Trying to figure out the best way to get from LAX to VGC

[MrJT]

When we first started planning out trip, the idea was to drive from San Antonio. But after really looking at the budget and our plans, we are really thinking about flying. It appears that going into LAX beats just about everybody else by close to $200.
So we need transportation. I've looked at a few different shuttle services. Some that I have seen mentioned here. Then I looked at Yelp, and so many have such negative things said about them. Then other times you see some decent reviews, and some times the reviews are beyond belief good.
I don't know whom to trust.
I have looked at Prime Time, Super Shuttle, Disneyland Resort Express (Greyline).
Any advice? I appreciate any and all opinions.

 

[ktlm]

We have not used the Shuttle services, but one thing we just found out about the Disneyland Resort Express that you might want to be aware of if you are looking at evening arrivals, is that apparently the last bus is at 8:00 p.m. We usually fly in and out of SNA (closer and easier), but we were just looking at a flight to LAX, but it did not arrive until 7:40 p.m. I was not planning on renting a car, but then I discovered that the last shuttle is at 8, and that is cutting it too close.

 

[MrJT]

We have not used the Shuttle services, but one thing we just found out about the Disneyland Resort Express that you might want to be aware of if you are looking at evening arrivals, is that apparently the last bus is at 8:00 p.m. We usually fly in and out of SNA (closer and easier), but we were just looking at a flight to LAX, but it did not arrive until 7:40 p.m. I was not planning on renting a car, but then I discovered that the last shuttle is at 8, and that is cutting it too close.

The flight that we're looking at arrives about 1 PM, so that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Nonsuch]

Uber or Lyft are available at LAX

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

I personally would only consider something like Super Shuttle if you are travelling solo. For larger groups, it really doesn't save you much over a taxi or Uber, and it's much less convenient.

That being said, we have in the past used private car services for my in-laws. They don't travel much and are not comfortable getting around on their own, so we book these for them. Last year we used Super Shuttle's Execucar service to LAX from their home in near Pasadena, which was fine. The year prior we used a limo service, I don't recall the name right now unfortunately.

But if you are comfortable using a taxi or uber, I would probably just do that.

Edit: Uber from Disneyland to LAX is supposedly about $35-45 according to this site, not sure how accurate it is.

http://uberestimate.com/cost/LAX/Disneyland/

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I've used SuperShuttle a few times, and it's worked for me. I haven't used Uber or Lyft yet.

 

[MrJT]

Uber or Lyft are available at LAX

I've never used either service? Is Lyft just like Uber? Something about Uber feels uncomfortable. I guess it's no worse than driving with any stranger.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Lansky's car service is good and they include a grocery stop which works nicely with staying in a villa.

 

[MrJT]

Not

Lansky's car service is good and they include a grocery stop which works nicely with staying in a villa.

Not sure if we'll need the grocery stop. We'll be meeting family who will be driving down from Redding. But I will still check them out.

 

[pamcakes82]

We had the same dilemma and LAX was a lot cheaper to fly in to! We ended up renting a car for convenience because the shuttle only goes every so often. Our hotel has free parking so that was helpful as well. We only drove to/from the airport. I've heard some people say Uber works well.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

I've never used either service? Is Lyft just like Uber? Something about Uber feels uncomfortable. I guess it's no worse than driving with any stranger.

Yes, Lyft and Uber are essentially the same thing.

 

[LeahMLee]

We have used the grayline Disneyland Express for the past three years from LAX to the Disneyland hotel and back and have never had an issue. We have kids so it is very convenient for us as you don't need car seats.

 

[MrJT]

We have used the grayline Disneyland Express for the past three years from LAX to the Disneyland hotel and back and have never had an issue. We have kids so it is very convenient for us as you don't need car seats.

I do think that I am leaning that way. It seems right to come in on a bus with Disney pictures on the side, and Disney movies playing on the road. It would be kind of like DME at WDW.
And we are no longer "thinking" about flying into LAX, we bought our tickets yesterday!

 

[Vala]

We used the Disneyland Express for a while. Then one year the driver managed to drive past me - bright Disney shirt, Disney baseball cap, jumping with excitement. I've always been told I am hard to miss, but that driver did.

Ever since then it's been Lansky or Super Shuttle.

