Conference koolit::disney

    American Sightseeing (305) 859-2250, will  transport  you  from Orlando
    International Airport to the various Resorts/Hotels  in  WDW.   Cost in
    '87 was $18/adult and $9/child round trip,  half  of  that for one way.
    We had used them to get to WDW and  they  were  prompt  and  courteous.
    They are located right next to the rental car booths.
    
    Claude

    
    
    You may want to look at renting a car if there are a few folks in
    your party. I'm going down in June and we have a special with
    Nation to rent a car with free milage for $79.00

    re: .1
    
�   American Sightseeing (305) 859-2250, will  transport  you  from Orlando
�   International Airport to the various Resorts/Hotels  in  WDW.

    Shouldn't the phone number be (407) 859-2250?
    
    Claude, you just have to get a new book :-)
    

rep to               <<< Note 62.3 by INDMKT::GOLDBERG "Len Goldberg" >>>

>                               -< New Area Code >-
>    Shouldn't the phone number be (407) 859-2250?
>    
>    Claude, you just have to get a new book :-)

    opps, OK, I'l update the slip of paper on my desk thank you ;^).
    
    CLaude_I_thought_I_saw_something_on_area_codes_changing_.....
    
    

rep to   <<< Note 62.2 by EBBV02::SKILTON >>>

>                            -< Why not rent a car? >-
>    You may want to look at renting a car if there are a few folks in
>    your party. I'm going down in June and we have a special with
>    Nation to rent a car with free milage for $79.00

    The operative  word  here is FEW, since most of the $79 dollar specials
    etc that you see  advertized,  are for Chevy Spectrums or Ford Escorts,
    and I'd like to see  them hold 4 adults and their luggage to boot.  
        
    Claude

>>> most of the $79 dollar specials
>>> etc that you see  advertized,  are for Chevy Spectrums or Ford Escorts,

National has a special going where you can get a Chevy Cavalier or Pontiac
Sunbird, etc. for $79.98/wk (if you prepay!!!!!!!).  Although the Cavalier is a
little bigger than the Spectrum sedan, and car rental companies charge more for
a Cavalier, I think the Spectrum is a better car.  But the $79.98 is a good
deal. 

    re .1
    
    How often does this American Sightseeing leave the airport and when?
    (If any of you know)
    
    I want to try not to have to rent a car because we aren't planning
    on going anywhere a WDW bus can't take us.
    
    Is taking a taxi an option?  For 2 people to take the American
    Sightseeing bus It's going to cost (For 2) $18 each way total.
    
    How about getting back from the Hotel (Contemporary) to the Airport?
    Should I make arangements in advance is is there a set time that
    these shuttle buses come through.
    
    Any help would be greatly appreciated.  This is really the only
    element of our vacation that I'm still fuzzy on.
    
    67 Days and Counting...
    Steve O

rep to <<< Note 62.7 by EUCLID::OWEN "You Are the Everything" >>>
    
>    How often does this American Sightseeing leave the airport and when?
>    (If any of you know)
>    I want to try not to have to rent a car because we aren't planning
>    on going anywhere a WDW bus can't take us.

    Steve, give  the  number  in  .3 a call and ask, when we went, after we
    bought our tickets, we waited about 10 min, and the 3 of us and another
    couple, were off to the  Disney  Inn  in  a  small  van  (this van only
    serviced  the  DIsney  Inn).    They  had  a  regular  bus  go  to  the
    Contemporary and Polynesean resort.
        
>    Is taking a taxi an option?  For 2 people to take the American
>    Sightseeing bus It's going to cost (For 2) $18 each way total.

    Chances  are  taking  a taxi is more  costly  since  they  usually  are
    metered, and the airport to the Disney Inn,  took  the  van driver (who
    knew where he was going) 25 mins to get  to  the  Inn,  and  I  seem to
    remember it being around 20 miles or so.
        
>    How about getting back from the Hotel (Contemporary) to the Airport?
>    Should I make arangements in advance is is there a set time that
>    these shuttle buses come through.

    They  will schedule to pick you up based on your  departing  flight  if
    memory serves me right (however it they could arange a drop  off in the
    same round trip so much the better).  Again call the number  in  .3 and
    ask.
    
