Recent Transportation Experience from MCO to WDW

[lucky1]

Just returned from a trip to WDW and this time we decided to use FL tours, based upon the reviews on this board. We have used Tiffany pretty regularly in the past. I had requested a carseat (detailed note on the carseat) and grocery stop.

Driver was the to meet us at the gate with our name spelled correctly. Our bags were running late and our driver did seem a bit nervous. When they finally all arrived, we went down to were the towncars depart and instead of having us wait at the curb, we walked across the street to the parking lot.
Noticed that there was a booster seat and not a carseat. It is very unfortunately because my child is small. Okay lesson learned that I should bring my own carseat for safetly.

When we arrived at the grocery stop, the driver asked us to be quick, because he had another arrival at the airport. Huh...
Because we are generally considerate folks we rushed, because we didn't want the other folks waiting at the airport for their ride.
Because we rushed we missed a few items. When he dropped us off, I asked what time his next pick up was and he said in 10 minutes. Agggh.. They scheduled something 1 1/2 hour from our arrival time. Hopefully he meant he had a resort pick up and not a airport pick up. Did not receive an information card/Receipt with their phone number and return pickup time, like we have Tiffany. I called the day before departure to confirm the pick up time.

On the way back, we did not have the same driver. On time and quick to get us to the airport.

Not sure if there is really anything to complain formally about and didn't want to get worked up about it at the start of a magical vacation.

 

[macraven]

i had a booking with FL Tours but cancelled it due to it being higher than some other companies. i booked with murray hill transportation i found on the disboards and was delighted. cheaper and free grocery stop. the driver i had last month went into publix when i did for my grocery stop and i had to wait on him.

i called the company and mentioned that and they gave me a generous credit................they are very strict with the drivers they use.

let the company know you felt rushed. they should compensate you for that time you gave up due to your drivers hints.

 

[Disney_1derland]

Sorry you had a poor experience. Contrary to the previous posters good experience with Murray Hill ours was only marginal and on the return trip it was nearly a disaster.

Next time I think we'll just rent a car.

 

[macraven]

Originally posted by Disney_1derland
Sorry you had a poor experience. Contrary to the previous posters good experience with Murray Hill ours was only marginal and on the return trip it was nearly a disaster.

Next time I think we'll just rent a car.

oooo, what happened?? i'm sorry things didn't go well for you.
i had an issue and called the owner and they worked it all out. that's why i was pleased with them.
what made the return trip a disaster?

 

[Disney_1derland]

Macraven,
We paid extra for a van (not a lot extra but when they specified we would be getting a VAN, that's what I expected.) We were a party of 5 adults and two kids in car seats.

The pickup at the airport was fine. Beautiful van, wonderful driver, great experience.

The pickup from the hotel, well....here goes....

They sent a 7 passenger SUV for 8 passengers. (7 passengers + driver = 8 right?) Anyhow, 7 seatbelts, 8 people. Not enough room for two car seats and 5 adults, not safely anyhow. We had one suitcase per person, plus car seats, plus stroller, plus one carryon per person. There was not enough room in the vehicle for our luggage. The driver crammed it all in with each of us having one or two bags in our laps, on floorboards below our feet, etc.

The driver commented that this happens all the time with Murray Hill. He told them his vehicle would not be big enough for us and they sent him anyways. He does not work for MH directly, they contract him on a case by case basis just like they do 98% of their drivers. He asked me what I paid for and I said a VAN. He apologized but there was not time to complain, we HAD to get to the airport. 1/2 way to the airport my cell phone and the drivers cell phone ring simultaneously. On my phone was the owner of MH wanting to know where I was (and he was RUDE). I told him I was 1/2 way to the airport in a very small vehicle that did not have enough seats or room for luggage nor was it a VAN. He said NO-Your van is waiting for you at the hotel. I said NO, a small SUV and a man named Bob have picked us up with your paperwork in hand. He hangs up on me.

On Bob's phone was someone else from MH calling to tell him NOT to come get us (only 45 minutes AFTER our pickup time).

So, no apology, rudeness and I did NOT get what I paid for. We will NOT be using them again.

 

[lsteadman]

I also book car service with FL Tours based on the reviews from this board. I hope my service will be a little better. I also understand that sometimes car services do run behind.

I applaud the fact that you didn't let that ruin the start of your magical vacation.

I will report back to this board my experience with FL Tours in January. I know they cost a little more but from what I have heard (via this board) their service is usually good.

 

[macraven]

Originally posted by Disney_1derland
Macraven,
We paid extra for a van (not a lot extra but when they specified we would be getting a VAN, that's what I expected.) We were a party of 5 adults and two kids in car seats.

The pickup at the airport was fine. Beautiful van, wonderful driver, great experience.

The pickup from the hotel, well....here goes....

