Uber/Lyft during Food & Wine

[BrerNashville]

Anyone use these services during Food and Wine to get to and from off site lodging (or even WDW lodging, if for some reason you did that)?

Was there ever surge pricing in effect that you saw, particularly weekend nights?

[please, no arguments about the merits of these services, there are other threads for that]

 

[Lewisc]

[please, no arguments about the merits of these services, there are other threads for that]

Not an argument. Not even a discussion.

You hit on one of the differences between taxis and "ride shaing" services.

In some cities taxis charge extra during some parts of the day. There might be an extra charge for taking a taxi late at night or during rush hour. You can budget the extra cost, if any, during your planning.

You don't know, until you try to book a ride, if surge pricing is in effect nor how much the multiplier will be.

You could pay double (or more) then a guest who booked a Uber ride minutes before you.a

I agree discussion as to the merits of surge pricing belongs in another thread.

My point is if "word of mouth" results in guests booking Uber earlier in the evening surge pricing could occur before you book. Uber is new. It might be dangerous to assume no surge pricing at the end of a popular Disney night, regardless of the experience of previous posters.

 

[nkereina]

Not an argument. Not even a discussion.

You hit on one of the differences between taxis and "ride shaing" services.

In some cities taxis charge extra during some parts of the day. There might be an extra charge for taking a taxi late at night or during rush hour. You can budget the extra cost, if any, during your planning.

You don't know, until you try to book a ride, if surge pricing is in effect nor how much the multiplier will be.

You could pay double (or more) then a guest who booked a Uber ride minutes before you.a

I agree discussion as to the merits of surge pricing belongs in another thread.

My point is if "word of mouth" results in guests booking Uber earlier in the evening surge pricing could occur before you book. Uber is new. It might be dangerous to assume no surge pricing at the end of a popular Disney night, regardless of the experience of previous posters.

But with Uber you can check if a surge is in effect and what your fare will be with the surge before you even book it. No harm, no foul. So if it's exorbitant, you can just take a cab if you want. FWIW, I've used Uber with surge pricing and it's still come out cheaper than a cab.

OP - can't speak to F&W specifically, but I do think it's worth a try. I've been checking Uber availability around the parks for my upcoming visit and there seems to be more cars lingering during prime hours of the day.

 

[Lewisc]

But with Uber you can check if a surge is in effect and what your fare will be with the surge before you even book it. No harm, no foul. So if it's exorbitant, you can just take a cab if you want. FWIW, I've used Uber with surge pricing and it's still come out cheaper than a cab.

.

Presumably the OP posted because he wants to plan in advance.

A Uber customer traveled around 20 miles to an Elton John concert. The fare was around $100. Going home surge pricing was in effect and the fare was over $400.

There is a big difference between $200 R/T and $500 R/T. A person might drive, get a friend to drive them or even book a car service R/T if they knew in advance how much Uber would be charging for the return trip.
"no harm no foul" NOT

OP doesn't want a discussion as to the merit of Uber so I won't offer an opinion. Potential customers planning on using Uber during a potential surge time have no idea as to the cost prior to loading up the app and requesting a ride.

 

[Alesia]

Potential customers planning on using Uber during a potential surge time have no idea as to the cost prior to loading up the app and requesting a ride.

If that customer decides that the price is too high then they just head to the taxi stand instead. There are plenty of options at WDW - it's not like it's the middle of nowhere.

 

[MillauFr]

If that customer decides that the price is too high then they just head to the taxi stand instead. There are plenty of options at WDW - it's not like it's the middle of nowhere.

Exactly. I would use Uber at Disneyworld. No reason not to. If they are using surge pricing just reject the reservation and head for the taxi stand.

 

[BrerNashville]

If that customer decides that the price is too high then they just head to the taxi stand instead. There are plenty of options at WDW - it's not like it's the middle of nowhere.

That's the plan. I also have the option of timing my exit with the Four Seasons shuttle, which runs every hour to and from Epcot as I understand it. I was more curious than anything -- i'm not signing a trip budget in blood or anything.

 

[nkereina]

Presumably the OP posted because he wants to plan in advance.

A Uber customer traveled around 20 miles to an Elton John concert. The fare was around $100. Going home surge pricing was in effect and the fare was over $400.

There is a big difference between $200 R/T and $500 R/T. A person might drive, get a friend to drive them or even book a car service R/T if they knew in advance how much Uber would be charging for the return trip.
"no harm no foul" NOT

OP doesn't want a discussion as to the merit of Uber so I won't offer an opinion.Potential customers planning on using Uber during a potential surge time have no idea as to the cost prior to loading up the app and requesting a ride.

The woman who was charged that amount leaving the Elton John concert - she was completely uninformed about surge pricing, and did not do a fare quote before booking the ride. This was discussed on the news when this story was reported as well. It was her own fault. Uber giver you ample opportunity to see a range within $10 of what your fare will be, even with surge pricing in effect. That story is ludicrous and would never happen to someone who is informed about the app.

Your last paragraph that I bolded is incorrect. I won't discuss the merits of Uber either, but it's important for people to know the facts about it. When surge pricing is in effect, they will tell you what the surge percent is and you can still do a fare quote to check the amount BEFORE you request the ride.

As I mentioned in my earlier post and as PPs have reinforced, if OP checks the fare quote and doesn't like what they see, they can always go with a taxi. Simple as that. And if they DID post so they can plan to the penny, then Uber is better yet because 9 times out of 10 it will be cheaper than the cab fare that they will need to budget for.

 

[Lewisc]

That's the plan. I also have the option of timing my exit with the Four Seasons shuttle, which runs every hour to and from Epcot as I understand it. I was more curious than anything -- i'm not signing a trip budget in blood or anything.

You have a plan B. I suspect most guests at the Four Seasons can afford a taxi or surge pricing.

The woman who was charged that amount leaving the Elton John concert - she was completely uninformed about surge pricing, and did not do a fare quote before booking the ride. This was discussed on the news when this story was reported as well. It was her own fault. Uber giver you ample opportunity to see a range within $10 of what your fare will be, even with surge pricing in effect. That story is ludicrous and would never happen to someone who is informed about the app.

Your last paragraph that I bolded is incorrect. I won't discuss the merits of Uber either, but it's important for people to know the facts about it. When surge pricing is in effect, they will tell you what the surge percent is and you can still do a fare quote to check the amount BEFORE you request the ride.

.

I think my point is correct, as intended, but maybe not the way you're reading it. My understanding is you load up the app, are given a price and can then book a ride. You won't know about surge pricing until you're reading to book a ride. Am I wrong? Can you get a binding fare for your return trip, prior to leaving for the concert? If so I apologize. If not my point is valid.

A person planning on using Uber round trip can get in a lot of trouble if surge pricing is in effect at the end of the event.

This doesn't apply to the OP, he's willing to wait for his hotel shuttle or pay for a taxi. It could be an issue for others reading this thread.

We can debate, in a different thread, if surge pricing is "supply and demand" or is price gouging. A person planning on using Uber for a return trip could be in for a rude awakening. There might not always be a viable plan "B".

NYC put restrictions on surge pricing prior to approving Uber.

 

[ChrisNY2]

Back to the practical questions of using Uber or Lyft at WDW - are the drivers allowed into the security and parking lot gates? They just say they're picking someone up?