questions!? (cab, hotel, meet n greet)

[SpaceMania]

I got more questions! (i feel like that is the only time i come on here anymore, lol)
&ive looked through some threads but they seem to be outdated
So i'm going to DL next month (18 days to be exact ) and have a few questions, since we'll be flying rather than our usual driving.

We're flying into SNA at about 8:30am, and I need to know what the best way to get to the hotel is. I was looking into the Disneyland Express (i think thats what its called, big bus lookin thing) because its only $9 each way, but i don't know how reliable it is/how early it operates? Or if it would be better to cab it? how much is that approx? Also, we fly out of SNA at 8:45pm on a monday, when do you think i should leave to go to the airport, and what method of transportation to get there? (if that makes any sense??)

Does anyone take advantage of the Disney Debit Card character photo thing? Do you have to reserve it?

Anyone stayed at the anaheim plaza hotel before? Is it clean slightly walking distance?

Thanks guys

 

[Carolwoodpr]

We always go with a shuttle from SNA to our hotel. We usually pay 10.00 a person. We have 3 in our family. If you have four or five it might be more economical to take a cab.

Another advantage with a cab is that you go directly to the hotel YOU are staying at.

For our trip back to the airport we usually ask at the front desk who they recommend. Many of the hotels will do a limo or town car return for 45.00 and we pay that for a nice relaxing ride to the airport.

Our flight usually leaves at 9. We always get to the airport 2 hours early. We do this in case their are traffic issues, security lines, things like that. When returning from Anaheim for a 9pm flight we would leave the hotel at 6, giving us a full hour to the airport. Anaheim has just added a whole bunch of restaurants and gates at their airport so you don't just have the one choice to eat (McDonalds) anymore.

For the character meet and greet just show up with your card and you will be allowed into the meet and greet. They used to just allow one family at a time to see the characters, I am not sure if this is still how they do it or not, we have not done it in a while.

Sorry I can't help with the hotel.

 

[SpaceMania]

We always go with a shuttle from SNA to our hotel. We usually pay 10.00 a person. We have 3 in our family. If you have four or five it might be more economical to take a cab.

Another advantage with a cab is that you go directly to the hotel YOU are staying at.

For our trip back to the airport we usually ask at the front desk who they recommend. Many of the hotels will do a limo or town car return for 45.00 and we pay that for a nice relaxing ride to the airport.

Our flight usually leaves at 9. We always get to the airport 2 hours early. We do this in case their are traffic issues, security lines, things like that. When returning from Anaheim for a 9pm flight we would leave the hotel at 6, giving us a full hour to the airport. Anaheim has just added a whole bunch of restaurants and gates at their airport so you don't just have the one choice to eat (McDonalds) anymore.

For the character meet and greet just show up with your card and you will be allowed into the meet and greet. They used to just allow one family at a time to see the characters, I am not sure if this is still how they do it or not, we have not done it in a while.

Sorry I can't help with the hotel.

Thanks so much! There are only two of us going this time, so I'll look into a shuttle, that would be pretty cheap! What shuttle service do you usually use?

 

[Carolwoodpr]

We use whatever is available. go to the shuttle stand (the far location) and you will see a person there who will ask where your going. Tell him and he will send you to a shuttle. Ask him if it is $10 a person before you get in though!

 

[DizMe]

If you want to, you can make an online reservation with SuperShuttle and use a coupon code for a discount of $3 off pp each way. That makes it $14 RT pp, which is a good price. You can prepay the tip online as well so you don't have to be hunting around for smaller bills.

SS is right next to the taxi stands and is usually quick and easy. The code I use is uyr59. Be sure to make a separate res. for each of you to get the full discount (when you finish the first one, just go back a page until you get to the beginning and most of the info will still be in place). Also, when making your online reservation, put in the name of the hotel and NOT the zip code or you'll get a very different price. Sounds a lot more complicated than it is.

I've stayed at APH and it was basic but served the purpose since it was only $59/night. The rooms were large, big balcony or patio, and the pool is huge. Walk is very easy! It's outdated and a little shabby but still a good choice if you're looking to save money.

 

[bumbershoot]

What shuttle service do you usually use?

I like Karmel Shuttle, especially *from* the airport. Other shuttles tend to wait until they fill up, or drive around the airport trolling for more people, but Karmel has rules about it (it's on their website).


Disneyland Resort Express (the bus, run by Grayline) is very reliable, and their schedule is in a PDF on their website. I just don't like them as much as Karmel, though I haven't taken them from SNA, only LAX.

 

[snvanvl]

A cab to the Anaheim Plaza from SNA is $43.00 including tip. We did this on Friday morning at 11 AM and it took us about 15 or 20 minutes to get to our hotel. Taking the bus can take way longer because it stops at a Disney Hotel and then it proceeds to drop people off at their hotels. The one time we did the bus it took about 90 minutes to get to our hotel.

We also just stayed at this hotel over the weekend and it was ok for the price. It was run down and older. Probably would not stay at this hotel again unless it was my only option.