Everthing you wanted to know about Uber/Lyft at WDW

[threeboysmom]

What is the latest on Uber at Food and Wine for pickup and dropoff? The first post in this thread says one should use boardwalk inn as pickup and dropoff point, but other posts seem to indicate you have to have an ADR to get past the guard (is there a difference between the boardwalk and the boardwalk inn drop-off?)

I just returned from my WDW trip (boo hoo!) and used Uber without a problem going from our resort to the Food & Wine. We had our driver drop us off at the YC/BC just because I think it's a little bit shorter of a walk, lol. Absolutely no problem whatsoever getting through security. Our driver introduced himself as an Uber driver dropping off guests. Guard asked if we were staying at the hotel, we said no. He then scanned my magic band (stuck my arm out the window) and off we went! It was VERY convenient to walk into Epcot via the International Gateway!

 

[AngiTN]

While I'm thinking on it, if we have 3 adults and 1 child (I will have her bubble butt car seat) is our best bet to request UberXL?
We LOVED taking Uber to MCO instead of ME. 3 hours is just too early for a pick up. I'd rather spend a little and get an extra hour at WDW instead of MCO
If they ever allow Uber to pick up at MCO we'll use it instead then too but for now we'll use ME to Disney but Uber to MCO

ETA - I finally found the answer that yes we do indeed need to request XL

 

[Lewisc]

You should blame MCO and Uber.

MCO apparently generates $10M per year from fees charged to transportation companies with access to the airport property. Uber believes it is not a transportation company (it says it's a technology company) and therefor does not have to pay the same fees as taxis and hotel shuttles. A suit has been filed and until it is resolved, uber will not provide information about people wanting be picked up at the airport to its drivers.
-- Suzanne

I blame Uber. Uber isn't about friends giving rides to friends. It's about using technology to match customers with "taxi" drivers using private vehicles. What is the difference between summoning a taxi by flagging him down, making a phone call or using an app. Airports are funded, in part, by fees charged to transpiration companies.

1. You can check the app at any point to see how many cars are in your proximity and about how many minutes they estimate one will be able to get to you. If you've just landed and the app says 3 minutes, you might as well wait until you're ready to exit before calling one. Typically its only a few minutes, as there's a higher volume of cars where there is potential for fares.

.

There were some articles on this. Uber will "fudge" the map, showing "extra" Uber cars. Probably not an issue at Disney where there are likely to be lots of "real" cars near your location.

Did you really rate a passenger 1 star because they didn't tip you? Uber from the start has clearly stated drivers are not to be tipped. If you're driving and expect a tip then don't work for Uber. You're a driver, this is your profession by choice. Unless you're handling bags then what do you feel you deserve a tip for?

Among other reasons, yes. Its explicitly stated that you are not to tip, and drivers are instructed not to accept tips. If they are caught they will be deactivated immediately.

https://help.uber.com/h/1be144ab-609a-43c5-82b5-b9c7de5ec073

[/QUOTE]

I don't think tips are prohibited. Uber says tips aren't necessary. I otherwise agree with your point. You can't use the Uber app to tip. Uber makes a point of saying "cashless". Drivers shouldn't be expecting tips.

I agree with PP. Airport hotel shuttles are intended for guests of the hotel. Last time I took such a shuttle the driver asked my name and checked it against a list of arriving guests. I asked why. He said there are multiple hotels of the same brand (my memory is HI Express) in the hotel area. The driver said they were tired of having to bus complaining guests back to MCO to catch the correct shuttle. One of the car service companies banned on DIS, and now out of business, use to meet guests by the Hyatt to evade airport fees. The airport is on to that scam.

"Surge Pricing" isn't mentioned much in this thread. Uber rates increase to ensure reliability when demand cannot be met by the number of drivers on the road. A customer in Denver paid $106 for a 20 mile ride to an Elton John concert. The return fare was $443. The estimated fares you get, before actually requesting a pickup, from the app and the estimated fares you get by reading posts in the internet go out the window if surge pricing is in effect. OP already said surge pricing is, at least sometimes, in affect Friday and Saturday nights. Your ride back from Cirque, particularly if its raining, may be significantly higher then the rate you paid to get there. There are pros, and cons, to surge pricing. I'm making the point strictly with respect to the ability to determine, before you beginning your night, what your return fare will be.

Uber drivers are lucky. Disney has had a great relationship with Mears. I'm surprised Disney is allowing Uber drivers easy access to the hotels.

