Are we going to miss the bus?

[DisneyJade]

Our flight lands at SNA at 3:10 p.m. on a weekday during a slow week. We booked Disneyland Express, because we opted to travel without car seats for our toddlers, so it's our only way to get to the hotel. The express bus leaves at 3:30 p.m. If we miss it, the next bus isn't until 4:45. Ugh. I do NOT want to get suck in an airport for an extra hour+ with two year olds and a pile of luggage!

So, my question is... assuming our flight is on time, how realistic is it that we can collect our checked bags and make it to the express bus?

 

[NannyBeBe]

I would think that the biggest issue is going to be how long it takes for your luggage to be unloaded from the plane.
I personally would plan to have a snack in the airport while I wait for the next bus.

 

[figment_jii]

I've always through arrival time meant the estimated time when the plane reaches the gate. Then you have to wait until they open the doors and the passengers ahead of you deplane. SNA isn't a really large airport, so it shouldn't be a long trip to baggage claim, but then you have to wait until they unload the baggage. All-in-all, I'm guessing 20 minutes is going to be cutting it really close!

(I looked at a few of my old trip records and it looks like it took about 10 minutes from when we landed to when I made it to the Uber pick-up location. I didn't have any baggage, but I know that the carousel was still empty when I walked by. So I think that any delay in your flight will be problematic for your schedule.)

 

[ashley0139]

I can't see how you could possibly make a 3:30 bus. It'll take you 20 minutes just to unload the plane, never mind wait for and collect luggage and walk to the bus.

 

[StarlitNight05]

I agree with others above. The time killer is waiting to leave the plane, and then if you have checked bags that adds another layer. Not to mention if someone needs a potty break! I think it'd be way less stressful for you to just take it slow getting off the plane, refresh in the bathroom, and maybe grab a bite to eat. They have Carls Jr and Subway for quicker food options.

 

[DLgal]

It's very possible you will make it. SNA is small and usually VERY fast with the luggage delivery.

What I might suggest is, if it looks like it will be close, send one parent with the kids to the bus while the other collects the bags. Then, that person can catch an Uber/Lyft to the resort and meet you there. It's pretty cheap to get a car share to Anaheim. Around $20-25.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I really don’t think you will make it. Maybe if you didn’t have checked luggage, but even then it would be really tight. Might you reconsider bringing car seats so you can Uber? They sell folding metal luggage carts that make it easy to roll the car seats through the airport. I attached my seat to the cart with a bungee cord.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Our kids do best on the flight in car seats so we bring them. Then uber or cAb is best at sna imo.

Your other option is Lansky car service. I’d rather do that than wait an hour with cranky kids.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

I think you will be cutting it REALLY close to the 3:30 shuttle. Everything has to go exactly as planned and on time for you to make it.

Have you considered a private transport? Are you staying at a hotel in the Anaheim area? They may have different options for you. For example, our hotel offers a private transportation service that will be happy to provide car seats free of charge. They will pick you up at the time of your choosing and take you directly to our hotel. With this option, they also allot time for delays and time to pick up luggage. From SNA to our hotel, the private transfer is about $50 for a pick up.

HTH,

Kriss

 

[Malcon10t]

It is going to be very tight, in my opinion. Assuming you arrive on time, it usually takes 20 mins to unload the aircraft, then they will start putting it on the carousel. If you are first class, the luggage is usually first off, but after that, it can be another 10-15 mins for the luggage.

 

[tink89]

I am going to say you will more than likely miss it. Flight landing at 3:10 means you get off at 3:20 the earliest if you are in the first couple rows. Add another 10 min for bags and you have already missed the bus. ot counting kids who need to use the restroom or taking longer to get off.

Have you looked in to Lansky. It is pricier but they provide car seats/booster and are there to pick you up at whatever time you get there.

 

[ParkHopper1]

From mid plane...I am usually 10 min to deplane, few min walk to baggage....usually wait another 10 min for bags at SNA...

Probably not gonna make a 3:30 bus unless your flight is running early.