    Claude

    moved by moderator, discussion already in progress here,
    
    Claude
                <<< INDMKT::DUA0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DISNEY.NOTE;1 >>>
                                 -< DISNEYANA >-
================================================================================
Note 79.9                    Timing airport to hotel                      9 of 9
GRANMA::JAMES                                        10 lines  15-APR-1989 14:23
                                 -< need help >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Hi,
    
    I would like to get some info on taking some sort of limo service
    to WDW from Orlando airport. IE: van service, taxi,.....etc.
    
    Has anybody out there done this? If so, what do you suggest?
    
    Also would appreciate any pricing info on such transportation.
    
    

    I called the MKC yestarday and they said the bus rate to/from the
    ariport was $21/adult and $11/child round trip.
    
    /Jim Pappas

    >I called the MKC yesterday and they said the bus rate to/from the
    >airport was $21/adult and $11/child round trip.
    
    Jim,
    
    Do you know what bus service MKC was refering to? I just called
    american sightseeing and was told that their bus service was
    discontinued about a year and a half ago. They do offer a sedan
    service for $51 for a family of four from the airport to the
    contemporary. If this is one way I'm sure I could rent a car cheaper
    than the round trip fee. 
    
    JA (68_days_to_go_and_trying_to_avoid_renting_a_car)

    We needed transport from FW to the airport, and the FW Reception
    Outpost gave us the number of Mears Shuttle Service. I rang them,
    and their rate was 12 dollars/adult, 7 dollars/child one way. When 
    I told them the party was 2 adults + 2 children, the girl suggested
    it would be cheaper on a meter, and put me through to Checkered
    Cabs. They quoted about 32 dollars depending on traffic. We took
    that one, the guy was 10 mins early, and the bill was $34  including
    about 10 mins delay at the airport bullpen due to a crash. He was
    driving what we'd call a mini-bus, Chevy van with windows, seating
    8/9 and ample luggage space. Another quote was $38 from Veteran
    Cabs (Name refers to the drivers, not the cabs), but phone books
    and local tourist guides had $5 discount vouchers (We just couldn't
    find one at the time).
    
    In summary, you can certainly get better deals than $50+. It
    might be cheaper still to rent for 1 day from National (who are on 
    site at WDW) and return it at the airport, but paperwork takes up
    valuable holiday time! I will see if I still have the phone numbers
    and post them here (I think Birnbaum also has the numbers if anyone
    has it at their desk.).
    
    Mike B. 

I called Mears and they quoted 21/11 I think for roundtrip.  I decided
to go the car rental route (National).  One day of National with MKC
discount was 32+cdw(100 mi);  $88+CDW (700 mi) for the week.  See the
note on Car Rentals.

p.s.  Mears seems to have a million of their busses and vans going back and
forth to WDW.  You don't need a reservation from the airport to WDW.  They
run every 45 minutes or so I was told by Mears.

    I just booked a rental car through National.  I called and asked for
    the DEC rate, AAA, and MKC rates and they were $168.00 a week.  The
    person I spoke with said that they had a rate for a compact car for
    $88.00 a week if I prepaid with a credit card, but they were some
    restrictions.  You had to pick up and return the car to Orlando
    airport and that there was a 25% cancellation charge if you cancelled.
    I grabbed it, as I'm staying two weeks.  One week in Disney Inn and
    one week at mom & dads.
    
    27 days and counting
    

    When we arrived at Orlando, I walked out to the taxi area but there
    were no cabs in the queue.  There was s discovery tours van there,  I
    was quoted $30 one way or $55 round trip for the five of us.  I took
    the round trip.  They stopped at a couple of other hotels on the way to
    the Polynesian but it wasn't too bad.
    
    For the return trip, I called an 800 number a day in advance, and they
    were there exactly when requested.  We stopped at the WDW village
    Hilton to pick up another two passengers.
    
    IT was OK and cheaper than Mears or a Cab.
    
    /Jim Pappas

	    I visited WDW for the first time mid-November.  While
	planning this  vacation  I had asked everyone I knew that
	had  previously  been  there  for  advice  on  this  same
	question.  The general  consensus  was  to take a shuttle
	from  the airport.  Upon  arriving  I  went  to  the  WDW
	information  both within the Orlando Airport  asking  for
	the "Disney Shuttle".  I was told  there  was no official
	Disney-run shuttle (which I was very surprised to  hear -
	since  they  could  make an even bigger bundle by  adding
	this  service),  but  was  referred  to the Mears company
	mentioned previously within this entry. 
	
