transportation to Discovery Cove?

[Hmom]

I also posted this in the Orlando (other than WDW) Attractions section. Not exactly sure where it would fit best.

We are considering a visit to Discovery Cove as part of November vacation. DH & I went on our honeymoon & loved it. Now DS wants to go. Honeymoon was 10 years ago & arranged by a travel agent. I have no clue what the arrangements were for getting to Discovery Cove from a WDW resort. Does anyone know if there is a shuttle or would we need to rent a car? We are staying at AKV.

Thanks!
Michelle

 

[PC MOM]

Bump!

I am also interested...we will be doing this Oct 2010!

Thanks for any info.

 

[Magicbus]

Disney does not provide any shuttles to attractions that are not on WDW property. You'll need to provide your own. I would contact Sea World.

 

[kaytieeldr]

SeaWorld won't provide transportation either.

Without a rental car, your options are:
Taxi (readily available outside every hotel, or easily obtained by asking Bell Services)
Town car/car service needs to be reserved in advance
Mears shuttle needs to be reserved at least one day in advance (dial "0" on in-room phone and ask to be connected to Mears).

 

[Megan07]

Use Mears! I've used this twice so far. And will be going to DC in June for my 3rd time. You can call and ask for rates, but I think it was $18 per person round trip!

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

We used Mears for Beach Club to DC in late September. Specifically: the shared shuttle service. I believe it was $18/pp, cash only. We paid the entire sum to the morning driver, who gave us a slip to present at pickup for the return. He also told us to call and confirm an hour (I think) before our desired pickup. I questioned him on this, as I'd made our ressies by phone a month before, and already had a confirmation number. Without further explanation, he repeated that I must call the number.

It would seem that there were no other shuttle van pickups in our area at our return time. This proved to be a problem, as a taxi showed up for us. He requested payment. I gave him the voucher. This displeased him, and he engaged in a lively phone conversation while driving us back to the BC. His side of the story was that it was put out on the taxi service, and he was expecting a full-paying fare. So he spent most of the trip back either on the phone with dispatch or complaining to us how he was getting shorted for picking up our call. Throw in a driving rainstorm, a missed BC entrance, and an attempt to turn around in the tunnel between BC and the Boardwalk, and you have the single negative experience of that vacation for us.

I too searched for this question, when preparing for our week last fall. The shuttle service was well priced, and had good reviews. Perhaps ours was the exception. In the future, I'll put some extra money aside, and treat us to a towncar service, even if it is more money. Perhaps it was Mickey punishing us for spending money off-property for the first time.

 

[kaytieeldr]

He also told us to call and confirm an hour (I think) before our desired pickup. I questioned him on this, as I'd made our ressies by phone a month before, and already had a confirmation number. Without further explanation, he repeated that I must call the number.

It stinks that you had that negative experience (not copied here). Just so you know, having the customer call x amount of time before they're ready for the return ride allows the customer flexibility in their plans. Example: parks close at six, customers think they're going to be ready to head back at 6:15. Maybe they're still in line for an attraction at 6, maybe they decide to see a movie or have dinner somewhere at CityWalk, maybe explore one or more of the hotels... instead of holding the customer to the 6:15 return ride, it allows us/you/them to spend whatever time we want in and around the parks