First of all, YES, Cartier had sodas provided in the limo. I had requested specifically Diet Coke and Diet Sprite. Both ways, we had those sodas available. They also provided the Disney movies that I had requested. I can't say for certain that soda and movies are provided unless you request them, so be safe and request exactly what you want. Cartier seems to go out of their way to provide excellent service! We had a grocery stop at Publix. When I mentioned to the driver, Ali, that I hoped I hadn't taken too long in the store, his reply was, "we don't have a time limit".
Happy limo had the requested sodas on one leg of our three leg trip. There are always movies available in HL.
Here is the letter I wrote to Happy Limo this Spring...and have yet to hear back one word from them.
"Dear Happy Limo,
I decided to write to you to let you know about our unsatisfactory experience with your limo service last May. I've debated for a very long time about writing this but decided to when I began searching for transportation for our upcoming Walt Disney World trip.
Our first experience with Happy Limo was at the Orlando Airport, when we arrived on 15 May 2002. As stated on your website, I expected to see a driver holding a sign with our name on it. We looked, no sign. We got our bags and looked again, no sign. We waited a bit longer, still no sign. Finally, I called on my cell phone to find out where our limo was. I was told that we were supposed to meet our driver outside at a particular spot and that Happy Limo drivers don't come in to the terminal. (stated as if I was supposed to know this) Then I was informed that our driver had been detained with the previous customer and they would send someone else in 5 mins. Keep in mind, this is our first impression of your limo service.
Within 5 mins, Cindy arrived in an older, quite worn, limo. No problem. We'll give you the benefit of the doubt. By the way, Cindy was wonderful!!! She told our kids where to look to see their first sights of Walt Disney World and Florida. She really made a bad situation better. We arrived at the Grand Floridian and began our wonderful Disney vacation, but the start had been a little rough.
The second leg of our vacation was on
Disney Cruise Line. We were picked up at the Grand Floridian precisely at 9:30am as requested, in a much nicer limo, on 19 May 2002. The driver was efficient, yet nothing like Cindy. (Rather stiff and cold.) I never did get his name and neither did my husband. We arrived at the port and continued our wonderful vacation.
Upon our disembarkation from
DCL on 23 May 2002, we crossed to the parking lot just as a limo from your service was arriving. We assumed it must be our limo but were told that it was not. They were waiting for another family. We waited and the other driver waited. No limo for us and no other family. I called your office several times before I reached anyone. When I finally reached a person, he went to check to see what was going on. He came back on the line and told me that our party had been picked up. I informed him that we had *not* been picked up and we were still at the port. I also told him that the other driver was there and his party hadn't shown up. We (the other driver and us) had been staring at each other for over a half an hour at this point. We were told to go with this other driver. Why was it that *I* had to do the calling to find out what was going on? The other driver just stood around smoking his cigarettes while I made the calls on my cell phone, paying roaming charges! I don't know whose fault the mix up was, but it certainly wasn't ours. Our assigned driver had a responsibility to make sure he was picking up the proper party. The other party should have made sure they were in the proper limo. What more could we have done? The other driver was much like the second driver. He was courteous but far from friendly. We never did get his name either. Perhaps since the gratuity is figured into the bill, they know they are going to get at least 20% so why go out of their way to be friendly.
We had decided that we were going to enjoy our trip no matter what and nothing was going to spoil it. We just chalked up the limo experience to unfortunate circumstances and decided it wasn't going to have an impact on our trip. We had a wonderful time despite our limo experience. On top of that, I had considered perhaps giving Happy Limo another chance. We did get to our destinations, although a little later than planned.
As I looked into other transportation options for our upcoming trip, I have since decided that I don't want to take the chance of having to call to find out where our limo is. Besides that, I have found better rates for a limo from MCO to The Contemporary Resort. I know your website says you will match prices, but think about it. Would you give a new company a chance to prove their service or use a company that was late picking you up, 2 out of 3 times?
I just thought you ought to know why we will not be using Happy Limo on our upcoming trip to Walt Disney World.
Sincerely,
There is more that went wrong, but I figured it was getting too nit picky so I left it out.
If you'd like any more info, I 'd be happy to provide it. I would recommend Cartier, but the choice will be yours. (keep in mind, HL is more expensive and adds a 20% gratuity)
I hope you have a great trip, whatever you decide. (I'd be interested in knowing your decision and hearing about your experience.)
Lisa 