MCO to POP Century and Back- need advice please

[boomar]

Need advice on best option for transportation from MCO to POP Century and back to MCO. We usually drive to Disney but the drive is becoming too much- around a 12 hour drive one way.
I have read reviews on the MEARS transportation but I am not liking the reviews I see. We have plenty of time to decide on what to do but we are looking for ideas.
We will be travelling with 6 adults and 2 childrend under the age of 3 so we need to have 2 car seats in the option if we do rental as we do not want to worry about lugging around 2 car seats at check in luggage process.

Our stay is for 1 week, we are looking for an arrival time late morning- same for departure. Flights are not booked yet. The rental or transportation need will be for both from MCO to POP and back to MCO so our rental or transportation option will need to accommodate morning options.

Do we go for:

"Minnie" Van options,​

Uber​

Rental option in which we keep vehicle(s) length of our trip and then pay for parking at the resort.- If so what is the best rental option around the area.​

Thank you in advanced for your information

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

Since you are not staying Club Level, I don’t think that the Minnie van option is available to you from MCO to Pop Century. We used Orlando Transfer from MCO last summer and were very happy with their service. https://orlandotransfer.net/ They have a variety of different sized vehicles, depending on your space requirements. Their website indicates that they have car seats available free of charge, but you must request them in advance.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I didn't have a great experience with Mears Connect the first time but gave them a second chance and was pleasantly surprised.

If it were me I'd go with Mears Connect. That way you also don't have to worry about car seats.

 

[RuntheMouse]

We use Mears Connect every time we fly down to WDW which is several times a year. I just used them this past Monday. I’ve yet to have a problem with them. I like the text messages they send with an ETA for your driver and the email communication prior is good as well.

 

[Jimsig]

If you don't want to lug the car seats you only have a few options. Minnie Van, Mears, Uber/Lyft, Minnie Van, Private car service with car seats.

Minnie Van will cost you $199 each way (so basically $400 R/T) and they supply the car seats but I am not sure they can fit 6 and 2 car seats. Also as a PP said you may not be eligible for an airport pickup.

Mears- car seats not required and $32 RT per adult and $26 per child. So looks to be about $244. You don't find a lot of major complaints about Mears on there boards. Mears was also the operator of the DME and they pretty much run it the same way. The biggest change is they charge for it.

Uber/Lyft you will need at least 2. Unfortunately you can not pre-reserve a ride share from MCOa so you will probably have a wait to find ones with car seats as not every driver has them. Prices vary but you looking at probably $75 x2 cars each way for a total of at least $300 as you will need their larger vehicles.

Private car Service- others will have better info as we have never done a private car.

I would go with Mears if I was in your position.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Minnie Van is not an option for you. Only CL guests can book airport MV.

We liked GearFusion last month, I’d recommend. Private transport is the “best” option if price isn’t a concern.

There is no fee to park at Pop but for a rental also consider 2 one-ways, you can return the car/pick up at Disney Car center with National/Alamo and someone else and get a free shuttle to/from anywhere on property.

I would do Mears or GearFusion personally, both would be easy. With 6 adults I’d price out the options and ask the group (unless you’re paying, then it’s your call for sure ok).

 

[EACarlson]

Private transportation or Mears are really your only options. I'd probably go with a private transportation company, I don't think the price will be that much more than Mears for that many people.
You don't qualify for Minnie Vans
Lyft doesn't provide car seats, Uber has a small number with one seat, I wouldn't count on being able to find two of those each direction when you want to go.
You'd need to rent a large vehicle for that many, probably have to take two trips if everyone has luggage, and rent two car seats from the rental company. A minivan that seats eight, isn't going to hold more than two checked suitcases in addition to the people. You'd probably need a 15 passenger van.

 

[Jimsig]

There is no fee to park at Pop but for a rental also consider 2 one-ways, you can return the car/pick up at Disney Car center with National/Alamo and someone else and get a free shuttle to/from anywhere on property.

As an FYI to others, there is no Disney bus service to/from the Car Care Center. But as @gottalovepluto said there is a free shuttle to/from the CCC. If picking up a carat the CCC you should call in advance to arrange a pick up.

 

[jimmymc]

Mears is fine if you're not in a hurry. You might spend 1.5 hours on the bus before getting to your resort, and pickup on your last day may be 4+ hours before your flight time.

