Getting from MCO to Swan & Dolphin

[mousestruck]

Considering a stay at Swan/Dolphin resort to take advantage of teacher discount. Since that would prevent us from using DME, wondering how people get to and from MCO (other than renting a car) and how much it costs. Experiences appreciated!

 

[writerguyfl]

Your options include the following. I've provided some cost estimates using the Walt Disney World Swan as the destination. Hopefully other people will have numbers to provide for the missing data.

• Taxi: Estimated one-way cost $55.94
• Unlicensed Taxi (Lyft, Uber): Cost unknown
• Mears Shared-ride Shuttle (may make multiple stops): Adult $24 one-way/$38 round-trip, Children $19/29
• Mears Private Vehicles (one-way pricing): $93 for Luxury Sedan for 4 people, $112 for Luxury SUV/Van for 5 or more people
• Other Company Private Vehicles: Cost Unknown

Note: If you book transportation through the Mears website and use code WEB10, you can save 10% off of the above prices.

Taxi Estimator Site: https://www.mearstransportation.com/taxi-services/taxi-fare-estimator/
Mears Transportation: https://www.mearstransportation.com/

Finally, don't dismiss renting a car. There is an Alamo/National desk at the Walt Disney World Dolphin. Depending upon your dates, it might be cheaper to do a one-way rental between the airport and the hotel. Doing that let's you make a stop along the way to pick up sundries and supplies. Then, return the car when you arrive and you won't have to pay any parking fees.

If you do that, reserve the car for 24 hours. It's the same price as if you reserve one for 2 hours. There will not be a penalty for returning a one-day rental early. At the Walt Disney World Dolphin location, you can even return it "after hours" when the rental desk is closed. Simply drive up to the main entrance and tell one of the Valet attendants that your returning a car.

 

[mousestruck]

Your options include the following. I've provided some cost estimates using the Walt Disney World Swan as the destination. Hopefully other people will have numbers to provide for the missing data.

• Taxi: Estimated one-way cost $55.94
• Unlicensed Taxi (Lyft, Uber): Cost unknown
• Mears Shared-ride Shuttle (may make multiple stops): Adult $24 one-way/$38 round-trip, Children $19/29
• Mears Private Vehicles (one-way pricing): $93 for Luxury Sedan for 4 people, $112 for Luxury SUV/Van for 5 or more people
• Other Company Private Vehicles: Cost Unknown

Note: If you book transportation through the Mears website and use code WEB10, you can save 10% off of the above prices.

Taxi Estimator Site: https://www.mearstransportation.com/taxi-services/taxi-fare-estimator/
Mears Transportation: https://www.mearstransportation.com/

Finally, don't dismiss renting a car. There is an Alamo/National desk at the Walt Disney World Dolphin. Depending upon your dates, it might be cheaper to do a one-way rental between the airport and the hotel. Doing that let's you make a stop along the way to pick up sundries and supplies. Then, return the car when you arrive and you won't have to pay any parking fees.

If you do that, reserve the car for 24 hours. It's the same price as if you reserve one for 2 hours. There will not be a penalty for returning a one-day rental early. At the Walt Disney World Dolphin location, you can even return it "after hours" when the rental desk is closed. Simply drive up to the main entrance and tell one of the Valet attendants that your returning a car.

Wow! Thank you so much for all of this information! Extremely helpful!!!

 

[JimMIA]

• Unlicensed Taxi (Lyft, Uber): Cost unknown

There is no such thing as "unlicensed taxis." Uber and Lyft are tightly regulated by the State of Florida.

All rideshare drivers meet stringent State of Florida standards for background checks (FAR beyond what Orlando requires for cabbies), insurance, and other operational requirements.

In 2017, the State took regulation of rideshare away from ALL local governments in the state because of widespread corruption to preserve taxi monopolies...with Orlando generally, and MCO specifically, being among the worst offenders in the entire state.

Rideshare vehicles tend to be nicer, cleaner, and safer than taxis.

Both Uber and Lyft double-track your ride with real-time GPS tracking, and both allow you to share your ride progress in real time with trusted friends/relatives. As far as I know, no taxi company provides similar safety assurance.

Fares are also accurately and honestly calculated, and you pay your fare by credit card through the rideshare company app on your phone.

The system doesn't "go down" to allow the driver to charge you whatever cash fare they want...as you often have with taxis.

From MCO to Swan/Dolphin, RideGuru.com estimates an Uber or LYft fare of about $32. When I checked the Uber rider app, I got a fare quote of $36.

I got a taxi estimate of about $66, but if writerfl used the Mears fare estimator, that is probably a more accurate estimate (assuming the driver is honest).

Both rideshare and taxis will provide quick pickup and reliable transportation to your resort. If you want to take a taxi, Mears is a good, highly-regarded taxi company.

 

[mousestruck]

There is no such thing as "unlicensed taxis." Uber and Lyft are tightly regulated by the State of Florida.

