Cab cost for a family of 7 from OKW to the Poly and when to call

[Sheilby]

Hi all, we will only have a rental van for the first two days of our trip and I was not able to get a Ohana reservation on those days. Extending renting a minivan is ridiculously expensive. I was able to get one at 7:30 am the following Tuesday though. I have read that the busses start running at 6:30 which I am OK with trying to do, but I'm scared we will miss our reservation if the buses start late for some reason.

I have read conflicting reports about catching a cab with a family of 7. Some say you have to get two cabs, some say you just have to get a van. How do I make sure I get a van? Do I call the cab company the night before? Do I go to the front desk the morning of? Will there just be cabs waiting out front to hail? If I call in advance will they pick me up at the villa or do I need to still go to the hospitality house? What time should we catch a cab to get to a 7:30am reservation? How much will it run for a van for 7 with tip?

Can you tell I live in the suburbs and drive my minivan everywhere?

 

[dmunsil]

There are two kinds of cabs at WDW: sedans and vans. Sedans hold up to 4 passengers (3 in the back and one in the passenger seat). Vans hold up to 7 passengers. They cost exactly the same: $2.40 for the first 1/4 mile and $0.60 for each additional 1/4 mile. The cost to get from OKW to Poly is going to be around $20-25 with tip.

To get a van, you can call Mears and ask them to send one to your building at OKW. There are tons of cabs around WDW, so it shouldn't take more than 15 minutes. Call 20 minutes before you want the cab to pick you up. The number is (407) 699-9999. They'll probably take down a cell number and the driver will call when he arrives, but you may want to station someone to watch for the cab.

 

[Sheilby]

There are two kinds of cabs at WDW: sedans and vans. Sedans hold up to 4 passengers (3 in the back and one in the passenger seat). Vans hold up to 7 passengers. They cost exactly the same: $2.40 for the first 1/4 mile and $0.60 for each additional 1/4 mile. The cost to get from OKW to Poly is going to be around $20-25 with tip.

To get a van, you can call Mears and ask them to send one to your building at OKW. There are tons of cabs around WDW, so it shouldn't take more than 15 minutes. Call 20 minutes before you want the cab to pick you up. The number is (407) 699-9999. They'll probably take down a cell number and the driver will call when he arrives, but you may want to station someone to watch for the cab.

Excellent, exactly what I needed to know including the phone number. I'm putting it in my cell phone right now. Thanks for your help!

 

[deb010305]

Or if you're a worrier/planner like myself, you can call the day before and book it. We did this with 5 from SSR to GF for breakfast.

 

[Sheilby]

Or if you're a worrier/planner like myself, you can call the day before and book it. We did this with 5 from SSR to GF for breakfast.

So I can arrange for them to come for us at 7am and to pick us up directly at the villa by calling the night before?

 

[dmunsil]

So I can arrange for them to come for us at 7am and to pick us up directly at the villa by calling the night before?

Yes. Me, I'd do it that morning, because I trust my own ability to keep track of the schedule more than I do some Mears dispatcher. There are so many cabs at WDW that there's almost no chance of having to wait a long time. And "please send a cab now" has fewer ways to fail than "please send a cab tomorrow at 7AM."

If you want to be sure to be on time, call them 30 minutes before you want to leave instead of 20. Chances are good you'll get to your ADR early. Not that that's a bad thing. Plenty to do and see around the Poly lobby while you wait for your table, and they might just seat you early.

Really, you'll be fine either way, and my guess is that if you call Mears they'll say the same - they can set it up in advance or you can just call them 15 minutes before you want to leave. Why not call them now and ask?

Edit: One key thing is don't count on it taking 15 minutes. It's usually more like 5 or 10. I've never had this happen, but I wouldn't be surprised if they can drop the meter and start charging you if you make them wait.

 

[Sheilby]

Yes. Me, I'd do it that morning, because I trust my own ability to keep track of the schedule more than I do some Mears dispatcher. There are so many cabs at WDW that there's almost no chance of having to wait a long time. And "please send a cab now" has fewer ways to fail than "please send a cab tomorrow at 7AM."

If you want to be sure to be on time, call them 30 minutes before you want to leave instead of 20. Chances are good you'll get to your ADR early. Not that that's a bad thing. Plenty to do and see around the Poly lobby while you wait for your table, and they might just seat you early.

Really, you'll be fine either way, and my guess is that if you call Mears they'll say the same - they can set it up in advance or you can just call them 15 minutes before you want to leave. Why not call them now and ask?

Edit: One key thing is don't count on it taking 15 minutes. It's usually more like 5 or 10. I've never had this happen, but I wouldn't be surprised if they can drop the meter and start charging you if you make them wait.

Got it, thanks - totally see what you mean about more of a possibility of them forgetting than me. I appreciate your input.