What type of transportation do you usually take from the airport?

[hpygrll]

We are going to be at the VWL and usually take Mears, but with an infant we don't want to have to deal with the long wait and would really prefer to have a car seat provided. A grocery stop would also be nice. What have you guys used?

The other option is a rental car and we've heard you can drop them off on property but I've never been able to find out where?

Thanks!!
Jenny

1977 - offsite
1995 - CBR
1997 - Boardwalk
1998 - Contemporary
1999 - Port Orleans
2000 - Dixie Landings
2001 - OKW
2002 - VWL and BCV
2003 - VWL here we come!!!

 

[TiggerFreak]

Our first 2 trips prior to joining DVC we used Mears. Then we used a rental car on our first trip home. The convienence was great. No waiting for bus, used valet at DVC resorts. And, shhh, don't tell Mickey, we even went offsite

Plus we use National's Emerald Aisle service so we don't even have to stand in line at the rental counter. With an infant in tow this might be worth the extra expense.

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

We've used Mears as well but sometimes I wonder if with all that I pay them, if we couldn't rent a car cheaper or even a cab. I know some people have taken cabs.

 

[DebbieB]

We usually rent a car, I've found some great rates from National. Last month I only paid $110 for a full size for a week with Disney Club discount & $20 off Entertainment coupon. You can pickup or dropoff for Alamo/National at the Dolphin Hotel or the Car Care Center near the Polynesian (shuttle service provided).

I have used Tiffany Town Car in the past, we had good experiences. They do provide a 30 minute grocery stop, although we never used it because it was pre-DVC.

My last choice would be Mears, especially with an infant. They use either vans or busses, no place for a car seat.

 

[FreeTime]

We always rent a car. Of all of the times that we have flown we always reserve the smallest car that can accomodate our group. And every single time we have been upgraded because they were out of what we reserved. Also having the car is great because we can take our time at the grocery, go to the Character Corner at Belz, and drive to the parks when we want and not wait on the buses. I only suggest that you reserve from a rental company that is onsite (National, Avis, and I think Dollar). We went with Alamo one time and we waited to ride their shuttle for 10 minutes then when we got to the place to get the car they told us to get in line and further explained that it would be a 4 hour wait! It was awful! There were people sitting around with their luggage, kids asleep on the ground, etc. Needless to say we hopped on the next shuttle back to the airport and rented a car there.

 

[DVC-Don]

Almost always rent a vehicle. Once we used Tiffany Towncar. they were fine, but we like being able to go offsite on a whim.

 

[luckytso]

We used to use Mears and never rented a car until last Feb. when we used the Emerald aisle service with National.

With 2 kids and 2 strollers, the car is so much easier than Disney transportation. We now drive to the parks and the only one we prefer not to drive to is MK. It is just so much easier to lug stuff around and go grocery shopping for the misc. stuff we need.

The car rental rate with Disney Club discount and some other coupons that I can find seems to be similar to the car service with the tips and all that.

We now love to have a car around. We can get to SeaWorld or Universal if we want to. Though it sometimes feels like a drag to leave WDW property

In August, we are staying at Wilderness Lodge. I would definitely use our car because I would rather drive to other parks from there, and MK is just a boat ride away.

 

[Terry S]

We normally use Tiffany Towncar. There is a person standing by the luggage pick up area with a sign with your last name on it. They take your family only to the resort and back to the airport at the end of your trip and will stop at the grocery store if you want. It costs $85 round trip for a Town Car or $95 round trip for a van.

For those of you that mentioned National's Emerald Aisle service what exactly is that? We have been considering renting a car next time.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

I have used Mears a couple of times with good results.

This year I will be renting a mini-van. I called DVC member services and they made the reservations for me.

You may want to call member services and see if they can give you a drop-off location. I am using my vehicle all week, so I will just pick-up and return it at the airport.

 

[dvc_bwv]

We always rent a car. Last couple years with National's Emerald Aisle...can't beat being able to just walk over there pick out a car and drive away without having to wait in line at the counter! Such a convenience, we are still using National's Emerald Aisle even though they no longer partner with our airline for frequent flyer miles!

