Transportation for 8

[jstbcuz]

I know we can use DME for free, and while that is a plus, I have also read that it takes upwards of almost 2 hours to get from MCO to the Contemporary. So before I commit to that..........I wanted to see what it would be to take a town car, limo, taxi etc.

We are traveling as 2 families with the guys having to go to convention while there. I'm not sure how families travel luggage wise, so want to make sure all luggage fits. Nervous nelly........

Any suggestions would be awesome.

 

[siskaren]

It shouldn't take that long. It should take about 70-90 minutes from gate to hotel, meaning that includes the time it takes to de-plane, get to the DME location, get onto the bus, wait for the bus to leave, and then transportation time.

 

[jstbcuz]

Yes I realize it SHOULDNT take that long, but IT HAPPENS. Not to mention the COntemporary is usually the last of the hotel stops. I was just looking for something quicker.

 

[Hopefully]

Recently we have used DME and been very satisfied. So my memory of times may not be spot on.
That said, if you choose to hire a town car, you will need to go to baggage claim and wait for your luggage. That can easily take 20 - 30 minutes depending on the whim of the luggage gods and how all your bags come off the belt.
The drive to WDW, without traffic delays is about 30+ minutes. So you are already close to an hour, if not a bit more. And that is once you reach baggage claim which can be 10 minutes or so from deplaning.

With 8 and luggage you would minimally need a van, which is more expensive. I am not sure that 8 and luggage will even fit in 1 van. I think you are looking at a large expense for only a small decrease in overall time.
But you seem so worried about the time,, it very well may be worth it for you.
Good Luck

 

[Alesia]

You'll need 2 taxis or town cars. Either one will cost about $60 each way, so you're looking at $240 round trip.

 

[Alesia]

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[Alesia]

Typically DME takes 60 to 90 minutes. Sometimes it can take longer, but so can a cab or a town car. Also, if you don't take DME, you'll have to get your luggage yourself, which can take a while, too. Usually it's only an extra 5 to 10 minutes, but I've waited over an hour before.

Realistically, you're probably only going to save yourself 15 to 20 minutes, max.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

if you are thinking about renting a van you may need a second as there is not much room behind seats for suitcases. you can easily use 30 to 40 minutes waiting for all your luggage to arrive on belt. they will not be all together plus you then have to get them to rental area which is some distance away. I would guess you would only gain maybe 15 minutes depending on line at rental area

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You would be better off just getting on the DME. by the time you get your luggage and get down the ground transportation area with all of your bags to get to a cab which would required two taxi vans to get you all there. Just checked on the Mears taxi site and the cost for transporting 8 people will cost $181 plus tip

 

[jimandami]

When we stayed at BLT in Oct, DME stopped at the GF first (or might have been Poly but I think it was GF) so we just got off and took the monorail to the CR. It was actually a fun way to start the trip and we beat the DME bus.

 

[bumbershoot]

We were a group of 3 with a good amount of luggage (we take long trips). This wasn't a WDW trip, but going from Orlando to the port. We were told that our luggage was too much for a towncar (silly since we basically own a towncar and we got to the airport with our stuff) and we rented a limo. The trunk was smaller than our Grand Marquis' trunk, and we ended up with a carryon in the passenger seat with the driver, and our "personal items" in the back with us.

With 8, you're going to run into space issues very easily.

I'd just go with DME. A group of 8 doesn't travel fast in any way, shape, or form, so there's really no need to try to squeeze that extra half hour out of it, IF your actual trip was somehow slated to take that long. The 8 of you will be helping to fill a bus quicker.

If you're all on the same flight, enjoy leaving the plane, finding your way down to the DME area (with perhaps a bathroom break or even a snack break in between), check in, get into the line, enjoy the time there, not sitting on a plane, get on the bus, enjoy the ride, enjoy not having to deal with all your bags. Make it fun.

 

[wdwrich]

I have to agree with previous posters who advise taking DME. Any other option is going to cost way more than the 20 minutes or so saved is worth.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I don't think I could justify spending hundreds to get there a half hour sooner. I would consider with a group that large the use of a rental car for the week, maybe a minivan. Someone could get sick, dinner off site, a run to a Super Walmart may be needed if someone forgets to pack a real need.
That being said, we Used Carl's Van rental when we had a large family group our first few trips staying off site. They had a large fleet of several sizes and seating arrangements.