Transportation recommendations - The DVC Boards at MouseOwners.com - the place to talk DVC and Walt Disney World

DisneyFan24 · 09-22-2021, 02:14 PM

We've always used magical express because with young kids, the convenience outweighed the downsides. We liked not lugging carseats and having the luggage taken care of.

Now I'm planning our first trip post ME and I'm trying to figure out the best options to balance convenience and cost.

We are a family of 5, traveling in February. Children will be 8, 4 and 11 months. We are arriving late in the evening, around 10:30 or 11.

Is the new Mears service the best way to go to avoid carseats?
Do we rent a car? That would mean bringing carseats. We would only use it to and from the airport. Maybe the day we go to animal kingdom or water park. We will still have groceries delivered bc the convenience is worth it with young kids.
Is there a car service that would include carseats?

pdude81 · 09-22-2021, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyFan24

We've always used magical express because with young kids, the convenience outweighed the downsides. We liked not lugging carseats and having the luggage taken care of.

Now I'm planning our first trip post ME and I'm trying to figure out the best options to balance convenience and cost.

We are a family of 5, traveling in February. Children will be 8, 4 and 11 months. We are arriving late in the evening, around 10:30 or 11.

Is the new Mears service the best way to go to avoid carseats?
Do we rent a car? That would mean bringing carseats. We would only use it to and from the airport. Maybe the day we go to animal kingdom or water park. We will still have groceries delivered bc the convenience is worth it with young kids.
Is there a car service that would include carseats?

I believe all or at least most car services would provide car seats if you scheduled your pickup in advance. And honestly a car service would likely cost less than renting a car in the first place, unless it was a short trip.

Mears has a number of options too but I haven't researched them in great detail.

Mickeyfan0805 · 09-22-2021, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyFan24

We've always used magical express because with young kids, the convenience outweighed the downsides. We liked not lugging carseats and having the luggage taken care of.

Now I'm planning our first trip post ME and I'm trying to figure out the best options to balance convenience and cost.

We are a family of 5, traveling in February. Children will be 8, 4 and 11 months. We are arriving late in the evening, around 10:30 or 11.

Is the new Mears service the best way to go to avoid carseats?
Do we rent a car? That would mean bringing carseats. We would only use it to and from the airport. Maybe the day we go to animal kingdom or water park. We will still have groceries delivered bc the convenience is worth it with young kids.
Is there a car service that would include carseats?

If you really have no intent of using a car except to and from the airport, that would seem the least attractive option. Plenty of options will get you there cheaper and you won't have to worry about the car seats (been there, done that, many times!).

Mears looks like you'd be talking right around $150. A private car through Mears or the like would probably be a bit higher, but not much. The small upcharge might be worth the dedicated driver. Uber and Lyft do provide car seat options, but we are way past that stage, so I have no insight as to how readily available they are. There are also some private individuals who do runs, but I don't know if they have car seats or not. You could certainly ask.

If I were in your shoes, a pre-arranged car/van with a car seat would likely be my ride of choice.

tomandrobin · 09-22-2021, 03:33 PM

Uber will cost you around $120 r/t
Private transfer will cost you around $200 r/t
Mears Connect will cost you $145 r/t
Mears private transfer will cost you around $270 r/t
Taxi service will cost you around $160 r/t

Most car services will include car sets, you just need to make the request.
A taxi is really not an option, needing car seats and boosters.
Some services will charge extra for the car seats.

Its doubtful an Uber will have three car seats/boosters especially for the age specifics of your kids.

We use a private car service the past two years.

DisneyFan24 · 09-29-2021, 12:47 PM

Thank you for the replies. I will definitely look at the private car service options.

Lolaura84 · 09-29-2021, 03:24 PM

We've arranged car service with car seats before. I'd advise to be very specific about what car seat you need (forward-facing harnessed, rear-facing harnessed, or booster) if it matters to you. Also, quite a few of the car services could easily handle two seats, whether harnessed or booster, but the third was more difficult. I'm guessing your 8yo is in a backless booster? We fly with the mifold booster for our backless booster kids, it's really small and great to throw in a backpack for playdates or what-not when not on vacation.

TeacherGrandma · 09-29-2021, 04:30 PM

I always use Happy Limo. The last time with grandson, they charged $10 for the car seat. It was so easy. We really didn’t want to lug car seats along. I’d be sure to rent plenty early, to arrange for the three car seats, to ensure availability on the day you need them.

DrDisney · 09-29-2021, 04:44 PM

If you are an AAA member you get a free car seat with a car rental from Hertz, and maybe other rental companies as well. Worth pricing out.

rowrbazzle · 09-29-2021, 07:12 PM

Like Lolaura84, we've also used a mifold booster. It's very convenient for travel. You might be able to swing one for your 4-year-old too, depending on how tall he or she is. We used it for ours of the same age a couple times and it seemed fine. Two might make it easier to fit three kids in a vehicle. Although we've found that it depends on the size of the vehicle and location of the buckles.

