What have I gotten myself into???

[Disney_1derland]

We had been planning to drive down for our November trip but just got airfare at such an amazing rate it was cheaper than driving!

So now I have to figure out how to get to the hotel (shades of green) from the airport and back again.

Can you all tell me what the important things are to look for in choosing transportation for 7?

I know we need a grocery stop. I know I want to pay a flat fee without hidden rates, but not sure how to find out who does and who doesn't charge hidden fees.

Any advice, help, whacks on the head, etc are welcome. I'm totally confused and out of my league on this one!

 

[helenk]

Most of the transportation companies provide a van for larger parties.
Fl Tours is around $120.00 if you are not going to a MK resort, Tiffany Town car is about $110.00. Neither of these companies have any "hidden fees", but tips are not included. Both have a grocery stop, I think it maybe 15 or 20 minutes but I am not sure.
there are other companies out there as well, I just have these 2 as we used a van for our trip in June.
We used Tiffany Town car and were very happy with their service, FL Tours is a sponsor of this site and there are many glowing reports regardind their services.

 

[earldale97]

We are planning on driving to WDW in Nov also. I keep watching those rates as they are pretty good. It's addictive! Can't help to think though we are saving more $ by driving.

By the time you add airfare, rental or taxis, we are spending almost $500 more for our family of 5 compared to driving. We plan on utilizing our in-room fridge and microwave, so we would need to rent a car in WDW anyway to make easy trips to the store.

Also you have to consider you will have more time in Orlando, so that means more time to do things which equals more $$$.

Our rates are at about $150/each roundtrip now, maybe if they get closer to $100 it may be worth it for us. But still $150 is GREAT! It would make for an easier trip to fly, especially with 3 kids.

 

[Disney_1derland]

Our drive is 12 hours. With two kids and my handicapped father we would have to stop and get a hotel on the way there and back to rest. I calculated our gas costs at: http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/TripGasPrice.aspx and it would have been $200 total for the trip. I couldn't find cheap airfare but one day just thought I'd give hotwire a try. brought my fares down by about $60 each so I jumped on it. If you haven't tried hotwire, give it a try. Hotwire also gave us direct flights and everywhere else we looked we were getting some weird connections. Hotwire doesn't make you pay before they reveal the price, you just won't know when you fly out until after you pay. If you're flexible, it's well worth the shot! We found a transport service that will give us a 30 minute grocery stop so we can stock up on what we need to get us through the week. And the relief of not having to drive all that way! I can't believe how much more I am looking forward to this trip now that I don't have to drive!

 

[earldale97]

We are estimiating about 24 hours to drive from Michigan. Quite the haul with 3 kids! Trying to drive 12 a day with one hotel stay. flying would make a world of difference.

I looked at Hotwire but freaked not knowing when the flights were. That is a major item to leave out!

Maybe as time gets closer and I am a little more comfortable I may give it a try again. I don't understand why they need to leave this info off.

When do you learn the flight info? After you pay, or do you have to wait to get something in the mail?

 

[Disney_1derland]

as soon as you pay you get the flight info. The reason they do this is because the airlines sell them cheaper rates and to do that they cannot reveal the flight times. They do promise no more than one connection and no red-eye (or overnight) flights. It can be from 6am-8pm I believe. We were very lucky to get exactly what we had hoped for and get a non-stop flight. I've used Hotwire for hotels before but not for airfare, so this was a new experience for me. I'm really happy with it and I've never had any problems with their service.