMouse]

Wow, I'm so glad you told me that!

When the employee at Disney travel recommended Super Shuttle, she told me that they were exempt from carseats, and did not even have seatbelts!!!

Ugh, my head hurts. Everything else has been FUN to plan, but this is really driving me nuts.

(I prefer to bring their boosters, but it would be really silly if we lug them on the plane, etc. and then end up in a vehicle that has no seatbelts).

 

[SamIAm21]

SuperShuttle Vans are considered mass transit and are exempt from carseat laws in California. They do have seat belts though on the SS Vans. I buckled my 6 y/o in last year. No car seat, but she was going to be buckled in at the very least.

 

[VWCat]

I'm glad some still like the super shuttle,was starting to think I made a mistake..

 

[SamIAm21]

I'm glad some still like the super shuttle,was starting to think I made a mistake..

If you have a large group, you'll be fine because you can rent a private van. If you are a party of two or three, you may find yourself on the Grand Tour of the Los Angeles suburbs before actually arriving at Disneyland Resort Area. If you don't mind the tour, you'll be fine and the service will be satisfactory.

 

[hlbtimes2]

When the employee at Disney travel recommended Super Shuttle, she told me that they were exempt from carseats, and did not even have seatbelts!!!



(I prefer to bring their boosters, but it would be really silly if we lug them on the plane, etc. and then end up in a vehicle that has no seatbelts).

If you dont want to mess with car seats and boosters- go with the express bus. If you go with super shuttle, bring seats/boosters! I got a neat car seat travel bag. It holds a full size car seat, and I'm able to tuck the booster in it for the older child. It has a nice long shoulder strap so its easy to carry. We just check it with our bags. Be sure you bring the "I" shaped locking clip for the seat belt. The vans have the old style seat belts and you'll need to lock it to make it secure.

 

[DangerMouse]

Sorry, but I have to hi-jack this thread to . . . .

CONGRATULATE LINDA ON HER 3,000 POST!!

Three cheers for Linda!