Is this fee for real?

[sorcerormickey]

I just left FL Tours website, where I was going to book a reservation for a town car from MCO to the CR. (Your Ride can't be bothered having a website that works, so skip them:( ) Anyways, I almost choked when the price quote came up at more than $100!:eek: It says in the fine print that there is a $9 gate fee that Disney charges them to enter the MK resort properties. If this is true, then why don't the other car companies charge this? Why is FL Tours $20 more than everyone else? I don't know who to go with now.:confused:

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sorcerormickey
I just left FL Tours website, where I was going to book a reservation for a town car from MCO to the CR. (Your Ride can't be bothered having a website that works, so skip them:( ) Anyways, I almost choked when the price quote came up at more than $100!:eek: It says in the fine print that there is a $9 gate fee that Disney charges them to enter the MK resort properties. If this is true, then why don't the other car companies charge this? Why is FL Tours $20 more than everyone else? I don't know who to go with now.:confused:

I believe the others do, it is just not disclosed. Also, I am surprised that the townecar services do not know the "back way" into the CR, which completely avoids the gate. The FL tours website states that this fee is charged by Disney to all limo companies. Also, if you use the link here, you do get a discount.

I have had wonderful experiences with this company in the past.

http://www.**************.com/

Just a note - this link is NOT to FL Tours who is the official towncar company of the DIS! The correct link is http://www.fltours.com

[rjjr]

sorcerormickey,

For what its worth, I got a coupon from jwtours.com when I received my confirmation for my 1st night stay at the Royal Plaza. I don't know anything about them except their rates on their website are less expensive than the companies usually mentioned here.:rolleyes:

I have never used them, but I found it interesting that the coupon came directly from the hotel. That would seem to give them some credibility tho' I'm not sure how much... ;)

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

In regards to the gate fee, this is something that is charged to all Towncars, Limos, Taxi's, Shuttles, and Buses. (The exception is Mears) Some companies built it into thier price. Others charge separatly for it.

The charge is not for coming into Disney. At that time, you should have your Resort Confirmation slip with you, and that will get you in free. The charge is for the return trip, when the driver goes through the gate without the benefit of having you or your slip.

As for the back way, I remember Andy from FL Tours saying that Disney didn't want this, and that he would rather his drivers do it the Honest way. Although I personally do not always agree with this charge, I do have to agree with Andy that the honest way is the professional way.

[helenk]

Most of the town car companies do charge more for the MK resorts, Tiffany Town car does as well as Cartier Town Car. I believe that Cartier's price for the MK resorts is $90 and then a $5.00 discount when you book on line. Tiffany Town car is $90 also with a $5.00 coupon
I am using Cartier for my trip because they have gotten good reviews and the were cheaper then everyone else when I booked my trip.

[JennSaint]

I know Tiffany has received some bad reviews but I've used them on our last two trips and thought they were great! I would use them again.

[AndyN]

I know we beat this subject up to death in the past that I don’t see the need to respond to it. However, let me ask you Sorcerormickey; do you know the average taxi fare from MCO to any of the Magic Kingdom Resorts is $55 minimum with out the gate fee? Now, FL TOURS rate to the same destination is $90.00 after the $5.00 discount offered through our website. Of course not including the gate fee (Please check our website for verification) Yet, FL TOURS is willing to line up a luxury vehicles each of it’s value estimated at $50k to 60k, offer you with a personalized service such as meet and greet you at the baggage claim area upon arrival with your name on sign, not charge you a penny more if your flight is delayed over 8hrs, willing to give you a complimentary stop at the grocery so you can get essentials for your family and treat you with respect drive your family safely and ask you to pay $10.00 less than what you pay for a good old taxi. Was this rate really “choking” for the type of service we‘re ready to provide? I think not!
Andy

[sorcerormickey]

First of all, let me say THANK YOU to Chip 'n Dale Express for the explanation. It was appreciated! :)

Secondly, my question was why does FL Tours charge $20 more for the SAME service that I have received 3 times a year for many years from several different town car companies. Your response, Andy, has just added another reason not to use FL Tours.:rolleyes:

Sorry, I did not mean to bring up a 'beaten to death' subject with a simple question.

[the disney queen]

Gotta agree that Andy's response was not professional at all...wow.

[seashoreCM]

I probably should ask, is this fee the normal parking charge for going through the toll plaza without a proven hotel ressie, or is it a specific fee levied on livery services doing business at WDW?

If it is just the parking fee, the driver only has to pay it once per day, not once per trip. A service doing a reasonable amount of business at WDW can average these fees out and the cost per customer would probably be well under $9.00.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

[hucifer]

Originally posted by sorcerormickey
Sorry, I did not mean to bring up a 'beaten to death' subject with a simple question.
I've been frequenting this Transportation thread for about 2 months now, and I haven't seen any MK gate charge threads. So when your question came up, I was a bit curious about the answer too. I figured either the other town car companies did not post the "hidden" fee, or that FL Tours simply charged more. I have booked with Andy recently because I love what I'm reading about his service. I however, did not see your question as a problem, because like me, you probably haven't seen the overabundance of threads that covered this issue.

People on this board seem to also rave about Cartier Town Car, if you are considering them.

[jacksonsmom]

I will be using Cartier for our MCO to CR trip.
I was quoted $85 (that includes $5.00 off)

[Santa]

The ironic part is that Mears is exempt from this gate fee yet it still cost's the same for a family of four to wait for the bus to fill up, stop at several resorts, pass by several markets that you only wish you could stop at.

You pay for convenience & I will gladly pay that small amount.

