Don't Call a Cab

[TDC Nala]

next time take a cab to the Beach Club and walk in.

 

[.jabba.]

Interesting to read all the different views and experiences. We were sitting in the cab when the driver handed over $11 at the entrance, so we weren't getting shafted - by the cab driver at least! Regardless of who Disney's 'preferred partners' are when it comes to cabs, other than utter greed, you simply can't justify a charge for being dropped off at the park. Agree that Beach Club or Boardwalk are the better drop off points to save the $11.

 

[Milobaby]

A few years ago I stayed at one of the all stars and wanted to go to Seaworld. I used the phone in lobby to arrange with Mears. I went out at the given time and a van pulled up and picked us up. He knew we were going to seaworld but NOTHING said Mears in the van. He wanted roundtrip payment in full before he dropped us off. I refused saying I would pay 1 way now and the rest on return (if he ever returned for us) He was adamant that he was getting all of the $ up front. I was pretty scared. Turns out he wasn't from Mears and the real Mears driver that picked us up said we should have never gotten in a van that didn't say Mears on it. I had no idea that other people could come and pick us up. Now I know.

 

[goofy4tink]

A few years ago I stayed at one of the all stars and wanted to go to Seaworld. I used the phone in lobby to arrange with Mears. I went out at the given time and a van pulled up and picked us up. He knew we were going to seaworld but NOTHING said Mears in the van. He wanted roundtrip payment in full before he dropped us off. I refused saying I would pay 1 way now and the rest on return (if he ever returned for us) He was adamant that he was getting all of the $ up front. I was pretty scared. Turns out he wasn't from Mears and the real Mears driver that picked us up said we should have never gotten in a van that didn't say Mears on it. I had no idea that other people could come and pick us up. Now I know.

Excellent post. I don't think a lot of us would think that someone was trying to 'fool us' by saying they were supposed to be picking us up. I know I had an experience with a towncar driver who pulled up to the Dolphin, where I was waiting for my ride to MCO. He said hop on in, I asked who he was looking for. He said..'You.' Ah, no, give me a name. He couldn't/didn't, but did say that he had dropped me and my friend off there the week before, after dropping another friend off at BW, where he was headed after I hopped in, to pick up my buddy. Oh. Now, I'm sure there are those who would say I should not have gotten in that towncar, but he did have all the info, except for my name. I hadn't booked the ride, my friend at the BW did. And I did see the name of the towncar company.
But, be aware out there.....there are those who are trying to literally 'take you for a ride'!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

He said hop on in, I asked who he was looking for. He said..'You.' Ah, no, give me a name. He couldn't/didn't, but did say that he had dropped me and my friend off there the week before, after dropping another friend off at BW, where he was headed after I hopped in, to pick up my buddy. Oh. Now, I'm sure there are those who would say I should not have gotten in that towncar, but he did have all the info, except for my name. I hadn't booked the ride, my friend at the BW did. !!!

Something the livery industry can learn from. When drivers quickly and cheerfully answer the customers' questions and volunteer information while not asking pointed questions of their own, then customers will become more confident they are getting into the right car, and less time will be wasted. In turn the gypsy drivers would be unable or unwilling to follow this advice which would make them more identifiable.

 

[SanFranciscan]

We had the same experience with the Disney World entrance. We arrived by cab, and the driver told us that we would have to pay a parking fee. He was about to add it to our fare and pay the $11 himself before the toll-taker just let him through. He said that it was because she was from his country.

Our driver also said that he was not supposed to pick anyone up while on Disney property. We were shocked! That is terrible public relations for Disney. We for the most part still like Disney, but certain things are making us think that more of our money will be spent on non-Disney entertainment because these things are just so tacky on their part.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Our driver also said that he was not supposed to pick anyone up while on Disney property. We were shocked! That is terrible public relations for Disney.

It's all about the legal permits. Now, while he cannot solicit for business, if someone calls him and schedules a pick up, that is OK.

Another example, Checker Cab, the cabs that can pick up at Disney, they cannot pick up at the airport. On the same token, the Yellow Cabs that can pick up at the Airport cannot pick up at Disney. For each of them, it's a one-way trip.

I'm sure Edd can explain how the permits work better than I.

 

[fla4fun]

next time take a cab to the Beach Club and walk in.

That would have been my advice as well. A taxi driver familiar with Disney property should be able to get you to any resort without paying a theme park parking fee. Besides, all the best food and drink is around WS during the festival anyway.

 

[kimsuenew]

Interesting to read all the different views and experiences. We were sitting in the cab when the driver handed over $11 at the entrance, so we weren't getting shafted - by the cab driver at least! Regardless of who Disney's 'preferred partners' are when it comes to cabs, other than utter greed, you simply can't justify a charge for being dropped off at the park. Agree that Beach Club or Boardwalk are the better drop off points to save the $11.