Pop Century does not charge a parking fee, but keeping two rentals for your length of trip will probably be the most expensive option. Especially if you don't plan to use them during the trip.

Uber does have a car seat option, but it might be a long wait to get one at MCO. This will probably be the cheapest option, with Mears being a close second.

Last is private transportation. They'll be waiting at the airport and resort at the time you want with car seats. This is probably the most convenient if you don't care about having a car for the whole trip.

 

[Lewisc]

Uber does have a car seat option, but it might be a long wait to get one at MCO

It's been posted....Uber hasn't added drivers offering a car seat option in years. A long wait might be hours.

 

[Miffy]

I use Mears Connect all the time and they've been absolutely fine. I think people tend to post their complaints and if everything's okey-dokey, then why post?

Meanwhile, I just read the Mears Connect site, and there's no charge for children under 3, which your 2 children are. So your total round-trip cost (not including tip) would be $33.60 (this includes tax, etc.) for each adult. $33.60 x 6 = $201.60.

Even including a generous tip, I think this is still less than a round trip in a private car service would cost for your group. Six adults and 2 children won't fit in the back of a town car. You'd need a van. I have no info on how much that would be, but I'm sure a little research will come up with the price.

Yes, a private car service would probably--not definitely but probably--take less time than Mears would. But I've had a private car service pick me up for the return trip to MCO 4+ hours before departure time and I've been picked up late at MCO as well.

Uber/Lyft isn't an option for you because of the car seats. I'm not sure how large a vehicle you'd need to rent, but it's worth investigating.

Good luck, and let us know what you've decided.

 

[jimmymc]

It's been posted....Uber hasn't added drivers offering a car seat option in years. A long wait might be hours.

Uber's website specifically mentions they offer car seat requests in Orlando. Is this not accurate?

https://www.uber.com/us/en/ride/car-seat/

Edit: I just checked on my app, and you can order an Uber Car Seat from MCO to Disney. You have to order at least 30 minutes in advance, and it was more expensive than Uber Black, but you can use it.

 

[EACarlson]

Uber's website specifically mentions they offer car seat requests in Orlando. Is this not accurate?

https://www.uber.com/us/en/ride/car-seat/

Edit: I just checked on my app, and you can order an Uber Car Seat from MCO to Disney. You have to order at least 30 minutes in advance, and it was more expensive than Uber Black, but you can use it.

It's accurate, but what they don't tell you is how many drivers have them and that they stopped allowing new drivers in the program before COVID. That's what causes the primary issue, wait times for one. It's also capped at one seat per car, so OP would need to wait for two of them before getting their party to WDW.
Personally, if I were in OPs place. I would bring the car seats for the kids and use them on the plane, then put them in an Uber myself for the trip to WDW. I always preferred to have my kids in a car seat on the plane when they were that age. It's comfortable, normal, safer and they sleep better.

 

[Lewisc]

: I just checked on my app, and you can order an Uber Car Seat from MCO to Disney. You have to order at least 30 minutes in advance, and it was more expensive than Uber Black, but you can use it.

It's accurate, but what they don't tell you is how many drivers have them and

At MCO Uber with a car seat is not offering Uber low pricing. I'll speculate those rides are being handled by Mears.
Fares are in the $80 range. A car service should cost less then 2 Ubers with car seats.

 

[KPeterso]

We use the private transportation option. Our go to is https://castandcrewtransportation.com/. They offer a bigger van (magic bus) option that would be able to fit all of you. Car seats will be available. And you could even rent the stroller from them too.

 

[RoseGold]

I'd split the difference and rent one minivan with a driver in each room. Send everyone else in Lyft. Then you are flexible to do the same for when you need to drive.

 

[mitsukoshi samurai]

take a cab

 

[Lewisc]

take a cab

The OP would need 2 cabs. Do the cabs at MCO offer car seats?

Bad advice.

 

[jimmymc]

The OP would need 2 cabs. Do the cabs at MCO offer car seats?

Bad advice.

Taxis are exempt from car seat laws in Florida. Obviously it's not the safest, but they're an option.

 

[Lewisc]

Taxis are exempt from car seat laws in Florida. Obviously it's not the safest, but they're an option.

Private car service may be less expensive then paying for 2 taxis.