Alternative to ME - but don't want to bring car seat

[mrsr2ro]

Just back from a great trip to WDW with my mom and two boys (4 & 6). I'm planning to go back sometime soon with just my 2yo daugther and both my mom and dad (they are flying in from another city and meet us there).

One of the few things on the trip that bugged me was the long wait for the ME bus at MCO, the long ride on the bus (stayed at BLT - we were the last to be dropped off AND the first to be picked up), and the fact that they get you back to MCO so early you sit for a long time waiting for your flight.

With a 4 and 6yo, we managed and it was fine. But if I'm going to go with a 2.5yo I'm dreading this part of the trip! We would not plan to rent a car, so I would not be brining a car seat with me. What other options are there for transportation from MCO to a WDW resort in which I would not need a car seat? Are there any other bus services? Are there any taxi's that offer car seats?

Help!

 

[tjmw2727]

You can reseve a car service in advance for between $120 and $150 (and up depending on the vehicle) r/t plus tip and they will supply a carseat.

However, IMHO the time savings alone isn't worth the cost. While the trip may be shorter you will have to wait for and carry your luggage to the car - shortening the time savings. On the return the town car will pick you up 2 1/2 hours prior vs the DME's 3 hours prior so again the time savings is about 30 minutes.

Our last trip we needed every extra minute at the Orlando airport as the security lines were upward of 40 minutes with the new scanners in place.

However, in your case the personal service may be well worth the costs of a towncar!

 

[dsneygirl]

ME is a crap shoot sometimes. This trip we were loaded right on the bus and were the last family on before we departed. Last trip we waited over 20min in line.

Coming back same thing, the last pick up so we were right on our way to the airport. I loved not having to worry about our luggage both ways (did resort check in). $100 is a lot IMHO to save 30 min or so.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Instead of the car seat, you can try this:

http://www.amazon.com/CARES-Child-Aviation-Restraint-System/dp/B0012E4FV8

We haven't used it yet, but plan to in March, for our then 2 yr old.

This should make things managable with DME.

 

[mrsr2ro]

Instead of the car seat, you can try this:

http://www.amazon.com/CARES-Child-Aviation-Restraint-System/dp/B0012E4FV8

We haven't used it yet, but plan to in March, for our then 2 yr old.

This should make things managable with DME.

I think you misunderstood. On the bus, car seats are not required by law, but in taxis/limos/cars they are. So I was looking for alternatives to ME where I would still be ok not having a car seat - like another bus or cars that provide car seats. My reason for avoiding ME was how long the whole process took.

To the other poster - $100+ IS a lot of money. Something I will have to think about...

 

[Pakey]

We use a towncar service. It's $100 rt, excluding tip for the driver. That also includes a 30 minute grocery stop, if desired. When taking my 3 year old grandson, I specified car seat and they provided it.

We do not take our own luggage to the car. The driver does it. Yes, if you check bags, you have to wait at the carousel for it but it's very quick anymore since so much of the luggage is pulled for DME.

 

[mrsr2ro]

We use a towncar service. It's $100 rt, excluding tip for the driver. That also includes a 30 minute grocery stop, if desired. When taking my 3 year old grandson, I specified car seat and they provided it.

We do not take our own luggage to the car. The driver does it. Yes, if you check bags, you have to wait at the carousel for it but it's very quick anymore since so much of the luggage is pulled for DME.

If you don't mind sharing, how much did you tip? Love the stop at grocery store ides.

 

[goofy4tink]

Most people tip about 20%....they split it up and pay half each way. So, if the fare was $100 (which is on the cheap side, I find most companies are charging about $115-120 r/t) you would be tipping $20 each way.

 

[Lewisc]

Most people tip about 20%....they split it up and pay half each way. So, if the fare was $100 (which is on the cheap side, I find most companies are charging about $115-120 r/t) you would be tipping $20 each way.