[LvsTnk]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by AndyN
I know we beat this subject up to death in the past that I don’t see the need to respond to it. However, let me ask you Sorcerormickey; do you know the average taxi fare from MCO to any of the Magic Kingdom Resorts is $55 minimum with out the gate fee? Now, FL TOURS rate to the same destination is $90.00 after the $5.00 discount offered through our website. Of course not including the gate fee (Please check our website for verification) Yet, FL TOURS is willing to line up a luxury vehicles each of it’s value estimated at $50k to 60k, offer you with a personalized service such as meet and greet you at the baggage claim area upon arrival with your name on sign, not charge you a penny more if your flight is delayed over 8hrs, willing to give you a complimentary stop at the grocery so you can get essentials for your family and treat you with respect drive your family safely and ask you to pay $10.00 less than what you pay for a good old taxi. Was this rate really “choking” for the type of service we‘re ready to provide? I think not!
Andy [/QU


Geez :confused:

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Santa
The ironic part is that Mears is exempt from this gate fee yet it still cost's the same for a family of four to wait for the bus to fill up, stop at several resorts, pass by several markets that you only wish you could stop at.

You pay for convenience & I will gladly pay that small amount.

Are they exempt because they are the "official" transport co?

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Are they exempt because they are the "official" transport co?

This would be correct. They have a contract with Disney. (Mears would include thier shuttle buses, Disney Cruise Line, Checker Cab, Yellow Cab, Safety Cab, and City Cab)

[disneyluvers]

If the cab companies are listed under Mears then why are their rates so high?


Michele

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by disneyluvers
If the cab companies are listed under Mears then why are their rates so high?


Michele

Cause cabs are expensive and they charge both mileage and time and tolls.

[erikthewise]

Originally posted by disneyluvers
If the cab companies are listed under Mears then why are their rates so high?


Michele

Taxis also provide a service that Towncar services do not -- the ability to obtain personal transportation without an advance reservation. When you take a taxi you pay a premium for this. It's also a matter of what they can get away with charging. Apparently a lot of people are willing to pay $55 one way.

But if you KNOW you're going to need roundtrip transportation to WDW on certain dates (and who doesn't?), towncar services seem to be by far the best choice. I'd certainly use one if I ever didn't use a rental car.

[disneyluvers]

Thanks for the replies. I'm definitely sticking with FL. It seems ridiculous for Mears to charge the same if not more than FL for their trips and they don't include grocery stops. FL is also on OUR schedule, we're not on theirs. It also doesn't make sense that the cabs can charge so much when they aren't as nice as Towncars or Vans (esp. not limos - which is a whole different thread in itself). In comparing the individual prices of personal transport, I don't see the need to haggle over a few dollars... it all boils down to which company you prefer to use. In rereading the original thread I can completely understand the gist of Andy's reply.

Michele

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by disneyluvers
Thanks for the replies. I'm definitely sticking with FL. It seems ridiculous for Mears to charge the same if not more than FL for their trips and they don't include grocery stops. FL is also on OUR schedule, we're not on theirs. It also doesn't make sense that the cabs can charge so much when they aren't as nice as Towncars or Vans (esp. not limos - which is a whole different thread in itself). In comparing the individual prices of personal transport, I don't see the need to haggle over a few dollars... it all boils down to which company you prefer to use. In rereading the original thread I can completely understand the gist of Andy's reply.

Michele

Mears, the vans, does not stop because they are carrying more than just you. They can make up to 5 stops with one load. They charge more because they have the overhead of being onsite at MCO. While it may seem to be more expensive, you have to remember, these people are in business to make money, and costs have to be offset somehow.
It is best that do what you are comfortable with and what is priced best for you.
I completely understand Andy's post, his logic is perfect and his explaination, excellent.

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

I think I'll still stick with my Happy Limo reservation in Dec. It's $100 total round trip and that already includes the tip.(Plus I have a $10 off coupon to use so it'll actually cost me $90!)

[LvsTnk]

Originally posted by ~Sparkly~Zoe
I think I'll still stick with my Happy Limo reservation in Dec. It's $100 total round trip and that already includes the tip.(Plus I have a $10 off coupon to use so it'll actually cost me $90!)

I've had excellent service from them:D

[NotUrsula]

Any way you slice it, airport transfers that are arranged for the passenger's convenience are going to be rather expensive. Motor vehicles are not cheap, and the wear and tear on a hack for the airport run is tremendous.

BTW, regarding taxicab fares. In most cities, taxi rates out of the airport are standardized by the local hack commission; if you want the right to wait for passengers in the rank, you have to change the standard rate. Car services are usually exempt from this rule, but they don't get access to the rank. Check rates for your own city and you will find that the prices are probably not out of line with those at MCO.

Discussions like this one always remind me of the folks who, whether out of cheapness or on principle, want to avoid the toll roads in Orlando. If time is money, and we all know that it is, time waiting in traffic and going the long way just to avoid a $3 road toll is some of the most expensive time you will ever spend.

I recently saw a novel idea for free airport transfer. In Monday's Washington Post Travel Talk, there was a discussion on getting around Las Vegas without renting a car. Someone who posted recommended saving money by hiking in from the airport to the hotel, boots and all. Most of us are just not that hardy, or willing to carry luggage on our backs [or do without], so we have to pay for a ride. The liveries just charge what the market will bear.

[disneyluvers]

To NotUrsula:


My sentiments exactly. Hopefully you get what you pay for in transportation. I was just unhappy to read that someone was posting negatively apparently before trying to communicate with the company in question.

Michele