 

[AngiTN]

Uber drivers are lucky. Disney has had a great relationship with Mears. I'm surprised Disney is allowing Uber drivers easy access to the hotels.

I kinda wondered about that but I think they'd have a hard time stopping it. All a driver has to say is I'm meeting a friend who is here in town, right? Impossible to prevent that.

 

[Lewisc]

I kinda wondered about that but I think they'd have a hard time stopping it. All a driver has to say is I'm meeting a friend who is here in town, right? Impossible to prevent that.

Not as hard as you think. Establish policy. Request Uber remove Disney locations from their app. Uber says no. Have some CMs request Uber rides. Have security confront the drivers. Follow the guests glued to the Uber screen on their phone to the car. Install automatic license plate readers. Keep track of how many times a car shows up to pick up different "friends'.

Disney might like Uber. It gives a reasonably priced alternative to guests who don't want to wait for Disney transportation.

 

[AngiTN]

Not as hard as you think. Establish policy. Request Uber remove Disney locations from their app. Uber says no. Have some CMs request Uber rides. Have security confront the drivers. Follow the guests glued to the Uber screen on their phone to the car. Install automatic license plate readers. Keep track of how many times a car shows up to pick up different "friends'.

Disney might like Uber. It gives a reasonably priced alternative to guests who don't want to wait for Disney transportation.

Yeah, doing all that is a good way to piss off your guests. I'm guessing the Guest dollar speaks louder than the Mears dollar

 

[EvilDrPorkchop21]

I don't think tips are prohibited. Uber says tips aren't necessary. I otherwise agree with your point. You can't use the Uber app to tip. Uber makes a point of saying "cashless". Drivers shouldn't be expecting tips.

I agree with PP. Airport hotel shuttles are intended for guests of the hotel. Last time I took such a shuttle the driver asked my name and checked it against a list of arriving guests. I asked why. He said there are multiple hotels of the same brand (my memory is HI Express) in the hotel area. The driver said they were tired of having to bus complaining guests back to MCO to catch the correct shuttle. One of the car service companies banned on DIS, and now out of business, use to meet guests by the Hyatt to evade airport fees. The airport is on to that scam.

"Surge Pricing" isn't mentioned much in this thread. Uber rates increase to ensure reliability when demand cannot be met by the number of drivers on the road. A customer in Denver paid $106 for a 20 mile ride to an Elton John concert. The return fare was $443. The estimated fares you get, before actually requesting a pickup, from the app and the estimated fares you get by reading posts in the internet go out the window if surge pricing is in effect. OP already said surge pricing is, at least sometimes, in affect Friday and Saturday nights. Your ride back from Cirque, particularly if its raining, may be significantly higher then the rate you paid to get there. There are pros, and cons, to surge pricing. I'm making the point strictly with respect to the ability to determine, before you beginning your night, what your return fare will be.

Uber drivers are lucky. Disney has had a great relationship with Mears. I'm surprised Disney is allowing Uber drivers easy access to the hotels.

Surge pricing sucks, but the app CLEARLY shows you that it is in effect, how much more it will cost you, then you must manually agree that you understand what surge pricing is BEFORE they will dispatch a driver to you. It's crummy, but nobody is forcing you to leave immediately after a concert. And you're incorrect, the estimates are accurate when surge pricing is in effect.

When I left IOA surge pricing was in effect, probably because it was right around dinner time, so we waited 25 minutes and checked it again and surge pricing had been removed.

From Uber on the public link I provided:
"there’s no need to tip."
I think that's pretty clear. If drivers are not happy with Uber's tipping model, speak up to Uber, don't down rate users for following directions.

 

[Lewisc]

Among other reasons, yes. Its explicitly stated that you are not to tip, and drivers are instructed not to accept tips. If they are caught they will be deactivated immediately.

https://help.uber.com/h/1be144ab-609a-43c5-82b5-b9c7de5ec073

QUOTE="EvilDrPorkchop21, post: 54645078, member: 557312"]From Uber on the public link I provided:
"there’s no need to tip."
I think that's pretty clear. If drivers are not happy with Uber's tipping model, speak up to Uber, don't down rate users for following directions.[/QUOTE]
I agree it's clear.

I blame Uber. Uber isn't about friends giving rides to friends. It's about using technology to match customers with "taxi" drivers using private vehicles. What is the difference between summoning a taxi by flagging him down, making a phone call or using an app. Airports are funded, in part, by fees charged to transpiration companies.


