Renting a Minivan or Taking two Cabs?

[FantasmicMike]

My family (6 of us) is staying at POP the first week of January, and I could use a bit of transportation advice.

We're going to Universal on Thursday, with the hope of doing WWoHP for most of the day, and returning in the afternoon/evening to WDW. We then have a 7:30 ADR at Kona on Friday. Given the time of day that buses typically start between resorts and the parks (and then getting from said park to Poly), I don't want to risk being late for the ADR.

So, here's the two options I've come up with:
1) Renting a Minivan at around 7:00 AM on Thursday (after getting a complimentary ride to the car center - if that's possible!), returning to POP, picking up the family, and driving to US/IoA. Then, on Friday, dropping the family off at Poly around 6:15-6:45, and returning the car within 24 hours (getting a complimentary ride back to Poly myself).

OR

2) Getting 2 cabs (since we all won't fit in one) for both to and from US on Thursday, and to Poly on Friday.

Thoughts? Am I crazy to work the rental angle just for convenience (and maybe to save a bit of money)?

 

[DVC California]

This doesn't sound crazy at all, I would probably do the same thing with one "tweak". I would return the van Thursday evening since you may be finished with WWoHP in the afternoon. Car Care Center is open until 8pm (although shuttle is only available until 7:30pm).

This way you don't have to rush in the morning to get you back to Poly & Family. Everyone just takes the early am bus from Pop.

Steve

 

[FantasmicMike]

This doesn't sound crazy at all, I would probably do the same thing with one "tweak". I would return the van Thursday evening since you may be finished with WWoHP in the afternoon. Car Care Center is open until 8pm (although shuttle is only available until 7:30pm).

This way you don't have to rush in the morning to get you back to Poly & Family. Everyone just takes the early am bus from Pop.

Steve

You don't think we'll have any issues getting from POP to Poly by 7:30? I've heard to give around an hour to get between resorts (20 min each way between POP and, say, HS, and then from HS to Poly another 20, with some lag), and don't want too much stress in getting there on time.

 

[DVC California]

You don't think we'll have any issues getting from POP to Poly by 7:30? I've heard to give around an hour to get between resorts (20 min each way between POP and, say, HS, and then from HS to Poly another 20, with some lag), and don't want too much stress in getting there on time.

Early ADR buses start running at 6:30 am. I wouldn't take the DHS bus. Take the MK bus and tell the driver you actually need to go to Poly for Kona breakfast. He may take take the family directly to Poly if no other MK guests on the bus or may tell the group to stay on after MK and he'll stop at Poly.

ETA - Your original plan will work too! I just would rather rely on Disney transportation rather than National/Alamo shuttle. They may only have one driver that morning and have a wait, which can be frustrating, especially since you are so close to Poly.

 

[Alesia]

2) Getting 2 cabs (since we all won't fit in one) for both to and from US on Thursday, and to Poly on Friday.

Just so you know, taxi vans seat 7 passengers and are plentiful.

 

[FantasmicMike]

Just so you know, taxi vans seat 7 passengers and are plentiful.

Are they plentiful in terms of the taxis that tend to already be stationed at US, or would we need to call ahead?

This is all fantastic info, though - thanks to DVC California and Alesia!

 

[maxiesmom]

When we have needed a taxi van we have usually called ahead.

 

[hsmamato2]

I was gonna ask the same question do you need to call ahead for a taxi van for 6?

 

[ice cube]

sent you a pm..

 

[farrahgirl]

get the van