Super Shuttle reservation or not?????

[daffidyll]

We are most likely planning to take Super Shuttle from LAX to DL but not sure weather to make a resevation or just try to get one when we arrive. Mainly not sure of a reservation as I can't tell them a time as I don't have any idea how long it will take for us to collect our baggage and go through customs. My questions are:

If you don't make a reservation but just try to get one when you arrive....how do you pay? Do you pay at the shuttle info desk (if there is one?) or on the shuttle itself? Would they take a credit card if you pay on the shuttle itself?

What are the best chances of getting a shared van with other people who are actually going to or very very close to DL too? Would the best chance of that be if you make a reservation or if you just try to get one once at LAX? I have heard stories of people having to drive around for hours because the other passengers are going nowhere near where you are going. I'd like to avoid that but don't know that DH wants to pay that much for a private ride either.

I would love to do DL Express but don't know that we will be able to lug all of baggage on our own from the bus stop to the Camelot....will have to see once I'm all packed how much we end up with!. I also read that now they specifically require reservation only. Is everyone finding that to be true (just in case any DL express riders read this).

 

[missyelliott]

We made reservations right on line. You put your flight info in and they can check your flight info. Remember they do this all the time. They know about how long it takes to get luggage, etc. We got our luggage, used the bathroom, bought some snacks then preceeded to the shuttle area and told them who we were and they got on their radio and said that your car will be her in I think it was like 10 mins and you what it was and there were others on the shuttle already. Then on the way home we had our reservations to be picked up from the hotel to the airport and again it was on time and took us straight to the airport. It already had other passengers on it when it picked us up as well. It dropped us off right at the curb side of Southwest Airlines. It was perfect. It gives you like a 15 or 20 min window and you need to be ready on the way back at that time. They were prompt. I have only had good experience with them both ways. I will use them again when we go back and have my reservations in place as well. I believe in planning.

 

[bumbershoot]

Have you checked out the supershuttle website? While you are getting a quote or making a reservation, you tell them the time your flight arrives. That just lets them know the approximate time you'll be coming out to the van, even if it's not exact. When I flew into Ontario airport last December, our flight was delayed, then changed, then we got in early, and although I kept them "in the loop", at no point did they indicate that they were all that bothered by the changes.

I have been on supershuttle twice from the airport there, and both times we were going straight to the DLR area. But I don't go at spectacularly busy times...then again, most people going to those airports at the big busy times are likely going to DLR, aren't they?

Both times I've used SS, I prepaid online. The first time I included the recommended tip, and the second time I didn't and just tipped him in cash. Got perfectly fine service both times, and I just needed to sign a slip when in the van (even though they had already charged).

You could always ask when you get to the vans (they have a coordinator at Ontario and John Wayne airports...it isn't just vans sitting there with no main person coordinating) that you be put on a van going strictly to DLR. I don't know if that would help, but it would at least let them know, and maybe give you a head's up on what else might be going in your van.

 

[deej696]

We made our reservations for SS online before we left for DL. While it was nice because it allowed us to prepay, I didnt get the feeling that it was all that important in making sure we had a ride. There were tons of SS vans passing through the terminals. When we arrived at the stop, the lady running the check in simply sent a text message to a driver to come pick us up. It was not like he was "expecting" us. I think the time input is only for dispatch to know how many vans they need to have in the area based on how many reservations they have. Now on the pick up for the return, obviously that is a different story. Our guy showed up for the ride back right on time and everything went smooth...

 

[daffidyll]

Okay, thanks! I was uncertain because on their website they ask for your flight arrival time which is what caused me to be unsure. Didn'nt want them waiting because I said we arrived at one time but didn't actually get out of the airport until an hour or two later. Makes sense now.

 

[Czardas]

Hi Daffidyll, I was planning to pre pay for Disney Express but hadn't thought about where they drop us off, I just assumed they drop us at our hotel, like the Aussie bus shuttles do (or at least the ones i have experienced in the past).
Now, as we are skiing for part of our trip to the U.S. we are dragging along our ski gear, so extra baggage. Hadn't thought about lugging that along the street trying to find our hotel.

What to do, What to do??????

