Uber/Lyft or ART for the Parks

[StormyCA]

We'll be staying at the Motel 6 for a quick 'budget' trip the week after Xmas (I know, I know, but the dates aren't negotiable). Has anyone used Uber or Lyft to get to and/or fro from the parks, specifically in time for rope drop and at park closing? We're thinking it would be faster and easier than waiting for the ART shuttle. We're like antsy 2-year-olds waiting for Santa when it's time to head out in the morning and like crabby 2-year-olds when it's time to catch a ride home!

We priced it at around $4 - $6 per one way trip with an average 3 minute wait according to Uber/Lyft websites. Does anyone know if that's relatively accurate or if they use 'surge' pricing at park opening and closing? Are the wait times crazy then? Where is the 'drop off/pick up' location at the parks? We're assuming it's somewhere near that bus stop right before the shuttle entrance.

Thanks guys! We're trying to decide between ART, Uber/Lyft, or 'just forget it, we'll drive and park!".

 

[bumbershoot]

The nearby one? I'd walk.

 

[amyg1975]

What would you do with your 2-year old's car seat? That would be my concern.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

What would you do with your 2-year old's car seat? That would be my concern.

I don't think they have a two year old, I believe they said they act like 2 year olds

 

[disneychrista]

If you are able bodied, I would walk. It is about a 15 minute walk, which is less than you would likely wait for ART.

 

[Imdboss]

I'd just walk then possibly take uber or ART back at night if too exhausted to walk.

 

[StormyCA]

No two year old.

Slightly mobility challenged, I have to save my stamina for the parks. We usually stay onsite so the walk from the Grand to the Esplanade is what I'm used to.

So, any answers to my questions other than for us to walk? No one's used Uber/Lyft as the means to get to and from the parks?

 

[disneychrista]

I have slight mobility issues myself. It is for this reason that I will only book a hotel across the street or drive to the Toy Story Lot & take the resort transportation. I hate ART and have no experience with cabs or Uber/Lyft. For me if I can get a room that is less than $20/night more on Harbor that is where I stay.

Since mention that it is a budget trip, ART will likely be more economical for you.

 

[Nonsuch]

...No one's used Uber/Lyft as the means to get to and from the parks?

Last month we took Uber from GCH to the Hilton (convention center). Arrived in 3 minutes, $4 fare + $3 tip

 

[amyg1975]

I don't think they have a two year old, I believe they said they act like 2 year olds

Ha ha, totally misread that!

 

[bumbershoot]

If you are able bodied, I would walk. It is about a 15 minute walk, which is less than you would likely wait for ART.

And if they go to park they walk to the car, walk from the car to the tram, from the team to bag check. It doesn't seem that much longer than any other method.

I would find out where art picks you up. I would contact uber and find out where they drop you. And go from there.

 

[disneychrista]

And if they go to park they walk to the car, walk from the car to the tram, from the team to bag check. It doesn't seem that much longer than any other method.

I agree driving is not faster than walking. But in my experience ART takes longer than driving/parking/taking the bus to the park.

 

[STLstone]

No two year old.

Slightly mobility challenged, I have to save my stamina for the parks. We usually stay onsite so the walk from the Grand to the Esplanade is what I'm used to.

So, any answers to my questions other than for us to walk? No one's used Uber/Lyft as the means to get to and from the parks?

I can only tell you that I've used ART and I really don't like it. Next time I'm walking or using Uber.

Full disclosure: I hate waiting for buses, anyway. I don't mind riding them at all - even when they're packed. I just hate waiting for them. Buses run on their schedule, not mine. If you stay till the park closes, it's likely you'll have to wait for more than one bus and you'll be crammed into the one you do get on.

 

[tarheelalum]

The ART is awful. Uber and Lyft are great and affordable to use and will serve you well at the parks.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I would take ART easily over parking in a "Theme Park Parking" lot.

Most of the ART Shuttles are designed for about 3 stops and a 20 minute circle (of course, the farther away you are, the longer the route cycle takes)/ The pick-up/drop-off is very close to the entrance, and they drop you off very near the lobby of your Hotel/Motel (of course differences depending on the specific Hotel/Motel). Simple, just board and ride, no need for car seats or the hassles of parking the car (paying and waiting in line to ay, then actually parking the car and unloading, then walking to the shuttle, and it can be long depending on where they make you park).

And heck, if you are parking at the Toy Story Lot (or even Pumbaa or Anaheim GardenWalk if Disney is using them for Guest Parking), you are on ART Route 20.

An ART pass allows you to use either an ART Shuttle or the OCTA Public Buses in the area.

Uber/Lyft doesn't work for families with kids under 8, due to California's Car Seat laws, unless you bring your own. ART and OCTA does work.

My preference is walking if close enough, but then it would be ART for the pick up location and the price, plus other options.

Next choice would be the Taxi pick-up zones on Harbor or near the ESPN Zone depending on where I was at the end of the night.

As for Uber/Lyft, where will they pick you up, how long will it take after ordering the vehicle.

Uber/Lyft serve a purpose, but in this case, give me a decent walk or taking ART.

 

[tlovesdis]

When we stay at Motel 6 we use ART and have never had a problem! The pick up has always been on time and it's right outside across from the office. It's the first stop too so always an empty bus. It only makes two stops and maybe takes 10 minutes. Same coming back.

 

[StormyCA]

When we stay at Motel 6 we use ART and have never had a problem! The pick up has always been on time and it's right outside across from the office. It's the first stop too so always an empty bus. It only makes two stops and maybe takes 10 minutes. Same coming back.

Hmm, first stop and 10 mins is good. I noticed there are two routes (7 & 8) that stop at Motel6. Do you know which one you took?

We used ART last year when we stayed in our RV and it worked well, empty bus at pickup to the park in the morning with IIRC 2 more stops, second stop off the bus going home. If the Motel6 route is the same, that may be doable.

 

[row]

No two year old.

Slightly mobility challenged, I have to save my stamina for the parks. We usually stay onsite so the walk from the Grand to the Esplanade is what I'm used to.

So, any answers to my questions other than for us to walk? No one's used Uber/Lyft as the means to get to and from the parks?

I have used Lyft to get to and from the parks. I'd say the most we waited was about 5 minutes for a car. We got dropped off at the guest drop-off/pick-up area off the Harbor entrance. Some drivers did ask if we wanted to be dropped off elsewhere, but that is where we preferred. I can't remember if there was surge pricing because we had a couple of referral credits that we didn't really care how much the fare was. I'd suggest downloading the apps and entering your pick-up/drop-off areas to get a better estimate of the cost. You'll also see if there is surge pricing at that specific time. At $5/person for ART, I'd actually prefer Lyft/Uber for a direct route with no additional stops.

 

[Darkbeer1]

ART passes are for an all day (or you can get a small discount for multiple days), and since the OP talked about a mid day break, that is 4 trips, maybe more for the price, and the ART passes are also good on the OCTA local buses.

Pretty good deal IMHO.

 

[tlovesdis]

Hmm, first stop and 10 mins is good. I noticed there are two routes (7 & 8) that stop at Motel6. Do you know which one you took?

We used ART last year when we stayed in our RV and it worked well, empty bus at pickup to the park in the morning with IIRC 2 more stops, second stop off the bus going home. If the Motel6 route is the same, that may be doable.

I don't remember. it was the first bus that was there in the morning. I didn't even know there were two routes!