Anybody ever taken cabs within WDW??

[Dana_Buckley]

Possibly wanting to do this from Polynesian after EWP back to PO-FQ. Just curious about how much, and how long do you have to wait? Would there be cabs already waiting at Poly this late at night? Could I call ahead for one, at like 9:30pm? Thank you.

 

[lisareneeo]

I was wondering the same thing. I have been reading that the busses from the WL to AK take about an hour. I thought maybe we should try a cab if we run into this problem.
Thanks

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by lisareneeo
I was wondering the same thing. I have been reading that the busses from the WL to AK take about an hour. I thought maybe we should try a cab if we run into this problem.
Thanks

The busses do not take an hour from Wilderness Lodge to Animal Kingdom. The busses travel from FW to WL. From there, they will travel to Blizzard Beach, and then onto DAK. WL to BB is about 12 minutes. From BB to DAK is about 5 minutes. Figure a 3 minute stop... that's 20 minutes.


AS FOR CABS at Walt Disney World... there's always a ton of cabs all over the place, and you'll have no problems catching one, should you decide to take one. As for prices, I'm not sure. However, I do have some words of caution...

Yellow Cab and Checker Cabs are both divisions of Mears. They have a contract with WDW, so those are the cabs you will find mostly around property. However, there are many other companies out there. Should you go with a smaller company, just make sure they have the proper meter equipment, as well as licence and insurance.

One other thing to note... When riding in the cab, PLEASE FASTEN YOUR SEATBELT AT ALL TIMES!!!!!!! I cannot urge this enough. Being a Walt Disney World bus driver, I see these cabs out on the roads all the time. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen cabs blow through stop signs, run red lights, speed, cut busses/cars off, go down the wrong direction on a one way street... and other unsafe practices. I've also personally almost been run over by a cab while I was walking in a crosswalk, because the driver turned out onto the road without looking.

I'm not saying all cabs are like this... but a LOT are.

If you do encounter a driver that does drive wrecklessly with you on board as passengers, I do urge you to be vocal about it. Please.

 

[Dana_Buckley]

Thank you for responding, you don't seem to be a fan of the cabs. How would you suggest I travel from Polynesian to PO-FQ at 9:30pm? I thought I could walk to the TTC & catch a bus there, but someone responded that there are not buses from TTC to PO-FQ, so I didn't know how else to go. Thank you.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Dana_Buckley
Thank you for responding, you don't seem to be a fan of the cabs. How would you suggest I travel from Polynesian to PO-FQ at 9:30pm? I thought I could walk to the TTC & catch a bus there, but someone responded that there are not buses from TTC to PO-FQ, so I didn't know how else to go. Thank you.

I personally would never set foot in one of the cabs around here... I've had them jeopardise my life (and my passengers lives) too many times. Don't get me wrong though... I'm not saying all cabs are like this. I'm sure there are plenty of folks who have had safe rides.

As for alternatives... If the Magic Kingdom closes at 9:00 or later, you can go to the Magic Kingdom. Busses will generally run 90 minutes after the park closes. Same with Epcot... (Technically, they will run until the park has been cleared of all day guests... this usually amounts to 1.5-2 hours after the park closes)

Another choice would be to go to Downtown Disney via bus, and transfer there. I generally don't like sending guests along this route, as it might take 45 minutes to get from Poly to FQ via DTD...

Resort to Resort transportation has never been an easy thing, Im afraid. Disney generally doesn't provide it, due to lack of demand. Currently, if quickness is what you want, a cab would be your best choice. Please don't let me dissuade you from them... I just want to make folks aware. And I'm sure there are plenty of safe cab drivers out there... just beware of those who aren't, and if you should get one, be vocal about it. That's the only way we can make things safer and better!

(Sidenote... In prior years... Disney had special floater busses for the Hoop Dee Doo and Luau exits... They would be "Combo" busses... meaning one bus would serve OKW, POFQ, and POR... another would serve All Stars, AKL, Coronado, and a third would service CBR, and S/D/Y/B/BW... I really wish they still had these busses. )

 

[adisneyfan2]

So assuming we are lucky enough to get a safe driver... We need to be at AK by 8:15 for breakfast. Will buses run early enough to get us there (from Poly)? How can we find out the schedule (if any)? If a bus isn't reasonable (too early or too infrequent at that hour), then how do we get a cab? Better to go to TCC or just ask at our hotel desk? Thanks in advance! (This is why we have never done breakfast at Dinoland before!)

 

[Krissalee]

Dana_Buckley -

I have gone from resort to resort via cab 3 times (AKL to WL, AKL to ASMu, and GF to ASMu). It has always been between 9-10pm, after dinner at another resort. The average price we paid was approxamately $15 including tip. The price was worth it to us, as we got back to our room quickly, rather than transfer buses at DTD.

