Non-Disney attractions

[Andrew Bichard]

Later this year, I will be staying on-site at Disney (beach Club & Boardwalk) I would like to make a few side trips to non-Disney attractions and would like reccomendations.

I cannot rent a car (see footnote), so I will have to get everywhere by public bus (Lynx), shuttle (Mears), excursion coaches that pick up from Disney hotels, or taxi.

I know I can get to Seaworld by Mears shuttle or Lynx route 50. I don't want to go to Universal)

I know I can use Lynx route 111 to go shopping at Florida Mall.

I know I can get to Osceola on Lynx route 56 - is there any reason to go there?

I can get to Crossroads by wheelchair.

Is there an excusion coach service to KSC?

Is there an excusion coach service to Busch Gardens?

Is Cypress Gardens worth an expensive taxi ride?

Is 'Gator World close enough for taxi?

Are there any good restaurants nearby? ( equivalent of V&A, California Grill, Flying Fish etc)

Andrew

Footnote: I use a wheelchair and cannot transfer to the driving seat of a car. 'drive from wheelchair' vans are hugely expensive. My wife has no driver's licence.

Footnote 2: I have recently posted a similar message in disabilities forum without any response - so I am trying here.

 

[dougsmom98]

Hi. I am not an expert on any of this and have not used these services, but I did try to look up a few things for you.

I would say yes, you could probably take a taxi to gatorland. I did a mapquest search from the area we we have stayed on 192, and from there it was 12 miles. I don't think it would be any longer from right on Disney Property. I don't know how expensive taxis are, but it is probably doable.

I have heard Cypress Gardens closed over the winter. I am not sure if they are going to re-open or not.

As for Busch Gardens, there are shuttle services. There is a link right on the Busch Gardens site.
Here is the link:
https://secure.mearstransportation.com/MearsExpress/BuschGardens.asp

I found transportation from Orlando to Kennedy Space Center, but it seems kind of pricey. This one if for transportation only, not admission tickets.
http://www.kennedyspacecentertours.net/tours/tourDetail.cfm?tour_id=26

This one if for transportation and admission.
http://www.buyorlandotours.com/tour...neral-admission-including-transportation.html

I hope this helps.
If you do use some of these services, please write a review when you come back so that we can let other people with similar questions know what the options are.
Have a great trip.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Hi. I am not an expert on any of this and have not used these services, but I did try to look up a few things for you...

If you do use some of these services, please write a review when you come back so that we can let other people with similar questions know what the options are.
Have a great trip.

Thanks for the information.. It is all very useful. I have copied your links to that I can call the various companies nearer to my trip. I didn't realised that the Busch coach picked up at Goodings, which is only a short ride from Downtown Disney (walking distace if you get up early enough).

I see also that the KSC coach picks up from the Swan, which is ideal for me as I will be staying at Beach Club and Boardwalk Villas.

I would assume that the ADA would require that at least some of the coaches have wheelchair lifts.

Have you any ideas for upmarket restaurants within say, five to seven miles of Disney? I have been coming to Disney now, most years for ten years or so, and I have eaten at just about every Disney restaurant except for a couple that have opened this year. Recently, the taxi company that serves Disney, vastly increased the number of wheelchair taxis they operate, so I thought I could risk eating offsite. I don't know If I am getting jaded, or if standards at Disney restaurants are slipping, but I really want to try something different next trip.

Can anyone tell me how taxi fares are calculated - I assume $? to start then $? per mile thereafter + tip.

...and I will certainly write up my off-site experiences when I get back.

Andrew

 

[Andrew Bichard]

I have heard Cypress Gardens closed over the winter. I am not sure if they are going to re-open or not.

According to their website Cypress gardens opened 28th March and will stay open until 1st October. The water park and and gardens are now operating as separate attractions.

I remember visiting in 1978, so the nostalgic part of me wants to see it once more - but it looks like a mighty expensive taxi ride from Disney!

Andrew