I'm sorry I don't have any recommendations on travel companies. When we have been in similar situations (non-Disney) we have brought our own carseats from home. It's frustrating because you only need it to-and-from, but I don't always trust what I might get from a service.

To help make transport easier we've used a strap similar to this (can't remember the exact brand). We also have a backpack-style bag.

I hope you find something that works for you.

BEAM4DVC · 09-29-2021, 07:33 PM

We used Tiffany Towncar exclusively for 20 years. They were always there early and waiting for us. We never worried that they wouldn't show up! You can request car seats and booster seats. I don't know if there is an extra charge.

Getting in that late at night, a car service will give you peace of mind and likely eliminate some of the hassles - struggling with 3 children, suitcases, carseats and locating your rental car plus driving in an unfamiliar place at night.

Good luck with your decision! Most importantly - have a wonderful time!

09-22-2021, 02:14 PM	#1
DisneyFan24 Waiting to pass ROFR (i.e., n00b) Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 7	Transportation recommendations We've always used magical express because with young kids, the convenience outweighed the downsides. We liked not lugging carseats and having the luggage taken care of. Now I'm planning our first trip post ME and I'm trying to figure out the best options to balance convenience and cost. We are a family of 5, traveling in February. Children will be 8, 4 and 11 months. We are arriving late in the evening, around 10:30 or 11. Is the new Mears service the best way to go to avoid carseats? Do we rent a car? That would mean bringing carseats. We would only use it to and from the airport. Maybe the day we go to animal kingdom or water park. We will still have groceries delivered bc the convenience is worth it with young kids. Is there a car service that would include carseats?

09-22-2021, 03:33 PM	#4
tomandrobin DVC Board Guide Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 39,434	Uber will cost you around $120 r/t Private transfer will cost you around $200 r/t Mears Connect will cost you $145 r/t Mears private transfer will cost you around $270 r/t Taxi service will cost you around $160 r/t Most car services will include car sets, you just need to make the request. A taxi is really not an option, needing car seats and boosters. Some services will charge extra for the car seats. Its doubtful an Uber will have three car seats/boosters especially for the age specifics of your kids. We use a private car service the past two years. __________________ Love, Faith and Pixie dust!

09-29-2021, 07:12 PM	#9
rowrbazzle Grand Villa Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: TX Posts: 1,908	Like Lolaura84, we've also used a mifold booster. It's very convenient for travel. You might be able to swing one for your 4-year-old too, depending on how tall he or she is. We used it for ours of the same age a couple times and it seemed fine. Two might make it easier to fit three kids in a vehicle. Although we've found that it depends on the size of the vehicle and location of the buckles. I'm sorry I don't have any recommendations on travel companies. When we have been in similar situations (non-Disney) we have brought our own carseats from home. It's frustrating because you only need it to-and-from, but I don't always trust what I might get from a service. To help make transport easier we've used a strap similar to this (can't remember the exact brand). We also have a backpack-style bag. I hope you find something that works for you. __________________

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09-29-2021, 12:47 PM	#5
DisneyFan24 Waiting to pass ROFR (i.e., n00b) Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 7	Thank you for the replies. I will definitely look at the private car service options.

09-29-2021, 03:24 PM	#6
Lolaura84 One Bedroom Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 250	We've arranged car service with car seats before. I'd advise to be very specific about what car seat you need (forward-facing harnessed, rear-facing harnessed, or booster) if it matters to you. Also, quite a few of the car services could easily handle two seats, whether harnessed or booster, but the third was more difficult. I'm guessing your 8yo is in a backless booster? We fly with the mifold booster for our backless booster kids, it's really small and great to throw in a backpack for playdates or what-not when not on vacation.

09-29-2021, 04:30 PM	#7
TeacherGrandma Studio Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 176	I always use Happy Limo. The last time with grandson, they charged $10 for the car seat. It was so easy. We really didn’t want to lug car seats along. I’d be sure to rent plenty early, to arrange for the three car seats, to ensure availability on the day you need them.

09-29-2021, 04:44 PM	#8
DrDisney Studio Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 194	If you are an AAA member you get a free car seat with a car rental from Hertz, and maybe other rental companies as well. Worth pricing out.

09-29-2021, 07:33 PM	#10
BEAM4DVC Two Bedroom Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 546	We used Tiffany Towncar exclusively for 20 years. They were always there early and waiting for us. We never worried that they wouldn't show up! You can request car seats and booster seats. I don't know if there is an extra charge. Getting in that late at night, a car service will give you peace of mind and likely eliminate some of the hassles - struggling with 3 children, suitcases, carseats and locating your rental car plus driving in an unfamiliar place at night. Good luck with your decision! Most importantly - have a wonderful time!