There are usually a few cabs outside the front door at most resorts (at least the delux resorts - not sure about the value and mods). If a cab isn't available, the valet/bell services person can call one for you.

As for safety, I think that there are poor drivers all over the place (in cabs, buses, passenger cars, trucks, etc.). Be alert, wear your seatbelt. I've been in many NYC cabs, and that is an adventure all in itself.

Krissy

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by adisneyfan2
So assuming we are lucky enough to get a safe driver... We need to be at AK by 8:15 for breakfast. Will buses run early enough to get us there (from Poly)? How can we find out the schedule (if any)? If a bus isn't reasonable (too early or too infrequent at that hour), then how do we get a cab? Better to go to TCC or just ask at our hotel desk? Thanks in advance! (This is why we have never done breakfast at Dinoland before!)

Character Breakfast Busses start running at 7:00am, and will run approx every 15-20 minutes or so. Just tell the driver where you are going, and they will get you there.

 

[ZPT1022]

Okay, so I am drifting off topic slightly, but Tyler seems to know so much, I would appreciate some input. We will be staying at AKL in September for 9 days. We have a lot of priority seatings before the park opens and also we are doing the "Magic Behind the Steam Trains Tour", which runs before MK opening time also. Will we have any problems using the bus to get to these things? Should we let someone know ahead of time (like the night before at the front desk) that we will be needing transportation to these places? Or will the buses definitely be there? For example, for the tour, we need to be at MK by 7:15 am. Thanks in advance for your help

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by ZPT1022
For example, for the tour, we need to be at MK by 7:15 am.

*sigh* I don't know why they are still telling folks this. Neither busses or monorails are allowed to drop off at the Magic Kingdom until 7:30. Even taking a cab, the closest you could get would be the TTC. I will try and check more into this, if I get the chance today at work. However, in the meantime, all I can say is talk to the front desk.

As for all your other breakfast needs... busses will start running at 7:00am, and will run approx every 15-20 mins...

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We'll be switching resort, ASMu to BC. Do I just have the ASMu bell service call a cab for me? Will they do this?

 

[idontknow]

For the Train tour last year, we were told to show our letter from WDW (proof of reservation and payment letter) to the guard house at the Contemporary. That letter would allow us to park there. Then we just had a VERY short walk to the MK for the tour. Things may have changed since then, though. I would call the number you called to make the reservation for the tour and ask them what to do.

 

[Krissalee]

Cali - I'm sure bell services/guest relations at ASMu will call a cab for you. Bell services at AKL called a cab for us when there were none waiting.

Krissy

 

[adisneyfan2]

Thanks for all the info! Dis-ers are the best!

 

[ZPT1022]

For the Train tour last year, we were told to show our letter from WDW (proof of reservation and payment letter) to the guard house at the Contemporary. That letter would allow us to park there. Then we just had a VERY short walk to the MK for the tour

Hmmm, the only bummer about that for us is that we are flying down and not renting a car. I wonder what they will do for us.

Tyler, I really appreciate your help and if you hear anything else that you can pass along, that would be super!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by ZPT1022
Tyler, I really appreciate your help and if you hear anything else that you can pass along, that would be super!

Okay, I talked to some Managers for Main Street USA... and both gave me a perplexed look when I told them that you were told to be at the MK by 7:15. They told me that guests for the Steam Train Tour are usually asked to arrive between 7:30-8:00 (The earlier being the better), and that the tour would start at 8:00.

My advice would be to call (407) WDW-TOUR and to double check what time your specific tour starts. Perhaps it might have just been static on the line... were you using Spring PCS? LOL

Hope all works out well, and if I can be of any more assistance, I shall try my best.

 

[mikek]

cabs-

they're usually at the poly after the Luai for just such thinks.

Buses from the mk after laui-

For some reason the trqansportation CM's for the monorails are trained to be young hitler youth. They interogate you as to your final destination and will not let you on the monorail to go to the MK after it closes so that you can catch a bus back to your resort (even if the busses are still running). THey instead drone on about taking a bus to downdown disney and than from their to your resort. THe moral- LIE and tell them you are going to the contemp. than get off at MK and hop on your bus.

Steam Trains Tour-

We did it last summer and we too were told to be there before the busses ran. Luckily we had a car. They let us park in the TTC lot even though it wasnt officially opened and no trams, monorails, etc. were running yet. We walked to the poly had a cup of coffe and than waited for the monorail to start. Hoped the first train to the MK. Were promptly met by guide outside the gate. We got stuck waiting for folks who unfortunately relied on Disney Busses to get them their on time (the guide has a printout of who's signed up, so he waited till everyone arrived before entering the park). SO I dont think you can count on the busses to get you there in time. THis was when they still had early entry so that may or may not change things, but it's probably best not to rely on them. If you're afraid a taxi wont be around when you need it that early oin the AM, you can call bell services the night before and tell them what time you need it and they will make sure you have one then (at least I know they do at the boardwalk). Oh yeah- the Train Tour was WAY COOL!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by mikek
For some reason the trqansportation CM's for the monorails are trained to be young hitler youth. They interogate you as to your final destination and will not let you on the monorail to go to the MK after it closes so that you can catch a bus back to your resort (even if the busses are still running). THey instead drone on about taking a bus to downdown disney and than from their to your resort. THe moral- LIE and tell them you are going to the contemp. than get off at MK and hop on your bus.

