Limo transfer instead of Magical Express???

[woodlandsparty]

Has anyone done the limo transfers to and from the airport instead of Magical Express??

If so, how much was it??? Was it convenient or is Magical Express easier since they tote all of your luggage for you?? Who do you reserve the limo through???

I just think our boys would love the limo ride!

 

[nurse.darcy]

There are several places that do the limo ride. Personally I think it is way more convenient to do the limo or towncar ride rather than Magical Express. I like being picked up as soon as I get off the plane and not waiting for my ride. I have never been to WDW but this summer we are using the town car service offered by FlTours. Its on this site as a recommended limo service. The convenience also offers a 30 minute grocery stop as well. I am sure there are others who can tell you more about it.

 

[cougartrace]

we are using FL Tours. You can get a town car for about $100 dollars round trip and a limo for about $200 round trip.

 

[blessedby3]

Not for us. We did magical express and it was very quick and easy. Just got off the airplane and went to the busses. We didnt have to get our luggage and oh yeah, IT WAS FREE!!!!!! Thats the best perk. I could use $200 for a lot of things at Disney besides a limo ride. My kids loved the ME and got to see a movie on the way to the resort. They thought the whole process was very exciting.

 

[ceecee]

We waited a very long time one year just to get the bus full to leave for the resort. The second time we left a lot quicker, but our luggage didn't come for 8 hours after.
We have always used Tiffany Towncar before (I'm thinking it was $100.00 RT w/tip) We got a grocery stop if desired and we left right away. The guy unloaded our luggage onto a cart and we rolled it in. No big deal there.

 

[bookgirl2632]

We accidentally had a limo on our trip to POR last year. We had arranged for a towncar through Murray Hill last year. At the time, the only car available to pick us up at the airport was a stretch limo. It was very cool! It was also hysterical showing up at the grocery store in a stretch limo. We did have a regular towncar on our way back to the airport, but the service was still great. Next time though, I think we'll try ME. We'll see.

 

[cougartrace]

Last year during a slow time, we waited about 90 minutes for a ME bus and then about another 60 minutes or so for us to get to our Resort.

No Thanks.

We are going the very 1st of June this year, we will be using FL Tours. Not much more when you think about total cost of the trip.

 

[Bev J]

We have used ME 3 times since it started and thought everytime the service was wonderful. We have come different times of day and different resorts each time. We never waited more than 10 min for a bus and only a few minutes waiting for people to get on. We were at our resorts less than an hour after we got off the plane.
Sure a limo service is great and the kids love it too, but that $$ could buy alot of park stuff or food.

Bev

 

[mrsltg]

I'm all in favor of being in charge of what's going on myself! I was scheduled for ME for my trip in 5 days banana: ), but I just couldn't do it. I rented a car for the same price as a towncar. Works for me!!!!

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

We have in previous years used various limo services. Then in 2005 we decided to use ME. We thought the ride to the Resort was fun....but on the ride back to the airport...it's so depressing to already be leaving Disney, that when we had to pick up guests at 2 other resorts...(besides the fact that the 1st scheduled bus never showed and we luckily had plenty of time to wait for the next scheduled bus) that just annoyed us.

This past February, we surprised the kids with a stretch limo from Premier Towncar. The kids thought it was cool, and DH and I did, too!! I have to say, honestly though, after the first 10 minutes...I think the excitement wore off! I'm glad we have pictures...but I'm not sure we'd use a stretch again. We will however, continue using a towncar!!

 

[OKWAnneMarie]

There are several places that do the limo ride. Personally I think it is way more convenient to do the limo or towncar ride rather than Magical Express. I like being picked up as soon as I get off the plane and not waiting for my ride. I have never been to WDW but this summer we are using the town car service offered by FlTours. Its on this site as a recommended limo service. The convenience also offers a 30 minute grocery stop as well. I am sure there are others who can tell you more about it.

In the past we've rented a car, used Tiffany and Fl Tours. Tiffany and Fl Tours were both GREAT!!!

 

[Jestocost]

Last year during a slow time, we waited about 90 minutes for a ME bus and then about another 60 minutes or so for us to get to our Resort.

Then again, I've waited 90 minutes+ for my luggage at the airport; something you'd never have to do if you use DME and the luggage transfer.

Any mode of transport can encounter delays for one reason or another, so I'd caution against forming a final judgment on an anecdotal basis. It's completely within anyone's rights to choose whatever form of transport they want for whatever reason, however.

We used to use town car services all the time and it's a very civilized way to go. Since DME has come along, however, we've used it exclusively. It's hard for me to justify the extra $.

 

[goofy4tink]

The shortest time I have had between deplaning and my resort was 45 mins. I had no checked luggage, only our carryon bags. Our driver met us in the baggage area, went downstairs to level 1 to get his car, we waited at the curb for him to get back. Then a 30 min ride to the resort.
Now, I've had pretty much a 70-80 min time with DME. That includes time to get from my gate to the DME counter, both lines, on the bus waiting, and then the ride to WDW. Sometimes my resort was the first stop, sometimes it was the last.

