LAX to Anaheim Transfers

[soak01]

We will be flying to LAX in November from Adelaide on Cathay Pacific and are due to arrive at 8.15pm. I need to arrange transfers from LAX to Anaheim but am unsure how long to allow to clear US Customs & Immigration and whether we would be better to use a Shuttle / Limo transfer rather than the Disney Express.

Any suggestion appreciated.

 

[Travel Guru]

Rather than prebooking, I always just head straight outside after clearing immigration/customs and book a transfer with the Supershuttle rep on the spot. I've always found Supershuttle excellent for LA/Anaheim transfers.

Can't comment on the Disney express, i've never used it.

TG

 

[Maca44]

Rather than prebooking, I always just head straight outside after clearing immigration/customs and book a transfer with the Supershuttle rep on the spot. I've always found Supershuttle excellent for LA/Anaheim transfers.

Can't comment on the Disney express, i've never used it.

TG

I have used both Disney Express and the Supershuttle. The Disney Express uses the large coach type vehicles so with a full compliment of pax there are a lot of drop offs at various hotels, and as Supershuttle uses smaller vehicles; less drop offs so get to hotel quicker (normally) and at that time of night should be relatively quick anyway. As TG says, use the rep outside the terminal as they have vehicles leaving at more regular times than the Disney Express, which I think is hourly.

 

[Blackadder]

Would be more inclined to go with SuperShuttle, the vans take up to 7 people with more options if you want less people travelling with you

 

[chrisb]

Supershuttle has served me well at LAX and even if you prebook, they're well aware of the variable times it takes to exit customs and it's just a matter of showing up and letting the SuperShuttle rep know you're there.

 

[coollady777]

LAX is such a busy airport! Ia there a better place to fly into in the LA area?
anaheim.nyctourist.com was a helpful place to find out but I would like to hear any other suggestions.:mrgreen:

 

[Warks]

LAX is such a busy airport! Ia there a better place to fly into in the LA area?
anaheim.nyctourist.com was a helpful place to find out but I would like to hear any other suggestions.:mrgreen:

There's any number of domestic airports (Orange County is one I think) in the area but internationally you're stuck with LAX! Wouldn't be worth transferring to another to get a bit closer.

 

[Warks]

Just looked at the prices for the Super Shuttle to Disney area and I get $38 for the first pax and then $9 each after that. Not too bad considering it's a fair way from LAX to Anaheim. $65 for a family of four.

 

[Warks]

I've just been back into the Super Shuttle site and now I'm getting quoted $16 per pax which is $64 for four. Before it was (see post above).

I'm wondering whether it's better to pre-pay online or just pay on the day. In my experience it's usually better to have tickets with this sort of thing as you can just get straight on without negotiating. Can book a round trip as well so no worries at the other end.

Website seems to go down every time I try for a final price though!

 

[serfty]

Be aware that if you pay the SuperShuttle driver, they will tack on a 15% 'tip' whether you wish it or not.

 

[Warks]

Be aware that if you pay the SuperShuttle driver, they will tack on a 15% 'tip' whether you wish it or not.

Yes that makes it more sensible to buy tickets online and then tip the driver when he gives you your bags. That way you determine the tip.

 

[Warks]

Another question - rather than start a new thread. We have the late late flight out of LAX-SYD and will check out of our Anaheim hotel early and dump our bags at the airport - provided we can check in early (please don't tell me can't!)
Then we want to head to Universal Studios for the day. I can't find anything sensible about transport there. One shuttle company is very coy about giving a price, Univeral Studios says nothing and a taxi is $US96 which I found on another search result.

Any idea of bus service and price? We'll certainly need the use of the Club in the airport when we get back!

 

[file51]

Another question - rather than start a new thread. We have the late late flight out of LAX-SYD and will check out of our Anaheim hotel early and dump our bags at the airport - provided we can check in early (please don't tell me can't!)
Then we want to head to Universal Studios for the day. I can't find anything sensible about transport there. One shuttle company is very coy about giving a price, Univeral Studios says nothing and a taxi is $US96 which I found on another search result.

