Wheelchair transporation from the Airport?

[chris1gill]

Does anyone know of any companies that offer roundtrip transportation from the airport with wheelchair accessible vans?

We've decided to take a Labor Day weekend trip to Disney & I'm bringing the chair... We're flying Southwest & we'll see how they do with it... American failed the test, but maybe Southwest will do better... If they don't they'll pay to fix it... GRRR... why can't they just transport them safely??

[Nanajo1]

Mears has a w/c accessible van. I'm not sure if you have to reserve it or not. Andrew B has commented on it I think. PD to you and your chair. I hope the chair is treated with more respect this time. Please let us know how it goes.

[SueM in MN]

We didn't use Mears wheelchair accessible van, but did email them to inquire about it since we were thinking of taking DD's power chair when we went in March.
The information I got was that it would be better to reserve it because you would not have a long wait, but it could be arranged at the airport. There is also a cab compnay with wheelchair vans that Andrew used. I don't have the info here at work, but if it deosn't get posted by the time I get hoime, I do have the link on my home computer.

Good luck wiht the transportation (and more Pixie dust - super protective version that keeps a protective cloud over your chair for the entire trip).;)

[chris1gill]

Thanks about the Mears info, I called them first... it's 28.00 per adult & 20 per child... so it's 96.00 rt in a seven passenger van, it may or may not be direct, depend if there's three other people that sign up for our date & time... If we were going to stay longer than three days, I would have DH rent a car & I'd take the van myself, but for three days the four of us in the van is okay... Bugs me, because it is not a private van at this cost...

Sue, if you could get the other link, that would be great, otherwise I'll go with Mears...

Thanks!

[teri]

This company rents accessible vans... another option. http://www.rainbowwheels.com/

Yellow Cab has accessible vans - they are owned by Mears.

[pugdog]

we have used Mears 6 times now and have loved them. You do not share the handicapped van with anyone else, so it is a direct trip to your hotel,unlike the buses everyone else uses. we havn't used the taxis yet since they are new since we last went 2 years ago. we have used them for airport transfer and also for going to IOA and SW. you should book ahead of time to make sure you don't wait to long since they only have 6 hc vans. you can book on line at mears transportation (www.mearstransportation.com) .any more questions let me know.:Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :bounce: :bounce:
we haqe also used rainbow wheels and loved them. they are spedy but they are the only place that has a full size hc van, they also have minivans for rental.

[chris1gill]

Pugdog, Thanks for that info. The person that took the reservation information didn't know if the van was direct or not, or whether we'd share with others. Do you know if they would make a 15 or 30 minute grocery stop like the other towncar services?

Teri, thanks for the van rental info, but they are awful pricey for us, UGH!!!

[SueM in MN]

Here's the cab info that I got from Andrew:
Yellow Cab: (407) 669-9999
Yellow Cab has several Voyager sized vans (actually, I think Andrew said they were Ford vehicles)with lowered floor at the rear and wheelchair tie downs. They will hold 4 passengers plus one regular size wheelchair or one passenger plus a wide sized chair. I don't have the prices, but Andrew has used them severl times and good experiences.

Another source if you want to rent a wheelchair van is www.wheelchairgetaways.com
I don't know if this link will work because the page title says "map Florida", but it should be the Orlando franchise of Wheelchair getaways (http://www.wheelchairgetaways.com/map/florida.html) .
We used the Minneapolis franchise recently after our van was in an accident. I don't know the rental cost since the other driver's insurance had to pay for our rental van, but I was impressed with the personal service from the company. The owner told me that the franchises are basically owned by people who are either disabled themselves or have a family member with a disability, so they have a lot of understanding of what it's like to travel with a wheelchair.

[pugdog]

I have never asked but I think if you asked the driver and then tip him nice that they might.

[Andrew Bichard]

Chris1Gill & Pugdog

I usually use Mears Wheelchair van booked in advance. You are almost certain to get the van to yourself, though it isn't guaranteed. It isn't exclusive transport like a town car or taxi, but it's unlikely that two wheelies will arrive at Orlando at the same time.

I have only once had to share a van, but that was OK. As you know, we wheelchair users share a common bond and it was fun to chat as we drove our to Disney.

I have never tried a Taxi Airport/Disney, though they were around. I have only used them for shopping trips off-site. They charge regular taxi rates, so will cost more than Mears.

Andrew

[chris1gill]

I just wanted to say thanks to all!! We did book the Mears wheelchair van for the four of us @ 28.00 each... I figure it'll be cheaper than renting a car at least!! For our November trip, I'll just ride in that van by myself & let DH rent a van to be used with my manual chair for off-site activities...

[Nanajo1]

Chris,
I usually get a Mears coupon for $3 off pp when I get my confirmation letter from WDW resort. Let me know if you want me to send it to you.

[chris1gill]

Hi Nanajo1,

Thanks for the reminder! I should get one also when we get our confirmation... we switched hotels over to WLV's (we were staying at OKW)... course when I got the OKW confirmation I through that paper away!!! So when the WLV confirmation comes in, I'll keep it!!

Now let's hope SWA is nice to my chair, got my fingers crossed!

[SueM in MN]

Sounds good. :)
Hope your trip[ goes well. I think I already sent you some protective pixie dust for your chair, but here's some more. You can never have too much.

[Jade90]

Hi,

Try this site

http://www.accessiblevans.com

They are based in Tampa area

Hope this helps

Jade90