Would you do stretch limo or van?

[lovesdumbo]

6 of us will be traveling to the Poly in Oct. Can't decide if I should book a stretch limo for $228 includes tip or a van for $125+tip (these are quotes from FL Tours). I want the magic of the stretch for the price of the van. Last year we rented a minivan and we found that a bit of a hassel. This year we just want to magically arrive at the Poly and have the grocery stop (without getting lost...).

Can those who've done stretch convince me its worth the price. They'll be 3 adults and 3 kids (5, 3, 21 mths).

Do you tip the driver again when it's included?

 

[Snow Shoe]

I love doing the limo thing for our family. It starts the vacation off really nice. We've had six people in a limo several times. Its usually four adults and two kids, and the only problem has been with all the luggage. However, Tiffany's drivers have always managed to get all in. I just like being treated like "royality or movie star" riding in the limo to our resort and having people look to see who's getting out. LOL! Remember it's your vacation, and why not pamper yourself some. You deserve it!

 

[Castillo Mom]

If you can afford it, I say go for the limo. In our case, if figured that in the grand scheme of things, what's an extra hundred bucks when I'm already spending thousands? Plus we're way on the other side of the country in California and won't be going to WDW often.

 

[Familyof14]

We are taking the stretch limo with FL Tours for our family of 5 adults.

I am still confused over the tipping issue.
If we pay up front, and we have different drivers for different legs of the trip (we have 4), then the new drivers are bound to want an extra tip as well. This is the only fault I have found with FL Tours. I realize that having the tip included and paying the tip up front are to protect the drivers, but how do we know that all drivers are getting their share? How do we ignore those that hold out their hands after we have paid the tip in advance?

lovesdumbo How many legs is your price quote for? Is it just to Disney and back to the airport?

 

[mobetsy]

We used a limo for 7 (4 adults, 3 kids 9, 9, and 6) of us going from MCO to Port Canaveral in March. My friend and I planned it, and it was a surprise for the others. I don't know who had more fun: our two husbands, our kids, or the two of us watching the others be thrilled! It was SO easy, and such a special start to our vacation. If you can afford it, I'd say go for it; this was one of those things that was worth working into our budget We used Southern Elegance Limos and found their service fabulous and their rates excellent.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Stretch limo is fun, but the trunk is a regular size. So we had to put some bags in the seating area with us! And my son's stroller (large one, hw is handicapped) had to go in the front seat with the driver! Oh, well, it was still fun. (we are a group of 6)

 

[dzneelvr]

We just got back and used Happy Limo to (June 24) and from (July 4) our resort. it was $156 each way with tip INCLUDED. Total with all taxes, etc. was $330 round trip. And there was not additional "begging" by the driver for more. Very nice. very prompt. we'll be doing this again.
We had a black stretch (limo) to and a white stretch from.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Originally posted by Familyof14
lovesdumbo How many legs is your price quote for? Is it just to Disney and back to the airport?

My quote was for MCO to Poly and back. So 2 legs.

After posting here, I was asking a frugal friend what she thought. I can't ask DH or friend as I want to surprise them. As I was explaining it to her "both get you to the Poly, both include meet & greet, both include booster seats, both include grocery stop..." It suddenly hit me- the grocery stop. I'll probably be the one to run into the store leaving DH & friend with 3 kids-which would be easier-keeping kids in the van or keeping them in the stretch? I think I'll book the stretch today.

I looked at Happy's website and they say MCO to MK resort is $180 but that doesn't include an additional MK resort charge of $9 or some airport charge or charge for booster seats or the tip which they do include-so they'd be way over the $228 I was quoted from FL Tours. And the stop is 15 minutes.

I guess I'll see what kind of service we get but if the rate already includes a 20% tip I don't see the need to tip again. Maybe I should post this question seperately.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Familyof14]

but that doesn't include an additional MK resort charge of $9 or some airport charge or charge for booster seats or the tip which they do include

Is all of the above included with FL Tours?

 

[lovesdumbo]

Originally posted by Familyof14
Is all of the above included with FL Tours?

They said it was over the phone. I'll post back when I make the reservation on line and get the confirmation.

 

[denman007]

I'm using Happy Limo. I got quoted $239 RT to Poly.

Tried contacting FL Tours by email and there email crap was all messed and no one ever got back to me.

