Taxi or Towncar??

[puffinp51]

We've only been to DW once before and used taxi's both ways - wasn't our first choice but long story short the limo we had lined up wasn't available and they paid for a taxi for us. We're heading to WL in Dec. and would like to hear pros and cons about taxi service - it wasn't outrageously expensive - similar to what people say here about towncar service. Any thoughts on what is the best way to go - we have four in our family? Thanks in advance for any thoughts!!

M.K.

 

[safetymom]

A towncar is probably cheaper and much nicer. One way from CSR to MCO was $50 before tip.

 

[crisi]

I think taxis are pretty comparatively priced. The nice thing is that you go out to the cab stand and grab the next one. No wondering if the towncar driver won't be there (they almost always are for pickup). The con is you will need to handle all your own luggage - towncar drivers usually help with luggage. And there will be no free grocery stop. Make sure to find out what the rate should be to your resort from the cab stand attendant before you leave - you don't need a cab running up the meter. I think most of the WDW hotels have a pretty standard rate.

I haven't been overly impressed with the quality of towncars. The were nice cars once, but the ones we've had have always been "used hard." We've had broken seatbelts, broken doorhandles. Most cabs I've been in have been nicer.

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by crisi
I think taxis are pretty comparatively priced. The nice thing is that you go out to the cab stand and grab the next one. No wondering if the towncar driver won't be there (they almost always are for pickup). The con is you will need to handle all your own luggage - towncar drivers usually help with luggage. And there will be no free grocery stop. Make sure to find out what the rate should be to your resort from the cab stand attendant before you leave - you don't need a cab running up the meter. I think most of the WDW hotels have a pretty standard rate.

I haven't been overly impressed with the quality of towncars. The were nice cars once, but the ones we've had have always been "used hard." We've had broken seatbelts, broken doorhandles. Most cabs I've been in have been nicer.

My experience has been very different, the one time we had to use a cab from WDW to MCO it was 57.00 plus tip and the car was very well worn as compared to $90. r/t with a town car. I personally would not grab a taxi from MCO without first getting a set fare and even then how do you confirm. DH has had many conventions in Orlando and the stories of meters running during traffic are abundant.

For me, contracting with a reputable town car service, like FL Tours or Quicksilver is a much better fit. We get advance reservation and can use a cc"d (why I like QS) as a guarantee of fare and service. The towncars have been new and in great shape as have the CSR's when we needed one. The convenience of a grocery stop is well worth the extra tip for the driver imho.

I like the guarantee of price, meet and greet as well as free grocery so for me its not even a question any more. We used Quicksiliver in October and will be using them again in December and February.

HTH
TJ

 

[crisi]

You can report the cabbie who ran up the meter. Sometimes, you will get the difference back and the cabbie risks loosing his taxi license.

However, cabs are allowed to run meters up for traffic - so yes, there isn't a "set price" - which is a risk.

My big problem with towncars is they don't show up. We nearly missed a plane because of the towncar showing up late, and shortly afterwards someone didn't have theirs show up at all. Because you've paid in advance for the return trip with a towncar, it can be a real hassle to get your money back. Unfortunately, that happens too much on these boards.

I'll probably still use towncars - but now I've had one poor, one ok experience with towncars - and I wonder.....

 

[puffinp51]

Thanks for all your thoughts and input!! I appreciate it very much

 

[Kitty-chan]

I'd be interested in hearing more opinions on this topic. Are towncars really that unreliable? Are taxis really that much more expensive? Or is it a toss-up?

 

[quicksilver]

Of course not, the number of complaints is too small compared with the number of actual pick-ups.
What everyone has to understand is that all towncar companies have to work in harmony with all airlines, and the clients themselves.

Transportation companies (and I do include all major airlines, trains, limo services, and etc...) rely many times on others (and weather, and machines, and people, and and and).

What company is always on time, every time? Why doesn't anyone complain to the airlines when they are late? Because everyone knows they depend on weather, and the "machine" itself.

Towncar companies are no different. Towncar companies are sometimes late not because they aren't good or organized, but because they work in a tight schedule (the results of low rates and unfair competition). Airline delays, customers late for their agreed pick-up time (return trips), traffic, breakdowns, and etc.. also contributes for what they call the domino effect.

If your driver never shows up it's another story. That might be disorganization and the sign of a bad company (if it happens often).

Now please never compare a towncar service (the known ones of course) with a taxi cab. Cabs in Orlando are far from nice, the drivers (in general) don't even get out of the cab to help with your luggage, no extra services (free stops, luggage assistance, meet and greet), and no TOWNCAR!!! I do belive for approximately the same price as a cab I would take the "risk" of reserving a towncar anytime...

Regards to all......

 

[CarolA]

You can report the cabbie who ran up the meter. Sometimes, you will get the difference back and the cabbie risks loosing his taxi license.

The problem is that in Orlando there are VERY lax taxi laws. So it will be difficult to get any settlement.

The other nice thing about a towncar is the grocery stop.