Gaylord Palms ICE & Snow - Transportation to/from WDW Resorts

[disneymath]

I posted this about a week ago on the Orlando Attractions Board and got no respones ... hoping someone here has some insight.

We are staying at BLT over New Years and are thinking about venturing over to the ICE & Snow exhibits at Gaylord Palms on either New Year's Eve or Day.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for (cheap, easy, safe) transportation to/from BLT and Gaylord Palms? (We are a party of 8 ... 5 adults plus 3 kids - a 4yo and twin 2yos. We are flying in and using DME, so we won't have carseats or booster seats.)

I think I read somewhere that Gaylord Palms runs shuttles to the the WDW parks ... could we use those if we had our ICE & Snow tickets / confirmation email?

If that's not an option, and consdering our party size (8), would it be cheaper to go with a towncar service or taxi? In either of these cases, would it be better to use Disney Transportation to "get closer" in order to save on the fare? If so, where would the best onsite place be to picked up to get to/from GP?

Finally, if we go the rental car route (highly unlikely), does the Disney Car Care Centre rent bigger vans (e.g. 12 passenger) and do you need a special license to drive one in Florida? (I assume the DCCC rents car/booster seats? What are the child vehicle restraint laws in Florida?)

So simple an idea, with so many variable! Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

 

[joelkfla]

Mears runs Gaylord's hotel shuttle. You might try calling them to see if they will take ICE ticket holders from the parks to the Gaylord: (407) 423-5566.

The shuttle runs about every 90 minutes to the TTC, so you might want to find out the schedule before making your ICE reservation.

 

[disneymath]

Mears runs Gaylord's hotel shuttle. You might try calling them to see if they will take ICE ticket holders from the parks to the Gaylord: (407) 423-5566.

The shuttle runs about every 90 minutes to the TTC, so you might want to find out the schedule before making your ICE reservation.

Thanks for this info ... I will give them a call.

Still interested in any other info others might have to share in case the response from Mears is "Sorry, no."

 

[Lewisc]

I'd call Gaylord Palms. Gaylord Palms pays Mears. Gaylord Palms guests pay a resort fee which includes the cost of the park shuttles (among other amenities). The decision to make the park shuttle available, and what to charge (if anything), to ICE guests is up to Gaylord Palms and not Mears.

I think POP is the closest Disney resort. Sometimes you can drive yourself crazy, and waste time, just to save a few dollars in taxi fares.

edited to add GPs website offers directions but doesn't mention anything about bus transportation. 8 people. Rent any car that seats 5. Make 2 trips. Otherwise take a taxi. I suggest calling Mears, in advance, and ask about the availability, and price, of a van which seats 8. Otherwise just take 2 taxis.

 

[disneymath]

I'd call Gaylord Palms. Gaylord Palms pays Mears. Gaylord Palms guests pay a resort fee which includes the cost of the park shuttles (among other amenities). The decision to make the park shuttle available, and what to charge (if anything), to ICE guests is up to Gaylord Palms and not Mears.

I think POP is the closest Disney resort. Sometimes you can drive yourself crazy, and waste time, just to save a few dollars in taxi fares.

Good points ... calling Gaylord Palms direct does make sense.

With regard to the taxi thing, if we're looking at two cabs and $20+ difference per cab per direction ($80 total), it might just be worth using Disney transport to get to POP or whatever "Disney Transport Destination" is closest to the Palms. (If we're talking about saving $20 overall, then I agree it probably would not be worth the hassle.)

 

[chartle]

Any thing in a cab, car or town car, If I'm reading the FL car seat laws corectly, you will need car seats for everyone 3 under.

You do not need a special licence for a 12 seat van, you need a CDL for over 15, but I'm not sure if you need car seats. Also many people have posted that they are looking for vans of this size and they are not cheap. They are in the special vehicle class and don't have the specials that they have for other cars.

Before using a taxi or two or renting, I would check with the Town car/limo providers. They should be able to get you there and back in a van and would probably cost the same as a one day rental without the hassle. Also if you need car seats they should have them also.