Uber vs. Taxi

[disnut1149]

I want to surprise my DD and DGD with an airboat ride. We don't have a car and the airboat tour is
about a half hour away. Does anyone ever use Uber? I thought it might be cheaper than a taxi. If it's too expensive, I might have to forget about it till next time. Thanks!

 

[ecclescake]

I'm thinking of trying Uber for the first time on our next trip too. If you look on their site, you can put in the start/finish locations and it estimates a cost for you. There's money off vouchers online too if you have a google

 

[DaisyLou2]

We used Uber three times on our trip in February. It was super easy and affordable plus the drivers were all very nice.

 

[jhaig]

Does Uber cost anything to get started or registered on line? Or do you just download the app?

 

[nkereina]

You just download the app and set up a profile. Doesn't cost anything until you take a ride. You do have to link your credit/debit card to your profile, but again, no charges until you ride.

UberX is always cheaper than a taxi. Uber Black is akin to a sedan or towncar and will be more expensive than a typical metered taxi, so call an UberX if you can. Keep in mind that most UberX are regular cars (think Camry or Prius) so I would say 3 passengers max, 4 if one is a small kid.

Only way it might end up more expensive is if you request the car during surge pricing. You'll be able to see surge pricing is in effect and can view the estimated fare to determine if you want to request it or not. Not sure how often that happens in Orlando, but where I use it, it's typically when it's raining hard and/or during rush hours.

For comparison sake, I used a regular taxi to go about 40 miles from the airport to suburban Detroit and it was $95. On the way back, I called UberX during rush hour (but no surge was in effect) and it took us twice as long due to the traffic, but the fare was only $43. I think Uber is based on distance and doesn't impose fees for waiting like a metered taxi would. Uber also calculates the distance through the app, so they can't take you the long way like some taxi drivers might.

 

[jhaig]

So in theory what would Uber cost on average going from the Poly to, say Beach Club or DTD?

 

[kristenrice]

So in theory what would Uber cost on average going from the Poly to, say Beach Club or DTD?

I just did a fare estimate for Poly to Beach Club and it is $7-9.

 

[jhaig]

I just did a fare estimate for Poly to Beach Club and it is $7-9.

Wow that's crazy cheap! Better than 20-25 for a regular cab.

Stupid question - is the cost per person or per party?

 

[kristenrice]

Wow that's crazy cheap! Better than 20-25 for a regular cab.

Stupid question - is the cost per person or per party?

Per party.

I have never used Uber (yet) but I plan to use it in October. My mother and I are staying at Pop Century and we have some dining plans at other resorts. Trying to use Disney transportation to go from resort to resort is a total PITA and well-worth the $10-$15 for an Uber ride.

 

[jhaig]

Per party.

I have never used Uber (yet) but I plan to use it in October. My mother and I are staying at Pop Century and we have some dining plans at other resorts. Trying to use Disney transportation to go from resort to resort is a total PITA and well-worth the $10-$15 for an Uber ride.

Agreed. We plan on going from the Poly to Cape May Cafe one morning and then going to the Boardwalk for another evening. For that price it would be worth it rather than transferring from buses to monorails, monorails to buses, etc

 

[jimandami]

Another great thing with Uber is that if you google Uber promo code, you can usually get a link for your first ride free. Then, once you take a ride, you get a code to hand out to family and friends for a free ride. If you have another adult in your party, you can have them sign up for an account with that code. This then gives the original user a free ride. DH and I went back and forth on our last trip using promo codes and went from AKV to Uni and back for free, then from Cali Grill to AKV for free. All our drivers were very professional and the cars cleaner than any taxi I have seen.

 

[SingingMom]

Silly question, but do you feel safe using Uber? DD has used it with a few friends if they are planning to have a drink, but I worry about it.

 

[nkereina]

Silly question, but do you feel safe using Uber? DD has used it with a few friends if they are planning to have a drink, but I worry about it.

Absolutely. I'm in my late 20s and travel frequently for work and I use Uber every time. I've probably used them well over 100 times now. Drivers go through full background checks, and are required to have a higher threshold of insurance, which Uber verifies. In addition, you're in the owners' actual car that they pay for and pay the insurance on so you could say they take more care when driving. Uber drivers take 80% of the fare, so they want to get you to where you are going as quick as possible so they can pick up another.

 

[SingingMom]

Absolutely. I'm in my late 20s and travel frequently for work and I use Uber every time. I've probably used them well over 100 times now. Drivers go through full background checks, and are required to have a higher threshold of insurance, which Uber verifies. In addition, you're in the owners' actual car that they pay for and pay the insurance on so you could say they take more care when driving. Uber drivers take 80% of the fare, so they want to get you to where you are going as quick as possible so they can pick up another.

Thanks for your response! I feel a little better! ;-) DD is almost 22. I'm glad the girls are responsible if they are going to have a drink, but was a little leery of the Uber drivers. Good to hear other people's experiences!

 

[seashoreCM]

I have not used Uber yet and I only rarely use taxis. But I am told that you are more likely to get satisfaction from customer service if you have a bad experience with Uber compared with a bad experience with an "ordinary" taxi.

 

[DVCjj]

How do you tip using UBER? Is it automatically added to your credit card? Who determines the tip? Ahead of time?

Thank you for your answers.

 

[jimandami]

How do you tip using UBER? Is it automatically added to your credit card? Who determines the tip? Ahead of time?

Thank you for your answers.

You are not supposed to tip.

 

[Cee]

I plan on trying Uber my next trip. Breakfast ADR at AKL from SSR. Disney transportation has tripped me up in the past. We've been using taxis, but will give this a try. Thanks for all the great info.!

 

[nkereina]

How do you tip using UBER? Is it automatically added to your credit card? Who determines the tip? Ahead of time?

Thank you for your answers.

No tipping necessary. Uber drivers keep 80% of the fare, so Uber advertises that the tip is included essentially.

 

[jhaig]

After you call for a pickup, how do you know who your driver is? Are the cars labeled? Does the driver have an ID badge? Never done Uber before so I was just wondering how it all works logistically.