 

[MrJT]

We used the Disneyland Express for a while. Then one year the driver managed to drive past me - bright Disney shirt, Disney baseball cap, jumping with excitement. I've always been told I am hard to miss, but that driver did.

Ever since then it's been Lansky or Super Shuttle.

I just got a quote from Lansky, and they are almost twice the cost of the Disneyland Resort Express

 

[realrellim]

We've used the Disneyland Express and generally liked it. I used it because I didn't have to deal with car seats when I brought my girls three years ago (traveling solo; DH was already there). This year we planned to take the Disneyland Express but the plane got stuck waiting for a gate at LAX just long enough to ensure we missed the bus (we were supposed to have a 30-minute cushion, but then they delayed our landing and then they made us sit on the tarmac forever, so...). Traffic was also insane so we eventually ended up taking the "Disneyland Express" that's a van rather than a bus to DLH. (I wouldn't recommend the van unless you have a time constraint. In our case, DH was presenting a paper at a conference and his session started at 5. We got to DLH about 45 minutes before his paper started. If we'd waited for the next Disneyland Express bus I'm pretty sure he would have been late just because traffic was so bad that it took 90 minutes to get from LAX to DLH).

We were able to catch the real Disneyland Express on the way back to LAX and it was lovely, just like three years ago.

 

[goofy4tink]

I just got a quote from Lansky, and they are almost twice the cost of the Disneyland Resort Express

I think it depends on how many are in your group. We have four adults traveling in a few weeks. It would have been about $130 with Supershuttle, and no grocery stop, not to mention it would have taken quite a bit longer to get to our hotel. For the $200 cost with Lansky, we get to make a quick grocery stop, vs doing a grocery order, and get to the hotel sooner. My dh felt the addtl $70 was more than worth it!!!

 

[MrJT]

We've used the Disneyland Express and generally liked it. I used it because I didn't have to deal with car seats when I brought my girls three years ago (traveling solo; DH was already there). This year we planned to take the Disneyland Express but the plane got stuck waiting for a gate at LAX just long enough to ensure we missed the bus (we were supposed to have a 30-minute cushion, but then they delayed our landing and then they made us sit on the tarmac forever, so...). Traffic was also insane so we eventually ended up taking the "Disneyland Express" that's a van rather than a bus to DLH. (I wouldn't recommend the van unless you have a time constraint. In our case, DH was presenting a paper at a conference and his session started at 5. We got to DLH about 45 minutes before his paper started. If we'd waited for the next Disneyland Express bus I'm pretty sure he would have been late just because traffic was so bad that it took 90 minutes to get from LAX to DLH).

We were able to catch the real Disneyland Express on the way back to LAX and it was lovely, just like three years ago.

Right now, we are leaning towards this. It will be $30/adult, and our DS is free. So that brings us to $60. Do you tip a bus driver?

I think it depends on how many are in your group. We have four adults traveling in a few weeks. It would have been about $130 with Supershuttle, and no grocery stop, not to mention it would have taken quite a bit longer to get to our hotel. For the $200 cost with Lansky, we get to make a quick grocery stop, vs doing a grocery order, and get to the hotel sooner. My dh felt the addtl $70 was more than worth it!!!

But, this still looks like an appealing option. The quote is for $105. Then we won't need to ride with my mom or sister to get groceries. We can already have them when we get there. There is also the appeal of the private ride. And the idea of a town car with driver sounds kind of nice. So we shall see...

 

[goofyfan13]

FWIW - We used Limos.com and will do it again in October. $110 from LAX to DH with Tip and they met us at baggage claim. For us with 5, the pricing became close and the ability to go door to door without having to deal with a shuttle, our bags, etc was well with the price. Also, we did have vouchers for the shuttle and were able to trade them for food vouchers for use in the park.

 

[realrellim]

I can't remember if we tipped the driver or not. Maybe, but just a dollar or two because we only one carry-on each and kept our smaller bag with us. If we had a lot of luggage or if the driver had to move carry it more than a foot, then we'd probably tip more. (The van that we took from LAX to DLH had a sign about a mandatory 20% tip. We thought that was pretty amusing considering that we brought the bags to the back of the van and all he had to do was lift them into the van. They weren't heavy at all, and there was no way we were going to fork over a $10 or $20 tip for that.)