Still needing help with cheapest travel...

[The Sybah Shelstah]

I'm getting close to the end of my countdown below (haha- meaning I'm almost to the day I leave for WDW!!!!! Yippee!) however, I still haven't finalized my travel plans from MCO to WDW and back!

I'm just so torn on the issue.
On the one hand I want to save as much money as possible on this trip -atleast for things that aren't that important to me (like just getting to the resort... not big on my list. I'd rather spend that money elsewhere -yanno?) and thus I think I have decided to NOT rent a vehicle and only use WDW transportation for my entire trip... but that leaves me with needing a way to/from the airport.

Please keep in mind that I'll be arriving (supposedly- it is a nonstop flight though) at MCO on Sunday night at 11:12pm or so. I'll be leaving on Tuesday the 28th (flight leaves at 6:15pm) around 4-5pm?

Okay so there is Mears- relatively inexpensive for the most part but still not CHEAP (IMO.. you have to understand that I live in rural small town Texas and we don't even HAVE Taxis/cabs here. Not even buses! Around here you either own a vehicle or you walk- so I'm NOT used to paying all this money just to get from point A to point B- yanno?). I also seem to be getting the feeling from some comments around here on this board and others that for SOME reason it's not the best choice. I haven't really heard WHY (please share if you know?!?) but it's giving me a bad feeling.
Also let me know if there are any issues with Mears shuttle handling my arrival time that late!

Then there is renting a car- the cheapest I have found is either Thrifty or Dollar (this is a solo trip so economical size car or compact is fine.. don't have the whole family this time!) around $100 per week which I assume the daily charge of around $30 per day would also be added for the addtl 2 days I have on my trip. IN other words my trip is longer than a week. And I don't really NEED a car if I'm using WDW transportation all week!

There are the towncars (I think they are called that? Tiffany? Something like that.. and FL travel also -something like that) that have the added benefit of a stop at a store either on the way to the resort or on the way back -for groceries/etc or gifts which would be nice- but it's way more expensive. Quite close to the amount of renting a vehicle for the entire trip! And really although the 30min shopping stop would be nice- I can't really buy much in the way of groceries with no microwave/fridge in my room. I'm staying at ASMu, btw. I'd love to be able to and save on food costs- but it doesn't look like that's an option for me.

Now someone also mentioned a bus- for way cheaper. Would buses be running that late on my arrival night Sunday 19th? If so, how do I find out for sure the schedule/etc? I really don't want to sit half the night at the airport waiting on a bus- no matter how cheap it is! But if I can catch one close to my arrival time- I should have no problem doing that because I will only have one bag and one carry on plus my purse.. on rollers with handles. If I can carry it into the airport (which I will be- I won't have hubby park the car and bring 3 kids in with me when he drops me off Sunday evening!) then surely I can handle taking that on/off the bus? So if that would work for me- how do I find out more info on that?

What would you do? HELP!
Will I really be okay just using WDW transportation during this trip?
I had thought of renting a car for NOT my entire trip so I could not worry about how I'm going to get to the resort and do some shopping at other places (malls/etc) outside of WDW also.. but where else can I return the vehicle? If I have to return it to the airport- then I'm back at square one trying to find a cheap way back to the resort/WDW- right?

I'm so lost when it comes to paying for transportation. The limit of my experience has been A) own vehicle and drive myself everywhere we go even drove ourselves on our last two vacations- one of which was WDW and so we had our own car the entire time and B) renting a vehicle when we go on vacation. That's it. I don't know DIDDLY when it comes to taxis/buses/shuttles/etc and how much they cost/etc. And quite frankly I don't like spending a fortune on them. LOL

Can anyone help me figure out the best way for me to go and the cheapest?