All rideshare drivers meet stringent State of Florida standards for background checks (FAR beyond what Orlando requires for cabbies), insurance, and other operational requirements.

In 2017, the State took regulation of rideshare away from ALL local governments in the state because of widespread corruption to preserve taxi monopolies...with Orlando generally, and MCO specifically, being among the worst offenders in the entire state.

Rideshare vehicles tend to be nicer, cleaner, and safer than taxis.

Both Uber and Lyft double-track your ride with real-time GPS tracking, and both allow you to share your ride progress in real time with trusted friends/relatives. As far as I know, no taxi company provides similar safety assurance.

Fares are also accurately and honestly calculated, and you pay your fare by credit card through the rideshare company app on your phone.

The system doesn't "go down" to allow the driver to charge you whatever cash fare they want...as you often have with taxis.

From MCO to Swan/Dolphin, RideGuru.com estimates an Uber or LYft fare of about $32. When I checked the Uber rider app, I got a fare quote of $36.

I got a taxi estimate of about $66, but if writerfl used the Mears fare estimator, that is probably a more accurate estimate (assuming the driver is honest).

Both rideshare and taxis will provide quick pickup and reliable transportation to your resort. If you want to take a taxi, Mears is a good, highly-regarded taxi company.

Thank you! Appreciate your thoughts and advice!

 

[writerguyfl]

There is no such thing as "unlicensed taxis." Uber and Lyft are tightly regulated by the State of Florida.

All rideshare drivers meet stringent State of Florida standards for background checks (FAR beyond what Orlando requires for cabbies), insurance, and other operational requirements.

In 2017, the State took regulation of rideshare away from ALL local governments in the state because of widespread corruption to preserve taxi monopolies...with Orlando generally, and MCO specifically, being among the worst offenders in the entire state.

Rideshare vehicles tend to be nicer, cleaner, and safer than taxis.

Both Uber and Lyft double-track your ride with real-time GPS tracking, and both allow you to share your ride progress in real time with trusted friends/relatives. As far as I know, no taxi company provides similar safety assurance.

Fares are also accurately and honestly calculated, and you pay your fare by credit card through the rideshare company app on your phone.

The system doesn't "go down" to allow the driver to charge you whatever cash fare they want...as you often have with taxis.

From MCO to Swan/Dolphin, RideGuru.com estimates an Uber or LYft fare of about $32. When I checked the Uber rider app, I got a fare quote of $36.

I got a taxi estimate of about $66, but if writerfl used the Mears fare estimator, that is probably a more accurate estimate (assuming the driver is honest).

Both rideshare and taxis will provide quick pickup and reliable transportation to your resort. If you want to take a taxi, Mears is a good, highly-regarded taxi company.

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck.

There's no "sharing" involved in Ride Shares. Your driving someone from point A to point B. Unless you were already making that trip, it's not sharing.

Lyft and Uber do exactly what taxi companies do, but they aren't licensed. That's why I refer to them as unlicensed taxis. Nothing you write is going to stop me from calling them unlicensed taxis.

 

[JimMIA]

Lyft and Uber do exactly what taxi companies do, but they aren't licensed.

Actually, Uber and Lyft operate VERY differently from taxis. That's why they are so convenient to use -- they're everywhere, and only a tap away on your app.

Uber and Lyft are (both legally and factually) Transportation Networking Companies. They make the electronic connection between rider and driver and handle the payment in an honest, trackable way which also gives the rider the option of disputing a questionable fare. That's very different from taxi operations.

Nothing more -- they don't employ the drivers, own the cars, or do any of the other things taxi companies do.

Nothing you write is going to stop me from calling them unlicensed taxis.

That's fine, call them whatever you like. There are descriptors for taxis too -- which derive from their most common colors and odors -- but I don't use that term in the polite company here on the DIS, lol.

 

[SteveH]

We used Lyft last year to get from MCO to Swan, very simple. You can estimate within the app, but you can use an app or the website ride.guru to estimate it for you. I ran the estimate right now and it shows $32, it shows a traditional old school taxi at $67. If you've never used Lyft, check the ride.guru link they usually offer some discount codes so you can save a few bucks on you first trip or first few trips. Once you use Lyft you'll understand why it's become so popular and why so many other services are drying up.

I would not rent a car for a one way trip, its a lot of hassle for a 21 mile drive which will take you about 30 minutes depending on traffic.

 

[nkereina]

Another option is Tony Hinds. He's often recommended on the boards. A quick Google search will produce his web site and contact info. His pricing is on par with shuttle services, but its always a private ride (no sharing) in a 12 passenger van. He also has car seats available on request. Each time we've used his service, his drivers and him have been very reliable and courteous. They also park right near baggage claim at the airport so it makes for a quick and easy walk out with your luggage.

 

[jcvalenti]

Don't want to hijack the thread, but we spontaneously booked a Food & Wine trip today, and 2 other couples jumped on with us ... so we need to 6 people to / from The Dolphin in late September. We'll be there 3 nights, and we wont be going anywhere other Epcot or The Boardwalk.

