How easy is it to get taxis around WDW?

[kungaloosh22]

Is it generally quick and easy to catch a cab at WDW? In particular, to/from Dolphin, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness (maybe as late as 10:30 for a carriage ride), Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, Contemporary, Coronado Springs (late evening), and POR (late evening)?

 

[skelooch]

Yes, it's very easy. Cabs are usually waiting for fares at the entrances to resorts and parks.
If there happens to not be one there, bell services or the valet desk will generally get you one within minutes.

 

[Sandi]

With respect to TL and BB, our experience has been mixed that a cab is there. When you get to your resort, ask which cab company they recommend and input their phone number into your cell. That way, you can call directly if you need to. Otherwise, at the resorts, there has always been a cab available or bell services will call for you.

 

[Alesia]

With respect to TL and BB, our experience has been mixed that a cab is there. When you get to your resort, ask which cab company they recommend and input their phone number into your cell. That way, you can call directly if you need to. Otherwise, at the resorts, there has always been a cab available or bell services will call for you.

There's no need to wait until you get to your resort. Mears is the official cab company of WDW and the only one they are able to recommend. The number is: (407) 423-5566.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

At the Deluxe Resorts there are usually a few taxi's just parked there incase some guests need one. Now incase they are not there then a Bell Service Cast Member will call for one and it will be there within 5 minuets.

 

[DipsyDoodles]

Is it generally quick and easy to catch a cab at WDW? In particular, to/from Dolphin, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness (maybe as late as 10:30 for a carriage ride), Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, Contemporary, Coronado Springs (late evening), and POR (late evening)?

It's easy at most resorts...but make sure for the Fort Wilderness cab, after your carriage ride, you arrange for the pickup beforehand. There are no cabs readily available at the Fort usually. Also, the cab has to pick you up in a specific location and if I remember correctly we had to take a bus to that part of the Fort area after our carriage ride to meet our cab.

 

[PHXscuba]

What about van taxis?

We are staying onsite and not renting a car, but there may be a couple times (like a character meal) where taking a cab would save a lot of headache. If there are van taxis, would it still be better to split in groups of 3 if it is easier/similar price?

PHXscuba

 

[joelkfla]

What about van taxis?

We are staying onsite and not renting a car, but there may be a couple times (like a character meal) where taking a cab would save a lot of headache. If there are van taxis, would it still be better to split in groups of 3 if it is easier/similar price?

PHXscuba

If there are several taxis waiting around, usually at least one of them is a van. If not, you can ask a taxi driver to call a van for you, or request a van when you call Mears. The sedan taxis and the vans charge the same meter rate no matter how many passengers are inside, so taking 2 taxis will cost you twice as much as 1 van.

 

[joelkfla]

There's no need to wait until you get to your resort. Mears is the official cab company of WDW and the only one they are able to recommend. The number is: (407) 423-5566.

That is Mears' main number, but the direct number for taxi dispatch is (407) 422-2222.

 

[Alesia]

That is Mears' main number, but the direct number for taxi dispatch is (407) 422-2222.

Thanks! I thought there was another number, but I couldn't find it.

 

[kungaloosh22]

Thanks everyone! Great info here.

We've always rented a car in the past, but the sky-high price of car rentals for October scared1 is making us think twice. We're spending a lot of time off-site as well -- 6 nights Universal + 6 Dolphin + 5 Poly = 1 SUPER trip -- so I know the costs of taxis would add up. Still, it seems the cost of rental + tolls + gas + parking might be even more than the cost of taxis. I used the Mears calculator and assumed we'd take taxis to/from all parks, activities, and meals that aren't in walking distance or a boat or monorail ride away, and it came out cheaper to use taxis. But maybe we'll find cheaper car rentals closer to our trip....

But if costs are fairly close, it becomes a matter of what's more desirable:

Taxis:

- Never have to worry about directions
- Don't have to drive
- Don't need a designated driver in the evenings
- Dropped off/picked up at entrance instead of the back of a huge parking lot
- Don't have to wait for a bus, but could save money if/when a bus is readily available


Car:

- Possibly less waiting
- No insane cab rides (if you know what I mean and I think many of you do)
- Maybe more likely to be spontaneous ("Hey, let's go to xyz after dinner" isn't weighted down by "Eh, forget it, that would be another $35 to get there and back.")
- Can throw stuff in the car that we *might* want later in the day without having to lug it everywhere