Realistic time frame from SNA until inside park?

[Minniekins]

SNA has a 'Ground Transportation' area. There are taxis and shuttles waiting for customers. There is also what I'm calling mobile dispatch people who usually approach you -- tell them you want a taxi they escort you to one and then the driver loads your luggage and off you go. It all happens very efficiently and smoothly. There is NO flat rate from SNA, but it is usually just under $45 -- for everyone, be it one person or more. That does not include tip -- for two people, $5 is probably plenty. Depending on traffic, it will take less than 30 minutes to your hotel.

The shuttles are about $12 per person, plus tip ($1-2 per bag). I think they are cheaper if you make a reservation before hand. Anyways about half the price for two people. They do take longer to load at the airport. I've always had to wait about 10-15 minutes before leaving the airport. You do have to make multiple stops, which can take time. I would allow at least an hour from the airport and possibly more.

I used a taxi for the first time last February and it was a real treat -- always used the shuttle before. There is nothing wrong with the shuttle, but if it works into your budget, take the taxi.

Thanks very much, for all this great info, squidlet! I appreciate it! I mean, it'd be about $30 for the two of us to do the shuttle anyway, so for about another 15-18 dollars, we could do the taxi which would be faster and a straight shot to the motel. I think we'll go cab but I'll probably keep the shuttle in mind in case money becomes more of an issue, such as rooms cost more or something, lol.

 

[Minniekins]

Our last 2 flights in we've arrived at SNA at 10:30am, got our bags from baggage claim, hiked to the taxi stand (it is a long walk to the taxi stand from the Southwest Airlines baggage claim area), checked our bags at HoJo's, and hiked over to DL. We were through the gates by 12 or 12:15 each time (the 2nd was 15 min longer because we were converting 3 day hoppers into AP's). Once was a weekday, the other time was a Saturday. This time we're renting a car as HoJo's has free parking and somehow we got a $14/day rate which is cheaper than cabbing it both ways. I expect we'll need to add another 30 minutes to our time to deal with the rental car stuff. (Hertz Gold which can be instantaneous or an hour if there is something wrong with the car that's waiting for you).

Thanks for the heads up on the long hike to the taxi stand from SW, that's who we'll be flying. I like knowingahead of time what to expect.
You say you are renting a car next time, (great rate!), so I'm wondering how easy is it to drive there? Is it pretty much a straight shot or lots of twists and turns and lots of traffic? It can be a harrowing driving in a busy city at a busy time with lots of traffic when you don't really know where you or how to get around, lol! Of course, as I'm typing I realized we'd have to probably pay for parking while staying at either the Tropicana or the BWPPI, so that takes the savings away(we probably won't go anywhere else).

 

[ParkHopper1]

Thanks for the heads up on the long hike to the taxi stand from SW, that's who we'll be flying. I like knowingahead of time what to expect.
You say you are renting a car next time, (great rate!), so I'm wondering how easy is it to drive there? Is it pretty much a straight shot or lots of twists and turns and lots of traffic? It can be a harrowing driving in a busy city at a busy time with lots of traffic when you don't really know where you or how to get around, lol! Of course, as I'm typing I realized we'd have to probably pay for parking while staying at either the Tropicana or the BWPPI, so that takes the savings away(we probably won't go anywhere else).

I travel a ton and I am the type that would rather rent a car anywhere I go so that I have the flexibility and not feel trapped...but honestly at DL it is not worth dealing with a rental car unless you are planning a trip away from the resort. Even in a taxi it is from the curb of the airport to front door of hotel without having to schlep your bags and everyone to the car then have to deal with filling it up on return...and leave extra time to deal with the car. With so many transpiration options...not worth it in my opinion.

 

[Minniekins]

I travel a ton and I am the type that would rather rent a car anywhere I go so that I have the flexibility and not feel trapped...but honestly at DL it is not worth dealing with a rental car unless you are planning a trip away from the resort. Even in a taxi it is from the curb of the airport to front door of hotel without having to schlep your bags and everyone to the car then have to deal with filling it up on return...and leave extra time to deal with the car. With so many transpiration options...not worth it in my opinion.

Hmm, made some good points! I didn't think of some of those things, you are so right, definitely not worth! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, ParkHopper1, that definitely nixed any thoughts of renting a car, lol!

 

[cinderkelly]

Our last 2 flights in we've arrived at SNA at 10:30am, got our bags from baggage claim, hiked to the taxi stand (it is a long walk to the taxi stand from the Southwest Airlines baggage claim area), checked our bags at HoJo's, and hiked over to DL. We were through the gates by 12 or 12:15 each time (the 2nd was 15 min longer because we were converting 3 day hoppers into AP's). Once was a weekday, the other time was a Saturday. This time we're renting a car as HoJo's has free parking and somehow we got a $14/day rate which is cheaper than cabbing it both ways. I expect we'll need to add another 30 minutes to our time to deal with the rental car stuff. (Hertz Gold which can be instantaneous or an hour if there is something wrong with the car that's waiting for you).

Thanks for that info on the taxi stand being a hike from the SW baggage claim. We are doing this in a couple of weeks and it's our first time taking a cab. Good to know!

 

[jina]

I travel a ton and I am the type that would rather rent a car anywhere I go so that I have the flexibility and not feel trapped...but honestly at DL it is not worth dealing with a rental car unless you are planning a trip away from the resort.

Agreed - we usually don't leave the resort but there's a slim chance my nephew who goes to college nearby will be available so it's an added bonus that we may be able to go see him if the stars align. For HoJo's since parking is free and there's no difference to us in terms of bag loading/unloading renting is really just as easy as cabbing except for the rental car drop off/pick up time which most of the time with Hertz Gold is less than 5 minutes on either end (but occasionally there are hiccups.)