Used Uber quite a bit this past week at WDW......

[calismic]

Yes, sure! Instead of hiring drivers, Uber connects people who are willing to drive with those who need drivers. The issue is that now, because of a great, easy to use app, a large market share for transportation is now going to people who may experience a great short-term benefit, but are themselves without the benefits of a real employer. Uber does not do background checks on their drivers and the cars are not subject to the same regulations as cars used by licensed transportation companies. This can lead to a more risky service with fewer protections in place for consumers. The drivers themselves do not have access to a stable job with benefits, health insurance, or steady income. There is no regulated price, which means when demand is high you can make a lot of money (at the expense of customers!), but when demand is low or average you are making less than regulated, metered car services. In the short term everyone wins, but in the long run it has the potential to replace really good jobs with mediocre ways of earning cash on the side. Taxi drivers in NYC have definitely felt the pinch of Uber. I really hope that this causes more established transportation to get with the 20th century and make better ways for consumers to access their services. I for one get really upset when a cab driver can't or won't accept my credit card. That is just inexcusable these days.

ETA: Although I myself haven't used Uber yet (or Lyft, or Air BNB), I have no issues with people choosing to use them and I'm sure I will use them one day, too. These are just my qualms with the advent of this new, popular business model--no judgement/argument intended!

At least here in Pittsburgh Uber does require their drivers to pass a background check as well as accident checks. Anyone with points on their license are unable to drive as far as I'm aware. The vehicle must also be a 2007 or newer model and have a clean inspection.

 

[kollerbear]

Thanks for the info!
I am a worse case scenario scaredy act all the time! Ask my friends, it is bad!!! So I'd be too afraid to use this service, I'm sure. A random person willing to drive us somewhere and save us $5 sounds like a great idea until my imagination runs wild and creates all the what if's possible......

I mean, honestly I've never heard of anyone I know having any bad experiences with Uber. And although in the news there have been one or two odd things, nothing really bad has happened to people using Uber. You can see how the driver has been rated by others on the app and the experience itself is not really risky per se. It's more in the grand scheme of things that I think it may be problematic. But you shouldn't feel really scared about using the system!

 

[kollerbear]

At least here in Pittsburgh Uber does require their drivers to pass a background check as well as accident checks. Anyone with points on their license are unable to drive as far as I'm aware. The vehicle must also be a 2007 or newer model and have a clean inspection.

Thanks, it's totally possible that I'm quoting outdated information, or it might vary from state to state. I don't mean to provide anyone with misinformation and I know that these companies have had a complicated few years as everyone figures out what regulations are applicable and required.

 

[bmalonef45]

We are heading out on Friday and will have a rental car for part of the trip but are giving it back to save some $$. We want to go to the Basketball tourney at Wide World of Sports on Thursday and Friday. We are staying at OKW. Does the security let UBER drivers into the resorts? If so we're probably going to use it to get to the basketball games. We've used it at home and it seems like a good solution but probably not popular with taxi companies.

 

[Keels]

Yes, sure! Instead of hiring drivers, Uber connects people who are willing to drive with those who need drivers. The issue is that now, because of a great, easy to use app, a large market share for transportation is now going to people who may experience a great short-term benefit, but are themselves without the benefits of a real employer. Uber does not do background checks on their drivers and the cars are not subject to the same regulations as cars used by licensed transportation companies. This can lead to a more risky service with fewer protections in place for consumers. The drivers themselves do not have access to a stable job with benefits, health insurance, or steady income. There is no regulated price, which means when demand is high you can make a lot of money (at the expense of customers!), but when demand is low or average you are making less than regulated, metered car services. In the short term everyone wins, but in the long run it has the potential to replace really good jobs with mediocre ways of earning cash on the side. Taxi drivers in NYC have definitely felt the pinch of Uber. I really hope that this causes more established transportation to get with the 20th century and make better ways for consumers to access their services. I for one get really upset when a cab driver can't or won't accept my credit card. That is just inexcusable these days.

ETA: Although I myself haven't used Uber yet (or Lyft, or Air BNB), I have no issues with people choosing to use them and I'm sure I will use them one day, too. These are just my qualms with the advent of this new, popular business model--no judgement/argument intended!