 

[DLgal]

I just want to point out that I FREQUENTLY pick up my husband from SNA (he travels a lot) and he always checks bags. Usually, flights land early and he is always ready to go at the curb no more than 15 minutes after landing. These estimates of 20 minutes to unload the plane and then another 10-15 waiting on bags is simply not our (frequent) experience. The longest we have ever waited for a bag, it was lost, and wasn't even on that plane to begin with. Within 20 minutes of touching down, most people have their bags in hand and are ready to go. Plus, just FYI, these Disneyland Express buses do not run on such a tight schedule. More than likely, the bus will be late at that time of day, if it's a weekday. These aren't trains we are talking about.

 

[Becca1007]

I just want to point out that I FREQUENTLY pick up my husband from SNA (he travels a lot) and he always checks bags. Usually, flights land early and he is always ready to go at the curb no more than 15 minutes after landing. These estimates of 20 minutes to unload the plane and then another 10-15 waiting on bags is simply not our (frequent) experience. The longest we have ever waited for a bag, it was lost, and wasn't even on that plane to begin with. Within 20 minutes of touching down, most people have their bags in hand and are ready to go. Plus, just FYI, these Disneyland Express buses do not run on such a tight schedule. More than likely, the bus will be late at that time of day, if it's a weekday. These aren't trains we are talking about.

Husbands move WAY faster than toddlers!

 

[gottalovepluto]

You already booked so I assume you’re stuck. Since that’s the case do your best to make the bus. For instance get seats up front on the plane even if you have to pay for early boarding & make sure people go to the bathroom on the plane before landing approach starts. But definitely have a plan for missing the 3:30 bus- for instance I recall a Starbucks near one of the bag retrieval areas maybe you guys could grab drinks or munch for awhile in the AC while waiting for the next bus. It’s a small airport so walking from one terminal to another is nbd.

 

[Winnowill]

I wouldn't even consider the 3:30. Don't pay extra to get up front (you may very well waste your money). Just be leisurely getting off the plane. Take a few minutes to visit the bathroom, manage your slow way to the baggage carousel. If you take your time, you shouldn't have more than half an hour to wait. Considering that you'll be waiting that long for rides sometimes, it'll be a good learning experience.

 

[DisneyJade]

Thank you, everyone. The members of these forums always give me so much to think about! This trip is partly a test run for flying with small children, and the biggest learning curve has been in the planning.

We already purchased (and already returned) car seats, after realizing just how cumbersome they would be. These boards helped us make that call, actually!

Now I am wondering whether we should cancel the express and do a private transport, but we've read such mixed reviews about the car seats provided. (Although, I guess it can't be any scarier than getting on a shuttle with no car seat at all!)

After getting feedback here, my husband and my mom are voting for all-carry-on luggage so we can bypass baggage claim. I think they're overly optimistic, but it's worth a shot. Worst case scenario, we have to kill some time in the airport, and we chalk it up to a lesson learned.

 

[DLgal]

Thank you, everyone. The members of these forums always give me so much to think about! This trip is partly a test run for flying with small children, and the biggest learning curve has been in the planning.

We already purchased (and already returned) car seats, after realizing just how cumbersome they would be. These boards helped us make that call, actually!

Now I am wondering whether we should cancel the express and do a private transport, but we've read such mixed reviews about the car seats provided. (Although, I guess it can't be any scarier than getting on a shuttle with no car seat at all!)

After getting feedback here, my husband and my mom are voting for all-carry-on luggage so we can bypass baggage claim. I think they're overly optimistic, but it's worth a shot. Worst case scenario, we have to kill some time in the airport, and we chalk it up to a lesson learned.

All carry on luggage would be a good idea if you think you can pull that off. But, I think you are over thinking this. You will probably make the bus without a problem, even with checked bags. But if you are really worried about it, I'd book a private car service or just rent a car, to be honest. The DL express isn't cheap, and you can get a private transport for less, I bet. The car seats will be fine. It's a short trip.

I will say, there is really NOTHING to do in the SNA airport to kill time with little ones. It's so small, there is not much even in the way of shops and places to eat. If you miss that bus, it's going to be a LONG hour with little ones.

 

[DLgal]

OP, what airline are you on?

 

[smartlabelprint]

I wouldn't even consider the 3:30. Don't pay extra to get up front (you may very well waste your money). Just be leisurely getting off the plane. Take a few minutes to visit the bathroom, manage your slow way to the baggage carousel. If you take your time, you shouldn't have more than half an hour to wait. Considering that you'll be waiting that long for rides sometimes, it'll be a good learning experience.

Yeah, if you pay extra to sit up front might as well pay for Lansky!