I used to be in Monorails before I transferred to busses, and I somewhat take offense to that. Please have all the facts correct before you go making generalized assumptions.

The fact of the matter is that Monorails WILL continue to drop off at the Magic Kingdom until approx one hour after the parks closing time. At this point, the monorail will no longer drop off. Should you lie, and get on the monorail anyway... be advised that you won't be able to get off at the MK... the doors will not open. In fact, sometimes the train won't even stop.

The reason for this? Typically at one hour after closing, things dwindle down, and there are just a few stragglers left inside the MK. The park could clear at any given moment, and once the park clears, bus transportation is no longer. If we continued to drop off, guests might get lost in the shuffle, and arrive at the MK just after all the busses have shut down. Not a good situation.

Originally posted by mikek
We did it last summer and we too were told to be there before the busses ran. Luckily we had a car. They let us park in the TTC lot even though it wasnt officially opened and no trams, monorails, etc. were running yet. We walked to the poly had a cup of coffe and than waited for the monorail to start. Hoped the first train to the MK. Were promptly met by guide outside the gate. We got stuck waiting for folks who unfortunately relied on Disney Busses to get them their on time (the guide has a printout of who's signed up, so he waited till everyone arrived before entering the park). SO I dont think you can count on the busses to get you there in time. THis was when they still had early entry so that may or may not change things, but it's probably best not to rely on them. If you're afraid a taxi wont be around when you need it that early oin the AM, you can call bell services the night before and tell them what time you need it and they will make sure you have one then (at least I know they do at the boardwalk). Oh yeah- the Train Tour was WAY COOL!

Well... as it stands now... Neither busses nor monorails are allowed to drop off guests at the Magic Kingdom prior to 7:30. So even if you got to the TTC at 7:00, whether it be via cab or personal car... you still cannot get to the MK prior to 7:30. Disney busses start running at 7:00am, and will get folks to the MK in plenty of time for the tour, without the cost of a cab.

 

[mikek]

No offense intended - sorry to have caused it, but I can tell you the time we were denied boarding was on a day with E-Night, that was why it was so baffling. True it was after regular closing, but as it was during the e-night period, I cant see any reason why the monorail wouldnt be stopping at the MK- dont the enight people need to get home eventually? Can you explain the logic in that case?

Thanks for the aditional information about not even stopping some times and the explanation as to why, but it would be nice if there's scores of people carrying crying and/or sleeping children if the CM's could explain the seemingly arbitrary decision to those effected.

Didnt mean to offend. I think the VAST VAST majority of the people and policies at WDW are helpful and thoughtful and i'm sure you are one of the swell ones, but working there you must realize that sometimes there are stupid or illogical decisions occuring that arent in the best interests of the guests.

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express


I used to be in Monorails before I transferred to busses, and I somewhat take offense to that. Please have all the facts correct before you go making generalized assumptions.

The fact of the matter is that Monorails WILL continue to drop off at the Magic Kingdom until approx one hour after the parks closing time. At this point, the monorail will no longer drop off. Should you lie, and get on the monorail anyway... be advised that you won't be able to get off at the MK... the doors will not open. In fact, sometimes the train won't even stop.

The reason for this? Typically at one hour after closing, things dwindle down, and there are just a few stragglers left inside the MK. The park could clear at any given moment, and once the park clears, bus transportation is no longer. If we continued to drop off, guests might get lost in the shuffle, and arrive at the MK just after all the busses have shut down. Not a good situation.







Well... as it stands now... Neither busses nor monorails are allowed to drop off guests at the Magic Kingdom prior to 7:30. So even if you got to the TTC at 7:00, whether it be via cab or personal car... you still cannot get to the MK prior to 7:30. Disney busses start running at 7:00am, and will get folks to the MK in plenty of time for the tour, without the cost of a cab.

 

[lsyorke]

In defense of the cabs, we were at WLV in July and my son (14) had friends at BCV. Since he was there late I got a cab from WLV and picked him up at BCV at 11:30pm. The cab driver was wonderful! Very cautious driver. He gave me his name(it was a Checker Cab) and from then on whenever my son needed to get back at night we requested this driver. He picked him up on 4 occasions and delivered him safely home to WLV.(The only other option was the grand tour to DDT, change buses, then back to WLV.) Since I had previewed his driving skills I had a level of comfort. It also helps that my son is 6'2" and 200 lbs. LOL
The resort to resort transportation seems to be a big problem they hopefully will address in the future.