Any idea of bus service and price? We'll certainly need the use of the Club in the airport when we get back!

Assuming you are flying with QF I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, check-in commences 3 hours before flight departure, although with varied flight times (QF12, QF108, QF94 etc) you may be lucky and be able to check in a few hours earlier.

For Universal, it is cheaper to rent a car and leave your bags in the trunk (can be risky, but USH do have very regular security patrols in there car lots)

 

[Maca44]

For Universal, it is cheaper to rent a car and leave your bags in the trunk (can be risky, but USH do have very regular security patrols in there car lots)

I agree. Take an early shuttle to LAX, rent a car with GPS is not familiar with CA roads and drive to Universal Studios. From memory, Universal opens at 10am so to avoid the carpark on Interstate 10 (Santa Monica Fwy) try and leave LAX just after 9am and you should be there in plenty of time.

 

[Warks]

Good suggestion. There'd be no problem just renting from Anaheim and dropping off at LAX would there? That'd save on the shuttle as well.

The burning issue is the bags being left in the boot (or trunk as we're in the US). Mrs Warks doesn't fancy the idea and thinks we should get a hotel room near LAX for the day. I reckon that's going to be $200 up in smoke, she says get a cheapo place. I say "you'd prefer to leave the bags THERE?"

 

[file51]

I have not had an issue with bags in the car in the past, so long as they are in the trunk (i.e. out of sight).

In over 50 U.S. trips in the past 15 years I am comfortable with this, yes, there is a risk, but it is the same as going to a local beach or similar where you probably wouldnt think twice about safety.

Whilst getting a hotel room is an option, it may be better to look around El-Segundo where rates will be more attractive, close to LAX and a good option to freshen up before hitting the airport.

 

[serfty]

Actually, check in a LAX opens at 2pm for ALL evening Qantas flights.

The information is readily available on Qantas.com.

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/airport-guide-los-angeles/global/en

 

[file51]

Actually, check in a LAX opens at 2pm for ALL evening Qantas flights.

The information is readily available on Qantas.com.

Fly - At the Airport - Airport Guide - Los Angeles International Airport

It would be nice if they followed there own policies as this seems not to be true. 3 times in the past 6 months I have been unable to check in prior to approx 5pm.

As it clearly says in the same link, ticketing opens at 5pm, and I would suspect after all the changes to departures from T4 to TBIT this is really the time that check-in opens.

HOWEVER, if you are departing from T4 then there should be no issues.

Also interesting to note they say QF15 arrivals are at TBIT, of the 3 QF15 flights I have been on, one as recently as last weekend they arrive at T4 (making the run through immigration and customs a dream).

 

[Warks]

Well we can get a room near LAX for around $A80 per night (or day in this case) but it will need to have a free shuttle otherwise that's another $20.

So this way we can take the Anaheim shuttle to LAX, jump the hotel shuttle, leave the bags there (but we may not be able to check in until 3pm! Leave at reception?) grab a shuttle to Universal for the day (or should I hire a car?), come back to LAX, shuttle to hotel, use the facilities, grab bags, shuttle to LAX, off to QP then board at 1120pm....

Whew! I'm exhausted, should sleep all night!:mrgreen:

 

[serfty]

It would be nice if they followed there own policies as this seems not to be true. 3 times in the past 6 months I have been unable to check in prior to approx 5pm.

As it clearly says in the same link, ticketing opens at 5pm, and I would suspect after all the changes to departures from T4 to TBIT this is really the time that check-in opens. ...

Ticketing is not check-in.

I was able to check-in at TBIT ~4pm for my QF94 flight back in March. Last November I was able to check at the T4 A/C QF service desk at ~3pm.

Also with OLCI for international flights now available, it may be worthwhile pursuing this avenue.