Happy Limo-Has anyone ever rented a limo from the airport to WDW?

[mlbretscher]

I was just reviewing the latest mousesavers e-mail and was intrigued with the limo idea. I know my kids would LOVE it, but has anyone here ever done the happy limo? Was your exprience worth the $$? Will the Happy Limo make a quick grocery store stop on the way to WDW? Any information would be wonderful!

Thanks!

 

[kapeppy]

I've used Happy Limo several times and have been very pleased with their service. I have always booked a towncar, though. I don't know how many people you are, but we paid for a towncar each time and about 50% of the time, we were picked up by either a limo or a Mercedes! Imagine arriving at the All Star resorts in a stretch limo - boy did we get some funny looks! Also, they were happy to make a grocery stop for us but we had to tell them in advance that we wanted to stop (we told them when we made the reservation).

Anyways, that's my $.02! I say go for it!

Have a great trip!

 

[Sam60]

My family just got back on Sunday from a trip where we used Happy Limo for the first time. We had a pretty good experience, overall.

Positives:

1) It is cheaper than renting a car for the week. At least it is if you are staying on property and don't plan to eat off property. If you want to save $$$ on food, you might want to pack a bag of food from home, and use the (brief) 15 minute grocery shopping stop for perishibles and bottled water. Be advised...fifteen minutes really isn't that much time when you are grocery shopping.

2) Our driver was as nice as could be. You couldn't ask for a better person to drive you around.

3) The car was clean and smoke free.

4) The driver was punctual.

5) You don't have to deal with car rental agencies and their hidden cost scams.


Negatives:

1) Don't count on getting the low price that Mousesavers initially qoutes. They mention in passing the manditory gratuity ($20 rt), but neglect to mention the airport surcharge ($4), early/late hour pick-up fee ($10 each way), and magic kingdom gate fee ($9).

2) While the driver may meet you at baggage claim, don't expect them to be waiting there when you arrive (as implied at mousesavers). You have to call Happy Limo, and make arrangements to meet after your plane lands.

3) If your plans change at the last minute, you get charged anyway.

4) If your flight is late, forget about the 15 minute grocery stop. The 15 minute clock starts ticking when your flight is supposed to land, not when it actually does.

5) It is not as good an option (compared with a rental car) if you want to see anything other than Disney on your trip.

I don't mean to get bogged down with the negatives, but in fairness they deserve mentioning. Bottom line...we had a good experience, and would use them again on another trip.

 

[IvyandLace]

To those who have used Happy Limo...
Just to clarify-they weren't waiting in the baggage claim for you? Will we definitely have to call and how long did you wait for them to pick you up?

What grocery store did you stop at? I have requested a grocery stop and would like to know which one they usually pick.

When did they charge your credit card?? I'm a little confused cuz they needed it upon receiving my reservations, and after calling them, they stated that they will charge it 7 days out from pickup. Is this correct or did they just have you sign for it after picking up?

I don't know how to state this in the best "pc" way...but we have had some run-ins with very heavily accented drivers from other companies who spent our whole trip talking on a cell phone in another language...not the best experience. How is Happy Limo in this area?

Thanks for letting me interogate you guys...

IVY (9 days and counting!!)

 

[Sam60]

From their e-mail:

"YOU MUST CALL US UPON ARRIVING IN BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA. HAPPY LIMO DRIVER WILL NOT BE STANDING IN THE BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA UNLESS REQUESTED IN ADVANCE. ONCE YOU CALL OUR TOLL FREE NUMBER, THE DRIVER WILL ARRIVE AT A SPECIFIC PARKING SPACE NUMBER ON LEVEL-1 WITHIN 5-6 MINUTES. OUR DISPATCHER WILL DIRECT YOU TO A SPECIFIC PARKING SPACE NUMBER. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT IF YOU MUST HAVE OUR DRIVER MEET YOU IN THE BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT 20-25 MINUTES WHICH IS THE TIME IT WOULD TAKE THE DRIVER TO WALK BACK TO HIS VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT TO YOUR TERMINAL. YOU MUST INFORM US IN ADVANCE IF YOU WISH TO HAVE THE DRIVER MEET YOU IN THE BAGGAGE CLAIM."

Sorry, but I don't remember the name of the grocery store. It was a large discount type store.

They ask for your credit card number when you reserve the trip in case you no show. We were given a credit card receipt to sign when we met the driver at the airport, and I believe that is when we were actually charged for the round trip.

Our driver was a native english speaker- very pleasant. No obnoxious habits like chatting on a cel phone.

 

[Puffy2]

I've used them many times myself. First, get your bags then call them and let them know you are ready. They will tell you which "number" to wait at at the curb outside baggage claim and your driver will be there in about 5 minutes. It's very easy.

I used the coupon code (or referral code or something like that) OTP1277 to get a small discount on the trip. Happy Limo also rents strollers for $10.00 (entire length of stay), provides car seats (for a small fee), The grocery store stop is at Albertsons (is that spelled correctly?) - they even have a feature now where you can fax your order to the grocery store and they will preshop for you (you have to request this AT TIME OF RESERVATION). What else? Oh, yeah, you can rent walkie talkies from them too I think.

All drivers have been safe and professional - cars are REALLY nice. I have never had a problem with them.