Actually, in most cities you have to pass a background check, a vehicle inspection and you have to have a clean bill of driving as issued by your insurance company over a minimum of 5 years. And that's just to be an "independent contractor" for Uber, or an UberX driver.

Anything NOT UberX is generally run through a local fleet/livery agency that needs to make money off of town cars and SUVs that aren't under contract for that period of time. So, it's the same as using a car service but instead you can get them on-call, get a price in advance and pay with a credit card.

Anyway. It took Orlando far longer to get Uber than it needed to and it's solely because of the greed-monster known as Mears Transportation. Which, also offers no average pricing when it comes to getting a cab from them. Mears is pretty much the worst thing in Orlando and they've had a stronghold on for-hire transportation since I was in high school back in the 90s, so it's really nice to see more options.

 

[bumbershoot]

No money changes hands; it's all done through the app.

Unless you want to tip. That's done with cash. Can't be done through the app. And yes they can accept tips.

I wonder why? Have they ever posted why?

IMO it's because the thread was started by a driver, and the mod didn't want it to become some sort of backdoor way of getting that driver business.

Uber does not do background checks on their drivers

Definitely outdated info.

https://www.uber.com/safety

Uber is committed to safely connecting riders and drivers. That means setting strict safety standards and providing end-to-end insurance coverage. The specifics vary depending on what local governments allow, but what we’re doing in the US to ensure your comfort and security is an example of our standards around the world.

Background Checks
Ridesharing and livery drivers in the U.S. are screened through a process that includes county, federal, and multi-state criminal background checks. Uber also reviews drivers’ motor vehicle records throughout their time driving with Uber.*

There's actually quite a bit of info on that page, just scroll down and click over to get info on things like insurance and rating your driver and driver profiles, etc etc.


I don't like taking ANY sort of taxi-like transportation when I'm alone, personally, and Uber falls under that, so for me personally it's a family thing to do, but IMO the info you have with taxi vs Uber is the same (with a bit more on Uber's side b/c of the ratings etc).

 

[AngiTN]

Has anyone had any luck finding an Uber driver with a booster seat? I plan on bringing my daughters but it'd be nice not to have to carry hers around if I don't have to! We're planning on using Uber for Resort to Resort travel.

If you just need a booster seat I suggest checking out the Bubble Bum seat. We used it on our DL trip and love it. So easy to use. Could leave it in a locker at a park if needed.
http://www.amazon.com/BubbleBum-Inflatable-Booster-Black-Silver/dp/B00AQYZCXK

 

[calismic]

If you just need a booster seat I suggest checking out the Bubble Bum seat. We used it on our DL trip and love it. So easy to use. Could leave it in a locker at a park if needed.
http://www.amazon.com/BubbleBum-Inflatable-Booster-Black-Silver/dp/B00AQYZCXK

Wow thanks! I had no idea that existed.

 

[AngiTN]

Wow thanks! I had no idea that existed.

I lucked out and found them on Zulily late last year so I got a deal on it. I knew we were heading to DL and would need something to get from the airport to the hotel so I got one to keep around.
We plan to use Uber on our trip next month so I plan to bring it along. It really is super easy to use. Normally DGD is still in a high back booster so she loves when she gets to use her Bubblebum seat.

 

[skateshome]

Stayed at All Star Movies. $7 to all parks except MK. $10 to MK. Plus $3 tip each time.

For MK I found the best way to use Uber was to take resort monorail to Contemporary (1st stop) and get picked up there.

 

[wilkeliza]

I would guess they don't allow prices posted on the other thread because there is no way to guarantee a price. Uber uses surge pricing and is metered so if it is $7 for one person it could be $20 for another based on time of day, traffic, road closures, and surge pricing.

I thought tipping was included in Uber since they make you set a tip percentage but now I see that is not the case. I'm going to keep suggesting that Uber add it to the app and try to remember to carry some small bills for tipping. I almost never have cash on me and one of the pluses for me was that Uber was all in app transactions. It wouldn't be that hard for them to add a tip button akin to Starbuck's that lets you add a tip up to 24 hours after the fact.

 

[skateshome]

About the only time you will encounter surge pricing is park closing times. It popped up once on our trip. Increased fare by 50%.

