Transportation to/from Universal Orlando: A first timer's question

[Librarian80]

Not to hijack, but can anyone tell me general idea of what traffic is like from MCO to HRH? I want to just grab a cab when we get in at 4:30 pm, but now wondering about sitting in traffic with the meter running. It'll be a Monday, May 16th specifically if that matters.

Also, do you think I'm better off just scheduling a town car with Mears. They have a price of $58.50 (after web discount) on their website. I'm hesitant to schedule anything though because I don't know how the process works (how do you know which car is for you etc...) Thanks!

 

[wendyquat]

I would like Mr. hinds info also! Thanks

 

[imprint]

http://www.taxi-mco.com/Drivers/Tony Hinds.htm

 

[macraven]

Can anyone give me Tony Hind's info please? Thank you

Tony Hinds
aobh607@gmail.com
407 406 9093

i do have his permission to give out the above information

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

Not to hijack, but can anyone tell me general idea of what traffic is like from MCO to HRH? I want to just grab a cab when we get in at 4:30 pm, but now wondering about sitting in traffic with the meter running. It'll be a Monday, May 16th specifically if that matters.

Also, do you think I'm better off just scheduling a town car with Mears. They have a price of $58.50 (after web discount) on their website. I'm hesitant to schedule anything though because I don't know how the process works (how do you know which car is for you etc...) Thanks!

Book online, they will ask for your flight info, so they will be able to track you for any delays. When you exit the plane, continue to head towards baggage claim. As you approach baggage claim, there will be a group of drivers hanging around, one of them will be holding a sign with your name on it (I thought this was so cool the first time I used them, cheesy, I know). They will wait with you until you get your baggage, then whisk you away out a back door to a waiting vehicle. On our trips, as soon as I turned my phone off of airplane mode, they were calling me to let me know they were there. You will also get a text from Mears letting you know your vehicle has been dispatched with a number to call if you need help once you are on the ground. Again, my phone was flooded with texts/calls as soon as my planes landed and were taxiing to the gate.

When you arrive, they will help you get your baggage to the hotel baggage service, a nice tip is appreciated. I tip $10 usually for the MCO to hotel trip.

I have also booked with them over the phone/email - 15 days, lots of trips around town, very tedious on the website - when I paid the balance with my card over the phone, they gave me the option of paying the gratuities at that time, and they spread the tip over the different drivers.

 

[luvdisdogs]

Tony Hinds
aobh607@gmail.com
407 406 9093

i do have his permission to give out the above information

Thank you!

 

[macraven]

Glad to share

 

[nkereina]

@macraven - thanks for the info on Tony Hinds. Our trip is not until next March so I will contact him when it gets closer, but do you have a general idea of what he charges from MCO to RPR? Any idea on his rates to the cruise terminal in Port Canaveral?

Also, when you reserve with him, is it private transportation or should we expect to share with others (we're only a party of 4).

Thanks!

 

[macraven]

when you book with him, it is for your group only.
there is no sharing at all.....
all private.

i go solo and even though his vehicle is large, it is for me only on the transportation needs.

no hitch hikers are in the car when you book it for you/family

 

[Librarian80]

Book online, they will ask for your flight info, so they will be able to track you for any delays. When you exit the plane, continue to head towards baggage claim. As you approach baggage claim, there will be a group of drivers hanging around, one of them will be holding a sign with your name on it (I thought this was so cool the first time I used them, cheesy, I know). They will wait with you until you get your baggage, then whisk you away out a back door to a waiting vehicle. On our trips, as soon as I turned my phone off of airplane mode, they were calling me to let me know they were there. You will also get a text from Mears letting you know your vehicle has been dispatched with a number to call if you need help once you are on the ground. Again, my phone was flooded with texts/calls as soon as my planes landed and were taxiing to the gate.

When you arrive, they will help you get your baggage to the hotel baggage service, a nice tip is appreciated. I tip $10 usually for the MCO to hotel trip.

I have also booked with them over the phone/email - 15 days, lots of trips around town, very tedious on the website - when I paid the balance with my card over the phone, they gave me the option of paying the gratuities at that time, and they spread the tip over the different drivers.

Thank you so much for the information. That is exactly what I need to know!

 

[wendyquat]

when you book with him, it is for your group only.
there is no sharing at all.....
all private.

i go solo and even though his vehicle is large, it is for me only on the transportation needs.

no hitch hikers are in the car when you book it for you/family

Does Tony wait for you in baggage with a name sign?

 

[macraven]

He stands at the bottom of the escalator holding his iPad with your last name on it

Once you see him he will walk to the luggage carousel and load your luggage on a cart

He parks inside the airport so it is only a few feet you walk to his vehicle

 

[BBL1]

Has anyone heard of or used Joe's Airport taxi service? His service has all excellent reviews online, and his quoted price was much more reasonable than anything else I've found. Before I book it, I wanted to see if anyone has used him before. Thank you in advance for any help!

 

[macraven]

Have not heard of joes


Will google the company now

 

[sillyyankee]

Just booked with Tony. It was pleasant and easy, not to mention affordable.

 

[vanjust14]

@macraven , just wanted to say thanks for the recommendation on Tony. He was a pleasure to do business with! Affordable, pleasant, timely....just a great experience in every way. Plenty of room for the 5 of us and all of our luggage. He even brought us to Publix and helped load our groceries. Best part is it cost less than if we all went on a shared shuttle. I will definitely use his services again. I told him you said hello and he said hello back

 

[macraven]

i'm glad you were satisfied with Tony.
I would never steer anyone wrong.

when i first used him, i knew he was a winner and someone i would use for all my trips and recommend him to others.

great you had a wonderful experience with him!

 

[luvmy2boyzz]

Thankful to come across this thread. Just booked a last minute trip to Universal for myself and my two boys and did not book shuttle service. I figured we could just grab a taxi at the airport. I didn't realize they might be so expensive! Last year my younger son and I used Universals shuttle and had a great experience round trip for just $35 per person, we were picked up in a Lincoln Town Car! Nice ride!! Just called to add shuttle service to my package for the 3 of us only $105. Seems like the best deal for me? Glad it's taken care of! Now back to planning my vacation, my older son has not been to Universal. We've been to Disney multiple times. Can't wait to show him the ropes

 

[phillymummer]

I went with Tony Hinds on my last trip. We did not have Tony himself, but another driver. He was fabulous! He arrived early, was a safe driver and was around friendly. I would not hesitate to use his service again.

 

[bethiecow]

Thanks to this thread, I canceled the star shuttle we'd originally scheduled (boy oh boy, was that ever a hassle) and booked with Mr. Hinds instead. He seemed very nice, and I'm pleased we'll be able to make a quick grocery stop on the way in.