Alternatives to the Magical Express? What are my options?

[petsaregreat]

HI,
Heading to disney by plane in August. I am looking for reliable alternatives to the Magical Express? For example, car service, taxi. Anything with a fixed rate. Can you point me in the right direction from personal experience? Thanks!!

 

[parlay]

I've used a few car services before (******Transportation) - we were doing the cruise, so we needed transport from MCO to the Port, and then from the Port to WDW. They were very prompt, courteous, and professional. I don't think they are sponsors of this website, so you can google them and there is another website that has a $10 coupon (if you want that website - just PM me)

 

[dmunsil]

HI,
Heading to disney by plane in August. I am looking for reliable alternatives to the Magical Express? For example, car service, taxi. Anything with a fixed rate. Can you point me in the right direction from personal experience? Thanks!!

The alternatives are pretty much car/limo service, taxi, or rental car. I guess you could walk or hitchhike, but let's assume those aren't workable.

Taxi is not flat rate, but is not likely to go way over unless traffic is crazy. Limo companies will quote you a flat rate and stick to it, regardless of traffic. Rental cars are obviously a pre-arranged rate.

I have personally used Magical Express and rented a car. I tend to rent a car. Rates are very low in Orlando, and it's not uncommon to be able to rent a normal car for a week for not a whole lot more than a limo costs round-trip. It depends on the season.

 

[tjmw2727]

When we stay at the Dolphin we use a town car service, you can find the licensed companies via the Orlando Airport link or search some of the companies recommended here for one that fits your needs.

I use Tiffany Town Car and have always had good service.

My trips run around 110 r/t plus tip and Tiffany (among others) offers a complimentary 30 grocery stop with a round trip fare.

Taxi will run about the same amount but could go up due to traffic, weather etc. Plus the towncar driver will meet you at baggage claim and help with bags.

I think all the companies will quote you a price on the website and Mears taxi has a fare calculator on their website so you can price out your options.

 

[bleeps]

We always use Tiffany Town Car -- totally reliable, great service, fantastic to get off the plane, walk down to baggage claim and see the driver standing there with our name on a sign!, and it's great in that you have more time on your last day because you can leave closer to your departure time for the airport than you can when using DME.

Highly recommended.

 

[chartle]

HI,
Heading to disney by plane in August. I am looking for reliable alternatives to the Magical Express? For example, car service, taxi. Anything with a fixed rate. Can you point me in the right direction from personal experience? Thanks!!

Is there a particular reason why you do not want to use ME? Free is almost always better than any rate.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Is there a particular reason why you do not want to use ME? Free is almost always better than any rate.

Good question.

My take on it is that for transportation between MCO and a Disney-owned WDW resort, DME provides free, comfortable transportation and free, convenient luggage transfers.

Using a taxi cab, car service, or shared van service still means being at WDW without a car. It also means having to wait at baggage claim and having to transport you own bags to your room (and tipping those who touch your luggage along the way). And it's costly.

One good reason not to use DME is if someone will want a rental car every day.

 

[chartle]

The reason I asked is sometimes people get the wrong info or misinterpret the info.

One person posted that they didn't want to use ME because they misread the part of your bags taking 3 hours to get to your room after check in as it would take 3 hours to get to your resort.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The reason I asked is sometimes people get the wrong info or misinterpret the info.

One person posted that they didn't want to use ME because they misread the part of your bags taking 3 hours to get to your room after check in as it would take 3 hours to get to your resort.

Good point.

I've also seen cases when people thought they would have to sit around their room to wait for their bags to be delivered. In fact, the bell services CM is pre-tipped by Disney and leaves your bags in your your room while you're out having fun. It's a level of service that taxi cabs, car services, and shared van services can't match.

 

[Missytara]

I understand this on one point. I had a person complain to me that she checked in at 2:30 pm and did not get her bags as promised at 3 pm. I told her it was not 3 pm, it was 3 hours. She insisted her TA told her 3 pm.

I definitely would not pass up the chance to use ME because a few people misinterpreted the information clearly provided in the booklet sent with the ME tags.

To me, it is not a real vacation unless someone handles my bags and takes me to the resort. Disney has spoiled me in that aspect.

 

[Missytara]

Good point.

I've also seen cases when people thought they would have to sit around their room to wait for their bags to be delivered. In fact, the bell services CM is pre-tipped by Disney and leaves your bags in your your room while you're out having fun. It's a level of service that taxi cabs, car services, and shared van services can't match.

