Train from airport to WDW

[Geri]

I just read an article in the Orlando Sentinel about FL installing a high speed train line from the Orlando Airport to WDW! But it won't be ready until 2009 at the earliest. This will be a great option for those people who don't trust the towncar services & don't want to use Mears. I just hope the FL legislature & the governor approve this venture.

Geri

 

[taxi_man696]

Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.

We had a similar situation here in Vegas for a high speed train from LA to Vegas. It was nixed even thought the feds were gonna pay for a large percentage of it.

First, do you wanna carry your bags all the way from the baggage claim to the train?? How far/close will it be??

Second, will it be cheaper than the other transportation methods?
Will you really check to make sure you are saving money??
Most do not as I see all these people on this site taking town cars when cabs are cheaper!!!!

Do you really get what you pay for? I see all these people here paying $90+ round trip for a town car when a cab does the same ride for $85 or less R/'T. So what if the car ain't black and the guy driving ain't wearing a monkey suit. That is REALLY what you are paying for a black car and a monkey suit. And that is all.

When I move to Orlando in February, my cab will be available for $75 R/T to ALL WDW, less to I drive and Conv. CTR. I will not be wearing a monkey suit but anyone who books with me will get comfortable, clean, safe, efficient, affordable transportation to their destination. No BS, no monkey suit no "company" ripping you off with all the lies and inflated rates.

T-man

And that folks is the plain honest truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DisFlan]

My biggest question about the train is how do you get from the station at the far southeastern edge of WDW to your resort?

If Disney doesn't have an ultra-super-efficient plan for transporting people and their luggage from the station to the hotels (and back), I wouldn't be interested in using the train. I wouldn't want to stand around waiting for a train, riding the train, waiting for a bus, transfering luggage to the bus, then spending the better part of an hour on the bus en route to my hotel.

Door to door from the airport still seems a lot simpler.

 

[NotUrsula]

Taxi-man, no offense, but do you plan on using a meter?

"Monkey-suits" and black cars usually have very little to do with the choice to take a car service over a cab. The absence of a fare meter is the deciding factor for most people.

 

[taxi_man696]

I am glad you brought that up, NotUrsula. The use of the taxi meter in Orlando area is not mandatory, it is optional. Drivers may be hired on an hourly rate or flat rate as well--just like a limo, or town car. I may in fact turn the meter on, just to show my passengers how much they save by usibg my flat rate as opposed to just jumping into any ole cab.

Since drivers in Orlando either own their own cab or lease the taxi, it is the drivers own business and he can run it the way he sees fit. I personally prefer to offer "flags"(people I pick up without prior reservation) the option of flat rate or meter.

Chaper 55 of Orlando municipal codes states that a taxi driver must use the meter unless he is hired hourly, or flat rate according to published rates available in the cab.

Hope that answers your question. The town car ain't all it's cracked up to be. Truth is most of the general public is unaware of the truth and is often mislead. Almost always to the financial loss to the passenger.

A single rider and even a couple benefit financially from the shuttle, but many don't want the headaches it brings with the savings of a few bucks. This will be the case with the train as well--just too dang inconvenient.

As for town car or cab--why spend $90 for a black or white Lincoln Town Car and monkey suit, when you can get a friendly and fair everyday guy/gal (just like yourself) in a yellow Lincoln Grand Marquis for $75 ??????????

 

[mcnuss]

"Monkey-suits" and black cars usually have very little to do with the choice to take a car service over a cab. The absence of a fare meter is the deciding factor for most people.

I'll chime in here too bc as a VFF, I often hire a car service. As NotUrsula mentions, it's not bc of the car or the suit. Often, it's because I want to know that there will be a car for me immediately upon arrival; I do not have the time to waste waiting in a taxi line (last time I was in Vegas, I waited almost 40 minutes, never again!). I've never had a service fail to pick me up, but then again, bc I am a business traveler, I have the benefit of having an account with the companies I use.

There are many people who do not want to risk not finding a cab when they get to the airport. There is also the issue of not knowing whether they will find a cab that will hold their party and their luggage. They do not want to get stuck having to take 2 taxis. Having pre-arranged transportation is comforting to them.

You need to understand, taxi_man, that's it's not all bc of the snob appeal of a towncar. Most people do not know a taxi operator with whom to make a reservation. If they did, they might select that option over the towncar.

 

[NotUrsula]

Well, actually, since I'm addicted to exploration of the places I go, I never use car services *or* cabs except in the largest of cities, where hotel parking is very expensive and exploring can be done on foot. I even rent cars on most business trips so that I can tool around and check out the city after dinner. I don't do Orlando without my own set of wheels.

On those occasions when I have used a car service, the car has never been a limo, and I can't recall ever having a driver wearing a tuxedo, either. (A windbreaker with the car service logo on it, yes, but not a tuxedo.) I never travel with more than 3 other people; what would I need a limo for? The car services I use provide sedans for small parties.

I primarily use so-called "minicabs" (that is, flat-rate non-metered cabs) in the London suburbs, where I use drivers that have been recommended to me by people I trust, and I call them in advance. However, I don't even use those from the airports into the City. In London, the airport express trains can beat road-based transport not by minutes, but by hours. Once in the city, I usually walk my luggage to my hotel unless it's raining, in which case I will flag a cab.

I travel frequently, and I know how to pack for efficiency. Walking with luggage does not faze me at all, so long as there is a decent sidewalk to walk on. I happen to like trains, and will usually take them unless there is a water alternative (at LGA I like the Water Shuttle from the Marine terminal.) The problem I anticipate with the proposed MCO train is that it really won't be possible to walk anywhere from the LBV station.