Car service question related to pick-up at MCO and car seats.

[pooch]

Driving down was their original plan, sure would solved the issues I am having. But, since they wanted to do park days, that would keep the 6 year old out of school for too many days. Plus, the airfare is non-refundable. I’m frustrated with this process, and “if” we ever do a vacation like this again, she will need to be the planner.

See, these should not be your “issues”. They are her issues. She needs to figure out how to make it work.

 

[EACarlson]

Our daughter does not want to rent a van, without knowing what make/model it is, and various car seat limitations.

I've had rental minivans from National/Enterprise/Alamo 10 times in the last year all over the country, and they have all been Chrysler Pacificas or the extremely similar Plymouth Voyagers.

I would tell your daughter, these are the arrangements I've made, if you take exception to them, you need to make your own that meet your standards.

 

[mauionabreakaway]

I've been teased for being a bit of a paranoid father, and I certainly was the guy that read the car seat manuals cover to cover and... yikes.

We rented a car, a mini-van so we could mount the car seat and not have to worry about it, but we also used Disney Transport quite a bit.

 

[kboo]

OP, what did you end up doing?

We have a similar but not so similar issue - just trying to coordinate transportation from MCO to the resort for 2 families of 4. Other than car rental or Mears Connect, are there any services that could accommodate 8 passengers in a single vehicle? (ie have vehicles larger than an SUV/minivan?)

 

[Minnie1222]

Other than car rental or Mears Connect, are there any services that could accommodate 8 passengers in a single vehicle? (ie have vehicles larger than an SUV/minivan?)

Yes, Tiffany Towncar picked up my son and I in a van that could've accommodated 10 people. I only booked an SUV.

 

[sam_gordon]

We used Tiffany for our party of seven adults in July. No issues.

Gear Fusion is another one that seems to have good reviews.

 

[gottalovepluto]

OP, what did you end up doing?

We have a similar but not so similar issue - just trying to coordinate transportation from MCO to the resort for 2 families of 4. Other than car rental or Mears Connect, are there any services that could accommodate 8 passengers in a single vehicle? (ie have vehicles larger than an SUV/minivan?)

The fact you are allowed to consider a van puts you in an entirely different world than poor OP!

Gear Fusion has a 15 passenger type van, I’ve been transported in it before when booking an SUV. Idk how many passengers they will book in it though with luggage considerations.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I’m stressed out just reading this thread.

I hope OP comes back to update us on this drama! I have no idea how @clh2 is going to be able to thread this needle with all these rules.

 

[Lewisc]

Most of the car services offer transportation between hotels and theme parks. This may be one of the few times where paying for this service might make sense.

 

[clh2]

I hope OP comes back to update us on this drama! I have no idea how @clh2 is going to be able to thread this needle with all these rules.

This decision has not been made…but, the options are to my daughter…and she needs to decide by this weekend. Based on a ton of research, talking to the companies etc, I feel that one company has the best option for us, and was extremely helpful to me. They of course most expensive, but logistically, made the most sense! Another provider came into the mix, a company my daughter found out about through some car-seat safety board, and she is researching that option.

So, I feel way less pressure getting to this decision!

 

[clh2]

Most of the car services offer transportation between hotels and theme parks. This may be one of the few times where paying for this service might make sense.

This still would pose a problem, as my daughter wants to use their own car seats, which, what do you do with car seats while in the parks?

 

[Lewisc]

This still would pose a problem, as my daughter wants to use their own car seats, which, what do you do with car seats while in the parks?

$$$$ Find a company which uses acceptable car seats. Are the lockers in the parks large enough to store car seats?

$$$ the driver will figure it out. Pay the driver an hourly charter rate.

Staying at the Contemporary and walking to the MK may be the best option

 

[kboo]

The fact you are allowed to consider a van puts you in an entirely different world than poor OP!

Well... true. Sorry, OP. I hope your trip was magical and that everyone had a relaxed and relaxing time.

I also don't have a relative who was insisting on a particular set up to transport their kids. We figured that a van is less than 2xSUVs (which it is); and had used FL Tours with a van and a limo on the past and it was not so much more than an SUV. My relative also decided NOT to bring car seats so they wanted to find transportation options that would save the cost and hassle. AND they are taking Mears Connect back to the airport. When our kids were that age, we used (free) Disney Magical Express so it's a whole new world for us.

In case anyone else reads this far with the same issue:

As of summer 2025, 11-14 passenger vans can still be booked at
Happy Limo
Tiffany Town Car
Gear Fusion
(there may be more but these are the 3 names I found)

Rates range from $155-180 one way (no idea if its 2x for round trip because our flights leave hours apart). That does not include tax and tip, but it does seem to include car seats. and a 20-min grocery stop (which you can order ahead for pickup). Hope this helps!