Travelling alone...need suggestions

[kessieann]

I will be staying at the Swan in late Feb. but dh is going ahead of me for his convention. I have never flown or travelled solo so I am a bit nervous.
I will also be leaving prior to dh so I need round trip transportation.

I was orignally considering Mears for its low cost but I do like the idea of having someone waiting for me and handling my luggage.

I want to know what others recommend as far as reliability and cost. I would be a nervous wreck if I had to try and chase down a driver who wasn't waiting for me.

Any suggestions?

 

[tkldisney]

When you use Mears, they are not normally waiting for you. You get your own luggage and take it to a van that is parked outside of baggage claim. They put your luggage in van (which you can stand & watch them) & that's the only time the handle your luggage. When you reserve/book they ask you flight info. It's actually an easy non-expensive & safe way to get to WDW. I wouldn't do taxi, but you could do limo/towncar service just costs more.

 

[goofy4tink]

If you aren't worried about cost, I would use a towncar service. However, using Mears is pretty easy. And it's reasonable. You will claim your luggage, then head down to the bottom level, and wait to get on the bus/van. I used Mears for our first trip and it wasn't all that horrible. But you should make a reservation with them prior to arriving. I have heard it is much easier if they have a reservation for you.
I traveled solo for the first time ever last month...I was a wreck, but it all worked out quite nicely. You'll be fine and come to be very proud of yourself.

 

[maine_jennifer]

I've been on 3 solo trips and am very comfortable with it. On my first solo trip I booked with Tiffany Towncar. It was ok, nothing I could put my finger on, but I just wasn't comfortable. However other people have no problems at all.

Between my first and second solo trips, I took two other trips where I had my nephews with me. I used Sunray Transportation for both of them and was very pleased with their service. So I decided to use them for my second solo trip in October and also last weekend for a quick getaway. Was much better experience than my first solo trip. They're waiting when you arrive, help with the luggage, and get you there safely. Very friendly and courteous. I've found them to be very reliable, even when I had a pick up of 5:00am last weekend, they were there a few minutes early. Rate is $90+ gratuity. Well worth it in my opinion.

Cheers!

 

[seashoreCM]

Not to get confused over. Although Swan is not included in Magical Express, taking Mears to the Swan, you might be put on a Disney Cruise Lines bus which might have "Magical Express" painted on it, and it will be driven by a Mears employee.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Have you asked DH to take some of your luggage so you could go with just carry on?

I've used FL Tours for 3 arrivals and they have always been at the bottom of the stairs waiting by baggage claim with a sign with my name on it.

Orlando is a friendly place to travel to. You'll be fine!

 

[kessieann]

Thanks for the tips everyone! I am kind of excited to do this on my own I just don't want to end up in Timbucktoo.

I like the suggestion about dh taking my luggage but I wonder with all of the security if that would set off a red flag. When we left our local aiport in Oct. our bags were fully searched in front of us. I wonder what they would think if dh had a bag full of woment's clothes

 

[lovesdumbo]

On my last trip I took my oldest DD(6) 2 days ahead of the rest of my family-DH, DS(4), DD(2) who came for another 7 nights. [DH was also traveling with a very good friend who had her own luggage.] I took all the luggage for the 5 of us with me. I used the Skycap and was greeted by a town car driver so it all worked very smoothly for me.

 

[NancyIL]

I have rented cars at the airport for drop-off at the Dolphin (National/Alamo) and vice versa. I've also used Mears. On my last solo trip in November, the wait for a Mears van to the Dolphin was going to be 40 minutes, so I asked if I could pay to take the Magical Express bus to the Yacht Club and walk to the Dolphin from there...so that's what I did.