Small kids & airport transportation

[MuseumMouse]

We have a toddler and a 6 year old and will be flying into John Wayne/Orange County airport. I'm trying to find the best transportation option to and from the airport and our hotel, which is Grand Legacy at the Park (used to be Ramada Maingate).

The Disneyland Resort Express bus's closest stop is two hotels away. I'm concerned about wrangling all our stuff getting between the bus stop and our hotel. After all, we'll have plenty of luggage, a stroller, a toddler, and - let's face it - a less than helpful 6 year old. So I'm trying to see if there is an option that will drop off/pick up right at our hotel instead.

BUT, from what I can tell, a shuttle, van or taxi would all require both our kids to ride in car seats. It seems only public transportation and full sizes buses are exempt from CA car seat laws that require all kids under 8 to be in car seats, even in taxis. I really, really don't want to haul two car seats with us, especially when the only time we'd use them is to/from the airport!

Any ideas?

 

[Tigger Trainer]

I would use GoLansky. https://www.golansky.com/services.html Last year we used them and they were wonderful. It is a bit more expensive, but it is full door to door service and they provide car seats.

 

[DahliaRW]

I would use GoLansky. https://www.golansky.com/services.html Last year we used them and they were wonderful. It is a bit more expensive, but it is full door to door service and they provide car seats.

I second this. Lansky's driver will meet you at baggage claim with a luggage cart ready to load your luggage and go. At that point you won't touch your luggage until it is unloaded curbside at your hotel.

 

[MuseumMouse]

Hmm, that is definitely an appealing option, though I admit it's much more than I budgeted for transportation. But it may very well be worth it. Thank you so much for the suggestion!

 

[planningjollyholiday]

We have also used lansky's and liked their service. I have never taken the disneyland express, but was wondering what hotel they stop at? The Del Sol is two hotels away, is that it? If so, then that walk is really not that far, even with two kids and luggage in tow, literally like 45 seconds.

 

[MuseumMouse]

We have also used lansky's and liked their service. I have never taken the disneyland express, but was wondering what hotel they stop at? The Del Sol is two hotels away, is that it? If so, then that walk is really not that far, even with two kids and luggage in tow, literally like 45 seconds.

According to their web site, the stop closest to the Grand Legacy is Best Western Park Place Inn and Mini Suites. I think I was wrong when I said only two hotels away, because as I look again at Google maps (because I didn't know where Del Sol was), it is actually further than what I was thinking.

As you walk from Grand Legacy up Harbor Blvd toward the entrance to Disneyland, you go by Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn, Del Sol (which looks like it is kind of tucked back away from the street), Anaheim Desert Inn and Suites, THEN Best Western Park Place Inn and Mini Suites, where the bus stop is.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

I would say the best western is about 2 minutes away. In the past we have taken taxis and just sucked it up and brought the car seat. Most airlines will let you check it for free. We like taxis the best because it is cheapest and fastest. No dropping other people off, just a straight shot to the hotel.

 

[Jaina]

If you end up needing car seats, you might look into getting a Bubble Bum for the 6 year old. Then it's just one car seat (a Cosco Scenera is light and cheap if you're 2-year-old is still under 40 lbs and not overly tall) to lug. They aren't as good as a regular booster for smaller kids, but they would do in a pinch for a 6-year-old and get fine safety ratings.

 

[Disney Lvr of Old]

when we went my son was 5 and I only brought the bottom booster part of his seat and it actually worked nicely on the plane- he had his cup holders and because he was so short, when sitting in the car seat he was able to rest his legs on the rest of the seat so they didn't dangle and he wasn't tempted to kick seat backs.

 

[MuseumMouse]

Wow, you guys are great and gave me lots to think about! Maybe we could handle the walk after all. I'm still not loving the idea of bring car seats. But, we could definitely just do a backless booster for our older daughter and then it would just be hauling the one car seat. And if we did that I would seriously consider a taxi.... Thank you all for sharing your suggestions!

 

[DahliaRW]

Wow, you guys are great and gave me lots to think about! Maybe we could handle the walk after all. I'm still not loving the idea of bring car seats. But, we could definitely just do a backless booster for our older daughter and then it would just be hauling the one car seat. And if we did that I would seriously consider a taxi.... Thank you all for sharing your suggestions!

