Busses and Taxi's and Uber's OH MY!

[PAcpl]

Just returned from a 7 day trip to Disney and figured I would share my transportation experience here. I intended to use Uber a lot this trip but it didn't work out that way. We were staying at Old Key West.

The busses are the busses so I won't get into that much. There were times the bus would be pulling up as we got to the bus stop. There were other times we waited a while and would see three or four busses for the same park come by empty while waiting for the bus we wanted. I would say we took a bus about a quarter of our trip. The Jimmy Buffet playing was a nice surprise.

Uber, I wouldn't even consider this an option on Disney property right now. Since Disney has a contract with Mears they seem to be making it as hard as possible for the Uber drivers to compete. They aren't allowed to stay on property like the taxis do and even getting on property is tough for them since they are in standard cars. One of the few times we did take an Uber car, while the security guard scanned our bands he was adamant to let us know that if we planned on using this service in the future it would be difficult to get them in and out of the resorts. We tried to user Uber about 6 times and only actually used them twice. The one time was great the other time the Uber driver got lost going to Epcot to drop us off. A couple of the trips we canceled was due to the driver getting lost coming to get us. We were always going to and coming from Disney property so I can't imagine how an Uber driver wouldn't know their way. Another time we canceled them was because the security guards kept sending the driver to a different gate. Regardless of the reason it was always difficult dealing with Uber. That being said the two cars we did end up getting were "Black Service" cars (BMW 5 Series) and were charged the standard $1.00 fare. So the two times we used Uber the each trip fare came out to $6 (OKW to Epcot and OKW to Cirque area of Disney Springs). The average Mears Taxi fare was $20, so thats a big difference.

We took taxi's the majority of our trip. I think having Uber in Disney has forced Mears to step up their game. The drivers this trip have never been nicer. They have an app now that's similar to Uber and will show you where their cars are and will assign you a car/driver. It will automatically pay for your trip and include a tip. Most of the cars have charging stations in the back so you can charge your phone. Only one time we had to wait more then 10 minutes for a Mears taxi, not sure what the hold up was. Since we got the cab from bell services we couldn't tell where they were coming from. Eventually a bus showed up before the taxi so we hopped on that since we were running late for reservations.

Also they just started allowing Uber Black Service to pick you up at the airport. So if anyone is looking for that option it is available now.

Hope that helps someone.

 

[Ruth B]

Thanks for the info. I was hoping to use Uber so helpful. Interesting re uber at airport. Ruth

 

[RideShareRob]

interesting indeed....especially since alll the info about uber was dead wrong.

 

[PAcpl]

interesting indeed....especially since alll the info about uber was dead wrong.

How can an experience be wrong?

 

[cleopenn]

Thanks for the info. I am foreseeing the bus system not working for us for a couple of reason. We are big Uber users when we travel for work and pleasure where Uber has a presence. We are bug Uber users when we travel for work and pleasure where Uber has a presence.

Interesting about Uber Black at the airport. I know in other markets, Uber is making the argument that the Black cars function the same as a car service, which has so far allowed them access in many locations where they otherwise would be shut out. All the Uber Black drivers we have ridden with in the DC area were in fact car service drivers that also work at Uber to fill in their down periods. We already reserved with FL Tours but I will peak at the app to see if Black would be an option.

 

[albertamom]

We're planning our first trip to WDW in February. Our trip will not be as long as I would like it to be, so as a time management strategy, I'm thinking that we will take cabs a number of times, especially when we leave AK mid-afternoon to head to Disney Springs. Are cabs readily available outside the parks and Disney Springs?

 

[ecclescake]

We used Uber several times in September for the first time, and we were much luckier in our experiences, sounds like you were really unlucky which is a shame. We took used buses (from Pop Century) to get around Disney... but took Uber from Pop (and back) to Universal 3 times, to a Walmart, Discovery Cove and Seaworld. Friendly drivers, easy to pay as it goes automatically from credit card, and cheaper than Mears or taxis for us. Each time we requested one, there was an Uber 10 mins or less away. On return journeys, I just showed my Magic band to the security and didn't have any problems.

 

[maxiesmom]

We're planning our first trip to WDW in February. Our trip will not be as long as I would like it to be, so as a time management strategy, I'm thinking that we will take cabs a number of times, especially when we leave AK mid-afternoon to head to Disney Springs. Are cabs readily available outside the parks and Disney Springs?

Yes. I use cabs a fair amount getting around Disney World, and have never had a problem getting one when needed.

 

[albertamom]

Yes. I use cabs a fair amount getting around Disney World, and have never had a problem getting one when needed.

That's great to hear! Thank you! I can hardly wait!

 

[PAcpl]

Thanks for the info. I am foreseeing the bus system not working for us for a couple of reason. We are big Uber users when we travel for work and pleasure where Uber has a presence. We are bug Uber users when we travel for work and pleasure where Uber has a presence.

Interesting about Uber Black at the airport. I know in other markets, Uber is making the argument that the Black cars function the same as a car service, which has so far allowed them access in many locations where they otherwise would be shut out. All the Uber Black drivers we have ridden with in the DC area were in fact car service drivers that also work at Uber to fill in their down periods. We already reserved with FL Tours but I will peak at the app to see if Black would be an option.

This is how we felt. We live in the suburbs of Philly so Uber isn't much of an option when we are home, but when we travel that is usually our first choice. We solely used Uber in Chicago this passed August and didn't have one bad experience. I was hoping to use them more this trip, but I guess I just had back luck.

We're planning our first trip to WDW in February. Our trip will not be as long as I would like it to be, so as a time management strategy, I'm thinking that we will take cabs a number of times, especially when we leave AK mid-afternoon to head to Disney Springs. Are cabs readily available outside the parks and Disney Springs?

That's the main reason I take taxis in Disney. I grew up on the city so I am used to it plus I want to get where I am going ASAP. We only have so much time on vacation I prefer not to wait.

I was pleasantly surprised with the Mears app. It was like using an overpriced Uber service. And the phone chargers in the car's are a nice touch. Like I said if nothing else Uber made Mears step up their game which in my book is a win, win for the consumer.

 

[albertamom]

That's the main reason I take taxis in Disney. I grew up on the city so I am used to it plus I want to get where I am going ASAP. We only have so much time on vacation I prefer not to wait.

I was pleasantly surprised with the Mears app. It was like using an overpriced Uber service. And the phone chargers in the car's are a nice touch. Like I said if nothing else Uber made Mears step up their game which in my book is a win, win for the consumer.

That sounds so great! We've been to DLR many, many times, where you can get anywhere you want to be in a matter of minutes. We sometimes park-hop multiple times a day when there (definitely won't at WDW). I absolutely can't imagine spending an hour or more just trying to get from one park to another. A cab sounds perfect!