There were some articles on this. Uber will "fudge" the map, showing "extra" Uber cars. Probably not an issue at Disney where there are likely to be lots of "real" cars near your location.

I don't think tips are prohibited. Uber says tips aren't necessary. I otherwise agree with your point. You can't use the Uber app to tip. Uber makes a point of saying "cashless". Drivers shouldn't be expecting tips.

I agree with PP. Airport hotel shuttles are intended for guests of the hotel. Last time I took such a shuttle the driver asked my name and checked it against a list of arriving guests. I asked why. He said there are multiple hotels of the same brand (my memory is HI Express) in the hotel area. The driver said they were tired of having to bus complaining guests back to MCO to catch the correct shuttle. One of the car service companies banned on DIS, and now out of business, use to meet guests by the Hyatt to evade airport fees. The airport is on to that scam.

"Surge Pricing" isn't mentioned much in this thread. Uber rates increase to ensure reliability when demand cannot be met by the number of drivers on the road. A customer in Denver paid $106 for a 20 mile ride to an Elton John concert. The return fare was $443. The estimated fares you get, before actually requesting a pickup, from the app and the estimated fares you get by reading posts in the internet go out the window if surge pricing is in effect. OP already said surge pricing is, at least sometimes, in affect Friday and Saturday nights. Your ride back from Cirque, particularly if its raining, may be significantly higher then the rate you paid to get there. There are pros, and cons, to surge pricing. I'm making the point strictly with respect to the ability to determine, before you beginning your night, what your return fare will be.

Uber drivers are lucky. Disney has had a great relationship with Mears. I'm surprised Disney is allowing Uber drivers easy access to the hotels.

[/QUOTE]

Surge pricing sucks, but the app CLEARLY shows you that it is in effect, how much more it will cost you, then you must manually agree that you understand what surge pricing is BEFORE they will dispatch a driver to you. It's crummy, but nobody is forcing you to leave immediately after a concert. And you're incorrect, the estimates are accurate when surge pricing is in effect.

When I left IOA surge pricing was in effect, probably because it was right around dinner time, so we waited 25 minutes and checked it again and surge pricing had been removed.

From Uber on the public link I provided:
"there’s no need to tip."
I think that's pretty clear. If drivers are not happy with Uber's tipping model, speak up to Uber, don't down rate users for following directions.

 

[Nilsifjel]

Going to have to check out my data roaming options so that I can give Uber a go!

 

[mls02]

We will be using uber to get from our resort back to Mco. My question is if there is 3 of us (2 adults and 1 11 yo) and 2 suitcases what size car will we need? Thanks

 

[nkereina]

While I'm thinking on it, if we have 3 adults and 1 child (I will have her bubble butt car seat) is our best bet to request UberXL?
We LOVED taking Uber to MCO instead of ME. 3 hours is just too early for a pick up. I'd rather spend a little and get an extra hour at WDW instead of MCO
If they ever allow Uber to pick up at MCO we'll use it instead then too but for now we'll use ME to Disney but Uber to MCO

ETA - I finally found the answer that yes we do indeed need to request XL

Every UberX I have taken would have been able to accommodate 4 people. 1 in the front, 3 in the back. A few times, I have had Ford Escapes and Toyota Rav4's as UberX which have a little more room. However, if you aren't using RAC and have large suitcases, that could be a problem for the smaller cars like a Prius with limited trunk space. Since UberXL will cost a bit more and there are fewer available, you could always request UberX and see what kind of car the driver has when he or she accepts your fare. If you think it's borderline, you can just cancel the request or even call the driver before they get there to see what they think about it.

We will be using uber to get from our resort back to Mco. My question is if there is 3 of us (2 adults and 1 11 yo) and 2 suitcases what size car will we need? Thanks

I would say UberX would be fine.

 

[AngiTN]

Every UberX I have taken would have been able to accommodate 4 people. 1 in the front, 3 in the back. A few times, I have had Ford Escapes and Toyota Rav4's as UberX which have a little more room. However, if you aren't using RAC and have large suitcases, that could be a problem for the smaller cars like a Prius with limited trunk space. Since UberXL will cost a bit more and there are fewer available, you could always request UberX and see what kind of car the driver has when he or she accepts your fare. If you think it's borderline, you can just cancel the request or even call the driver before they get there to see what they think about it.