I have a 6 year old (my youngest) and she can roll a carry on size bag herself. So don't rule out the 6yo being helpful with luggage! The hardest part, IMO, with bus shuttles is just the loading and unloading of bags and kids! She can't usually lift her suitcase onto a bus. If you're bringing a stroller, as far as the "walk" part, I highly recommend wearing the toddler if you can, then you can use the stroller to lug the smaller bags and car seat all piled on top.

Do take into account stress and your time. Sometimes it's worth it to pay a bit more to avoid starting your vacation out in a stressful manner. Also, sometimes a shuttle or taxi is faster than DLR Express (depending on how your flight aligns up with their schedule both ways).

 

[Nevada Jen]

Looks like it will cost you less than 100 dollars round trip to use Lanskys, have help with your luggage, a private car, car seats provided for you and door to door service. THey will even make a quick grocery stop on the way to the hotel. That's worth a hundred bucks to me!

 

[goofyfan13]

FWIW - We took a SUV from Limos.com Same idea as Lansky, met at baggage claim, dropped off at the hotel. We had 2 car seats ages 6 & 8 the bottom halfs we used at time. They check through the airport for free, so we only dealt with them getting to and from the airport. For me, it was easier than the idea public transportation / shuttle without the car seats.

 

[jofo]

Our experience with DRE was that they dropped us right at our hotel (Doubletree) even though it wasn't an official stop. The official stops were only in regards to pickups, not dropoffs (though obviously you should confirm that with them directly). Then for pickup, since we were in the park in the morning DH left the park a little early to go back to the hotel to get the bags and took them to the Disneyland hotel (he walked them, but you could cab it or just walk them to a closer pickup hotel or take ART). I leisurely walked the kiddos & stroller through DTD to the Disneyland hotel where we met up and caught DRE together. It was a lot less stressful for him to deal with the bags while I dealt with the kids as opposed to trying to do it all together.

 

[Skiton]

We hired a private sedan from SNA Shuttle and they were prompt, courteous, AND provided car seats. I'm booking them again for our trip next month.

 

[ClaraOswald]

If you end up needing car seats, you might look into getting a Bubble Bum for the 6 year old. Then it's just one car seat (a Cosco Scenera is light and cheap if you're 2-year-old is still under 40 lbs and not overly tall) to lug. They aren't as good as a regular booster for smaller kids, but they would do in a pinch for a 6-year-old and get fine safety ratings.

The newer model, Cosco Scenera and the newer Cosco Scenera Next both go up to 43 inches forward facing so I imagine most (all?) 2 year olds would still fit, height-wise.

We used the Scenera on the airplane with our 17 month old last year...and then rear facing in the car rental. We we likely use it again next year with a 3.5 year old (unless his growth pattern changes.) It's a super light seat. We used a strap to teether it to one of our rolling suitcases. Very easy.

 

[Jaina]

The newer model, Cosco Scenera and the newer Cosco Scenera Next both go up to 43 inches forward facing so I imagine most (all?) 2 year olds would still fit, height-wise.

We used the Scenera on the airplane with our 17 month old last year...and then rear facing in the car rental. We we likely use it again next year with a 3.5 year old (unless his growth pattern changes.) It's a super light seat. We used a strap to teether it to one of our rolling suitcases. Very easy.

Good point on the new models! We haven't had a Scenera for several years.

 

[DahliaRW]

The newer model, Cosco Scenera and the newer Cosco Scenera Next both go up to 43 inches forward facing so I imagine most (all?) 2 year olds would still fit, height-wise.

We used the Scenera on the airplane with our 17 month old last year...and then rear facing in the car rental. We we likely use it again next year with a 3.5 year old (unless his growth pattern changes.) It's a super light seat. We used a strap to teether it to one of our rolling suitcases. Very easy.

As long as the shoulder straps are above the shoulders, you're good to go. That won't be the case with all children 43" tall.

 

[tchrrx]

Do you know how many people can fit in one of Lansky's vehicles? We will be a party of seven adults and a four year old.

 

[ClaraOswald]

As long as the shoulder straps are above the shoulders, you're good to go. That won't be the case with all children 43" tall.

What do you mean above the shoulders? Sorry if that's a dumb question but I don't get it. We haven't used ours forward facing yet. Based on my son's growth pattern so far, I suspect he will be around 40 inches tall (and under 40 pounds) when we travel next year. The Scenera says the limit is 40 pounds and 43 inches. So he should be okay, right?