To the OP...

If you want to reduce the cost, I read that Happy Limo can split you transportation. Meaning, come in with style in a limo, and depart in a van. That would be a great idea for you as it would knock a few bucks off the bill! Check it out!

 

[Familyof14]

We have already made arrangements with FL Tours a while ago.
I have never heard of these charges before. I just looked on my confirmation , and nothing is said about them either. Hope we don't get hit with extra charges.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Originally posted by Familyof14
We have already made arrangements with FL Tours a while ago.
I have never heard of these charges before. I just looked on my confirmation , and nothing is said about them either. Hope we don't get hit with extra charges.

I asked "does this include all airport fees, tolls, ect." and was told this includes everything.

On Happy Limo's website they list rates for stretch to MK resorts round trip as *$180 then way way down the page they have:

Maximum number of people in a VAN is 10 adults. Car seats & Booster chairs can be provided at a charge of $5.00 per car seat per trip.

**$9.00 gate entrance fee to the Magic Kingdom resorts will be added to the above fares, This fee will only be added to the
roundtrip fares leading to the following Magic Kingdom resorts or 1-way trips originating from Magic Kindom resorts. One way fares to Magic Kingdom will be exempt from this $9.00 gate entrance fee.

This fee is charged to the limo companies by WDW, and unfortunately must be passed on to the customers.**

**Airport sur-charge of $5.00 for sedans, excursions and for vans and $10.00 for stretch limos will be added to all pickups from MCO**

**Above rates do not include gratuity & tolls**

The ground transportation fares quoted on this web site do not include tips. A $10-gratuity each way will be added automatically to all local Sedan fares listed here. A gratuity of 20% will be added to all out-of-town Sedan trips or hourly charters. We will add a gratuity of 20% to all Van, SUV and Stretch Limousine fares listed here, including hourly charters.


So I guess I would have to pay $180 + $9(MK-dont get this as they are already charging more for MK) +$10 (Airport) +$10(car seats) +?(tolls) +$36(tip). I'm up to at least $245+tolls.

I think I'm going to book with FL Tours. It really is a tough decision to make. You read good & bad about them all. FL tours said I could do stretch 1 way and van the other for $195 but it would be such a let down and you're down already so that didn't seem worth the $33 savings. I'll let you know what the confirm says!

 

[denman007]

Happy Limo...

Your roundtrip fare in our Lincoln SUPER stretch 10 passenger limousine will be $180.00 plus a 20% gratuity plus a $9.00 Magic Kingdom gate fee and a $10.00 airport sur-charge, $4.00 Tolls grand total will be $239.00, and there are no additional charges.

They are both going to be about the same price. I just don't want to have the driver looking for another tip.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I got a quick response from Andy at FLTours with this:
"Yes, $228.00 includes everything including your driver's gratuity."

So that seems pretty good to me. $20 cheaper than Happy and I get a 30 minute stop vs 15 with Happy. I'll just have to bring enough cash or travelers checks to cover it.

 

[Familyof14]

Hope you have great success. We will be seeing Andy or someone with FL Tours a week from tomorrow!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Familyof14-have a great trip! Please post your experience with FL Tours.

Do you have 12 children? I can hardly handle my 3 How did my mom handle 5 under 5? And she was alway pregnant

 

[Castillo Mom]

I'm sorry, but when I hear that a towncar/limo company wants to charge extra toll fees and say they have to pass than on to their clients, that really irritates me. Disney charges these companies an annual fee. If they choose not to pay it, they are charged a one-time fee PER DAY, not every time they have to go through the gate.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Originally posted by Castillo Mom
I'm sorry, but when I hear that a towncar/limo company wants to charge extra toll fees and say they have to pass than on to their clients, that really irritates me. Disney charges these companies an annual fee. If they choose not to pay it, they are charged a one-time fee PER DAY, not every time they have to go through the gate.

Very interesting. Happy not only charges more as a base rate for MK resorts but then they also add the charge so they are already "double dipping". And if they don't really pay it everytime they go through the gate they must be tripple dipping or more per day.....

I guess I'm glad I went with FL Tours. I hope I get good service.

 

[Familyof14]

The rest are my extended family. We are all traveling together. I am looking forward to changing my screen name. Can't tell you how many times of have been asked that question between the DIS and Cruise Critic boards.