	    Mears  was  run  very  well.    The passenger van  we
	travelled in (there were only 2 of us) was very clean and
	comfortably  air-conditioned.    The  driver    was  very
	pleasant, very informative and had a good sense of humor.
	He acted as a 'tor guide' on  the way to WDW pointing out
	interesting  bits of information along the way about  WDW
	and surrounding areas.  I thought that was nice  since he
	obviously wasn't being paid to serve in that function.
	
	    The round-trip  ticket cost $21/per-person.  This was
	a few dollars  cheaper than the cab fair the attendant on
	duty quoted.  We didn't consider a car rental, wanting to
	avoid  all  such  related aggravations  as  car  choices,
	lines, paper work and gas reimbursement charges.  I don't
	consider all that attractive while on vacation even if it
	were  cheaper in total than our $42 (and  that  would  be
	hard to believe).
	
	    We  stayed at the Carribean Beach Resort.  Mears made
	trips to/from  every  Disney  accomodation  on the � hour
	during regular day  time  hours.    We  had absolutely no
	problem picking up the return van either.  And the driver
	back was as pleasant as the one going down.
	
	    I would  recommend  Mears  to  people  with  the same
	attitude that we  went  down with, to have fun and not go
	overboard  looking  for the  absolute  cheapest  form  of
	transportation.  Mears provided an efficient and friendly
	means of transportation for the size of our group.

    The Discovery Tours Van # 800-356-4350.  I called and confirmed a
    $45.00 RT for 2 children/2 adults for next week.  Thanks for the
    tip, Jim.
    
    Julie
     

                          EAGLE SERVICES, INC.
                           KISSIMMEE, FL
    
    	EAGLE SERVICES, INC., 407-257-3601, WILL GIVE YOU PERSONALIZED
    TOWN-CAR, DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE, FORM ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
    TO THE VARIOUS RESORT/HOTELS IN WDW.  COST IN JANUARY 1990 WAS $35.00
    ONE-WAY.  WE HAD ON-TIME, COURTEOUS SERVICE WHICH IN OUR OPINION
    COMPLETELY JUSTIFIED THE COST AND CERTAINLY ENHANCED OUR VALUABLE
    VACATION TIME ALONG WITH DISMISSING ANY APPREHENSION ABOUT
    TRANSPORTATION.  CALL PHIL BOHANNON, PRESIDENT, EAGLE SEVICES, INC.

       
    
             I noticed that this note hasn't been updated since Feb.
    and I was wondering if anyone has any current info. For ex.,do you
    have to make reservations for these shuttles in advance of your
    arrival to Orlando or can you hire one just after you get off
    the plane, also are the aforementioned shuttle companies still
    in bussiness are their phone #'s the same if not could someone
    supply them,also if someone could give what price range they charge.
    I'll be going down Oct.1, 4 adults and 2 children. Any help will
    be greatly apretiated.
    
    
                                   thanks Pete!

    
RE:  .19
    
>>    supply them,also if someone could give what price range they charge.
>>    I'll be going down Oct.1, 4 adults and 2 children. Any help will
>>    be greatly apretiated

Like you, I am going in October with a good sized group:  4 adults and 3
children.  I checked into shuttle costs, and found that the information in
the previous replies is a good gauge for figuring the expense.  Afetr
checking the cost, I chose another route:

	I will be renting a car from National for $29.95.  National has
	a rental location inside WDW, and I will drop it off there.  There
	is no drop off charge.

If you're staying a week, it may be about the same cost to take the shuttle
as it would be to rent a car under the rental specials  ($99/wk, if it's
still being offered), and yu'd have the convenience of having the car with
you throughout the trip.


    
    

        You might have trouble getting 4 adults and 3 children plus
        luggage for 7 into the car, even if you rent a full size.  Are
        you getting a mini-van?  They are usually more expensive than
        cars, and may not be covered under any free CDW you may be
        entitled to (credit cards etc).

        Unless you are planning to keep the car for the entire trip, I
        would think that it would be too much bother to rent the car,
        drive to the hotel to drop off luggage, fill the tank (or pay
        outrageous fuel fees) turn in the car at the car care center,
        get transportation back to your hotel.  Then when you leave,
        do the reverse.  Sound's like a false economy to me.