 

[daffidyll]

Hi Daffidyll, I was planning to pre pay for Disney Express but hadn't thought about where they drop us off, I just assumed they drop us at our hotel, like the Aussie bus shuttles do (or at least the ones i have experienced in the past).
Now, as we are skiing for part of our trip to the U.S. we are dragging along our ski gear, so extra baggage. Hadn't thought about lugging that along the street trying to find our hotel.

What to do, What to do??????

Hi! Where are you staying? If it's one of the DL hotels DL Express will take you right to it. I'm also pretty sure that I read on here that it takes you right to HOJOs too. We are staying at the Camelot and someone said they drop you off at the bus stop which is supposedly very close but even with that I'm just not sure if we'll be able to lug it all so most likely it will be Super Shuttle.....just HOPING HOPING HOPING we share with other DLrs and don't have to drive around for hours!

 

[toandjo]

We took the Disneyland exspress the last 2 years to the Camelot and the bus stop is like 2 doors down the street! Not a far walk at all! We are taking it again this year but staying at the Ramada Maingate so i guess the walk to be a little farther. I don't think you have to make reservations at least that's what they told me when I called the 1-800# about a month ago. It took about 1 hour from LAX to the bus stop. We had no problems with this service, they even played a movie for the kids to watch on the way. I would recomend them for sure!

 

[Czardas]

Oops forgot to mention that we are also staying at Camelot. I think I will stick to Disney Express. Just after such a long flight and lugging all the luggage, going to the door would of been appreciated.

 

[daffidyll]

We took the Disneyland exspress the last 2 years to the Camelot and the bus stop is like 2 doors down the street! Not a far walk at all! We are taking it again this year but staying at the Ramada Maingate so i guess the walk to be a little farther. I don't think you have to make reservations at least that's what they told me when I called the 1-800# about a month ago. It took about 1 hour from LAX to the bus stop. We had no problems with this service, they even played a movie for the kids to watch on the way. I would recomend them for sure!

Okay, I hear ya when you say it's just 2 doors down and if I was just walking with maybe one rolling suitcase I wouldn't worry but this is what we will have (yes yes I KNOW I overpack...that's a whole other issue).....and bear with me because I'm probably trying to work all of this out in my own head as well as get advice from others:

3 LARGE rolling duffle bags probably weighing 40 to 50 pounds each (really not sure how well they will roll though so let's just assume they will have to be carried),

3 carry-on bags (1, maybe 2 will be backpacks),

1 stroller and 1 booster seat in a large bag

Who we have to carry all of this: DH & me. DD is 4 and won't be able to carry any of it. IF (and a big IF IF IF here) there's room we could probably cram 1 or 2 carry-ons into one of the large bags and whatever backpacks there are could be worn which leaves the 3 LARGE bags plus the the large bag with the stroller/booster seat. I will only be able to handle carrying one bag, DH could carry 2 but for how far? Even if DD hopped in the stroller that doesn't help because I know I wouldn't be able to push that and carry the heavy bag at the same time. So anyone have any thoughts on this???? Am I wrong? Is this in fact really DOABLE? Will it still seem like a short easy walk from the bus stop carrying this? Have others done it?

 

[toandjo]

It really is not a far walk but I understand carring all your bags will be hard. What if you put the bags in the stroller or one of you could walk to the hotel and get a trolly and bring it back for the luggage. The Camelot staff is great, I bet if you asked they would even help with the luggage! Just some info for thought.We only have one suitcase and a backpack to carry, our kids are older and carry their own backpacks. Hope this helps!

 

[daffidyll]

It really is not a far walk but I understand carring all your bags will be hard. What if you put the bags in the stroller or one of you could walk to the hotel and get a trolly and bring it back for the luggage. The Camelot staff is great, I bet if you asked they would even help with the luggage! Just some info for thought.We only have one suitcase and a backpack to carry, our kids are older and carry their own backpacks. Hope this helps!

Wow, do you think the Camelot would let us get a trolly? That would definitely help! The bags wouldn't fit in the stroller so that's out. I would really love to do the DL Express...I think DD would really love it....might have to check with Camelot to see if we could get a trolly....unless...anyone else ever done it????? Thanks again!