Now, I just used a towncar in Dec. If you subtract the time it took us in the grocery store (about 15 mins) I would say that from the gate to the resort was about an hour, 10 mins. We had to wait for our luggage, and one person in our group had one of the last pieces out, then the walk to the car and the ride to the resort.

I find the time spent with DME and the time with a towncar to be pretty close, give or take about 10-15 mins. Yes, you may get your luggage right away ( I never do!!) and you will be able to get to your resort in 50 mins but that has not been my experience, and I've used towncars about 5 times.

It's all about personal preferences...if you want 'special treatment' then fine, go with a towncar/limo. If you don't mind sharing the bus or taking an extra 15-20 minutes, then DME will be good for you. I have just decided that, for the most part, I want to save that $140 dollars and spend it elsewhere. But that is me.....YMMV!!! As my dd says...It's all good!!!

 

[Dis Ohana]

I'm interested in hiring a limo or town car, but I'm traveling with a lot of luggage, at least 4 large suitcases. Will the cars be able to hold that much? There are 4 of us traveling.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm interested in hiring a limo or town car, but I'm traveling with a lot of luggage, at least 4 large suitcases. Will the cars be able to hold that much? There are 4 of us traveling.

The answer depends on just how large the "at least 4 large suitcases" are.

If you're using a Towncar service, make sure the company you hire uses actual Lincoln Towncars, not other "luxury sedans" such as the Cadillac DeVille or Cadillac DTS. The Lincoln Towncar has a massive trunk compared to other domestic and foreign sedans -- but even the Lincoln Towncar has a finite capacity.

Also, with four of you traveling, the driver cannot store a suitcase on the front passenger seat. One of you will be in that seat, and three of you will be in the back seat (I hope you're not four adults). You may end up having your carry-ons on your laps if the trunk is full.

One option you may want to consider is an SUV instead of a Towncar. Or, if you are four adults, you may want to consider two Towncars.

I assume that Disney's Magical Express is not an option for you. With Magical Express, you could each have as much luggage as your airline allows. Also, you would each get your own seat on a deluxe motorcoach.

 

[CleveRocks]

Was it convenient or is Magical Express easier since they tote all of your luggage for you?? Who do you reserve the limo through???

I just think our boys would love the limo ride!

Convenience is a matter of perspective and opinion.

Car service/limo = wait for luggage, but after that you leave almost immediately

DME = immediately go to DME area, but then wait to leave

One is private, one is shared.

One costs money, one doesn't.

A limo ride sure sounds neat for kids. But then again, so does a brightly colored bus interior and a Disney DVD playing.

WAIT ... I HAVE THE ANSWER ....

Go to WDW twice, and try it both ways and make up your own mind. THERE ... that will make everyone happy, especially your kids. Two Disney trips. WOOHOO!

 

[goofy4tink]

Convenience is a matter of perspective and opinion.

Car service/limo = wait for luggage, but after that you leave almost immediately

DME = immediately go to DME area, but then wait to leave

One is private, one is shared.

One costs money, one doesn't.

A limo ride sure sounds neat for kids. But then again, so does a brightly colored bus interior and a Disney DVD playing.

WAIT ... I HAVE THE ANSWER ....

Go to WDW twice, and try it both ways and make up your own mind. THERE ... that will make everyone happy, especially your kids. Two Disney trips. WOOHOO!

Now that's the best solution I've seen to date!!!! Excellent advice!

 

[Jestocost]

The answer depends on just how large the "at least 4 large suitcases" are.

If you're using a Towncar service, make sure the company you hire uses actual Lincoln Towncars, not other "luxury sedans" such as the Cadillac DeVille or Cadillac DTS. The Lincoln Towncar has a massive trunk compared to other domestic and foreign sedans -- but even the Lincoln Towncar has a finite capacity.

I can vouch for all of that, although the DTS has a trunk comparable to the Town Car. We recently traveled to CA with three large suitcases, one medium suitcase, one small carry-on size suitcase, and assorted backpacks and other smaller items. They started us with a Cadillac STS, which was a definite no go. Everything but the backpacks fit in the DTS, but it was missing a seat belt latch. The Town Car fit all of the suitcases and the backpacks, but just barely. It certainly would not have been able to handle four of our largest sized suitcases.

 

[Edd]

The new answer to the town car is the SUV. Ford and Chevrolet both built great vehicles that provide you with the best ride you can find, along with space not available in a town car. Both vehicles have a huge amount of space to fit luggage. Almost three times as much as any town car. The SUV will seat up to seven comfortably. A family of five does not fit in a town car. The five will think they are riding in a small limousine when they get in the SUV. With either SUV there is very little ground thumpiong as you pass over cracks or bumps in the road. Limos let you know what type of roads you are riding on. Town cars fit 3 adults comfortably and 4 adults crowded. The SUV prices usually run cheaper than town cars because the majority of the town cars are leased out and that means higher overhead.

If you use a Mears town car you will pay anywhere from $20.00 to $50.00 more for transportation than if you had using the SUV's available through the other companies. Their town cars are leased to the drivers and are expensive causing the rates to be high on them.

 

[Dis Ohana]

I think the SUV would be the best bet for us -- anyone have any references to where I could get reliable service?