MCO to Bay Lake Tower: cab for 6 plus luggage

[dmel]

Are there minivan cabs waiting at MCO that can accommodate 5 adults plus a car seat plus luggage? If yes, should I be concerned with the amount of luggage we have?

If not, would we need two cabs?

I'm trying to think if it may be cheaper to rent a car at MCO and return it at WDW (Avis has a minivan for approx $80 incl taxes with my company's AWD code).

We decided against DME because it could take so much longer. And, even though there is another thread that says DME luggage-only works, I'm too scared to try it since it's officially against policy!

Thanks!

 

[Swimmergirl]

If you're dead set on getting a minivan cab, I would get the phone number of an agency and arrange for them to meet you. While minivans probably do wait at the airport, they are in the minority and you don't want to be waiting around for one.

Have you thought about a towncar service? We've used FL Tours and Happy Limo before and they would be generally cheaper than a cab, but usually include a stop at a grocery store on the way if you'd like.

Renting a minivan would probably be even cheaper, and you could drop it off on Disney property. Last trip we had 7 people (5 adults, 2 kids), and were able to fit everything into a minivan, though it was a tight squeeze! Good luck!

 

[ToddyLu]

When DH and I have traveled with my parents or his Mom and Brother we always rent a car service van from Tiffany Towncars. They have never ever been late...when we request a van it is at least a seven person van with LOTS of luggage space. The driver we had in Dec was Waseem and he was very professional, nice and helpful. They will give you a free 30 minute grocery stop. They have a web site and I just call about a month ahead and set it up. They take us directly to the resort, help us unload and we pay them then--they take credit cards also. I think it is about $125 roundtrip for the van. We wouldn't do it any other way. Waseem will be picking us up at MCO on 4/30. THey will pick you up at least 2 hours before your flight. He even had a small step stool to help my disabled FIL ino the van several years ago.

 

[goofy4tink]

'So much longer'??? DME takes about an average of 70 mins, gate to resort. A cab/car service will run you about 50-60mins. Not sure that 10-20 mins is 'so much longer'. It always seems that the more luggage you have to wait for, the longer it takes to all come out at baggage claim!
Of course, you don't have your luggage immediately available to you with DME but if you pack some carryon bags properly, that just isn't an issue.

But, if you're dead set against using DME, I would seriously consider booking a car service ahead of time. They have larger vans that you can book that will accomodate your size group and all the luggage. And, you will be met right at baggage claim and assisted with your luggage out to the waiting vehicle. I wouldn't want to rely on the ability to find a large enough van cab on the spur of the moment.

 

[Lewisc]

A car service will have a vehicle large enough for the OP. The cost should be less then the cost for one taxi (I question if a taxi van will be large enough) and will be a lot less then the cost of two taxis.

I sort of understand what the OP is saying. There are a (very) few posters who had to wait an hour for a DME bus. There are a (very) few posters who booked a car service and the driver was a no-show. There are always taxis waiting for fares at MCO. Get off the plane hungry. Want to grab a bite. You don't have to worry about a driver waiting for you.

 

[Alesia]

We decided against DME because it could take so much longer. And, even though there is another thread that says DME luggage-only works, I'm too scared to try it since it's officially against policy!

Thanks!

DME may take a little bit longer, but probably no more than 10 or 20 minutes. On the other hand, taking a cab could end up taking longer than DME. If the airline misdirects your luggage, taking a cab could take a couple of hours more than taking DME.

 

[iluveeyore]

Since you're going to get your luggage yourself if you rent a car or take a cab, you could do what we do and collect your luggage and take it on the DME - would be same amount of time, and you would have all your bags with you. If you send your luggage to the resort with DME without collecting it, it would take less time to take the DME than a cab, because you won't be waiting for your luggage. DD and I took DME March 1st, and we got our own luggage - we landed at 6:30 p.m., had a bite to eat at McDonalds, got our luggage, got on to ME, and we were on the way to our resort at 7:15 p.m.

 

[Lewisc]

DME may take a little bit longer, but probably no more than 10 or 20 minutes. On the other hand, taking a cab could end up taking longer than DME. If the airline misdirects your luggage, taking a cab could take a couple of hours more than taking DME.

Wait until all the luggage is put on the carosel. Wait in line to file a preliminary claim for lost luggage. Instead of taking 20 minutes less then DME it will take 20 minutes more then DME.

Sounds like the OP is willing to pay the $50-$60 is costs to eliminate the (small) possibility of an extra hour wait for DME.

Most of us would rather save the money. Let Disney handle our luggage. Different people like to spend their money in different ways.

 

[dmel]

It's not the lack-of-immediate-access to luggage that is turning me off DME. It's the fact that our two year old won't just sit on our laps and look out the window. If he's not in a car seat, there's no chance that he'll stay put for the ride.

That, coupled with the fact that I've heard that DME can take upwards of 90 minutes, we feel it's better to spend the money and schlep our own luggage for this trip.

I looked into FL Tours, Happy Limo and Tiffany's Towncars... Tiffany's is the cheapest and seems like it will be the best option. $125 r/t.

 

[Lewisc]

It's not the lack-of-immediate-access to luggage that is turning me off DME. It's the fact that our two year old won't just sit on our laps and look out the window. If he's not in a car seat, there's no chance that he'll stay put for the ride.

That, coupled with the fact that I've heard that DME can take upwards of 90 minutes, we feel it's better to spend the money and schlep our own luggage for this trip.

I looked into FL Tours, Happy Limo and Tiffany's Towncars... Tiffany's is the cheapest and seems like it will be the best option. $125 r/t.

You may want to rent a car. You'll be taking a Disney bus to DHS, AK, water parks and DTD. The bus will stop at multiple resorts. He might not like that bus any more then he'd like the DME bus.

 

[dmel]

You may want to rent a car. You'll be taking a Disney bus to DHS, AK, water parks and DTD. The bus will stop at multiple resorts. He might not like that bus anymore then he'll like the DME bus.

We've thought about it. We're hoping that the Disney bus will be fine... we're just worried about the DME bus since he will have just gotten off of his first flight.

In the worst case, we can always rent a car at WDW.

 

[Lewisc]

Search. There are threads where posters discuss (and debate) the merits of a rental car vs Disney transportation.

Trust me. You sound like the kind of a family who would be much happier with a rental car. You won't have to pay to park at your resort or at the theme parks.

The only issue is getting a car at the airport large enough to accommodate your luggage. You might price renting a car at WDW. I guess you could use the DME luggage tags and have one member of your group at check in at the DME desk, possibly even take the bus.