        I paid the limo company (Discovery Tours) $55 round trip for 5
        people last December.  With 7 people, it might have cost us
        $80.  Compare that with renting a car for $29, plus 6% tax,
        plus $2.00 for the something-or-other Florida fee, plus gas
        (~$2.00), plus tolls ($1.50), and then multiply by two (each
        way).   I don't believe you will save much. If you take the
        optional CDW, then you will definitely lose money on the deal.

        Figure about 1/2 hour on each end to rent the car, plus the
        inconvenience of schlepping your luggage to car rental pick-up
        area, or paying the porter $1.00/bag to do it for you.

        If you take the limo, it picks you up right at the baggage
        claim area , and with that size crowd, will almost certainly
        leave immediately.

        /Jim Pappas
    

    Although we only took the car out of the parking lot once for the 
    entire 5 days we were at WDW, I liked the feeling that I could 
    drive somewhere else if I wanted to. I felt that security, especially
    in case of emergency, was worth it for me. 
    
    Linda

        RE: .-1

        On our second trip to WDW, we rented a car for the three weeks
        we were in Florida.  I agree with you that it is nice to have
        the car, but in our case, we used it a lot.  We preferred the
        car to the buses in most cases.

        My note in -.2 was in response to renting a car for a one way
        trip rather than taking the shuttle buses.

        Actually, if you do not want a car while down there, and you
        have a large group, it would probably be cheapest to take a
        taxi from the airport to the hotels.  It should cost about $30
        - $35 by the meter.  I believe that I saw mini-van type taxis
        around (although I am not positive).

        /Jim Pappas

    for seven people, call mears and see if you can get a group rate.
    I believe they have real limos for a fixed rate.
    For two people, the limo is only about $10 more than the shuttle van,
    and there is no waiting.
    
    mike

    Would somebody know if Mears operates on a 24-hour-basis? We'll
    arrive around midnight and will need a transportation from the airport
    to the Disney Inn.
    
    Thanks.
    Billie

    RE: .25
    
    I'm not sure.  I may still have their number at home, so you can call. 
    I can vouch for them, though!  It was great, and I didn't find it all
    that expensive (certainly worth it!).  We were even entertained by a
    Mears driver on our way back to the airport.  Our driver spouted Disney
    trivia for our entertainment, told us all she knew of future plans, and
    even gave a trivia quiz to the kids!  It made the sad act of leaving
    Paradise a little less morose!
    
    Susan

    On a recent vacation we rented a van from a Limo Service.
    
    It was the best idea I have had in a long time and saved us a lot of 
    hassle.
    
    He was at the door at 7:00 a.m. and got us through the traffic in
    plenty of time for our flight.  The VAN was very large and had very 
    nice carpeting (a little more fancier than plain vans).
    
    It was great having somebody carry your bags right to the ticket
    counter! 
    
    There was 3 of us and we all had bags which he loaded and unloaded.
    
    The owner Bill Irving was so cheerful and so pleasant while he did
    all the work, we didn't have to do anything.  All this was well
    worth the $30.00 fee.  We didn't have to worry about traffic, parking,
    vandalism or getting there on time!!!
    
    I had a choice of the VAN for $30.00 or complete Limo Service for
    $50.00
    
    Other Bus Lines from Logan (the one that stops at hotels) wanted $18.00
    each.  So for $30.00 it was cheaper for the 3 us.  With this service
    you pay one fee no matter how many people or bags there are.
    
    If you need this service for any reason:
    
    BEST LIMOUSINE SERVICE
    
    (DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE)  -  7 DAYS  A WEEK (24 HOURS)
    
    OWNER IS BILL IRVING (CHAUFFEUR)
    
    WILMINGTON, (508) 694-6777
    
    OR
    
    BURLINGTON  (617) 221-1666
    
    He also does weddings, proms or any date that you would want a Limo
    for.
    
    Once again, his service was great and well worth the money!!!
    

   RE:        <<< Note 62.17 by FROSTY::OBRIEN_J "at the tone......" >>>
>
>    The Discovery Tours Van # 800-356-4350.  I called and confirmed a
>    $45.00 RT for 2 children/2 adults for next week.  Thanks for the
>    tip, Jim.
>    
>    Julie
     

	This 800 number has been disconnected.  Has anyone recently used
	a shuttle service from the Orlando airport to WDW and back?  Thanks.