 

[DMRick]

We've taken Mears, and it was fine..although it's been a few years. We rent the car now, because we go all over the resorts, and hubby will zip out to the baseball musuem and we're planning a trip to the outlet malls Saturday. We really like having a car..but we're getting older and we figure we do enough walking after parking the dang thing! We are getting a full size one from Jan 21 st morning-Jan 28th evening at a tad more than an economy car was. That's considered 8 days..$169 everything included, using the Emerald Aisle with National. However, it was $19 cheaper using a code from Alamo for the same time period. I prefer National. There is a National rental on Dis property, and I believe you can return a rental there..we switched one out last trip, because it reeked of perfume. I think they drop you off, or there is a bus from there too. You might want to call National.

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

I know what you mean. I wasn't sure if I'd want a car or not- I feel older too and quite frankly when people talk about walking this and walking that just for the fun of it- that's not my idea of fun. My idea of fun is the LEAST amount of walking as possible. LOL ofcourse inside the parks walking doesn't bother me- but huge long walks in parking lots, at resorts to the food court or where buses are, etc- does bother me -or rather the thought of it does. LOL

And then I think- but what if I want to go to some of the shopping malls I wanted to go to last time but we didn't find the time? It's going to cost me a fortune to go by taxi and/or get lost trying to go by bus (because I haven't a clue what I'm doing-atleast a taxi I can say take me to a certain place! LOL) And I think shopping for a bit of snacks might be nice-even if it's just things I don't have to cook nor keep refridgerated.

But the cost is prohibitive for me right now. I can find rentals for $100 or just under for a week... but I'm staying longer than a week. And if I keep it a week- it's coming up like you said- around that anyway- closer to $200. If I keep it only part of the trip (say first half or last half of trip) -then I'm still stuck paying for some sort of transportation (either to the resort if I got a vehicle for the last half of trip or to the airport if I got the vehicle the first half of my trip and didn't have it anymore when it was time to leave- yanno?)

I just can't bring myself to spend upwards of $200 for a vehicle or $100 PLUS other form of transportation for one way either to/from the airport. Not for myself. We've certainly paid more than that for less days on other vacations- but it was worth it when you have 3 kids and don't like the "stranded" feeling wherever you are vacationing!

*sigh*

How hard would it be to rent a vehicle on my first part of the trip, with hopefully some place to drop it off at the end of the rental time that wouldn't cost me a lot of $$ nor a lot of time in that day to get back to the parks or resorts, and then find a CHEAP way to get back to the airport at a more reasonable hour on Tuesday (which would be around 4pm/5pm)??? (because doing it the other way my transportation needs would be very late on a Sunday night- so I figure it would be best to try it the other way around since I'm leaving at a more reasonable hour which might leave my options higher?)

I just also can't bring myself to pay $100 for a towncar just to take me to/from the airport and one trip to the store. If I pay that- I might as well pay the $75-100 extra and have complete freedom to have a vehicle the entire time I'm there.

ugh
Decisions decisions. Anyone used buses before? So National is one you can return the vehicle on DIS property so you don't have the addtl cost and lots of time lost to get back to the resorts or a park at WDW???

 

[DMRick]

Yes, National.

We also find some nice food in the deli type store at Downtown Disney, and also there is a decent place to buy groceries at Boardwalk. We buy deli sandwiches at DD, bread to make toast (nice toasters at Allstars, with butter right there..we do buy our breakfast there...we get the kids breakfast (save our high calories for the night meals), and when they offer french toast, we ask them to substiture the roll that's in it for a piece of French toast) so we use the butter for our bread. We buy snacks..what we don't bring with us. We have a fold up cooler..although we'll prob just use the ice bucket this trip. We also bring hot cereal, and use the hot tea water to make it..and pop in the micro for a minute. We pack paper bowls. We have the mugs for the drinks.

 

[travelin' tigger]

I've been to WDW twice solo and have always used Mears. Yes, it might be slower getting to your resort but it is by and far the cheapest way to go, especially with the coupon Disney sends you. The extra it costs you in a rental car is alot more than the few extra dollars you pay for food inside the world - JMHO!!

