Town Car Survey

[TeddyToo]

Which town car service makes you smile and would you use every time for airport to Swan. No grocery stop necessary. Please give examples. Many thanks for your input

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

The first car service we used was FL Tours. They were ok, didn't wow me, kind of impersonal.

Sunray--used them 2-3 times now. They're great--on time, polite, professional, they go the extra yard, and the price is great (with themouseforless.com discount).

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

The one we used I can't put their name on this board. We had excellant service and will be using them again next trip.

 

[jstjohn]

Sunray was fabulous! Bob was prompt and courteous. I will use Sunray again and highly recommend his service.

 

[yayagoofy]

The list below are respected, quality, companies in the Orlando area. All of them offer Town Car service, and all have been around longer than the 4 companies shown in the poll above.

Carey
GNS
Trans Orlando
Starline
Dove
Showtime
Select
America Travels

I'm sure if you do an internet search you can find their websites.

 

[goofy4tink]

The list below are respected, quality, companies in the Orlando area. All of them offer Town Car service, and all have been around longer than the 4 companies shown in the poll above.

Carey
GNS
Trans Orlando
Starline
Dove
Showtime
Select
America Travels

I'm sure if you do an internet search you can find their websites.

Although I'm sure you're correct in that the above companies have been around 'longer' than the companies in the poll, that does not mean the poll companies are new to the market.
I first used TT way back in '01 after many glowing reviews for the previous year or so. I have used FL Tours and they have been fine. Tiffany has been fine. No company so far has been perfect.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Not on your list, but our vote would be for Berkley Edwards Transportation, he was formerly with Tiffany but now is independent. We are a family of 4 and sometimes 5 if the oldest ds comes. Berkley has a van and is always prompt, efficient, courteous etc. Well worth it. We have never had a problem with him. Just used him for our trip to the Swan 5/24-29,2007. He was even waiting to pick us up from the Swan and as per our request he popped over to the Fantasia Mini Golf to pick our ds up. This guy is the greatest. He is having a problem with his website so I called him directly to book.

 

[Boston5602]

I had used Florida Towncar and one of my trips a Tiffany Towncar shows up and explains FTC can't make it , they sent TTC instead. I figure if TTC was good enough to fill in they were good enough to use . They have always been great to me !!

 

[TeddyToo]

Thank you all so very much We booked with Tiffany based on all the recommendations. Sunray was a very close second but I prefer to use my credit card for points earned and service protections. Again, you are all wonderful in planning this once in a long time trip

 

[Swamp_Fox]

Hold on a sec before you totally lock in Tiffany keep in mind you may not get an actual Tiffany car. I just recently booked with them and I arrived at the airport and met the driver in the baggage claim area he had a sign with our name on it, but no company name anywhere on the sign. When our car came around it wasn't the usual Lincoln Town Car that I expected it was a big 'ol Chevy Suburban with "Happy Limo" plates (can you say sub-contracting). Don't get me wrong the driver was pleasant and got us to our resort in one piece. However what bothered me was if call Tiffany I should get Tiffany. If Tiffany or any other towncar service cannot provide one of their own vehicle the customer should be made aware of this IN ADVANCE not sprung on us. The second thing that concerned me was the shortned store stop. We were given a 10min stop it was a good thing it was only us two. Had we been four there would be a Nascar style shopping stop. I don't want to scare the OP or anyone away from Tiffany. I just want to give people a heads up.

Swamp Fox

 

[Edd]

There is very few companies, in Orlando, that have a fleet of their own cars. Almost every company sub-contracts rides out to drivers who are permitted in the airport under their own company name. Tiffany is one such company. There are some companies who may have two or three vehicles but for the most part the drivers are independent and pick up rides from the companies who are more agressive in advertising. Mears Transportation is probably the biggest fleet owner with taxis, busses and car service vehicles.

Swamp Fox, I bet you had a whole lot more room in that SUV than you would have had in a Lincoln Towncar. An SUV is a step up from the town car. I know Happy Limo has some new SUV's also.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would suggest printing out a copy of your ride confirmation, with all the details. I would not be happy with a much shortened grocery stop. If you book a particular company and they substitute another company, fine. But, the subbing company needs to honor the original contract.
I used one company that told me, repeatedly, that I would be able to make a short grocery stop on Thanksgiving morning, around noonish. I kept asking, to be sure, if it was going to be an issue. If it was, I would bring the stuff I wanted with me. No, I was told three times that I would be able to make a stop. Well, the driver picked us up (after having to go and look for him), and then told me there were no stores open on Thanksgiving!!! Nope, no stop. I was not happy.
So....be sure to have all your details in writing with you. Just to be on the safe side.

 

[Edd]

Di,

Ten minutes is to short for a grocery stop. I would suggest to the passengers who run into a driver who says this, to take the normal time (30 minutes) and if the driver gripes anymore pay him the amount the company set up for you to pay, YES, SKIP THE TIP! He will not leave you at the grocery store for two reasons. He has your luggage and you have his money.

All 7/11's are open on Thanksgiving. I think all the grocery stores (chains) are closed for the day. Not sure about Walmart.

Second, I would get the complaint back to the company you hired to take you out to WDW. Most of these individual drivers a company don't know how their customers are treated unless they are informed about it.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yep, I would have been happy with a 7/11. In fact, the first time I used TT, our flight was very late, our driver (Don) asked us if we minded stopping at a convenience store vs a grocery store since he was running late. No problem for us at all....the store had everything we needed anyway. That's all I asked of our driver on Thanksgiving Day, just a quick 15 min run to get a few things. But I think he just wanted to get home to his turkey dinner!! I did let the company know about it though. I always let the company know if I got great service as well as when I get less than great service.

 

[TeddyToo]

Now I'm questioning again... Does Sunray also sub-contract. Any shortened grocery stops when you arrived on time?

 

[Swamp_Fox]

Edd the Suburban was a nice change of pace and yes there was lots more room, howevwer I like stepping into a Towncar rather climbing into a Suburban.

About the store stop 10min was way, way too short five minutes passed before I even got to the laundry supplies of the Publix I went to and we all know the size of a Publix market. Thirty minutes is plenty of time to shop for the basics and then some.

TeddyToo don't worry call both companies get your answers you need get assurances, get names of the people you deal with and most important get it in black and white in their confrimations to you. And most important relax you're going to Disney World

Swamp Fox

 

[RUDisney]

Bob is great! He met us on our last trip at MCO with a sign that said, "Happy Birthday, Ivan!" since the trip was a surprise for DS's birthday. It's the small touches that make a company stand out.

Bob told us directly that he doesn't subcontract. He said that he would prefer to turn a customer away than to make them angry with the service they receive.

We'll definitely be giving Bob a call for our next trip!

 

[car1971]

Just used Sunray last month. First time for using any such service. I must say they were great. On time or I should say he was early. The grocery stop was great. The price for us with 5 was cheaper than one who charges per person.

 

[happymommy]

I used TTC once - all I can say was it was okay, not great. Then used the one beginning with the letter q that I don't think they like to talk about on this site. Twice they were very professional and cordial, spotless cars, waited with me and my friend while her bag didn't appear at the baggage claim area. I like them much better if I need a towncar. Saw their ad from Deb's website. All in all, though, I am sure that any reputable towncar place is fine.

 

[Edd]

Sunray does sub-contract. To my knowledge all the drivers they use are reputable and along with the service provide, to you the passenger, first class car service. I wouldn't think Sunray would cut a grocery stop short if you are late or early.