Getting to Disney with family of six from MCO

[PoohBearFamily]

Hi! Our family of six (four kids 6 yrs & under) and planning our first trip to WDW in spring 2022. We're leaning towards booking Art of Animation for 6 nights, and would need a ride to the resort from MCO. I'd love to not have to rent a car... or have to airplane check 2 boosters, 1 convertible car seat, and 1 infant car seat, if at all possible. Is there any option to get to resort that don't involve either of those? Thanks!

 

[SteveH]

I think Disney will be annoucing the replacement for Magical Express, that may cost some $ but it could be an option. You might also look into a Town Car service that has carseats.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

I think Disney will be annoucing the replacement for Magical Express, that may cost some $ but it could be an option. You might also look into a Town Car service that has carseats.

Thanks so much! I'll check that out.

 

[Jimsig]

I believe Mears (the company who runs DME for Disney) has announced that they will continue some sort of Bus service to the parks. I'm sure it will come at some sort of a price though. No other details have been announced at this time from Mears however.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

I believe Mears (the company who runs DME for Disney) has announced that they will continue some sort of Bus service to the parks. I'm sure it will come at some sort of a price though. No other details have been announced at this time from Mears however.

Ooh I hope it's not too pricy! I'll keep my eyes out for Mears updates! Thank you

 

[Fangorn]

I believe Mears (the company who runs DME for Disney) has announced that they will continue some sort of Bus service to the parks. I'm sure it will come at some sort of a price though. No other details have been announced at this time from Mears however.

Yes Mears stated this the same day Disney announced that DME was ending in 2022. Only makes sense, as Mears has been doing this for 15 years now and has the infrastructure in place already to handle it. The only piece that would have to be different would be the payment - customers directly instead of Disney. Pricing will be key, of course, particularly for larger families. But I have faith the Mears will figure it out and make it a viable and competitive option. My guess is that we'll get some pricing by October at least.

Steve

 

[Jimsig]

Yes Mears stated this the same day Disney announced that DME was ending in 2022. Only makes sense, as Mears has been doing this for 15 years now and has the infrastructure in place already to handle it.

Even before DME Mears ran shuttles to WDW. I never took one but I don't think it was quite on the same scale as what DME is now. As you said they def have the infrastructure in place now. I did take a Mears shuttle once from I-Drive to MCO and it was about a 12 passanger van

With Uber/Lyft etc I would think they would have to have a very competitive lower price to make it so people would take it. I mean if I could take Uber/Lyft directly to my resort for any where close to what Mears would charge I would do that, as I'm sure Mears would use the same model as they do for DME with multiple stops etc. If they charged say $25pp each way and I could get a Lyft or Uber for say even $60 for 2 of us I know what I would do. They price it at say $15pp I would think of taking Mears.

 

[starry_solo]

Many have recommended Tony Hinds Transportation. I've never used him (yet) because my trip last year got canceled. If the cruise goes this year (knocking on wood), I'll be using him to get to the cruise ship!

 

[DanielleC]

Yes Mears stated this the same day Disney announced that DME was ending in 2022. Only makes sense, as Mears has been doing this for 15 years now and has the infrastructure in place already to handle it. The only piece that would have to be different would be the payment - customers directly instead of Disney. Pricing will be key, of course, particularly for larger families. But I have faith the Mears will figure it out and make it a viable and competitive option. My guess is that we'll get some pricing by October at least.

Steve

I don't know when specifically for Disney/DME/Mears to Disney, but the airport is moving most if not all transportation options to the new "Intermodal transportation Center" at the south end of the airport. It will be next to the new South Terminal that the airport is building scheduled to open in 2022. The infrastrcuture may not be around in 2022, ie, the pickup points in Terminal A & B. Or if your flight arrives in Terminal C there won't be any.

 

[dez1978]

Ugh I hate to even think about the hassle this is for bigger families with young kids. A family of 6 would need 2 ubers min. Probably 1 XL and 1 regular, by the time you include luggage, strollers, car seats etc. That gets very pricy.

 

[Ross Kratter]

I would highly recommend looking into the various town car services in the area.
Some reputable ones:
FL Tours (sponsor of this subforum)
Tony Hinds gets a lot of love here.
I have personally used Ace Luxury Transportation and liked them.
Mears is also highly reputable; they are the same company that runs Disney's Magical Express and all of the local taxis.
Most of the companies offer very similar rates. Some offer a complimentary grocery stop, if that's something you might want. All offer car seats as well if you request them.

 

[shellsbell]

We have used Tony Hinds 3 out of the past 4 yrs for our party of 7...4 adults and 3 kids with 2 in car/ booster seats....he is absolutely wonderful! No xtra charge for the seats and will make a grocery stop if you want... uses a large transport van and texts you as soon as you land letting you know where he will meet you....aobh607@gmail.com

 

[momdisfan]

Those that have used Tony Hinds can you tell me how long he usually takes to respond to emails? I'm looking at booking him for our next trip

 

[Timandalicia]

Hi! Our family of six (four kids 6 yrs & under) and planning our first trip to WDW in spring 2022. We're leaning towards booking Art of Animation for 6 nights, and would need a ride to the resort from MCO. I'd love to not have to rent a car... or have to airplane check 2 boosters, 1 convertible car seat, and 1 infant car seat, if at all possible. Is there any option to get to resort that don't involve either of those? Thanks!

You can find Ubers that guarantee 6 passengers with a car seat. But they may only have one. We bought travel boosters that are very small but are approved. But we travel a lot, so it was worth the buy. Then you’d be down to just checking the infant seat. Our infant seat attached to our stroller so we were bringing it anyway, and it gets checked at the gait. At one point we also bought these “car seat travel belts” that attach a car seat to a carryon piece of luggage. The child sits in his/her car seat while you wheel around your luggage and you check the seat at the gate. It’s great for many reasons.

 

[shellsbell]

Those that have used Tony Hinds can you tell me how long he usually takes to respond to emails? I'm looking at booking him for our next trip

Tony has usually replied within 24 hrs....sometimes almost immediately

 

[momdisfan]

Tony has usually replied within 24 hrs....sometimes almost immediately

Thanks! I sent an email four days ago and didn't want to be pushy - but I guess I will send another one

 

[Pinkshoos]

I think Disney will be annoucing the replacement for Magical Express, that may cost some $ but it could be an option. You might also look into a Town Car service that has carseats.

See, I hope this happens, and even if it does cost, if it's below a town car, I'm totally using it. I'm hoping they bring back something similar to the Minnie Vans.

 

[Ross Kratter]

See, I hope this happens, and even if it does cost, if it's below a town car, I'm totally using it. I'm hoping they bring back something similar to the Minnie Vans.

The Minnie Vans are still sitting in the EPCOT parking lot, so they’re coming back; the question is just when.

 

[Pinkshoos]

The Minnie Vans are still sitting in the EPCOT parking lot, so they’re coming back; the question is just when.

Oh wow! I did not know! Awesome!!!!

 

[Erica Ladd]

Those that have used Tony Hinds can you tell me how long he usually takes to respond to emails? I'm looking at booking him for our next trip

Check the email you sent it to - the link in the above post is broken!!!

correct email -

aobh607@gmail.com

I double checked and he responded to me within hours