 

[mad4themouse]

Here's a link to Mears' website. You can reserve shuttle service for yourself right online. The cost of round-trip service would be $28 from MCO to an AllStar resort and back again.

http://www.mearstransportation.com/Services/

You'll want the shuttle service, not the towncar service. They may not be as convenient as a towncar or car rental and there will be no grocery stop but the savings in $$ may be worth the inconvenience.

As a woman traveling alone that late at night, you may not want to chance public transportation. However, if you are interested in using public transportation while in WDW, LYNX (Central Fla. Public transportation) buses do make a stop at the Transportation and Ticket Center. You can check out their bus routes here:

http://www.golynx.com/

Hope this is of some help to you!

 

[CarolMN]

The Mears shuttle is your best option. I would never take the public bus late at night. You will end up stranded at the Ticket & Transportation Center (because the parks will all be closed) and to be honest, I'm not even sure the bus stops there during the night.

The Mears shuttle will get you to your resort and then back to the airport for about $27 or $28 (roundtrip cost. Subtract the coupon and add a tip if you are so inclined). It will be safe and convenient. It's a 24 hour service and you don't need advance reservations. However, since you are arriving close to midnight, I would make an online reservation.

It's possible that you will stop at other resorts before arriving at your destination - but so what? At the time you are traveling, you will most likley just want to get into your room and go to sleep, right? If price weren't a concern, I'd recommend the towncar to you. But there's nothing wrong with MEARS!

Enjoy your solo trip!

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

DMRick- are you saying all that stuff is a possibility to buy while using WDW transportation? It doesn't sound like it- but just wanted to make sure.

Anyone reading this thread- I also keep meaning to ask (and keep forgetting)- WHAT is allowed on WDW transportation (buses, monorails, etc if they have different rules)??? What I mean is -say for instance the refillable mugs at ASMu. Can I fill that and take it WITH me if I'm resort hopping to check out resorts and stuff? I wouldn't take it to the park with me- because then I'd be carrying it around while riding rides and such (for no reason- since I know I can only refill it at ASMu -not even the other resorts either- right?!?). But just curious if I'm going to have to refill my mug, take a drink, and then trot my butt allll the way back to my room to put it in there (don't know which room I'm staying in yet but knowing my luck I'll be all the way back in the far back buildings LOL) and then go all the way back up to the buses?
And since this is a solo trip... what happens if I have food to go from a restaurant meal? Will I be allowed to take that back with me on WDW transportation to take it back to my room? I realize I don't have a fridge -but I'm really bad about not eating a complete meal when we eat out, taking the rest home and an hour or so eating from it again (maybe the rest of it, maybe not) I'm a nightowl... I tend to get hungry later than most people so eating earlier I just can't eat that much.

Okay, it would seem that Mears is the undisputed best all around way for me to get from the airport to the resort (and back again). However, what is this disney coupon that you are telling me about? I haven't ever heard of any such thing- how do I get it? When? It wouldn't help me to have the coupon AFTER I've already paid for the roundtrip with Mears would it? I don't see how it could. So please tell me more about this! Even if it just saved me a tiny bit- I'm cool with that.
And what's this about tipping the shuttle driver? I have tipped limo drivers before- but I haven't tipped on buses/shuttles before. Granted I haven't TAKEN that many before- but honestly with one person paying $28 -to me that's enough. Am I really being crappy to not also tip them? Ugh... I'm so not used to using other's for transportation.. it's so "alien" to me.

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

OH and about the shopping thing- I realize that renting a car would outweigh the costs I would save on buying food (especially because I do not intend on going back to my room for every meal even if I had food there with fridge/microwave!!!) but I was comparing it more to the costs of transportation that would allow me a 30 min shopping trip. The cost of that (around $100) isn't all that much less than just renting a vehicle for part of or the entire trip. That's what I meant.
And the shopping wouldn't just be for food... I meant like shopping at the malls and such- which are cheaper than buying everything on DIS property- right?
But that's not THAT important to me. I could live without spending a lot of money on "stuff" while there.

 

[travelin' tigger]

wow!!!