 

[tjmw2727]

Wow -

Let me just say that I have used Tiffany town car and Florida Tours and they were both great. Both services charged exactly what I was quoted (no hidden charges!) and left the tip to my discretion. Both companies were waiting at the bottom of the escalator for us with a sign bearing our family name. Both services were prompt and courteous and helped with bags to the towcar. Neither service required a credit card to secure the reservation. Both services were on time for the return trip. Both services provided a 30 minute grocery stop complimentary! Last but not least Tiffany provided a car seat - also free of charge. Don't need one anymore so I don't know about Florida Tours.

Check out the transportation board for more information and advice on all the limo/town car companies.

For us this is the only way to go - we are using Florida Tours in November!

TJ

 

[Tamie]

I also used Tiffany Towncar and was impressed with their service. Very friendly and talkitive with kids and adults alike and no hidden fees.

 

[elemusing]

I have used Happy Limo and am planning to again in December. My email confirmation did NOT say I had to call unless my flight was delayed.

As a matter of fact, the last time I used them (last year) they were standing at baggage claim with their little smiley face Hapy Limo sign with our surname on it. Our grocery stop took a little more than 15 minutes and the driver was fine with that.

They were great! About the charge - that is correct - they didn't charge our check card until 7 days out.

I think maybe the meeting has something to do with your terminal. We come into terminal B. I think if you come in A you have to call now. I could be wrong about that. . . seems like I remember reading that somewhere.

Barb at www.castawayclub.com uses them all the time ( they cruise about 5 times a year and always use HL.) You should check out her sight for more info on them.

Happy Limo also has a website that has info.

Angie

 

[Cinderella37]

Just wanted to add how pleased we are with Tiffany Towncar service. You can either get a Towncar or a limo, with no extra fees and a driver waiting for your party the minute you enter baggage claim. Every driver we've ever had has been wonderful, plus, they monitor your flights. There is a difference in price for MK resorts, I believe $10.

 

[Puffy2]

I think it does have to do with which termanial you end up using . One they can meet in baggage claim without a problem. the other one they CAN meet you in baggage claim BUT the driver then has to hike back to the car and bring it around (making you wait longer) so it is better to call - when you make your reservation they will tell you exactly what to do.

I used tiffany town car twice before I found Happy Limo - The first time TTC didn't show up at our hotel for the return trip (called them and they had a car there in about 15 min.) and the second time, our driver wasn't to be found when we arrived at the airport - like promised - (had to call and they sent a driver over - again about 20 min.). This may or may not be usual with them but I won't use them anymore for these reasons.

And, I think all services charge "extra" for the Magic Kingdom resorts because Disney charges them a fee to enter the gate there. Only applies to the MK resorts.

 

[cleo]

I realize you probably have the answers you need, but I'm bumping you over to Transportation so that your good information won't be missed.

 

[eleanor]

WE used Tiffany town car in March and they were great. The driver was waiting at the bottom of the stairs with our name on a board.{I always wanted to do that}. The cost was $90. to WL , and I printed a $5 / dollar off coupon from their website. That made it $85, They will make a 25 min. grocery stop. They were even early picking us up to leave for the airport. I will certainly be using them every trip.

 

[drcmk]

Regarding Happy Limo and the pre-paid tip . . . I am fine with including a tip in the total charge and paying it ahead of time. But doesn't it feel awkward not to tip the driver when he drops you off? I think I might end up "double tipping" the driver because it will feel so rude not to hand him some money as he helps us out of the car.

 

[Luvdisney]

DRCMK, I was thinking the same thing. I think I would feel obligated to give the driver some cash, but then I would be getting hit twice on the tip.

 

[inkkognito]

We usually use a towncar from Happy, but on our last trip we travelled with anothe family so we took a limo. It was gorgeous! It was a huge white stretch limo with luxurious seats and fiber optic lighting. There were cold sodas and a television with a DVD player, which the teen in our group really enjoyed.
We're actually up to 8 cruises this year, but next year it's "only" 6. We usually do the grocery stop, but since we're going to the port and only need a couple of items, we usually stop at a convenience store like 7-11.
Don't feel awkward about not tipping the driver when it is already included. of course, I often tip a little extra when I feel that the service warrants it.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[bunnyfoo]

Originally posted by Sam60
1) Don't count on getting the low price that Mousesavers initially qoutes. They mention in passing the manditory gratuity ($20 rt), but neglect to mention the airport surcharge ($4), early/late hour pick-up fee ($10 each way), and magic kingdom gate fee ($9).

That's good to know I'm thinking of booking with Happy Limo for this trip. Just wondering ... Do you get hit with the airport surcharge for each leg of your trip? Or is it a single $4 charge? I also thought I saw on their site that they don't charge if your flight is late... Has that changed recently?

 

[ragu]

Originally posted by bunnyfoo
That's good to know I'm thinking of booking with Happy Limo for this trip. Just wondering ... Do you get hit with the airport surcharge for each leg of your trip? Or is it a single $4 charge? I also thought I saw on their site that they don't charge if your flight is late... Has that changed recently?

I was only charged two dollars for our upcoming trip and it was only for pick up at the airport. I think we all of the endorsments we mad a good choice going with Happy Limo!

 

[eleanor]

Why would you pay extra when TTC and FTC dont charge extra?

 

[ragu]

Happy limo said it was an $2.00 ariport surcharge.