I would say UberX would be fine.

Thanks. We are not using RAC but we are only using carry on bags (trying to skip bag check at home) so our bags will be 4 20" bags and 4 back packs, which we can keep in our laps. I'll have an inflatable car seat for DGD7. I like the idea of using X and seeing what the car is. Perfect

 

[RideShareRob]

i agree on the try X first recommendation. Just be sure to cancel quickly if the car isnt going to work. calling the driver is also helpful. i get a lot of "can you fit 6 people?" type questions.

 

[tinkrebell]

I use Uber on a daily basis with my regular job / life. HOWEVER, when I've been in WDW before (most recently Feb of 2015), my Uber drivers always told us they had to pay the daily parking fee to get into any of the parks because only Mears had the rights to come in/out as taxis. From the OP's post, that is no longer the case, which is really exciting because I always felt bad about wanting to use Uber when the driver might make so little money off my drive. Can anyone provide background on how/when that rule was changed?

 

[AngiTN]

I use Uber on a daily basis with my regular job / life. HOWEVER, when I've been in WDW before (most recently Feb of 2015), my Uber drivers always told us they had to pay the daily parking fee to get into any of the parks because only Mears had the rights to come in/out as taxis. From the OP's post, that is no longer the case, which is really exciting because I always felt bad about wanting to use Uber when the driver might make so little money off my drive. Can anyone provide background on how/when that rule was changed?

Can't confirm when it changed but I can confirm I went through 2 different park gates with the Uber drivers (MK and AK) and neither time was the driver required to pay or show anything, and he had no pass. Only told the attendant that he was dropping off.
Seeing as the parks allow drop offs and pick ups I am not sure the info you were given originally has ever been correct

 

[gottalovepluto]

And on another note, I was thinking about starting a thread where people can list their Uber fares as well as where they traveled to and from, so people can get an idea of what they might be paying in similar situations. Would anyone be interested in that? Is that allowed in the forums?

For those who don't have the app yet, they can just google uber Orlando and click on the fare estimator on the webpage for planning purposes.

 

[Lewisc]

For those who don't have the app yet, they can just google uber Orlando and click on the fare estimator on the webpage for planning purposes.

I think there are two types of posters reading this thread.
One group are Uber customers who are interested in determining how well Uber works in WDW.

The other group has no idea what Uber is. An important point The basic Uber fare is based on distance and waiting time. It's similar to the way a taxi is priced. Instead of a meter the driver has an Uber app which calculates the actual fare. Uber uses "surge pricing" When demand for Uber exceeds the number of available drivers (think rain, think late night at DTD AKA Disney Springs) Uber will multiple the basic fare by a factor. The fare might be double, triple or more then the basic fare which is estimated from the Uber website.

Uber will tell you if surge pricing is in effect when you reserve your ride. That means the fare to get back might be 3X (or more) then the fare you paid to get to your destination. Not an issue if you're staying at a Disney hotel and you have the option of waiting for a Disney bus. Might not be an issue if you're willing to take your chances, wait, and hope the surge pricing is dropped in 30 minutes, or so.

 

[RideShareRob]

I think there are two types of posters reading this thread.
One group are Uber customers who are interested in determining how well Uber works in WDW.

The other group has no idea what Uber is. An important point The basic Uber fare is based on distance and waiting time. It's similar to the way a taxi is priced. Instead of a meter the driver has an Uber app which calculates the actual fare. Uber uses "surge pricing" When demand for Uber exceeds the number of available drivers (think rain, think late night at DTD AKA Disney Springs) Uber will multiple the basic fare by a factor. The fare might be double, triple or more then the basic fare which is estimated from the Uber website.

Uber will tell you if surge pricing is in effect when you reserve your ride. That means the fare to get back might be 3X (or more) then the fare you paid to get to your destination. Not an issue if you're staying at a Disney hotel and you have the option of waiting for a Disney bus. Might not be an issue if you're willing to take your chances, wait, and hope the surge pricing is dropped in 30 minutes, or so.

note: it would take a surge of approx 2.9x to be comparable to the base rate for a taxi. And guests at parks or DS can always opt to use those taxis or the free disney bus.

 

[Dis5150]

On my last trip DD25 used her app and paid for everything. I'm leaving tomorrow for WDW and it will be my first time using the app. I downloaded it from iTunes, but how do I get a free code?

 

[RideShareRob]

ask dd25 for her referral code