OK, what are the options?
1. Drive yourself
2. Have someone else drive you.
A. Uber/Lyft
B. Tour Bus
C. Public Transit
In choice C, you have multiple options, and in reality, all take about the same time when you factor in wait times.
Two legs are the same the LA Metro Red Line Subway and then walking over a set of pedestrian bridges to the Universal Shuttle.
So options from Disneyland to the Red Line.
- Metro 460 Bus
- OCTA Route 543/43 to the Fullerton Station.
- ART Shuttle to ARTIC (Anaheim Train Station)
So let us explore them.
While driving allows you to set your own schedule, it is the most expensive (Rental Car Costs, Gasoline, the possible need for Child/Booster Seats, insurance and Parking, both at USH and your Hotel/Inn). It is also the most stressful to the driver.
Next is Uber/Lyft, possibly less expensive, but with Surge Pricing and tips, maybe the same. But no parking fees and someone else does the driving. If you need Child/Booster Seats, you still need to provide them. Some Van services will provide Child Seats with a reserved reservation, though you would have to have set pick up times in both directions.
With the Starline Tour Bus, you don't need to use Child/Booster seats, and the price would be a bit less. But here is how it works.
A Van Bus will pick you up at your Hotel and take you to a central Anaheim location (M3 Event Center).
A larger bus takes you to Starline's Main Depot at the Hollywood and Highland Center.
You catch another bus to USH, for a total of 3 legs.
Now to Public Transit.
The Metro 460 Bus is an Express bus with limited stops and part of the trip on freeways. But still a bus. But direct to the Red Line (one less transfer).
The options of bus then train....
Forget ARTIC, it is a longer and costlier trip (A good choice for going South to San Diego)
Plus the OCTA Route 543/43 runs more often, and your ART pass is accepted on the OCTA route.
Now, if you want to stay late at USH, you can't take the Metrolink back, since it is a Commuter system. You will need to take AMTRAK back, since they offer late trains. (Trains are around $30 round trip and run about once an hour)
Google Maps or Moovit are good apps that work with Public Transit options. I prefer Google Maps.
I don't have an issue with the bus stops at the 7th St/Metro Center. Plenty of security around and well lit. It is a designed transfer location.
So there are your choices.
For $7 round trip per person with no parking or tipping needed, as stated the 2 hour trip via the 460 Bus is the cheapest, and times wise is not that much longer than driving, with 30 minute or less waits between buses (The Red Line runs every 15 minutes or faster)
