Transportation Questions

[ClaraOswald]

Every trip we've ever taken we've either had our own car or we've rented a car from the airport. I went searching to see what the prices were currently like. And YIKES...car rental prices are insane. Last year we paid under $300 for our entire trip for an SUV. This time it may cost close to $600!

So I am starting to explore other options to see if we could save money without adding too much hassle.

We will be traveling February 1st - 9th. Flying into and out of John Wayne airport. We likely won't need a car every single day of our trip. But the first day we do make a fairly large trip to Target for groceries and stuff. Then we have 2 non-park days (Saturday and Sunday) where we'd need a car.

I am trying to figure out if there's some sort of shuttle service for travel days that would be cheaper. And then maybe just rent a car for the weekend. I don't know. Maybe that would end up costing just as much? I know ZERO about shuttle services.

I saw the Disneyland Airport Shuttle for $35 a person, round trip. But I'm not sure if that would be a pain with a toddler/car seat. Or if it takes a ton of extra time. (Or if it even stops near our hotel.) But then that doesn't really help us in needing to get to Target. Is a taxi to and from Target a lot? I've literally used a taxi once and it was in the Bahamas...ha!

So yeah...I'm completely lost and clueless right now. Any help or knowledge would be appreciated.

ETA....

Okay...I want to modify my questions a bit....

We will likely have 3 suitcases, a stroller, and a couple carry-on items. If we were to get a taxi...would we have to request a van or something to fit all of our stuff? How much does it typically cost to and from SNA to the Disneyland resort area? What is an appropriate tip?

Right now I am thinking a taxi for the airport (each way) may be a decent option. And then instead of going to Target, we'd order grocery delivery from Von's. Then rent a car for the weekend from Alamo at DTD (it would be about $60 or so.) Thoughts on this?

 

[mad hatter fan]

Can't really help with the Shuttle from the airport as we always rent a car, but I would use uber to go get your groceries. Much cheaper. Uber is an option from the airport as well. I have recently read a thread about that.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I don't know if this tells you much but a taxi from John Wayne to hotels on Harbor have cost us between $40 and $44 over the years and taxi's going from Harbor to the entrance of the Disneyland hotel were $10. Oh and taxi's don't charge extra for more people in the car.
Maybe that will give you some idea of what those trips will cost you. Also, you can call the cab co. or (sometimes) just go on-line and use their trip calculator to figure out what your fair would be.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I am wondering if it would be hard to get a taxi or use uber and still have plenty of room for all of our luggage. We are NOT light packers. We would likely have 3 suitcases and some carryons as well as a stroller. (And the car seat where our son would be sitting.)

I think I'd rather have Von's deliver than use uber or anything for that.

 

[AZMermaid]

Can you rent a car at the airport and then return it a few days later at DTD?

 

[tammytam]

We just got back from our trip, and I used Uber for the first time (twice.. once to the LA Angels game and again to Target for some shopping/groceries). The Target trip from our hotel (Tropicana) was $5 and some change. I was hesitant at first, using Uber as a total newbie (and it just being me and my daughter), but it was SO easy. Loved it!

 

[ClaraOswald]

Can you rent a car at the airport and then return it a few days later at DTD?

Well, we could. But we arrive on a Wednesday. We need a car Saturday and Sunday. So we'd have to pay Wed-Sunday which is probably more expensive than car rental Sat/Sun and Uber or taxi to and from airport. I'll have to price it out though. I still can't get over the cost of the car rental compared to our last trip. Maybe it will go down when the trip gets closer but from what I've been reading...it's always high now.

We just got back from our trip, and I used Uber for the first time (twice.. once to the LA Angels game and again to Target for some shopping/groceries). The Target trip from our hotel (Tropicana) was $5 and some change. I was hesitant at first, using Uber as a total newbie (and it just being me and my daughter), but it was SO easy. Loved it!

I've heard great things. My main concern would be space for luggage. And if it's a problem to have to take the time to install a car seat.

 

[carnival kid]

Hi

We use Lansky Transport (www.golansky.com). He includes free carseats (then you could hire from car rental for extra days) and also includes a free stop at a supermarket on the way to your hotel. We usually have 3 large cases and carry-on bags and they all fit.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Hi

We use Lansky Transport (www.golansky.com). He includes free carseats (then you could hire from car rental for extra days) and also includes a free stop at a supermarket on the way to your hotel. We usually have 3 large cases and carry-on bags and they all fit.

I looked them up but they seemed fairly expensive compared to Uber or a taxi.

We use our car seat on the airplane so we'll already have it with us no matter what.

 

[AZMermaid]

I believe Uber has an XL option for slightly more where you get a van or SUV.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Yeah, that's what someone on the Uber thread said so it sounds like we should be good. I'm excited to save a few hundred dollars!