Super Shuttle vs DL Express

[TexasDuchess]

We're going to DLR Nov 30 - Dec 3. We'll be meeting my parents there, and we are trying to split expenses. I had my mom book our transportation from the airport (John Wayne) to the hotel. I asked her to get the DL Express since we'll be going with my 6 year old twins, and I don't want to take car seats. I thought it would be safer/easier for them to ride on the Greyhound than in the Super Shuttle. However, my mom booked us tickets on the Super Shuttle.

So, my questions are:

Can my kids ride in the Super Shuttle w/out car seats?

and, if not...

Can I return the tickets on Super Shuttle and just pay the difference to get on the DL Express?

Also, we're staying at the Grand Californian. Does anyone know about how long of a ride it is on either the Super Shuttle or the DL Express?

Thanks!

 

[northshoremama]

the super shuttle drive MAY or MAY NOT allow you to ride the van without car seats. i called about this a couple months ago, and the super shuttle person who helped me over the phone said it's the driver's discretion. but since your twins are 6 years old, the driver may be okay without car seats, but you never know.

we rode the DL express bus from SNA to the tropicana on harbor because we didn't want to bring carseats...we have a 2 year old and an 8 month old.

the ride from SNA to GCH is probably about 20 minutes?! the bus stops at DL hotels first, so that's a plus! on super shuttle, you may not be the 1st stop, so the ride may be a bit longer depending upon how many stops the driver has to make...

not sure about returning super shuttle tickets?! maybe you can give them a call...

 

[Grumpy42]

According to this:

http://www.carseat.org/Legal/636_CAlaw_guide.pdf

kids age 6 or over or at least 60 lbs. do not need car seats. Shouldn't be an issue with the driver as it is legal.

 

[bumbershoot]

Sounds like you'll be fine. Strange that CA law is so different from WA, and I assume from TX if that's where you're from (since you're still using car seats)!

With your family and your parents, you'll be at or close to the limit of the Super Shuttle van, so you'll likely just be whisked off to your hotel first.

SNA is so close to DLR, it will be hardly any time at all. The only thing that might take longer than if you were staying elsewhere is the manned gate at the front of GCH's drive where cars have to wait to be admitted.

 

[Mom of three]

We originally wanted to do DL Express, but changed it to Super Shuttle. Im glad we did. We had a 22 month old and nothing was said about a car seat. We went from John Wayne airport to DLH, can't recall the exact time it took, but I know it was under a half hour, 20 minutes maybe?

On the way from the hotel to the airport, there was already a booster seat in the shuttle (which ds is technically too small for) and the driver said it was available if I wanted to put him in it, which I did.

I was VERY impressed with their service. Very courteous and helpful. Easy to spot too with the big blue and yellow vans!

My only complaint? When we originally got in the van at the airport we were waiting on another party.....inside the van....with no ventilation....in super hot weather.

And at one point dh took it upon himself to check the spedometer....since when was the speed limit in CA 84?

Maybe thats why we got there so quickly.

 

[TexasDuchess]

Thanks so much, everyone! It sounds like it will be fine. My twins are no where near 60 lbs, but they are over 6 so we won't be breaking the law. I didn't know car seat laws were so different in different states. Glad to hear the ride will be so short as well!

 

[bumbershoot]

And at one point dh took it upon himself to check the spedometer....since when was the speed limit in CA 84?

Maybe thats why we got there so quickly.

Yes they are terrifying. They speed, and during my trips with them in December '07 and January '08 they were taking calls from their dispatcher, taking personal calls on another phone, and texting information, I assume to dispatch. It was, um, interesting.