LAX Shuttle/Disneyland rental car

[Magicmom]

How much per person for a one way shuttle from LAX to Disneyland. Do most of the larger hotels offer complimentary airport pick-up? Also-can you rent a car near Disneyland. Since we would not use it while we are there for two days, I was wondering if we could just pick one up near Disneyland and then return it to LAX after a few days in San Diego. Any suggestions or ideas?

 

[mkradel]

Birnbaum's Disneyland Resort 2002 gives the following rates for the two shuttle services from Lax to Disneyland area hotels:

Airport Bus $14 one way per adult, $9 one way per child 3-11
SuperShuttle $13 per person $10 per person

I'm not sure if these are still current, but these were the rates at press time as printed in the book. You can check by calling Airport Bus 714-938-8900 or 800772-5299 www.airportbus.com

I have also been researching the car rentals in Anaheim. There is one on Katella Avenue for Avis. I found a good rate using their website for a week's car rental. I used a discount code for RCI (timeshare) members. As a Disney Club member you can get special discounts through National and join their Emerald Club for free until next month sometime. I'll be watching for discounts through them also. My present thought is to take the shuttle from the airport to our hotel. Then the following day I can pick up the car rental. As I'll be by myself with three children, I think this will work better for us. That way I don't have to deal with the traffic from the airport to Anaheim, but I'll still be able to rent a car for getting to the parks, restaurants and other attractions such as Knott's and Newport Beach. I will also be going down to San Diego at the end of the week to join my husband who will be at a convention there. It wouldn't be a problem to return the car to LAX I'm sure. When I checked the car rental rate online they asked for both pickup and drop off locations. I may be doing that myself! At first I was going to try and do the whole week without renting a car but I think it's too risky with the kids (2, 9 and 11). For those of you who have more experience, we'd love more suggestions!

Thanks

Diane

 

[Uncle Buck]

TAKE THE BUS! LAX is a pain as it is to rent a car, the extra security has made it even tougher. Virtually every car rental company is represented at one hotel or another around the resort.

 

[Magicmom]

I am also member of RCI. I will try Avis. It does sound like the LAX car rental will be a hassle. I will return it at LAX and pick it up near Disney. Thanks.

 

[elehua]

I've thought about doing the same thing, airport shuttle to hotel and renting from near DL. If you research the various car rental companies most have a pick up location IN one of the bigger hotels (Anaheim Marriott and Anaheim Hyatt and Towers) or they will pick you up at your hotel and bring you to their rental location! Compare prices on travelocity or expedia then go directly to the website and try different discounts. I've tried AAA and military as well as "specials" and find they don't always give you the "best" rate - you have to go "fishing" but it's worth the savings! Too bad Priceline doesn't deal with the "off airport" locations - they have great rates if you're renting from the airport with 5 major rental companies.

Used priceline and have gotten
National SUV LAS $29 day
Hertz SUV Dulles $29
Hertz SUV San Diego $29

most rates are much higher and cars are even cheaper. Please look at the websites great rates. We are fortunate a friend is going to drive us around this DL trip so we just pay for gas!

 

[Stephen's Mom]

I'm not sure what I'd recommend but we had a lousy experience with Super Shuttle. We waited over 45 minutes just to get one and then the driver wouldn't leave until he had it filled. Unfortunately everyone he picked up was going all over the place (I'm sure I saw half of LA that night!). It took us almost 2 hours to get to the hotel. Considering it was 1:30 am our time and I had a very tired 3 yr old with us it wasn't very much fun. The driver also was negotiating prices with people too. He charged one girl $25 for her ride. I thought that was terrible since they are supposed to have set prices. And I should have known better, but we decided to book them to take us back to the airport. They never showed up (the hotel called them and they said they couldn't find our reservation). We ended up spending $80US on a cab because we couldn't wait another hour for the airport bus. I was pretty mad but at least the cab ride was pleasant we didn't have to make a bunch of stops. The cab driver said he has heard that if the Super Shuttle can't fill up their van then sometimes they just don't bother to pick you up (even if you have reserved them). I don't know if this true or not, but I would never use them again.

 

[teri]

I agree with Stephensmom, I had that happen once on a shuttle from the airport in Santa Ana... we didn't get the direct shuttle, and it ended up taking us 1 hour 45 minutes to get from SNA to Disneyland Hotel. If you have 3 or more people, you can do just as well taking a taxi-van. I have also taken the AirportBus a few times, and it was just fine. A bit more hassle if you are at one of the hotels that requires that you transfer to the smaller van from the bus, but really no big deal at all.

 

[elehua]

I agree, we tried the Super Shuttle ONCE and it took as much time, if not longer then the Airport Bus and it wasn't very comfortable since you sit in a van close to strangers and get taken all over the place. We continue to take the Airport Bus (sorry I used the word shuttle) and it has worked out fine over all the years. The Airport Bus also runs a regular schedule and I believe you still don't need reservations, but do need to allow about 2 hours to get to the airport, since they go to "set" stops around DL hotels and Buena Park, great deal for the price of a ride. check www.airportbus.com look for LAX or whatever airport you're arriving at for schedule.

As for sightseeing tours to other parks (SeaWorld, Universal etc. we use CoachUSA.com) they p/u at your hotel and take you to their main terminal then you buy your tickets and then board the tour you're going on. We've used this system for over 10 years and love being able to take a nap on the way back to the hotel after a LONG day of parks and shopping!

If you already have tickets to Universal Studios you could buy a "bus" only ticket from the Airport Bus, however they aren't very organized and don't communicate well regarding which bus to catch, it only runs maybe twice a day and if you miss the first bus it's another four hours or so before the next one comes along, but it's the only cheap way of transportation there. If you have tickets to Knotts Berry Farm there seem to be a variety of ways, I forget which company, but one bus company only charged $5 from the DL area.

Have fun!

 

[dianedisney]

I always fly into John Wayne/Orange County Airport and use the Super Shuttle always. If you make reservations ahead of time you usually have to wait 15 minutes for the van to fill up. I have only had one other stop other than mine when I have used them. The airport bus is much larger than a van and will have numerous stops plus you may have to transfer at the bus terminal after you leave the airport to the correct bus for your destination. I have also had clients that used Airport Bus and they forgot to close the luggage hold and lost a few bags on the way to airport from hotel. Our agency now only books Super Shuttle and we have had no complaints from clients. There are car rental places close to Disneyland just check with the front desk at your hotel for more info. As for different drop off site you would need to contact the car rental company and see if they allow it. Have a Disney Day!!