 

[jdocter7]

We are heading out on Friday and will have a rental car for part of the trip but are giving it back to save some $$. We want to go to the Basketball tourney at Wide World of Sports on Thursday and Friday. We are staying at OKW. Does the security let UBER drivers into the resorts? If so we're probably going to use it to get to the basketball games. We've used it at home and it seems like a good solution but probably not popular with taxi companies.

Yes, we used Uber from OKW to get a ride--they picked us up right at our building. Very convenient! Clean vehicle, super professional, reasonably priced. We'll use Uber again!

 

[jdocter7]

About the only time you will encounter surge pricing is park closing times. It popped up once on our trip. Increased fare by 50%.

From what I've read if it shows surge pricing, it is suggested you wait ten to fifteen minutes and often the surge pricing time is gone.

 

[bumbershoot]

Wow thanks! I had no idea that existed.

The bubblebum is terrific. Serves the purpose of a booster in that it pops the kid up just enough to fit into the seatbelt! We got one for our first WDW trip when DS was 6.5, and used it as long as he needed it. It's 1 pound and goes in a cinchsack, so DS just carried it or put it in HIS backpack for the plane. (he's 11 now, it's long gone...we were early-ish adopters of the BB!)

It wouldn't be that hard for them to add a tip button akin to Starbuck's that lets you add a tip up to 24 hours after the fact.

I agree.

 

[RideShareRob]

Yes, we used Uber from OKW to get a ride--they picked us up right at our building. Very convenient! Clean vehicle, super professional, reasonably priced. We'll use Uber again!

You used someone else? Youre cheating on me! Olaf is offended!! (for everyone who wont get that inside joke: i randomly ended up being her driver the other night)

 

[cleopenn]

Actually, in most cities you have to pass a background check, a vehicle inspection and you have to have a clean bill of driving as issued by your insurance company over a minimum of 5 years. And that's just to be an "independent contractor" for Uber, or an UberX driver.

Anything NOT UberX is generally run through a local fleet/livery agency that needs to make money off of town cars and SUVs that aren't under contract for that period of time. So, it's the same as using a car service but instead you can get them on-call, get a price in advance and pay with a credit card.

Anyway. It took Orlando far longer to get Uber than it needed to and it's solely because of the greed-monster known as Mears Transportation. Which, also offers no average pricing when it comes to getting a cab from them. Mears is pretty much the worst thing in Orlando and they've had a stronghold on for-hire transportation since I was in high school back in the 90s, so it's really nice to see more options.

We now use Uber exclusively when traveling to philly and Washington, D.C. Several times a year. Across the board, we find the service to be the same cost or cheaper than taxis and the drivers are, by far, much more responsive, knowledgable and professional. I think the reason is what is mentioned above, these are limo/car service drivers. It's a different business model for different drivers, not taxi drivers.

However, as much as I like uber, I will no longer use uberX. Too many experiences with below average drivers in junky cars. Maybe my experiences were specific to the market but I rather pay for a regular or uber black.

I don't mean to diminish anyone's fears but given the tracking via your cell phone and the gps tracking of the cars, it is unlikely an uber driver would be anymore of a risk than a taxi driver.

 

[JimmyV]

Unless you want to tip. That's done with cash. Can't be done through the app. And yes they can accept tips.

This isn't the case, at least here in the U.S.. When I registered on the app and put in my payment information, I was taken to a page asking if I wanted to automatically tip the driver, and if so, what percent. I did that, and all my tipping is done via the app and billed to my CC with no money changing hands whatsoever.

 

[AngiTN]

This isn't the case, at least here in the U.S.. When I registered on the app and put in my payment information, I was taken to a page asking if I wanted to automatically tip the driver, and if so, what percent. I did that, and all my tipping is done via the app and billed to my CC with no money changing hands whatsoever.

With Uber you did? It sure didn't give me that option. Nor was DH given the option when he set his up. We both did ours in Oct. Could they have removed the option?

 

[RideShareRob]

That option is ONLY for the UberTAXI service, (not available in Orlando)which is where a standard yellow cab is ordered through the app. The other service levels, X,XL,Select and Black do *NOT* add any tip whatsoever.