WHat do you think? Aiport Transportation/Groceries

[childressva01]

We are trying to go up a day earlier than our reservation at BLT becuase the flight just works out better for our little ones' schedules. Our reservation will likely be at Hilton in Downtown Disney, so I guess that rules DME out. WE also want to be able to get groceries at some point the NEXT day when we get ready to check into BLT.

Waht are my options? And what do you recommend? Rental Car, Taxi or Mears Service? Swinging by a grocery store or having them delvered to room? Anyone done that? Expensive I assume . . .

Todd

 

[pooh2001]

I just noticed ther next day food shop - so yes I would do a taxi - maybe cost your $40 or so.
But you could still read my post below...

Check out town car service which have a 20 or 30 minute food store stop.
The food store stop should be free, and will be done unless your plane is very late and it can not be accomodated.

FL Tours - sponsor of this board is good and does offer the food store stop for free. Check them out by clicking on the above link on the transportation thread.

If you use a town car service, you will be at your resort within 1.5 hours from when you get off your plane. My estimate is for 30 minutes at the airport to get off the plane, get your luggage and get into the towncar, then a 30 minute food store stop and 30 minute ride to the DTD resort.

If you do Mears - it may cost you a bit more time and money. Mears does not do a food store stop, may carry more passengers than your group, and may stop at more than 1 resort.

From FL Tours web site:
All Inclusive Rates & Driver Gratuity is not included
For a DTD resort (like the Hilton) the cost roundtrip is $109.00
Free 30 minute grocery stop**
No Charge for use of booster/car seat*
No Charge for gate fees and tolls
Orlando Airport Meet and Greet
No charge for late pickups
24 hour online reservation access
Resort courtesy call to reconfirm pickup
All professional uniformed drivers

*Due to limited car space, we only carries a Booster Seat in the Town-Cars. A complimentary car seat and a complimentary booster seat is provided when selecting a van.

**One-Way transfers do not include a complimentary grocery/gift stop. There is a $25 charge for Limos.

 

[TheWog]

Depending on when you need the groceries you could look into using a grocery delivery service. They will deliver them right to your resort and bell services will bring them up for you when you arrive. Ours were there waiting for us and brought to our room shortly after arrival. No problem at all.

 

[tjmw2727]

We have done something similar - but I usually book the first night at a WDW Value resort.

This way I can take DME to the value resort and let them deliver our luggage as well. The next day you can check out of the values and WDW will transfer your luggage to BLT for you while you enjoy the parks, pool etc.

I use wegoshop for grocery delivery, have done it many times and always get greeat service. I would set up the delivery for later in the day of your arrival at BLT - after check in time.

If you are set on the Hilton then I agree with the above suggestion of a towncar. Although for the grocery stop most companies require a r/t reservation so you may as well take it both ways and skip DME on the return to the airport.

 

[childressva01]

Thanks everyone - yeah - since we don't need the groceries until the day after our arrival, the town car with grocery stop doesn't help much. I didn't think about staying at a value. We are dvc members, so maybe they will take points for an overngiht stay.

Todd

 

[Tozzie]

Thanks everyone - yeah - since we don't need the groceries until the day after our arrival, the town car with grocery stop doesn't help much. I didn't think about staying at a value. We are dvc members, so maybe they will take points for an overngiht stay.

Todd

I would suggest looking into what it will cost for transportation (from the airport to your hotel and from the hotel to BLT) and the grocery delivery and then look into a 1 day rental car picking up at MCO and dropping off at either the Dolphin or the Car Care Center you could use the car to get to your hotel the night before and go shopping the next day then check into BLT and then return the car. The car care center has a shuttle and will drop you back at BLT the Dolphin does not. As for using DVC points the night before, you can only use points for moderates or higher not at the values and it would cost you a $95 fee. It would be more economical to either pay cash for a value or stay off site.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks everyone - yeah - since we don't need the groceries until the day after our arrival, the town car with grocery stop doesn't help much. I didn't think about staying at a value. We are dvc members, so maybe they will take points for an overngiht stay.

Todd

So...you're going to need transport to the Hilton, from MCO, then from the Hilton to BLT the next day, and you want groceries?? You're going to be spending a bunch of cash for that!!
If it were me, I would find a room at a value for that first night.....then let Disney move your bags to BLT the next day. You'll be able to use DME to get to the value. Then, put in a grocery delivery order for the day you check into BLT. You can head to MK on your BLT checkin day, and then walk over to BLT from MK.
This way, you're paying for the value resort (but you were already paying for the Hilton) and grocery delivery charges/tip.