I find it horrible that WDW charges for that. I had no idea. Just out of curiosity, if the passenger was staying on WDW property and had taken the white parking permit with him/her (that is given to every one staying and is to be displayed in their car window), would that have prevented the charge? On the other hand, if they took it with them does that mean their car would then be towed from the lot as it had no permit?

 

[Edd]

Tyler,

The yellow cabs that take someone from the airport can set that family up and pick them back up fo return to MCO. They can also make arrangements to take them to the other parks, Sea World or Universal, but they cannot sit on the taxi stands and pick up passengers from there. The checker cabs, the official fleet cab of Disney, have free access through any of the ticket booths at Disney. If a yellow goes through with a family, at the Magic Kingdom resorts, he has to show confirmation he is taking them to a resort, otherwise he will pay the parking fee. If he goes through the Magic Kingdom gates empty he will have to pay the parking fee. Everyone knows the back way so most will go that way to the Magic Kingdom resorts when they are picking up.

At the other three parks, if you are dropping off a passenger, they will let you through free. However I have noticed several times the attendent might ask for the fee. I have learned that if you say to them "I am dropping off" they will waive you through. I do not have to do this much so really don't understand why others say they have to pay. The same thing happens if driving a commercial vehicle other than a taxi.

Anyone can pick up a passenger at Disney if they bring them in and arrangements were made to get picked back up. Now the only kick from that is if the driver and the vehicle are not licensed and permitted in Osceola they cannot pick you back up, at the All Stars, without taking a chance on getting a ticket from the county. It is enforced, as I was approached by a county official the other day and checked. The ticket is $250.00 per person so a driver might tell you he can't pick you back up if you are going to the all star resort. I think that may be in effect at Wide World of Sports also.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Are private cars of guests staying at Disney allowed to use that back road the one with the security station on it to get to Magic Kingdom parking area?
In other words skipping that long main gate parking toll line, especially since resort guests just get waived through once they get to the toll booths?

 

[Edd]

Anyone can use the back road. The security gate is gone. You will see signs that say it only can be used for Disney business, but it is not patrolled or regulated.

 

[ChisJo]

Very interesting as we were planning on taking a taxi to Epcot from outside disney property for our upcoming trip (planning on having a couple of drinks around the world....not wanting to risk a DUI). Since we are staying off property, will we be able to get a cab to the Beach Club and enter the park on opening?? We want to hit a couple of the rides before WS opens, but if we cannot get into Epcot that way, I guess we'll have to go through the main gates....

 

[fla4fun]

Very interesting as we were planning on taking a taxi to Epcot from outside disney property for our upcoming trip (planning on having a couple of drinks around the world....not wanting to risk a DUI). Since we are staying off property, will we be able to get a cab to the Beach Club and enter the park on opening?? We want to hit a couple of the rides before WS opens, but if we cannot get into Epcot that way, I guess we'll have to go through the main gates....

The International Gateway entrance opens at the same time as the main Epcot entrance. You would walk past the UK and Canada to Future World. Nothing in WS would be open until later.

 

[dburg30]

Ok, so checker cab is the 'official taxis of WDW?'

Are there, or can anyone post a picture of the checker cabs so that we know where to look for the proper name or design or something? I know a picture is worth a 1000 words . Block out car numbers or anything identifying I guess..

 

[Kaler131]

When we were at Pop this past September, we took a cab (it was an orange & black cab....can't remember what company) and the driver didn't charge us for a parking toll, he just drove through.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Ok, so checker cab is the 'official taxis of WDW?'

Are there, or can anyone post a picture of the checker cabs so that we know where to look for the proper name or design or something? I know a picture is worth a 1000 words . Block out car numbers or anything identifying I guess..

Just look for the Mears logo behind the front wheel on both sides.

 

[dburg30]

Just look for the Mears logo behind the front wheel on both sides.

Cool, and just so I know, the mears logo is a yellow M with a roadway beside it? I'm just wanting to make sure..

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Yes!

 

[localdriver]

ALL Mears Cabs, Yellow, Checker, City, and Safety, have a black and yellow License Tag on the front bumper with the MEARS LOGO on it, along with the LOGO on the front quarter panel just in front of the doors. If the CAB doesn't have them in both places, it ain't a MEARS CAB. Also, if in doubt, ask the driver for his PERMIT BADGE, which should be displayed visibly on the person or in the cab.

Many of the GYPSY cabbies simply don't have one. They are not permitted. They paint a car, put some lettering on it, and off they go! To SCAM whoever they can!

If a cab driver doesn't have a permit DO NOT RIDE. That means they are NOT PERMITTED and most likely carry NO INSURANCE.