Need Help Transport To Disney From Downtown LA

[BadPinkTink]

so I have booked Supershuttle from LAX to my hotel in Downtown, fine, no problems $17 shared ride, but when I went to book point to point on Supershuttle ie my hotel in Downtown to my hotel at Disney, the price jumps to way over $100. Am I missing something? Anyone got any other companies like Supershuttle they have used?

 

[sheetz]

Depending on how many people you have you can hire a limo/towncar for well under $100, tip included. I used limos.com to do a search and found a sedan for up to 3 passengers from downtown to DL for $48 with a company called Paramount Limousine Services.

Also got a quote from Uber for $31-42.

Other people have taken Amtrak to Anaheim and then taken a taxi or ART to their hotels.

 

[BadPinkTink]

thanks @sheetz didnt think of Uber, doing searches now

 

[Sherry E]

I live in L.A. (not Downtown, but close to Farmers Market). You are absolutely correct that when you do a point-to-point shuttle to Anaheim (or from Anaheim to L.A.), without stopping at the airport, it will be well over $100 (one way). I have used SuperShutttle for that in the past, although I had to call a specific "group desk" phone number to book the point to point because at that time their online system could not take point to point reservations. Anyway, I paid well over $100 for one way -- it was actually more like $120!

I then switched to another shuttle service called Sav-on Shuttle. They are small and lesser-known, of course, but I have had nothing but good experiences with them whenever I have used them (which has been several times in the last few years). They are always on time (early, in fact), and they are friendly and courteous. The price is still not cheap in any way, but it is a bit cheaper than SuperShuttle. Also, Sav-on Shuttle does not require a payment before your trip, as SuperShuttle does -- so it is easier to cancel and not have to worry about waiting to get your money back. Look up Sav-on Shuttle on Yelp and you will find mostly good reviews.

You might also want to look into Lansky (formerly DK's Livery, if I recall correctly) -- some folks speak highly of them, but I have never used them.

 

[maltdizzy]

1) There is also an LA to DL Metro bus that leaves Union Station and winds through Downtown LA before catching the 110 and heading to to DL (via Knotts, Norwalk and elsewhere...it's not a short ride).

2) Metrolink train runs from Union Station with a stop just East of Angels Stadium (a few miles down Katella Av from DL; there is a bus down Katella, which a southern border street of the DLR)

3) Amtrak runs from Union Station to Anaheim for ~$15.

You can even squeeze in a trip to Phillipe's near Union Station.

 

[BadPinkTink]

thanks @Sherry E and @maltdizzy looks like I have alot more research to do, didnt think it would be this convoluted!!

 

[maltdizzy]

You're crossing the "Orange Curtain." It's a big divide — politically, culturally, fiscally, etc. — between L.A. County and Orange County and those 35 miles might as well be 100 miles at times. If it wasn't for Disneyland in O.C. and the Lakers/Dodgers in L.A., I think only commuters would ever cross the line.

 

[SMD]

Point to point shuttles are more expensive within the same county, city or 3 blocks over. Rates can be lower for airport runs because of the volume and the ease of routing to and from the same stop. Point to point is more work when the shuttle has to start and end somewhere and then go elsewhere for the next fare and be taken out of the airport rotation.

Where is your hotel and how much luggage? With public transportation or gains there will be multiple transfers. Even if you do taxis to and from the train station, if there's luggage, once you've added those costs, plus hauling the luggage, plus the added time for the train and meeting the train schedule you might as well have just book something that goes point to point. Shuttle, town car, taxi, Uber would all be the most convenient.

 

[BadPinkTink]

thanks everyone, usually public transport doesn't bother me, I don't drive so whatever city I am in its public transport all the way. This time however, with luggage and LA heat and far too many transfers / changes which will eat into my vacation time, I have a plan and I'm going to get creative, will tell you all in my trip report when I got home in July.

thanks @maltdizzy for that info about the "Orange Curtain" I guess being a tourist I am not really aware of the dynamics of the city, like I would be if I lived there

 

[sheetz]

Yeah, the "Orange Curtain" makes it much harder to get to Disneyland by public transit than you would expect. By contrast it's a breeze to get to Universal Studios Hollywood by subway.

 

[maltdizzy]

The "Orange Curtain" concept is common in many cities/suburbs.

• People in Manhattan usually don't travel to NJ or Long Island
  
• People in Durham usually don't go to Raleigh and vice-versa.
• Growing up in the DC area, people in Northern Va. typically hated to cross the river into Maryland and vice-versa. These days No. Va. people won't even go to the other side of No. Va.

I'm sure others around the country can list theirs. There are stupid stereotypes and prejudices that spring up from this, but the real root is that the "other" place just doesn't feel as familiar or comfortable.

The best description I've ever heard about L.A. is that it's "a 1,000 suburbs in search of a city," I wish I knew who to attribute the quote to. Unlike Manhattan, Chicago, Paris, London, etc. L.A. is low and spreads out forever and the above concept is even more localized. Some people rarely leave their section of the city; part because of traffic and part because the different parts of the city are so different from one another. I knew a doctor in Santa Monica who honestly didn't know where Downtown L.A. was or how to get there for an event...he lived in SM for 7 years and never drove the 10-mile, straight shot to Downtown on the "10."

While the locals hate us transplants, I have to say, I went out and saw and did more of the city than many of them do in a lifetime.

 

[StormyCA]

Have you looked into a 24 hr car rental? Depending on the day involved you can get a 24-48 hr rental for much less than $100.00

 

[BadPinkTink]

Thanks @StormyCA I don't drive so this option will not work for me, but it might be of use to someone reading this thread

 

[TechGuy]

Based on my readings (not an expert) the Amtrak or Metro train would be the option I would look into to go from Anaheim to LA. The ARTIC station is close enough for a standard cab, ART or OCTA bus and the rail crosses county lines with impunity. Once at the rail center, you can catch other heavy or light rail to many other locations.

I guess maltdizzy said this earlier.

I did a quick look, you can get from ARTIC to LA's Union Station for 8.75 one way or $10 for a weekend day pass.
Amtrak is $15

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Based on my readings (not an expert) the Amtrak or Metro train would be the option I would look into to go from Anaheim to LA. The ARTIC station is close enough for a standard cab, ART or OCTA bus and the rail crosses county lines with impunity. Once at the rail center, you can catch other heavy or light rail to many other locations.

I guess maltdizzy said this earlier.

I did a quick look, you can get from ARTIC to LA's Union Station for 8.75 one way or $10 for a weekend day pass.
Amtrak is $15

This can be an especially attractive option during rush hour. -- Suzanne

 

[HappiestHaunt]

1) You can even squeeze in a trip to Phillipe's near Union Station.

I would second this in a heartbeat! Love me some Phillipe's. I stop each time business takes from the IE to LA.