15 yr. old flying in alone--please advise on getting to OKW

[mickeymom629]

My family of 6 will be driving to WDW and staying at OKW. The next day, my DS15's friend is flying alone to stay with us for 4 nights (her mother didn't think she would like the long drive from MD). We are not familiar with airports these days (we drive everywhere) and I had plans to be at Animal Kingdom that a.m. because I thought the friend would be with us the day before. Her flight arrives about 10 a.m. on a Monday.

My question is, would it be terrible of us if we arranged for her to meet us at OKW (we would leave AK after our Donald breakfast), or should we drive to pick her up? Is there a safe and convenient way for a person that age to get transportation alone? I have mentioned to her that we will gladly take her to the airport on Thurs. for her return flight. I really don't want my DH to be inconvenienced on Monday after our long trip, to have to pick her up (her mom has not been communicating any plans with me and this is not what I had in mind when she was first asked.)

Please, no lectures, just some good advice and opinions on transportation. Thanks!

 

[NotUrsula]

I don't see anything at all wrong with not meeting her personally at the airport, it's a long RT from WDW to MCO, and a 15 yo should be able to manage getting out of the airport as long as she has enough money to pay her way.

If she is an experienced traveler (which sounds like the case), she should be fine taking a cab. If not, having a towncar service meet and transport her will probably be the best alternative. If she is taking a cab, make sure that she has the address of the resort in writing, and that she has plenty of cash to pay the fare (of course, if she is an experienced traveler, she should know that already.)

One thing you really must do is make sure that she is registered as one of your party at the resort. On the off chance that you are not there right when she arrives, the resort should know that she is expected, and what party she belongs with, as she is not old enough to register as a guest on her own. If she asks at the desk and they are not expecting her, it may cause some confusion.

 

[mickeymom629]

I just read a thread on the Cartier-Towncar and that sounds like a great way for her to get personalized service (I'm more the worrier than her family seems to be) and reasonable, too. Even for the roundtrip!

I'm going to tell her parents about them (I don't know what they were thinking, yet)

 

[dmfuru]

My 2 cents

If I were in your situation, I would drive my ds to the airport and we would greet his friend upon arrival. IMHO it would be a more appropiate way for your son to acknowledge her arrival--also, since she is a minor, I would rather be with her from arrival to departure (not every minute of the day at WDW, mind you--just referring to transportation to and from the airport).

Good luck with your trip.

 

[mickeymom629]

Just got off the phone with her mother and she thought the towncar sounded fine; she's going to call even though I offered. I told her we'd take her back on the departure day. I asked if she wanted us to meet her, but she also understood that we would already be starting our WDW vacation with 4 children and as long as we were waiting for her daughter at the resort, that would be fine.

I didn't want a lecture (see original post), I just wanted opinions about transportation. If none had seemed "personalized" and resonably priced, I would have had DH go with DS so meet her (I am not good with driving in unknown places and going through airports, so I would have been lost and she would be waiting and I didn't want DH to have to go through the hassle since this whole idea to invite a friend was not his). This was not a "date" and I don't know what is "appropriate" in this situation at their age. My original plan was for her to be driving down with us. Her mother changed the plans and had no reservations about sending her daughter on a plane by herself to meet up with us (by the way, my DH and I have never met her parents).

Hopefully, all will work out and we will all have a great, safe, time together.

 

[ducklite]

Friends mom didn't want friend to drive, is putting her on a plane instead--then let friends mom makes arrangements for her to take a car service from MCO to WDW--with yourride.net she can pay by credit card over the phone in advance, including the drivers tip.

Make sure she is a registered guest at OKW, she can wait in villa until you arrive.

When I'm a guest of someone, I try to inconvenience them as little as possible.

As far as her being a minor--if her mother was worried she should have thought twice about putting her on a plane alone to begin with.

I also think it's high time you sit down with friends mom and set out expectations and plans.

Anne

 

[mslangen]

Hi,

What about Mears? It will cost less money then taxi or towncar service.

Marcel.

 

[sgtdisney]

 

[mickeymom629]

I was reading that Mears could take up to two hours to get to a resort depending on how many people are on the bus. I just think it would be better for her to get more personalized service and to arrive as soon as possible to be with us and begin the fun.
Price doesn't seem to be an issue with the family, although I offered to pay for the service. The mother said she would look into it; I don't know if she has yet, or not.

 

[Gillian]

A towncar will be wonderful. She will have someone to help with her luggage, too. And since the mom is handling it, you don't have to worry about a thing!

The only thing I'd do to help it go smoothly is make sure she knows how to get in touch with you if something goes wrong. Cell phone? Message for you at OKW? Towncar service if flight is delayed (although they usually know)? Give her all the numbers!

 

[Lewisc]

Make sure she has a cell phone (or prepaid calling card). Have her call OKW and leave voice mail if she is delayed (maybe even if she's not). If you have a cell phone even better have her call you when she lands.

 

[seashoreCM]

It is reasonable to have her mother take care of all the travel arrangements to get her tot he resort if that makes you most comfortable. If she is not travel savvy her mother should seriously consider hiring an airline escort for her.

Young people are vunlerable to ripoffs. This can even happen at the airport, the limo driver asks for a fare even though the mother prepaid for it. The real test comes if the mother is willing to send down more money if needed, using wire transfer, and not even ask the hosting family to cover temporarily for her.

If per chance you do agree to go to the airport, be aware that it is hard to come up with a mutually agreeable and unambiguous rendezvous point. There are two of some stores at MCO airport.

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

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Years ago we had a friend's son for a visit. He flew in alone and we used Florida Towncar to pick him up, and they were fantastic.
They would not release Chris until someone in authority would "claim" him.
I was more than a little pleased with Florida Towncar and their sense of responsibility.

 

[CarolA]

I think having a towncar is the best solution. You have been very nice to invite this person along. I fail to see why you should be expected to leave your vacation and go get them at the airport. If the teen's family does not like the arrangements then the teen can get in the car with their friend!

 

[mickeymom629]

Thanks for your support of my thoughts.

She does have her own cell phone (my son wishes he did too ) and we will have one with us, too.

Yes, Gail, that's the kind of service I think she should have so there is little worry. I am also hoping the mother will think of roundtrip service (I think I mentioned this to her) even though I offered to take her back to the airport.