I could rent a Minivan for $257 (plus $100 in parking fees at hotel).

I could rent a Minivan to drive from airport to Dolphin ($157 for "1 day") and $109 to return.

Since we've got 6 people, how would a private driver (like Tony Hinds) work ? Are they timely ? I wouldn't want to be late getting back for flight.

What about the Mears private shuttle option ? Has anyone used that ? Is it fast and easy ?

 

[JohnneeO]

Don't want to hijack the thread, but we spontaneously booked a Food & Wine trip today, and 2 other couples jumped on with us ... so we need to 6 people to / from The Dolphin in late September. We'll be there 3 nights, and we wont be going anywhere other Epcot or The Boardwalk.

I could rent a Minivan for $257 (plus $100 in parking fees at hotel).

I could rent a Minivan to drive from airport to Dolphin ($157 for "1 day") and $109 to return.

Since we've got 6 people, how would a private driver (like Tony Hinds) work ? Are they timely ? I wouldn't want to be late getting back for flight.

What about the Mears private shuttle option ? Has anyone used that ? Is it fast and easy ?

Keep a close watch on car rental prices. The prices you are seeing today will likely change before you need to make a final decision. They may drop low enough to the point where you feel that is a good choice.

 

[writerguyfl]

Actually, Uber and Lyft operate VERY differently from taxis. That's why they are so convenient to use -- they're everywhere, and only a tap away on your app.

Uber and Lyft are (both legally and factually) Transportation Networking Companies. They make the electronic connection between rider and driver and handle the payment in an honest, trackable way which also gives the rider the option of disputing a questionable fare. That's very different from taxi operations.

Nothing more -- they don't employ the drivers, own the cars, or do any of the other things taxi companies do. That's fine, call them whatever you like.

You're making my point for me. Taxi companies would be able to offer much cheaper fares if they didn't have to adhere to local regulations. Or if they didn't have to pay benefits by calling their employees as independent contractors. Or if they didn't have to pay to maintain their vehicles.

Perhaps more importantly, neither Uber nor Lyft have ever made a profit. If taxis companies didn't have to worry about profits, they could offer dirt-cheap rides, too.

• As Lyft goes public, profitability is a long-term goal, not a near-term likelihood (3/29/19): https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/28/lyft-ipo-profitability-not-coming-soon.html
• Uber unveils IPO with warning it may never make a profit (4/11/19): https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...ning-it-may-never-make-a-profit-idUSKCN1RN2SK

...handle the payment in an honest, trackable way

Was it honest when Uber hid the data breach that exposed the personal data of 600,000 drivers and 57 million customers for over a year? That action in 2016 broke numerous laws regarding breach disclosure laws. It also spawned a class action lawsuit.

Honest companies don't knowingly break multiple laws.

• Breach Article: https://www.wired.com/story/uber-paid-off-hackers-to-hide-a-57-million-user-data-breach/
• Class Action Site: https://www.classlawgroup.com/uber-data-breach-lawsuit/

There are descriptors for taxis too -- which derive from their most common colors and odors -- but I don't use that term in the polite company here on the DIS, lol.

You're saying the term "unlicensed taxi" isn't one that should be used in polite company? That's silly.

Anyway, I provided the information requested. I won't be returning to this thread.

Please note that I have never once told anyone that they shouldn't be using Lyft or Uber. I also don't read any thread that is obviously only about these companies. But, I will continue to call these companies unlicensed taxis in threads requesting general information about transportation options.

 

[jcvalenti]

But, I will continue to call these companies unlicensed taxis in threads requesting general information about transportation options.

Wow. I've never seen anyone so concerned with defending the legitimacy and integrity of one of the worst transportation for hire options ever conceived. He must own a cab company or something. Around here, I think the reason cabs are so much more expensive is so the cab company owners can bribe the local airport officials to maintain a monopoly on near terminal pickup points. They certainly don't route that money into cleaning their vehicles or teaching the drivers how to not skeeve people out. If given the option, based on my experience over the last 30 years, I would take Uber/Lyft 100 times out of a 100 over a cab. It is a far superior passenger experience in every respect.

 

[JimMIA]

You're saying the term "unlicensed taxi" isn't one that should be used in polite company? That's silly.

LOL...NO.

Your terminology for rideshare is fine, albeit inaccurate. I even said it was fine -- call them whatever you like.

It is MY terminology for taxis that shouldn't be used in polite company! And I won't.

 

[TaraPA]

No matter what they want to call it - we've stayed S/D probably 20 times over the last 15 years & have used car service, taxis, Mears and Uber. Uber is by far the cheapest, ranging from $32-40 one way plus tip depending on many factors. Last used in January, was $38 plus tip. Very easy to use from both MCO and S/D, pick up area is very clearly identified at MCO. If your'e not comfortable using Uber/Lyft a taxi is your 2nd cheapest option. Last time we taxi'd that route it was $65 plus tip. Good luck no matter what you decide!