It should be added that could be because ME is searching for your misdirected by the airline. People naturally assume ME lost your bags, but many times it is the airlines. Who wouldn't want someone searching the airport looking for your bags while you are lounging by the pool or watching the afternoon parade at MK.

 

[petsaregreat]

I am thinking about not using ME because we are arriving a little late in Orlando (with 2 kids) and not wanting to wait around for the express to leave. I heard you wait a long time. On the other end I don't want to leave too early from Disney to get to the airport.

Does anyone know if I can use a town car if I have two little kids? I will definitely NOT have car seats. Does that mean I can only take them on a bus?

Thanks!

 

[bumbershoot]

I am thinking about not using ME because we are arriving a little late in Orlando (with 2 kids) and not wanting to wait around for the express to leave. I heard you wait a long time. On the other end I don't want to leave too early from Disney to get to the airport.

Does anyone know if I can use a town car if I have two little kids? I will definitely NOT have car seats. Does that mean I can only take them on a bus?

Thanks!

Fwiw we arrived after midnight and barely waited at all. Of course if you land after 10pm you get to get your bags and deal with them, which adds a little hassle. We used the airport porter and bell services to haul them though.

We personally like a rental car better, but you would need cars seats absolutely.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I am thinking about not using ME because we are arriving a little late in Orlando (with 2 kids) and not wanting to wait around for the express to leave. I heard you wait a long time. On the other end I don't want to leave too early from Disney to get to the airport.

Does anyone know if I can use a town car if I have two little kids? I will definitely NOT have car seats. Does that mean I can only take them on a bus?

Thanks!

We've only flown twice, but we used a towncar both times, and would again. ME just doesn't appeal to us. The first time, we had two little ones in carseats. We had to get a van instead of a regular car, and I requested car seats when I booked it. They brought them, and we checked them over before we used them...they were fine, and they were clean.

 

[amomma23]

I am thinking about not using ME because we are arriving a little late in Orlando (with 2 kids) and not wanting to wait around for the express to leave. I heard you wait a long time. On the other end I don't want to leave too early from Disney to get to the airport.

Does anyone know if I can use a town car if I have two little kids? I will definitely NOT have car seats. Does that mean I can only take them on a bus?

Thanks!

Just my opinion, but I would just stick with ME. It really makes travel convenient with kids. You can walk off the plane and head right to the bus. The wait is not bad, and if you are arriving later in the day it should be even less busy. While you ride to the resort, you watch a fun movie to get excited for your trip. If you are worried about getting your bags late, just pack what you need for the night in your carry-on. You can ask to have your bags held until morning if you don't want to be disturbed.
On the way back to MCO, pick up is ~3 hours prior to your flight. If you want to really cut it close, another service is going to buy you an hour at most. Then, you will be rushing your family through the airport to make the flight.
ME is free, reliable and convenient, I'd stick with them.

 

[tjmw2727]

Just my opinion, but I would just stick with ME. It really makes travel convenient with kids. You can walk off the plane and head right to the bus. The wait is not bad, and if you are arriving later in the day it should be even less busy. While you ride to the resort, you watch a fun movie to get excited for your trip. If you are worried about getting your bags late, just pack what you need for the night in your carry-on. You can ask to have your bags held until morning if you don't want to be disturbed.
On the way back to MCO, pick up is ~3 hours prior to your flight. If you want to really cut it close, another service is going to buy you an hour at most. Then, you will be rushing your family through the airport to make the flight.
ME is free, reliable and convenient, I'd stick with them.

Agree - the few extra minutes you may wait for a bus at the airport you already saved by not having to claim your luggage esp with kids in tow. Having your bags delivered right to your resort room is IMHO one of the best features We have never waited long at the airport and my average time from the airport the resort has been 70 minutes with DME vs 60 with a town-car.

On the return trip DME picks you up 3 hours prior to your flight time and a town car will pick you up 2 1/2 hours prior. IMHO the extra $150 for 1/2 hour is better spent in other ways.

OP - you may well prefer the personal service and privacy that a town car offers but don't count out DME on just a few negative reports. Considering the number of people who use it each day the reports are pretty minimal (IMHO).

Some town car companies offer car seats; some only offer one; some offer only a booster and some only if you reserve an SUV so you will have to do some research via the individual town car websites.

 

[petsaregreat]

thank you everyone!!