Anyway, When I got my confirmations from WDW in the past, they've included a coupon for $3 off RT on Mears. If you're paying Mears in advance, it wouldn't help you anyway. As far as the tipping goes, the drivers have always carried my bags to and from the bus, stowing them underneath and I tip them $1 per bag (don't know what everyone else does).

Can't help you on any of your other questions.

 

[owensamo]

Originally posted by DMRick
We've taken Mears, and it was fine..although it's been a few years. We rent the car now, because we go all over the resorts, and hubby will zip out to the baseball musuem and we're planning a trip to the outlet malls Saturday. We really like having a car..but we're getting older and we figure we do enough walking after parking the dang thing! We are getting a full size one from Jan 21 st morning-Jan 28th evening at a tad more than an economy car was. That's considered 8 days..$169 everything included, using the Emerald Aisle with National. However, it was $19 cheaper using a code from Alamo for the same time period. I prefer National. There is a National rental on Dis property, and I believe you can return a rental there..we switched one out last trip, because it reeked of perfume. I think they drop you off, or there is a bus from there too. You might want to call National.

I'm pretty sure Alamo and National have merged now, or at least are owned by the same parent company. I've heard that the Alamo desk is now next to the National desk in MCO, and that they're using cars from the same lot as well. If I remember correctly, I've also heard that National isn't on Disney property any longer, but Alamo is instead. Checking Alamo's website, they're listing the Disney Car Care center as being an Alamo site, so you may want to check with Alamo rather than National if you are looking for on-site care rental benefits.

Mur!

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

Anyway, When I got my confirmations from WDW in the past, they've included a coupon for $3 off RT on Mears.

Well apparently they WDW doesn't like me.
*wahhhhhhh*
I got my confirmation in the mail already and wasn't ANY coupons in there for nuttin'!


Ohwell.
I'll probably just be renting a car for the entire week from dollar- just so it can sit in the parking lot yet be there if I need it. I just can't justify paying so much JUST for a trip to/from the airport (meaning yourride/towncar/etc) when it's just a little more to have a car the entire time.. and Mears doesn't sound like it's for me. I can't bring myself to pay $28 round trip, not know how fast I can get to and from the resort and leave 4hrs before departure time! I can't ... I want every last minute I can get at WDW before I leave.
LOL

Thanks everyone!

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

Ugh... just reading what I just typed and I'm undecided again. I'm sitting here going Shell.. is it REALLY worth that much just to have those last few hours before you leave and maybe take a little longer to get to the resort the night you arrive? (which is rather late.... I'm scared I'll be sitting at the airport for a long time when it's already almost midnight when I arrive there!)

Now I'm thinking dang..... I can't bring myself to pay THAT much just for those few extra hours.
*sigh*
I'm usually not this indecisive. Guess I'll think on it a bit more but I'm fast running out of time! LOL
(and did not get a $3 off coupon. How unfair! LOL)

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

I just keep thinking that the reason I didn't take the $28 per night rate I had to begin with (off site) and opted to stay onsite at ASMu for $55 a night- was because I could just use WDW transportation! Kinda defeats the purpose to then rent a car.

Someone slap me real quick so I can make up my mind!

And how can I get a $3 discount like others have? Why didn't they send ME a coupon for Mears roundtrip with my WDW confirmation?

 

[DMRick]

I haven't gotten the coupon in a long time. I think I got it when I bought my tickets through AAA. I dont' remember Disney sending it. I know others have gotten it when they bought a package. When you go up to the mears transport place on the sidewalk (if it's still there) at the airport..ask if they have a coupon. I did a search for mears transportation coupon, and found this one for $4.00..you just need to print it out. I think it's what you want

here is a good one. Valid jan 15-feb 10

ftp://ftp.lotus.com/pub/lotusweb/lotusphere/CASH_182991.pdf

 

[Shelby5514]

If your considering renting a car, both National and Alamo have locations at the Dolphin resort. We've done this a few times, rented to get to WDW and go to the grocery. Then the next day return the car to the Dolphin, jump on the ferry boat and your on your way to MGM. Then picked up the car the day before we leave and turn it in at the airport. Just an option, but it may cost you more than Mears. We've never used Mears because we're a little impatient. When we want to get there, we want to get there NOW!!!
Good luck and maybe we'll see you down there!!! We'll be there 1/24-1/28.

