best town car service for a party of 10 (6 adults and 4 children)

[Babsy]

Transportation from MCO to MK resort. We need 4 booster seats and room for lots of luggage. Who would you recommend? Will we need to book 2 vehicles?

I am concerned about reliability/punctual arrival. I paid in advance but had to wait at the airport for a town car service for over an hour once. Never booked a town car since. I book and pay for the convenience and to save time I don't want to wait like that again.

Thanks!

 

[Alesia]

Is there a reason you aren't taking DME? It's free and would be a lot easier

 

[JimMIA]

I agree with Alesia -- free DME eliminates the need for child seats and the price is right. Why make something simple difficult?

 

[Best Aunt]

Transportation from MCO to MK resort. We need 4 booster seats and room for lots of luggage. Who would you recommend? Will we need to book 2 vehicles?

I am concerned about reliability/punctual arrival. I paid in advance but had to wait at the airport for a town car service for over an hour once. Never booked a town car since. I book and pay for the convenience and to save time I don't want to wait like that again.

Thanks!

Interesting. I have been on here for years and don't ever recall hearing this kind of comment regarding a towncar service. People typically use FL Tours (a sponsor of this Board), Tiffany Towncar or Tony Hinds.

 

[snappy]

Tony Hinds and his drivers have always been waiting for us when we went down the elevator to bag area. He also parks close by. Fast departure from airport.

 

[gharter]

We have used Black car several times. They are waiting for us as we walk in to get our luggage. Already have a cart for our bags.
Never had any issues.
They will also stop at a grocery store on the way to WDW so you can get what groceries/snack you want.

 

[Babsy]

Is there a reason you aren't taking DME? It's free and would be a lot easier

We have littles and want to be at the resort as quickly as possible as our arrival time at MCO is past their bedtime. Waiting for a bus and taking a small tour of resorts prior to arriving at our stop would lengthen the process. We are hoping for a car to meet us at baggage claim and bring us to BLT asap.

I agree with Alesia -- free DME eliminates the need for child seats and the price is right. Why make something simple difficult?

Actually just trying to save some time.

Interesting. I have been on here for years and don't ever recall hearing this kind of comment regarding a towncar service. People typically use FL Tours (a sponsor of this Board), Tiffany Towncar or Tony Hinds.

I think that it was Tiffany Towncars that I use at the time. It was a long time ago. I haven't used a town car since. I was upset at the time.

Tony Hinds and his drivers have always been waiting for us when we went down the elevator to bag area. He also parks close by. Fast departure from airport.

Sounds good. He is very expensive, though.

We have used Black car several times. They are waiting for us as we walk in to get our luggage. Already have a cart for our bags.
Never had any issues.
They will also stop at a grocery store on the way to WDW so you can get what groceries/snack you want.

Thank you!


Thank you everyone for your replies. I am trying to decide if the risk is worth the potential time gain. I REALLY don't want to be stranded at the airport waiting for someone to come for us. Much better to take the free bus.

 

[Best Aunt]

OK, I'm not quite awake but here's an idea. Book a Towncar. Also book Magical Express. Do not use the Magical Express luggage tags.

I really think your past towncar experience was highly unusual. But this way, you know that if the towncar does not show up, you can take Magical Express as your backup plan. If the towncar does show up, I don't think it matters if you are a no show for Magical Express.

 

[Alesia]

@Babsy what time does your flight arrive?

 

[Babsy]

@Babsy what time does your flight arrive?

Our flight arrives about 6:20 pm.

So after reading these plus other threads here on the Dis....

We decided to spend the extra and booked Tony Hinds. He has a good reputation around here and I trust the Disboards peoples' opinions and experiences.

Tony won't be waiting for us on arrival apparently, but told me to call when luggage started to arrive at the carousel and that they would be along shortly. Fingers crossed that it all works out as planned this time.

Thank you everyone for your insights!

 

[starry_solo]

Is there a website for Mr. Hinds?

 

[snappy]

Not that I know of but I have his email address:

aobh607@gmail.com

We have him booked for 2 upcoming trips. I recommend him highly.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We have used Park Avenue Limousine for years. They are incredibly reputable and are always on time. http://www.parkavenuelimousines.com/

 

[JimMIA]

Our flight arrives about 6:20 pm.

So after reading these plus other threads here on the Dis....

We decided to spend the extra and booked Tony Hinds. He has a good reputation around here and I trust the Disboards peoples' opinions and experiences.

Tony won't be waiting for us on arrival apparently, but told me to call when luggage started to arrive at the carousel and that they would be along shortly. Fingers crossed that it all works out as planned this time.

Thank you everyone for your insights!

That's a common scenario for planned airport pickups. For security reasons, a driver can't just drive to your terminal and park.

Airports have staging lots, so you wait there and go when your pickup is ready. I have a neighbor who I pick up at MIA regularly, and he calls me when he is at the curb with his luggage. I'm there within 5 minutes.

 

[EveDallas]

Sounds good. He is very expensive, though.

I've always paid $100 round trip. That's cheaper than most taxis. Maybe you're paying more for such a large party and the need for so many boosters.

 

[EveDallas]

I'm confused - your little ones are old enough for boosters versus regular car seats, but go to bed before 6:30 PM (since you said the flight arrives after their bedtime)

 

[Babsy]

I've always paid $100 round trip. That's cheaper than most taxis. Maybe you're paying more for such a large party and the need for so many boosters.

We were quoted $180 return. We were told that he doesn't charge per person?

I'm confused - your little ones are old enough for boosters versus regular car seats, but go to bed before 6:30 PM (since you said the flight arrives after their bedtime)

Yes, I guess that technically I should have said at or after their bedtime, as their ages vary and the two oldest would be just getting in bed at the time that the flight lands.

The two youngest (just turned 4 and 6) go to bed at 7:30 NST time (which is the same as 6:00 pm EST). The two oldest (6 and 9) go to bed at 8:00 pm. They all tend to be on. the small size for their ages and booster/carseats go by weight rather than age. The nine year old can easily go without a booster, but she usually uses one at home and is comfortable that way. the youngest has just started using a booster and could still use a carseat, if that was all that was available.

FYI: In Newfoundland we have our own time zone (NST) that is 1 1/2 hours earlier than EST. This time of year it is dark in NL at 4:30 - 5:00 pm NST in the afternoon. Dec 21 sunset is at 4:13 pm. Ugh!! (Short days. So we are used to going to bed early at night).

 

[CarolynFH]

FYI: In Newfoundland we have our own time zone (NST) that is 1 1/2 hours earlier than EST. This time of year it is dark in NL at 4:30 - 5:00 pm NST in the afternoon. Dec 21 sunset is at 4:13 pm. Ugh!! (Short days. So we are used to going to bed early at night).

Thanks for explaining this! I’m happy to learn it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sounds good. He is very expensive, though.

We were quoted $180 return. We were told that he doesn't charge per person

You need transportation for ten people. It's going to be expensive - not on a per person basis, but the size/number of vehicles you need.

 

[starry_solo]

You need transportation for ten people. It's going to be expensive - not on a per person basis, but the size/number of vehicles you need.

Especially the luggage! Even though someone might have a 10-passenger van, it becomes less people if you add car seats or booster seats (2 per row, rather than 3). Then the luggage....