Transportation advice

[KatieCharlotte]

Trying to plan out the logistics of an Easter week trip that would include a cruise and Universal Studios. I would really appreciate different opinions on the best transportation options, especially if we decided to take a late flight to Orlando, on the kids' last day of school (Thursday), to maximize our time.

Our flight would get in at about 10 p.m. I need a safe and reliable transport to a Universal hotel, and I do not want to navigate with a rental car at night. I know that most people are big Uber/Lyft fans these days, but I haven't been convinced. I'd like opinions on private car services and shuttles.

On Sunday morning, we need to go from the hotel to the port in Cape Canaveral. Any opinions on shuttle services?

 

[bchbetha]

What are your Uber/ Lyft concerns? The cars come promptly (there are a million driving around- pull up the app and you can see them like ants all over the map) and the fares are very reasonable. You can splurge for higher classes of cars, if you want.

 

[bchbetha]

Universal has an airport shuttle- $35/ roundtrip per person.

 

[Bethany10]

We're in the same boat, just a few months after you. We fly in very late on a Monday to accommodate school schedules and are planning to just hit a cheap(er) hotel for one night before moving to Universal hotel the next morning. Honestly, I looked at just about every scenario and we're renting a car.

I did contact Tony Hinds, who has excellent reviews on this board and other places. He quoted me a very reasonable rate to get from our airport hotel to the uni hotel but then we'd have to get from Uni to the port for the cruise. If we were just going to the hotel and returning to the airport I'd use him.

Go Port Canaveral is another site that I looked into to get us from the airport to the port. I believe they offer in city transport as well. Their rates were also very reasonable, but have gotten some poor reviews recently.

At the end of the day I wanted the flexibility of the car. Every scenario I priced out had us paying as much money as renting a car (and keeping it at the hotel) and it allows us to get to Port Canaveral at our own pace on Friday morning. The idea of sneaking off to disney springs for a dole whip may also have figured into my thought processes.

 

[scoopmorgan]

A lot of people recommend Tony Hines. I did not see those posts before I booked us on the Super Shuttle. It came to about $100 round trip for 4 adults, which I found reasonable. I hear Tony Hinds will do a grocery stop if you need one, but don't know his rates. Uber and Lyft are great, but from MCO they are pricier than usual because the airport charges them fees to pick-up there.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

What are your Uber/ Lyft concerns? The cars come promptly (there are a million driving around- pull up the app and you can see them like ants all over the map) and the fares are very reasonable. You can splurge for higher classes of cars, if you want.

Driving safety (especially at night, when an Uber driver may have already worked a day shift at another job), crime (especially since it's just me and my children at night), reliability, unexpected costs. Basically all the risks of random strangers driving you in their cars, with less regulation than taxis and much less rigorous standards for drivers than a private car service. Does Uber at least fingerprint drivers now to do a proper background check?

 

[bchbetha]

I know Lyft used to do even more thorough background checks but Uber could have caught up. But, yes, they get their drivers and they are also required to maintain their cars well.
I've used it with just me and the kids. I have not been concerned.
I actually prefer it to a taxi because I can let someone like my husband track my ride. You can't do that in a taxi. I also like that I have their name and license plate.
I really see no difference between a taxi and an Uber with regards to safety, with an edge to Uber and Lyft, imo.
You also don't need to worry about being overcharged- you agree to a price range before accepting the ride. Surge pricing is clearly noted.
Taxis are abundant though if you want to go that route. I like saving $ and am comfortable with ride sharing. My husband actually dislikes ride sharing (and Airbnb...) so you're not alone.

 

[Cindy B]

I know Lyft used to do even more thorough background checks but Uber could have caught up. But, yes, they get their drivers and they are also required to maintain their cars well.
I've used it with just me and the kids. I have not been concerned.
I actually prefer it to a taxi because I can let someone like my husband track my ride. You can't do that in a taxi. I also like that I have their name and license plate.
I really see no difference between a taxi and an Uber with regards to safety, with an edge to Uber and Lyft, imo.
You also don't need to worry about being overcharged- you agree to a price range before accepting the ride. Surge pricing is clearly noted.
Taxis are abundant though if you want to go that route. I like saving $ and am comfortable with ride sharing. My husband actually dislikes ride sharing (and Airbnb...) so you're not alone.

Nothing to worry about in an Uber or Lyft . There are just the same unknown in taxis -and taxi drivers usually do 12 hour shifts ! It's truly a non issue and I do like that I have the Uber drivers license plate make model of car , the picture and can track where I am going. No surprise fees or overages .

 

[schumigirl]

Trying to plan out the logistics of an Easter week trip that would include a cruise and Universal Studios. I would really appreciate different opinions on the best transportation options, especially if we decided to take a late flight to Orlando, on the kids' last day of school (Thursday), to maximize our time.

Our flight would get in at about 10 p.m. I need a safe and reliable transport to a Universal hotel, and I do not want to navigate with a rental car at night. I know that most people are big Uber/Lyft fans these days, but I haven't been convinced. I'd like opinions on private car services and shuttles.

On Sunday morning, we need to go from the hotel to the port in Cape Canaveral. Any opinions on shuttle services?

I understand your worries.

Can definitely recommend Tony Hinds. Very, very trustworthy and has been used by many folks on this board alone. Lots of ladies who sometimes travel on their own too on occasions.

We always have a hire car, but if we didn't we would use Tony.