Shelby5514

 

[Buckalew]

Think of it this way... if you use WDW transportation and you don't rent a car, you won't go to the malls or outlets or whatever is out there and spend the extra money that you are trying to save. We did tip the "busman" when we used Meares. He handles your luggage. Of course, we tip the housekeeping also.
If I were you, I'd take Mears (esp. that late at night. In fact, it might not be very crowded at all at that late hour) and use WDW transportation all week. We always do that but last time we drove down and the car never moved all week. The All-Star resorts have very good bus service. It was never inconvenient except one time getting home from DTD. (THAT was a nightmare but our bus needed repairing so...)

Good luck.

Rem. planning is 1/2 of the fun.

 

[JeffC]

If yo uhavent decided yet, I have a coupon good for 25% off at Enterprise. Their showing it around $15.50 per day for a compact/economy car. They are NOT onsite at MCO, but they are near by, and do have a shuttle. BTW, if they actually WERE at the airport, it wouldn only be good for 15% off.

It states in the email to forward on to as many people as I would like, so here's the text of the message:

Dear e-mail subscriber,

Get up to 25% off the next time you rent from Enterprise Rent-A-Car. With these savings, there's
never been a better time to come check us out.

Have errands you can't handle with your own car? Need a special car for that special occasion, or
just need a car the next time you fly out of town? At Enterprise Rent-A-Car we have a car for
every need, whatever you're doing. Get 25% off when you rent from your neighborhood Enterprise
Rent-A-Car, or next time you fly out of town, rent at one of our airport locations and get 15% off.

Don't miss out on this exclusive e-mail offer--rent your car in January to get these
exceptional savings.

Reserve your vehicle online now
http://redir.fiids.net/Tracker/default.asp?R=000004d4f000709ec&cust=JANEM5&arc=E1525B

Or call 1.866.889.0837 and mention customer number JANEM5.

P.S. Feel free to forward this offer to as many people as you'd like.

[Terms and Conditions]
Normal rental qualifications and restrictions apply.
The discount applies only to the standard daily and weekly rental rates and not to taxes, tax reimbursement,
airport-related fees, vehicle license fees, and optional products and services, such as refueling
and damage waiver. Offer requires an advance reservation at standard daily rates with request for
discount. Rental must be completed by 1/31/03. Offer not valid for the dates of January 18th
through 25th at certain San Diego locations.
Offer may not be used in conjunction with any other coupon, offer or discounted rate. Pick-up subject
to geographic and other restrictions.

 

[TreeOfLife]

Think of it this way... if you use WDW transportation and you don't rent a car, you won't go to the malls or outlets or whatever is out there and spend the extra money that you are trying to save.

That at best but you may end up paying double or triple the price of souvenirs you could get far cheaper at the character outlets...

I will get a car for a day or two to visit Universal and the outlets but prefer to have someone else drive for me.

 

[frost5000]

I know this is prob. a late post for this subject, but we took the bus (orlando city bus that is) when we went to Disney. Like you we wanted to max our Disney money, and not spend it on silly things like getting to Disney. We also used Disney transport, so we didn't see any reason to rent a car. We had 2 adults and 2 children - it cost us $1.10 each - exact change only - ($4.40 to get to Disney). It did take over an hour, and we had to transfer busses at the orlando transportation center (a tad seedy, and an outside station, but we're from Philadelphia and New York City so it didn't phase us much). If you go to the mousesavers site and click on transportation it will give you a link to the bus website, and tell you which busses to take, click on the link for the schedule. I'd go the bus route again, as they were clean and resonably on time, but I don't know if I'd recommend it to people not used to public transportation.