 

[Regina]

Nine times out of ten, we use towncar services. Over the course of 11 years, we've used many of them but the one that we tried recently really stood out: Florida Tours

I've never seen cars that were so clean, and I was extremely impressed with how the drivers stayed within 5 miles of the speed limit.

We take advantage of the 30 minute grocery stop. It's plenty of time to stock up on what we need.

Personally, I don't care for the Mears Shuttle. I don't like having to stop at other resorts before I'm dropped off and I don't like having to go by their schedule when we leave.

 

[skelooch]

I used Mears once on a solo trip, had a little bit of a problem with the return trip to the airport but everything turned out OK.

If cost is not an issue I highly recommend a rental car it's definitely worth it in the long run, especially if you plan on going off sight, grocery shopping or going to those other Theme Parks in the area. You know the ones I mean.

 

[JimC]

We rarely use a car anymore. When we do we compare rates and go with lowest among the majors (Hertz, Avis, Alamo, National, Thifty).

We used to use Mears quite a bit, more out of not knowing any better than any other reason. If you have three or more in your group a town car service is probably the best way to go (if you do not need a car). Service is door to door, no waiting. We use Cartier and love them. When we first used a towncar they had the most reasonable rates and reservations are super easy on their web site.

http://www.cartiertowncar.com/

 

[crisi]

We rented last time, with two kids we thought it would be best - but it was horrible. Needed a minivan (2 kids, 4 adults). Rented car seats (big mistake!!!) but I don't think hauling two carseats through the airport would have been any easier. I know a lot of people bring their own car seats (and strollers) but I think we'd need a small U-Haul by the time we brought luggage, car seats, strollers, etc. Since I'm a "carryon kind of girl" I'm not predisposed to bringing a ton of stuff - even with the kids.

We are planning on using Tiffany or another town car for our next trip.

 

[Raysplus1]

We used Mears the first 2 times we went to Disney. We ended up waiting an hour for a bus and tha was the last time we used Mears.

We now have used Tiffany the last 3 trips and our using them again this trip. We have never had any problems and we always use the grocery stop.

 

[DeeP]

I have used every possible way of transportation from MCO to WDW with the exception of a cab or the public bus. Like everything else in WDW, the best method of transport depends on many factors. If you only want transportation from and to the airport and prefer not to drive while at WDW and also are traveling with a baby and want a grocery stop, my advice would be either a towncar or rent a car for one day on each end of the trip. Renting a car at each end of the trip saves a little money and it is very easy to drop off and pick up either a National or Alamo car at WDW since there is a rental car desk at the Car Care Center right outside MK and also a desk at the Dolphin hotel. Both will pick up/drop off at WDW resorts. If you do not wish to drive AT ALL on vacation then go with the towncar. They are very good and efficient. If you want to drive to parks etc while at WDW and not use WDW transport then definitely rent a car for the entire trip. Mears transport is good for solo travelers but once you start paying for 2+ people you can rent a car (one way at start and end of trip) or use a towncar for almost the same price and have more convenience and definitely have more control over your pick up time for the trip back to the airport.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We almost always rent a car. We've rented from most of the companies in Orlando, and really prefer Avis.

 

[ncligs]

We always rent a car(National Emarald Isle-no counter-just get in car and go

) when we go to WDW. We always do carry-on only also on the plane. Once we touch down at MCO airport,we are at OKW within 25 minutes after landing.

 

[Terry Sheehan]

We used Mears once or twice, btu I hate the fact that it stops at a million resorts(unless I am the first stop!).
We have used Tiffany Town Cars a couple of times, and found them to be very good. Lately we have been renting a car, since we figure that with all the money we save using points instead of having to come up with a big chunk of money to pay for a hotel, we can afford to rent a car!

 

[MrsG]

We tried Mears once, expensive plus we stopped at all the other resorts and it took us an extra 45min-1 hr for them to drop us off.

We tried Tiffany Town car and it was great. We've also cabbed it and that was fine too. We even got a card from the cabbie and called him for our return trip to the airport.