sandheichert
Active Member
We are planning to go to WDW in December and stay at WL. Wife and I with 1yo and 6 yo. Has anyone used the private town car service with the stop at winn dixie? If so is it worth it?
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Using Magical Express or Private TownCar?
- Thread starter sandheichert
- Start date
maxe14
New Member
We have used a private towncar service and the Magical Express. We used Tiffany Town Car services. Never had a problem until our trip in June 2006. The car was scheduled to pick us up at All-Star Sports at 11:00 am. Around 11:15-11:20 they still hadnt showed up so we called them. They did not have us on their pick up schedule for that day. This was AFTER we had called the night before to verify. After some not so patient words we found out that they actually had us scheduled to be picked up on June 7, 2007. One WHOLE YEAR later! They rushed a driver over on his day off and we BARELY made it to our flight even with help from the airline staff to get to our gate and through security. WoW. :hammer:
We used Magical Express the next year without any problems and actually preferred it. But some have had their problems which might be mention here.
We used Magical Express the next year without any problems and actually preferred it. But some have had their problems which might be mention here.
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I've used QuickSilver town car service (forum sponsor) for many years and I can tell you that they are EXCELLENT! I highly recommend them.
Pam
Pam
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Not sure if your buying your 1 year old a seat on the plane, but if your using the lap child allowance, if you use M.E. you wont need to worry about a car seat. Or your luggage. A family of four with baggage and strollers or what not should fill a town car.
I know when we go from home to our airport I have to get a limo just to fit stroller, car seat and bags, and I have only 1 child.
If your worried about groceries, a few of the local stores deliver.
I know when we go from home to our airport I have to get a limo just to fit stroller, car seat and bags, and I have only 1 child.
If your worried about groceries, a few of the local stores deliver.
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Quick Silver will do a free grocery stop and they will supply a car seat upon request free of charge.
pam
pam
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wannab@dis
Well-Known Member
Ditto. Used them a couple of years ago. They provided the car seat, a Walmart stop and very good service.
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wannabeBelle
Well-Known Member
Hi there If you are working with a time constraint or really want the grocery stop, Quicksilver is tops. If not, I would say go with DME. The whole idea of coming off the plane and not having to hassle with your luggage is REALLY appealing especially for a family!!! Belle
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Just want to clarify something with QuickSilver. If you have a round trip booked the grocery stop is free. If it's a one way booking, there is a charge for the grocery stop.
Pam
Pam
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jjgoo
Member
We have only used Quicksilver so I cannot comment on DME. However I can comment that the service with Quicksilver was tops.
We had a flight delay going down and there was no problem. Going back we actually decided to leave a day later and there was again no problem. Their service is truly excellent, clean and friendly.
As for room for strollers and such, the town cars have huge trunks that can fit a lot, but if you are concerned you can book an SUV for not that much more $$.
I say if the budget will allow for it, go for the car service.
We had a flight delay going down and there was no problem. Going back we actually decided to leave a day later and there was again no problem. Their service is truly excellent, clean and friendly.
As for room for strollers and such, the town cars have huge trunks that can fit a lot, but if you are concerned you can book an SUV for not that much more $$.
I say if the budget will allow for it, go for the car service.
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Dme
DME is really great as a free service, but you won't have your luggage right away which could be a concern with kids, however, you can grab your luggage and take it with you on the DME. If you are taking your luggage DO NOT attach the yellow tags. We took a late flight in November and because of that there was a long time before we got to pop century because we had a lot of stops, but I am still using DME in May. Also, on the DME, a video plays, so from 5 minutes outside of the airport until you go under the WDW arch, there is something for the kids to watch. I prefer to save money wherever I can, and I am totally happy with the magical express service...
Erica
DME is really great as a free service, but you won't have your luggage right away which could be a concern with kids, however, you can grab your luggage and take it with you on the DME. If you are taking your luggage DO NOT attach the yellow tags. We took a late flight in November and because of that there was a long time before we got to pop century because we had a lot of stops, but I am still using DME in May. Also, on the DME, a video plays, so from 5 minutes outside of the airport until you go under the WDW arch, there is something for the kids to watch. I prefer to save money wherever I can, and I am totally happy with the magical express service...