They sent a 7 passenger SUV for 8 passengers. (7 passengers + driver = 8 right?) Anyhow, 7 seatbelts, 8 people. Not enough room for two car seats and 5 adults, not safely anyhow. We had one suitcase per person, plus car seats, plus stroller, plus one carryon per person. There was not enough room in the vehicle for our luggage. The driver crammed it all in with each of us having one or two bags in our laps, on floorboards below our feet, etc.

The driver commented that this happens all the time with Murray Hill. He told them his vehicle would not be big enough for us and they sent him anyways. He does not work for MH directly, they contract him on a case by case basis just like they do 98% of their drivers. He asked me what I paid for and I said a VAN. He apologized but there was not time to complain, we HAD to get to the airport. 1/2 way to the airport my cell phone and the drivers cell phone ring simultaneously. On my phone was the owner of MH wanting to know where I was (and he was RUDE). I told him I was 1/2 way to the airport in a very small vehicle that did not have enough seats or room for luggage nor was it a VAN. He said NO-Your van is waiting for you at the hotel. I said NO, a small SUV and a man named Bob have picked us up with your paperwork in hand. He hangs up on me.

On Bob's phone was someone else from MH calling to tell him NOT to come get us (only 45 minutes AFTER our pickup time).

So, no apology, rudeness and I did NOT get what I paid for. We will NOT be using them again.

that is absolutely horrible....................
i will think twice in using them again. next trip next year i might use sunray instead. it depends how the reviews will be over the next 6 months.
sorry you had a lousy experience. i don't want to risk that myself even if my first trip with them was fine.

 

[Cheryle423]

I am planning on using Murray Hill in 10 days!! Yikes! I had read so many good reports on them.. now I hear all this.. boy I'm not sure what to do!!

My only saving grace is there are only 3 of us.. so size of vehicle shouldn't be a problem. Any advice? Their price was alot better than FL Tours..
Maybe I should quit reading now.. and just go with it.. I think all the companies have at least one bad experience as with everything. I will just hope for the best. This is our first vacation with a limo ride and I hope it goes well!

 

[Disney_1derland]

Just wanted to post that John at MH contacted me this week and voluntarily offered me a refund and an apology for the mixup. I did not call him, he knew I was unhappy I felt that was enough.

To me, that says a lot about good customer service. So even I *might* give them a second chance

 

[macraven]

if john called you and said he would give a partial refund, he will. when i had to call them i talked with his wife marie. she put through a very sizable refund for me. they put their customers first. don't be shy to call them before your trip to ease any fears you have. they are very nice people. you should let the owners be aware of what their driver said to you about 90% of the drivers are sub contracted. i never heard that before. they are picky about who they hire.
call them so you won't worry about the transportation. you want a stress free disney trip.........................
did you mention the coupon for the $5 off the trip?
murray hill does not charge for the grocery stop.
sunray runs $77 round trip with the mouse for less coupon ($10)
but charges $10 for a grocery stop.

i went with murray hill as it is cheaper than any other transport company i found on line. sunray would have been a lot more without the coupon and grocery stop. murray hill will beat competitors prices. just ask and they will honor the coupons.

 

[Kristina]

Don't forget Murry Hill will rent you a big electric cooler for the duration of your stay for 45 Dollars. We did this for our trip Nov. 1-15th and were very pleased. It was the reason I chose them to be honest. We stayed at the Pop and at first had planned to do the ice thing but this was so much easier, although we did fill ziplocks with ice to get the thing nice and cold the first night. The free grocery stop was great although I'm pretty sure you only get about 20 minutes and as we didn't know the layout of the store we rushed like mad. Still, I knew we would, it was kind of fun actually . Even though we had been traveling for just about 24 hours and were dead tired .

We will be using them again for sure!

 

[HappyLawyer]

I believe everyone deserves a chance, we are renting with alamo for the first time and i have heard good and bad, i just refuse to do FL tours, i have heard more bad then good and with everyting i have heard, i decided i will never use them, we all learn from our mistakes, it is nice that you are considerate of the other people, but you were not comfortable for the incoming portion. I am glad everything else worked out for you

 

[peacefulgirl]

Originally posted by Disney_1derland
Just wanted to post that John at MH contacted me this week and voluntarily offered me a refund and an apology for the mixup. I did not call him, he knew I was unhappy I felt that was enough.

To me, that says a lot about good customer service. So even I *might* give them a second chance

I wonder if he saw this post.... if he is any kind of business man, he would look around here and see what people where saying about his business !

yikes ... maybe I should rent a car after all

 

[Disney_1derland]

wonder if he saw this post.... if he is any kind of business man, he would look around here and see what people where saying about his business !

LOL, I had thought about typing that I know he must have read my posts because he mentioned some specific things that I said that I don't think he could have known otherwise.