Ride Share - Thanksgiving Day

[phoenixconfidential]

Has anyone used Ride Share (lyft/Uber) on thanksgiving day from MCO? Should I preschedule a pickup via one of the apps or is it not necessary given the tourism area? Our flight says it'll arrive at 4:20pm but between getting luggage and the window for the arrival time on a preschedule appt, i'm not really sure the best time to pick IF i even should do a preschedule.

 

[Ross Kratter]

“Scheduling” in the rideshare apps is not truly scheduling. All it means is that they will dispatch your ride a few minutes before you have “scheduled” it for.
If you want something concrete, I would book with any of the reputable car service companies in the area.

 

[JimMIA]

I could be wrong, but I don't think you can even schedule Uber or Lyft from any airport.

But you shouldn't have any problem getting a ride. Just get your luggage, go to the pickup area and order a ride.

As @Ross Kratter said above, "scheduling" really means nothing. It's just a way to lock you in to one of the companies, and actually often results in cancellation fees because the ride is dispatched before you are really ready.

 

[sethschroeder]

Book through a company I would not rely on doing rideshare on likely the busiest travel day in the last two years.

 

[JimMIA]

Book through a company I would not rely on doing rideshare on likely the busiest travel day in the last two years.

The busier it is, the more drivers will go to the airport.

However, if it's TOO busy the fares could go up and they could impose surge pricing. The cure for that is to have both the Uber and Lyft apps on your phone and price-check both before you order.

If you do get hit with a higher than expected fare, be aware that the driver is getting very little of the increase. If you pay $20 extra, they're probably only getting $3-$5 extra.

 

[phoenixconfidential]

I just did a reservation for FLTours based on this site - the website says a free 30 min grocery stop (i asked for a CVS/Walgreens if possible since I know stores are closed Thanksgiving) and they said they only do 15 min free on round trip options now and to add this stop would be $20. :| Would be nice if their website had updated information.... UGH!

 

[JimMIA]

I just did a reservation for FLTours based on this site - the website says a free 30 min grocery stop (i asked for a CVS/Walgreens if possible since I know stores are closed Thanksgiving) and they said they only do 15 min free on round trip options now and to add this stop would be $20. :| Would be nice if their website had updated information.... UGH!

Yes, you need to check grocery stores. Many are open, but Publix is always closed on Thanksgiving day.

 

[sethschroeder]

The busier it is, the more drivers will go to the airport.

Except when you have actual driver shortages and round trips are much further in Orlando than some other cities/airports.

You are talking maybe $40-$50 round trip more if you also factor in stopping for groceries. If you are not getting groceries you might be looking at $70-$80 round trip more. That's if you don't get hit by surcharge and you can take the smaller 4 person uber.

I am all for lyft/uber for normal use just not from MCO where there is such easy to use towncar services that go to Disney all the time and include the grocery stop for no cost add-on.

 

[Shellyred8]

If this were my trip, I would book a towncar service for that day and not rely on Uber/Lyft. There is too much risk for surge pricing and at that point you end up paying more than the towncar prices.

 

[phoenixconfidential]

I actually cancelled my FL Tours booking and went with Tony Hinds Fingers Crossed all goes smooth!