Transport to PC from MCO or BLT for Group of 8 - 13

[disneymath]

We don't cruise until March 2013, so lots of time to plan, but I could use some recommendations:

We will either be a party of 8 (5 adults, 1 5yo, 2 3yos), or if extended family opts to join us, a party of 12 or 13 (7 or 8 adults, 2 5yos, and 3 3yos).

Our tentative plan is to fly in the day before the cruise and stay at BLT on DVC points. We would need transportation from BLT to the port and then port to MCO.

Option 2 would be to stay over night somewhere in PC ... in which case we would need roundtrip MCO-PC transportatoin.

Any recommendations for reputable, reliable and decently priced shuttle/limo companies that can accommodate our large group? Booster seats and car seats would be needed.

We are hoping to avoid the costly DCL transfer route ($35 x 8 ppl x 2 legs = $560) if a cheaper and equally convenient option is possible.

 

[goofy4tink]

Reputable and 'reasonable' don't always go hand in hand. When traveling between port and WDW, the normal cost is going to be about $180-200 r/t for 4-7 passengers, depending on type of vehicle. You can find a larger passenger vehicle (that seats up to 7) but that isn't going to be large enough for your group....especially when you start adding car seats..which will be needed for the youngsters. I know that when we have had a party of four in a larger vehicle, it was okay, but there was then plenty of room for our luggage as well. Once you get 5/6 people in one of those cars, and add luggage??? Not so comfy anymore.
So, your best bet is going to be two vehicles...more costly, yes. But, even if you add those addlt 4 to the group, you should still be okay.

Same thing if you do a rental car. You will need two of them.

Now, there may very well be companies out there who have a 'party bus' type thing....a shuttle van. But, I would imagine that it would be pretty expensive, but perhaps comparable to booking two vehicles elsewhere.
Here is a link that provides something like that....
http://www.limousineorlando.com/12pass.html

I have no idea whether this is a reputable company or not....just one that I found doing a google search for you.

 

[disneymath]

Reputable and 'reasonable' don't always go hand in hand. When traveling between port and WDW, the normal cost is going to be about $180-200 r/t for 4-7 passengers, depending on type of vehicle. You can find a larger passenger vehicle (that seats up to 7) but that isn't going to be large enough for your group....especially when you start adding car seats..which will be needed for the youngsters. I know that when we have had a party of four in a larger vehicle, it was okay, but there was then plenty of room for our luggage as well. Once you get 5/6 people in one of those cars, and add luggage??? Not so comfy anymore.
So, your best bet is going to be two vehicles...more costly, yes. But, even if you add those addlt 4 to the group, you should still be okay.

Same thing if you do a rental car. You will need two of them.

Now, there may very well be companies out there who have a 'party bus' type thing....a shuttle van. But, I would imagine that it would be pretty expensive, but perhaps comparable to booking two vehicles elsewhere.
Here is a link that provides something like that....
http://www.limousineorlando.com/12pass.html

I have no idea whether this is a reputable company or not....just one that I found doing a google search for you.

thanks for the google search ... I did some searching on my own so know that places like Happy Limo, FL Tours, and one called Port Canaveral Transportation (I think it is) offer shuttle van type vehicles ... Happy Limo charges for car/booster seats, some of the others don't.

thankfully I've still got over a year to figure this out .. though renting vehicle(s) is pretty much off the table.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We had a group of 19 on a cruise for Halloween 2010. We have used Happy Limo many times and always had good service & clean, modern vehicles. We don't always have that large of a group but for that we got the mini bus. For 13 you could always get the Escalade limo though you'd need a separate vehicle for luggage.
DCL bus is only a good value for 3 or less.
We do buy it for our return to MCO because if you're flying on a participating airline, you may qualify for Onboard Check in. They deliver your luggage tags & boarding passes to your cabin the last full day of the cruise. Just put your tagged bags outside your door that night & don't have to see them until the next day when you arrive at your home airport. Just hop off the bus with BPs in hand and head to your gate. It's so convenient we book our return flights with a participating airline just so we can do this. It's not the cheapest way but sure is the most convenient.
IIRC, for 19 pax on the mini bus, it came to around $16 pp incl tip. one way.

eta: you will get a bigger response on the cruise boards.