Are there other options besides Mears and a private car to get to MCO?

[DeeCeeSW]

Hi,
We will be using Mears shuttle to take us from MCO to PO-R but have decided not to use them for the trip back since they want to pick us up 3 HOURS prior to our departure time, no exceptions. I know that extra time is needed to get through security these days, but 3 hours is ridiculous. We figure that an hour and a half will be sufficient. Does anyone know the name of a taxi or car service that we can use that won't cost us an arm and a leg?

Thanks in advance...

Dawn
NJ

 

[Pumbaa_]

You didn't indicate how many people are in your party. You may want to check out a towncar service. The price (Roundtrip) between WDW and MCO is 80-85 with a $5 coupon. One way is usually $45 (no coupon). Definately look into it. It is wonderful to get ofcf your flight and have a private driver waiting for you, helping you with luggage, and bringing you directly to your hotel. Without having to wait for a full bus, or other people.

I prefer Tiffany Towncar, but Yourride is a sponsor on this board and Happy Limo is the other company I see posted here often.

Good luck!

 

[mattkatie7]

I had bad luck with Happy Limo on my recent trip. I'd try either tiffany town car or Yourride. See my post about Happy Limo.

 

[dtuleya]

I just received my confirmation from Rabbit at Yourride and he also picks up 3 hours before the departure flight. I guess they'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

There will be me, my DH, and our 22-month-old DS. I guess I'll look into Tiffany Town car. I'm sorry, but a 3-hour pickup seems like too much time. We will be leaving on a Saturday afternoon (2pm. flight) so I was hoping to leave for MCO by 11:30-11:45, giving us 2 hours. Mears wanted to pick us up at 10:30, literally giving us 3 hours to mull around at MCO. I'd rather spend that time at PO-R.

Thanks for the input!

Dawn
NJ

 

[seashoreCM]

There have been some reports of Mears' scheduling some folks' homebound pickups four hours in advance so their bus can make all of those pickup stops at other resorts and get to the airport at least two hours before peoples' flight times.

For a family of four, definitely consider alternatives to Mears.

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

"Get on the DIS boards faster! Bookmark www.disboards.com instead of wdwinfo.com"

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Aren't there regular taxis in Orlando like the ones we have at the airports in NYC and NJ? I know there must be a few different ones available outside of the MCO terminal! I guess I'll have to see who is around once we land and start calling for a taxi back to the airport once we're down there. I was just hoping for a name of a reputable taxi company, not a private car service.

Thanks everyone for your responses!

Dawn
NJ

 

[ncbyrne]

This is a copy & paste from the go2Orlando.com website:

Cost: At the time this article was written, Mears Transportation, the largest ground transportation company in the area, charged the following rates: taxi service $3.25 the first mile and $1.75 for each additional mile -- about $55 one-way to the Disney area; a town car to Disney was $93 roundtrip; a shuttle was $27 roundtrip to Disney per adult and $19 per child (age 4-11), children age 3 and younger ride free. For a limo, rates range approximately $85-$105, plus 20 percent gratuity.

Requirements: Reservations are required for town car and limousine services. No reservations are required for a taxi or shuttle, which are located outside the airport's baggage claim area.

 

[gracie]

I highly recommend giving www.yourride.net a look. They are efficient and easy to work with. In addition, the cost can't be beat when you think about the convenience. I've heard too many horror stories about Mears and wayward taxis!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

My original issue is that I do not want to be sitting in MCO three hours prior to my flight. Yourride AND Mears both insist that they pick us up at 10:30am. for a 2pm. flight. Granted, it will be a Saturday afternoon and we do expect the airport to be crowded, but three hours? I don't really don't look forward to entertaining my toddler in the terminal for that time to THEN get on the plane for another three hours. We use Newark Intl. as our airport and have taken two trips since 9/11. Two hours has been more than enough time to get our e-tickets, pass security (shoe check and all) and get to the gate. These private companies want me to believe that MCO on a Saturday will be busier than a typical day at Newark. I've been to MCO and it's no Newark. I understand that they want to cover all the bases and that they would be looking out for us, but three hours for a domestic flight is just too long. This is why I am looking for the name of a reputable, albeit, possible "wayward" taxi company. SO...if anyone on this board has had a GOOD experience with a regular taxi comapny and can remember the name of it, please let me know!

Thanks!
Dawn
NJ

 

[gracie]

oooohhhh....... ok!! Now I'm with you! Well, if Rabbit says you need to be there 3 hours early - he would know. All I can tell you is that we arrived at MCO on a couple of weeks ago on a Thursday around 11 or 11:30am (too tired to remember!) anyway, the security line was unbelievable!! I asked Rabbit if that was normal and he made a face and said yes. Only you can make the call - but to me the line looked like they were waiting to get on Test Track in the middle of the afternoon!! Good luck and have a blast down there! Wish I were going back!

 

[Dallas_Lady]

No one really takes taxis because of the cost versus a towncar. You're gonna pay about $2/mile in a taxi and WDW is 20 miles from the airport... coming to about $40 each way. A towncar averages $80 roundtrip. So, if I had to choose between a taxi and a towncar for the same price, I'd choose the towncar.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

I never said I wanted to take a taxi because I think it will be a more pleasurable ride than in a town car. Again, my issue is TIME. The private town car companies want to place me at MCO three hours prior to my domestic flight. A taxi will take me to MCO when I am ready to be there, preferably two hours before my flight.
Read my original post!

Thanks all!

Dawn
NJ

 

[disnurse]

can't you just tell them you have a later flight time so you;re not waiting. Be forwarned MCO recommends 21/2 hours prior to arrival. The security lines are very long. I will say we left at 11am on sunday and the lines were not bad at all and did end up ditting in the airport.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Disnurse, thank you for the idea. It never occurred to me that I could just give a later flight time! I understand where these guys are coming from and I understand that MCO wants to make sure people have enough time, but as I see from your experience, a lot of extra time is spent at the airport sitting around and waiting. I'd imagine that the security line at an airport like MCO would take an hour at its worst (and that would be bad!). Again I bring up Newark Airport (where I normally fly out of)--the longest we waited to get our tix, check bags and go through security (and I was taken aside and checked, had my nail file and baby scissors taken away and had my shoes checked TWICE--you know how dangerous us moms are) was 1 hour 15 min. This left me 45 minutes to wait at the gate, which turned out to be 20 minutes, since we boarded early.

Thanks again!
Dawn
NJ

 

[nhrenee]

We took a taxi from a hotel to the airport. It was wonderful. Clean, quiet and we went exactly when we wanted to.

 

[moosebug]

Let me tell you last time I went to WDW I almost missed my flight due to check/in & security. I had to cut in line and we left 21/2 hours before my flight which left MCO to around 6pm. So if your flight is around this time I would consider leaving a little earlier. I would have freaked if I missed the plane! Although being stranded at Disney would Rock!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Our flight is on a Saturday at 2pm. in November. All we want to do is leave for MCO at 11:30 instead of 10:30. Don't WANT to miss our flight. We may have to cave in after all, who knows. We'll see how busy the airport is when we fly in (also on a Saturday). Maybe we'll ask around to get an idea of how long it took people to get through security. I would hope that the personnel at MCO would have a fast and efficient system in place by November.

Dawn
NJ

 

[ALostBoy]

Hi DeeCeeSW,

Another possibility is to rent a car for
just that day. I think you can rent
one from National at the swan/dolphin
and return it to the airport. It may
wind up about the same money
and you can leave when you want.
good luck