If the R/T fare was $100 a 20% tip would be $20 or $10 each way. Not a bad idea to tip the first driver a couple of bucks extra. He might be waiting for your flight and waiting while you take advantage of the grocery stop.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We use a towncar service. It's $100 rt, excluding tip for the driver. That also includes a 30 minute grocery stop, if desired. When taking my 3 year old grandson, I specified car seat and they provided it.

We do not take our own luggage to the car. The driver does it. Yes, if you check bags, you have to wait at the carousel for it but it's very quick anymore since so much of the luggage is pulled for DME.

Quick is relative. Sure, once the luggage starts coming out, there aren't as many bags as at other airports on similarly-full flights... but you have to wait while all the luggage is sorted on the tarmac and all the DME-tagged luggage is pulled to be sent to the sorting center. So, really, the wait for the luggage to appear is longer, but for all the luggage to show up is the same as any other flight

OP: other buses would be the Mears shuttle which you can't reserve in advance (go to the counter at the airport when you arrive); it's cheaper than a car service, you don't need a car seat, BUT it's probably going to take you longer in each direction than if you just went with Magical Express. There's also the Lynx Route 111 bus that'll take you to Downtown Disney for only $2 each, each way. Multiple stops, and you'll have to make your own way between there and your WDW resort in each direction - and luggage isn't allowed on Disney buses. It's about an hour each way with all the stops. See www.golnyx.com for more information.

Or you could just go with Magical Express again. Just because you were last off/first on last time doesn't mean your next trip will be the same. Just because you had a lot of spare time at the airport last time doesn't mean you will next time. Plus, that spare time at the airport if you do have it is a great opportunity for a two and a half year old to run off some spare energy before boarding the plane.

 

[Pakey]

Quick is relative. Sure, once the luggage starts coming out, there aren't as many bags as at other airports on similarly-full flights... but you have to wait while all the luggage is sorted on the tarmac and all the DME-tagged luggage is pulled to be sent to the sorting center. So, really, the wait for the luggage to appear is longer, but for all the luggage to show up is the same as any other flight

OP: other buses would be the Mears shuttle which you can't reserve in advance (go to the counter at the airport when you arrive); it's cheaper than a car service, you don't need a car seat, BUT it's probably going to take you longer in each direction than if you just went with Magical Express. There's also the Lynx Route 111 bus that'll take you to Downtown Disney for only $2 each, each way. Multiple stops, and you'll have to make your own way between there and your WDW resort in each direction - and luggage isn't allowed on Disney buses. It's about an hour each way with all the stops. See www.golnyx.com for more information.

Or you could just go with Magical Express again. Just because you were last off/first on last time doesn't mean your next trip will be the same. Just because you had a lot of spare time at the airport last time doesn't mean you will next time. Plus, that spare time at the airport if you do have it is a great opportunity for a two and a half year old to run off some spare energy before boarding the plane.

We must walk slow and take a long time in the bathroom. Since DME started, we have been to Orlando airport at least a dozen times and we have never waited for our luggage to come out on the carousel; it's starting at about the time we walk up to it. We take a towncar for the peace and quiet, not because we think it's faster. I guess we are just not ever in a hurry so we have not experienced an urgent wait at the MCO carousel.

 

[seashoreCM]

Upset about sitting at the airport for a long time because Magical Express got you back to the airport so early?

Have your last meal there. Inside security at the rotunda food court where the gate corridors come together, near the tram station.

If you had a meal planned at Disney within 6 hours of your plane, skip/cancel that and use the time to use the pool or enjoy the theme parks more.

You can always request and get a DME bus back to the airport more than the normal 3 hours in advance. Be sure to get written confirmation by morning of the day before checkout.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Upset about sitting at the airport for a long time because Magical Express got you back to the airport so early?

Have your last meal there. Inside security at the rotunda food court where the gate corridors come together, near the tram station.

If you had a meal planned at Disney within 6 hours of your plane, skip/cancel that and use the time to use the pool or enjoy the theme parks more.

You can always request and get a DME bus back to the airport more than the normal 3 hours in advance. Be sure to get written confirmation by morning of the day before checkout.

Or, you can get a Disney quick service meal to go, to eat at the airport. This is a good option if you are on the dining plan.