Just a few questions from a newbie

[nmartin]

Could I have a little bit of help before I book our first trip in Sept.

1) I think I read before that someone posted a taxi service that picked them up at the airport and took them to their on site hotel but also included a half hour stop at a grocery store. Does anyone have a suggestion?
2) We are thinking about staying at the RPH and I just wondered if there was a safe, microwave and/or a iron?
3) This sounds terrible, but I am just going to throw it out there! Can you bring your own beverage to the poolside?
4) Can you give me some more information about the "dive-in movies"

Thanks

 

[pixeegrl]

Could I have a little bit of help before I book our first trip in Sept.

1) I think I read before that someone posted a taxi service that picked them up at the airport and took them to their on site hotel but also included a half hour stop at a grocery store. Does anyone have a suggestion?
2) We are thinking about staying at the RPH and I just wondered if there was a safe, microwave and/or a iron?
3) This sounds terrible, but I am just going to throw it out there! Can you bring your own beverage to the poolside?
4) Can you give me some more information about the "dive-in movies"

Thanks

1) I think I read before that someone posted a taxi service that picked them up at the airport and took them to their on site hotel but also included a half hour stop at a grocery store. Does anyone have a suggestion?I know there is Mears that a lot of people use. I can't tell you anything about them as we drove last time.
2) We are thinking about staying at the RPH and I just wondered if there was a safe, microwave and/or a iron? Ys, there is a small safe, an iron but no microwave....and if you can't find the hairdryer look in the closet lol I'm glad I read that tip before we left or I never would have found it

3) This sounds terrible, but I am just going to throw it out there! Can you bring your own beverage to the poolside? I have seen lots of people bring small coolers and drinks down to the pool.
4) Can you give me some more information about the "dive-in movies"We saw one on the weekend when we were there Christmas, not sure if they show it more often in the summer or spring. Don't worry someone else will come chime in too! There's lots of info to be found here on the Dis. I don't know what all I would have missed out on if I hadn't asked a hundred questions before our first trip! Ask away!

 

[braddillman]

I've used Mears a few times, they're reliable, I've never had a problem. No idea if they'd stop at a grocery store or not. A town car likely would, though, but more expensive.

A little more cumbersome idea might be to use a shuttle straight to the RPH, then use the I-trolley down to the premium outlets. If some of your party wanted to do some outlet shopping, they could go to the Premium outlets, while those less inclined could walk across the street to the Publix grocery store. I think they have beer and wine too, and there's a liquor store in adjacent strip mall, a Walgreens too. I think this only makes sense if you were planning an outlet shopping trip anyway; stopping somewhere (where?) on the way from the airport is probably faster. I've no idea where, though, I usually have a car and stay at the south end of I-drive.

Mears and I-trolley have good websites. The I-trolley posts prices and route maps. I think it's $1.25/trip, kids < 12 free, might even have a group discount. I-trolley also stops at Wet'n'wild, Aquatica and SeaWorld FYI.

 

[nmartin]

Thanks to both the responses! At least I know what to expect when I arrive and then I can plan.

I never knew that there was a grocery store where you could get Beer across the street. How long is the walk?

I was interested also in going to the outlet malls if we had time. How far is the I-trolly ride from RPH to the malls? And as well if you could tell me where I can catch the I-trolly at the hotel?

Thanks,
Nicole

 

[braddillman]

I think it's about a 1/2 hour ride to the Premium outlets, they're at the other end of I-drive. There are some outlets at the north end of I-drive which would be closer, but I think you need a transfer to get there, so I'm not sure it'd be faster in the end. I don't think there's any grocery store near the north end outlets, but there is across from the Premiums in the south, I've gone there many times. The grocery store is across the street from the outlets, not the RPH, sorry.

 

[braddillman]

I think you have to walk from the hotel to the bus stop over on Universal Boulevard. Not sure how long that is, probably at least 5 minutes. The hotel would know, give them a call.

 

[diskids2]

I know Tiffany Town Car and FL Tours both give you the 1/2 hour grocery stop because I've priced them both out. Sorry I can't help with the other stuff...because I'm going for the first time in July!

 

[nmartin]

Yes, thank you for both the replies. I think I am going to look into those car services. That will be the easiest!

 

[penie]

We are arriving at MCO in early June and have hired MH Transportation to take us to our hotel (RPH) and then r/t from the hotel back to MCO. This includes a 30 min grocery stop and pizza pickup at this same grocery within the 30 minutes. So far, so good...they got back to me on my reservation quickly and it was about the same price as Mears shuttle for 4 people round trip-but with a grocery stop to save money that way. We did the shuttle last time we stayed at HRH in 2002-it was cheaper then and we had 3 people r/t and it was just ok. I personally, prefer personalized service for around the same price and the grocery stop. I have never used this company before but I'm very hopeful that it will turn out great!

 

[ky07]

Don't want to sound discouraging but watch some of the cheaper car or shuttle services cause there was two services I would never use agian cause they were awful but never had any trouble with mears

 

[penie]

Please tell me that one of the two you had problems with are not who I've chosen???? I didn't go by price. I chose by services offered...helpppppp. I'm nervous.

 

[ky07]

Please tell me that one of the two you had problems with are not who I've chosen???? I didn't go by price. I chose by services offered...helpppppp. I'm nervous.

If I don't get in trouble
The worst was CBC
Just be careful cause just because thier round trip is cheaper than most doesn't mean they are good and I had to learn that the hard way.

 

[penie]

I still may be ok. Thanks for the info. We're looking forward to what we hope will be a fantastic 20th anniversary trip! Trying to make all of the right decisions but you never know! Anyway it works out, we will roll with it...and have a great time, I'm sure! Thanks again...

 

[ky07]

I still may be ok. Thanks for the info. We're looking forward to what we hope will be a fantastic 20th anniversary trip! Trying to make all of the right decisions but you never know! Anyway it works out, we will roll with it...and have a great time, I'm sure! Thanks again...

Your welcome and me and my wife will be celebrating our 16th anniversary at universal this july

 

[penie]

Fantastic! Hope you have a great time in your celebration!

 

[ky07]

Fantastic! Hope you have a great time in your celebration!

Thank you and hope you have a great time also