								John T.

    
    I am going to DW in about a month (with wife and two children, the
    alibi). There were no longer any flights into Orlando, so we are 
    landing at Tampa. Any hints on the easiest way to get from there 
    to the Polynesian?
    
    I would like to try to avoid renting a car, unless it's the easiest
    (and cheapest!).
    
    Grateful for any replies.
    
    P-A
    

    Rep to <<< Note 62.28 by GVA02::HAKANSSON "Rock the boat..." >>>

    Since Tampa Int'l airport is something like an hour and 20min from WDW,
    I don't think  you'll  find  any shuttle services.  Limo's might do it,
    but I think doing  a  Avis  one-way rental at the DEC rate would be the
    way to go.
    
    Claude

    
    Phone number is 1-407-423-5566 for Mear's shuttle.  You need not make
    reservations, just go to the door near the Delta baggage claim and 
    a one-way trip is $12.50 round trip was $20 (?).
    
    Melanie

Since the last of the notes in this topic are from 1991,
I was wondering if the Mear's shuttle etc information is still
valid! What is the best way to get to CBR from Orlando airport
without renting a car? Can someone who's done this recently offer
their input, please?
(We are 2 adults and 2 children travelling just before the 
Thanksgiving weekend)

Thanks,
-Pradnya-

    
       We used the Mear shuttle last christmas while we were there, all was
    fine no problems....This christmas we are going back and I am renting a
    car. Not because Mear was not good, we just want to try some other
    stuff outside the park. .....can't wait!
    
    
    /Kevin

RE .32 -- 
We saw Mears shuttles all over the place on our recent visit (got back 2 days
ago).  We ended up renting a car, but when I asked the Disney person about
airport transportation when I made my reservations in May, she said that airport
transportation by Mears was $25/person round-trip (I don't remember the one-way
price).  I don't know whether there's a different price for children...

-- Nina

I don't know if anyone else has run into this but I thought I would pass it
along. We arrive in Orlando last Thursday, Sept 5th and after getting our
luggage headed for the Mears shuttles. We were approached by a well dressed
man holding a clipboard, cell phone and 2 way radio. He asked if we were
aware of other shuttle services available to the WDW. He said his service was
available for the same price as Mears and there would be no waiting. (There
was a long line at the Mears booth.) He picked up the two way radio and said
somethinginto it. He told me his van would meet us by the rental cars. 

My wife said it sounded good so we went with him. On the way I asked him if
he took Mastercard and he said cash only. At this point I became suspicious
and asked him for identification. He handed me a business card that said
Paradise Shuttle Service. He then made like he was talking on the 2 way
again, and told me we had just missed his van but he would take us in his
private car. Now I was really suspicious and when he left, I took the family
back up to the Mears booth. I asked them about this guy and they told me he
was a gypsy and they were not licensed to work the airport. The doubted he
even had a van. All the authorized shuttle service people have photo ID's. So
stick with a service you know and can produce a valid ID.

Mark

    gosh, didya ask if he knows Esmeralda?  :-)
    
    Mark

    Gee Mark...didn't his goat get you the least bit suspicious?
    
    Mike

Thank you for all the replies and warnings!
The Disney person at the reservation told me about Mears
when I specifically asked her. It is $25/adult, and $17 
for children.

-Pradnya-

    When I went down a couple of years ago, I took a taxi to
    the Polynesian and with tip it was less than $50.  And
    no waiting in the Mears line.  So with at least 2 people
    this is a cost-effective alternative.
    
    Janice

    re: 39
    
    The Mears shuttle cost is for round trip; presumably the taxi fare was
    one way.
    
    For 4 people, it may be cheaper to rent one-way from National, dropping
    off at WDW; then do the same thing going back to the airport.
    
    --Jay
    

    Included with my adjusted reservation were discount coupons for $3.00 
    off round trip transportation on Mears Motor Shuttle.  These are for
    WDW Resort guests only and the discount is "per person, per group."
    So everyone in the group receives the discount.
    
    I have received two that will not be used, and are available to anyone 
    interested. There is no expiration date.
    
    Adult w/discount is $22.00 RT
    Child w/discount is $14.00 RT
    
    Send mail to DZIGN::MORRISON if interested
    
    Bill