Erica
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I have always used ME but this last time we used Quicksilver. Both are great but with young kids it is nicer to use the car service. You have your own space and you do get there faster. We arrived at our hotel way before the bus because of all of the stops they have to make. ME is free, which is great if you are counting your pennies, but if you can afford it I vote for Quicksilver. Have fun. :wave:
Sheri
Sheri
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CleveRocks
Active Member
There is no way for you to know you got to your resort "way before the bus" and no way for you to know how many stops, if any, it made before it got to your resort. You also didn't factor in that DME guests don't have to go to or wait at baggage claim, which builds in a time savings that may or may not offset stopping at another resort first.
It's important to consider all aspects of a situation rather than make unfounded assumptions.
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Its comments like yours that make me wonder why I bother with this website sometimes. We were off the plane and are luggage came out within 10 min and we were off in the car. It was quick and having taken DME 5 times before I am sure we made it before them.
From now on I think I will quit trying to help people and just keep my comments to myself. Thanks the the great start to my day.
From now on I think I will quit trying to help people and just keep my comments to myself. Thanks the the great start to my day.
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You might want to take your own advice.
The poster did have factual information that was used to form an opinion, based on previous experience. Also, you had no way of knowing if he/she had personal knowledge of someone on the same flight who opted to take DME, and arrived later than she/he did.
So your assumptiopn that he/she was making an unfounded assumption was...an unfounded assumption.
I live within driving distance, so have no personal stake, but am asked this by out of state friends/relatives, so I do have a passing interest. But not enough to get into an argument about it.
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wannabeBelle
Well-Known Member
Hey there again all, A question like this is a bit like asking what resort should I stay in. I think the answer is a more personal choice than one would at first think. I rush and run most of my days in the real world so when I got to the "World" the last thing I generally tend to do is to rush. In most cases I Am not working under any time constraint and I dont need to be anywhere besides Disney (stopping for snacks etc) so DME works perfectly for me. I havent ever had a trip that lasted more than 1 1/2 hours from the gate of the plane to my resort. Also I know I may not have my luggage immediately and plan for that. I take a carry on with all my valuables, prescriptions, change of clothes, or anything else I may need in the first day. DME totally works for me. If I was working under a time constraint or really felt that a grocery stop was needed, I might make another choice. I dont think any one choice is better than any other, it is what works for you on the trip you are taking. If you cant stand to wait on line or stop at a resort or two on your way through, DME may not be the best choice for you. My thought is I am on vacation, where am I rushing to?? That idea may not work for everyone!!!! Have a great day all!!! Belle
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CleveRocks
Active Member
Re-reading my post, I agree that it has a very negative and argumentative tone, which I apologize for. I didn't realize it when I first posted it, and that was not my intention. I'm sorry I worded it the way I did, and I can understand the strong feelings about it. So again, my deep apologies, to tink and to everyone who's reading this thread.
However, I don't apologize for the substance of my post. I respectfully stand by my opinion (unless tink recognized co-passengers from her same flight arriving at the resort much later than she did).
However, I don't apologize for the substance of my post. I respectfully stand by my opinion (unless tink recognized co-passengers from her same flight arriving at the resort much later than she did).
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I agree that no one knows for certain which is faster. Someone would have to break up their party on multiple trips to get more data, and even then, there is no guarantee that one would always be faster than the other.
As Belle said, it depends upon your individual preference, and your individual circumstances, including past experiences.
My husband hates buses, but he's also "frugal." He would have to weigh the options, and would probably go with the free ride....until he had a bad experience.
As Belle said, it depends upon your individual preference, and your individual circumstances, including past experiences.
My husband hates buses, but he's also "frugal." He would have to weigh the options, and would probably go with the free ride....until he had a bad experience.
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maren
New Member
Its' really a matter of personal preference. I greatly prefer town car services and think they are worth every penny. You won't be made to wait until enough passengers arrive to fill a bus before departing the airport. You won't have to wait while other stops are made before getting to your resort unless you're lucky enough to be stopping at your resort early in the route. And you won't have the option of a grocery store stop which in itself is worth the cost of the town car. The savings on things like snack foods, drinks, and bottled water etc. probably won't offset the cost of the town car but like the cost of staying at a park resort, you're also paying for the convenience. And if your youngest is still in diapers, you don't want to pay Disney prices for diapers at the resort stores and I'm pretty sure you don't want to try to pack enough diapers for your entire stay. Of course there can be problems with any transportation service but on the whole the town car services I've used have been reliable.
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