Accessible Taxis Disney area

[Andrew Bichard]

My next trip to WDW is not too far away. While there, I hope to make a few trips offsite ...to buy groceries ...maybe to eat offsite ...visit Sea World ...maybe visit Winter Park ...go mall shopping.

I use a powerchair, cannot transfer to a regulat taxi and cannot afford to rent a 'drive-from-wheelchair' van. I know I can use Lynx or Mears for some trips.

Last trip, in September 2006, I tried to use accessible taxis, but they were few and far between with up to two hour waits for accessible taxis to show up.

Has anyone any recent, up-to-date information on the current accessible taxi situation? Are there more operating now or is the situation still much as it was in 2006?

Andrew

 

[pugdog]

Andrew we just went last December and used a taxi almost twice a day. The longest wait we had was 45 minutes. On average it was about a 20-25 minute wait. We just put yellow taxi number in our cell and called direct to get one. They now use a computerized dispatch system which seems to work quite well. The slow time is around the end of the work day. One driver told us that there are now over 100 wheelchair taxi and another 25 coming during this year.

 

[BETTYDISNEY]

Andrew we just went last December and used a taxi almost twice a day. The longest wait we had was 45 minutes. On average it was about a 20-25 minute wait. We just put yellow taxi number in our cell and called direct to get one. They now use a computerized dispatch system which seems to work quite well. The slow time is around the end of the work day. One driver told us that there are now over 100 wheelchair taxi and another 25 coming during this year.

That is wonderful info. We are re-thinking renting a Wheelchair van as it is completely ridiculous rates. How many people traveled in your party? We would have 4 and myself in a powerchair. What type of vehicles do they use?

 

[mrsksomeday]

I am happy to hear about the wheelchair accessible taxi's.

Betty, this is just my opinion, but I don't think I would rely on just taxi's to get around if I wasn't staying onsite. I would think that could also be very expensive after a while and if you have your rental van you can come and go as you please not having to wait for 20 minutes up to an hour to go to another location. That's just me though.

 

[BETTYDISNEY]

I am happy to hear about the wheelchair accessible taxi's.

Betty, this is just my opinion, but I don't think I would rely on just taxi's to get around if I wasn't staying onsite. I would think that could also be very expensive after a while and if you have your rental van you can come and go as you please not having to wait for 20 minutes up to an hour to go to another location. That's just me though.

You know, you are totally right DH would probably say have a nice trip lol

 

[cmwade77]

What are the Taxi rates? Also, can they accommodate ECVs?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Taxi rates in the Orlando area are $2.20 for the 1st ¼ mile and then 55¢ for each additional ¼ mile plus a surcharge of 50¢ per ride (except the surcharge is $1.00 to or from the airport).

A standard taxi should have a big enough trunk to carry an ECV, but you will need to know how to disassemble and assemble it.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Thank you everyone, I am much releived. In previous trips (last in 2006) there were apparently only six adapted taxis in & around Disney, and some of those were off the road with the drivers resting between morning and evening peaks.

The adapted taxis are large enough to carry an ECV unfolded with the rider sitting on it. Prices are, by law, the same as regular taxis, though you are permitted to tip extra. As I will remain on site 85% to 95% of my stay taxis work out cheaper than renting an adapted van. Besides, last time I rented an adapted van, I was able to make a sliding transfer to the drivers seat, which I am no longer able to do. (my wife does not drive).

Pugdog, it is excellent news that they have increased the accessible fleet from six to one hundred. I would though, treat the claim that there will be another 25 more coming this year with caution. Because taxis do such high mileage each year, the 25 are most likely replacements for ones being 'retired' from service.

By the way, what is headroom like in the current 'accessible' fleet. Up to 2004 there was ample headroom, but the 2005 and 2006 replacements to the fleet were a different model with a lower roof in the back. I could still ride in them, but my head was squished up hard against the roof and I couldn't see where I was going very well, leading to a stiff neck and mild queasyness & nausia.

Andrew

 

[pugdog]

We only road in the rear entry minivan with descent head room. We also saw fullsize vans too. And yes your right some of those 25 are replacements. But it;s still better then 6.

 

[pixie08]

Wow, This is great to hear. I will be traveling twice in the next couple of months with my brother who is in a power chair. It would be so much easier to take a cab to some signature dinners we have planned rather than 2 buses or whatever. Does anyone know the number we should call for these cabs?TIA!

 

[pugdog]

407-422-2222 always programmed in my cell now.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Thank you SO MUCH!!! It will get programmed into our cell phone too!!