THE SIMPLE TRUTH:  
 
Shuttle transportation from Orlando International Airport is charged on a per person basis.  This means a family of five (2 adults, 3 teenagers) would be charged twice as much to go to Disney or other attractions as a metered taxi or vehicle-for-hire transportation would charge for the same trip. See the chart below. So count the number in your group. If you are more than 3 adults you will pay more riding the Mears Shuttle than if you took a taxi. Believe it or not you will also get to your resort anywhere from 1/2 hour to 3 hours faster if you select the taxi or vehicle-for hire drivers.

When you take the Mears Shuttle, or any shuttle or bus company,  you have no guarantee when you will get there inside of a 3 hour window, whether you are one person or ten. The taxi, vehicle-for-hire transportation system is guaranteed 45 minutes to your resort once you pick up your luggage. The biggest advantage is that your family alone is transferred and no other kids or family squabbles to put up with. In many cases the vehicle you ride in will be first class.

If you are traveling to  Orlando International Airport (MCO) Click on this link to view drivers and the vehicles they drive.

If you are traveling to Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) Click on this link to view drivers and the vehicles they drive..

IF you found this page through the Google search or advertising, the above links will take you to the home page of each airport. There you will be able to view the drivers and their vehicles. You will also be able to view the other services each airport offers including, retail stores, airlines servicing the airport and tips to help you through the airport.

Approximately the same comparison applies to the the town cars and limousines. Because of the extra service these drivers offer, you should expect to pay about 10% more than the taxi metered price. The larger vans which carry up to 15 passengers are negotiable and generally run 25% above the taxi prices. The independent drivers on this site are in a position to offer you better prices than anyone else. There still is plenty of savings over the shuttle prices.

Traveling to your destination hotel by shuttle could take 1 to 3 hours after you pick up your baggage on the second floor of the airline terminal.

Included in that two hours of shuttle traveling is quite a bit of time sitting while you are waiting for your particular shuttle van to get into the airport. It gets pretty old sitting there, with twenty to thirty other guests, sweating and watching the taxi's dispatch out with their guests who have just come downstairs for transportation.

 Some trips could be longer because buses and shuttles have numerous stops to make.  A taxi from one of the FIVE Orlando taxi companies or town car, limo and van drivers can transport you to any of the resort areas, including Disney, in 30 minutes or less.  They are loaded immediately so in most circumstances you don't have to wait around to arrive and depart the airport.  The vehicles are not jammed with strangers and allow you to enjoy the ride in private to your hotel.  With the drivers listed here at the Taxi-MCO.com internet site you will get prompt, personal, and courteous service, not offered by the taxi and shuttle vendors,  for you and your family while on vacation.

Return trips on the shuttle are just as adventurous.  Typically, you will call one day in advance and reserve your shuttle transportation for about 3 - 5 hours before your flight. Later, while waiting, you will hope the shuttle picks you up with enough time to spare and does not waste too much time picking others up and dropping others off.  It is good planning to set aside reserve time in case the shuttle routes are busy.  You can schedule your taxi, town car or limousine driver  to pick you up at your hotel as late as approximately one and one-half  hours before your flight. All drivers have cell phones for immediate and personal contacts in case of an emergency.  From most hotels you will be at the airport in 30 minutes or less allowing you to relax, extend your stay, and still have an hour at the airport prior to departure.  Several hotels have taxi stands where you can just walk out and pick up a cab to the airport.

Your local travel agent is paid a commission from the shuttle companies for selling transfer tickets to you. They, therefore, would  naturally recommend the shuttle.  You do, however, have a choice and can elect to pick up personal transportation when you get to Orlando.  Exercising this option will save you several dollars.  Many travel agents, knowing a bargain when they see it, take personal transportation when they visit Orlando, or on occasion are catered to by the shuttle companies and  ride the shuttle free. 

Any Mears discount for transportation you receive with your hotel confirmation from Disney is irrelevant.  It only leads you to think you are getting a transportation savings.  Your group will still pay a higher price for shuttle/bus transfers compared to the same trip using an Orlando taxi or the vehicle-for-hire method at the airport.

  TYPICAL RATES (ONE WAY) :

Destination from Airport	Metered Taxi     1-9 Passengers	Shuttle/Bus  5 Passengers	Shuttle/Bus    9 Passengers
Disney Hotels	$39.00 - $55.00	$90.00	$162.00
International Drive	$27.00 - $37.00	$75.00	$135.00
Universal Hotels	$33.00 - $32.00	$75.00	$135.00
H/W 192 & Kissimmee	$42.00 - $62.00	$100.00	$180.00

                                        

 AVAILABILITY:  
Orlando taxis can carry up to 9 passengers for the same metered price and are waiting on standby as long as passengers are deplaning.  Approximately 300 vehicles are available for airport transportation. The taxi fleet consists of Vans and Sedans from FIVE Orlando companies.   

 

Town cars, limousines and large vans are available on your arrival in Orlando. Pre-arranged appointments assure that you will be met properly.

 

LOCATION OF TAXI STANDS:

At the Orlando International Airport, from the baggage floor (LEVEL 2), go down the elevators and escalators to the bottom floor (LEVEL 1).  The taxi stands are on the outside portion of the bottom floor (LEVEL 1). (Since 9/11/01 the taxi stands have been moved outside to the middle and front end the commercial concourse (1st floor).  There are taxi starters at the Delta and Continental ends (B1 & B2 and A1 & A2)  who will put you into a taxi to your destination (1 - 9 passengers per vehicle).  At the middle of the concourse (B20, B21, & B22 and A16 & A17) there are also the taxi stands that will handle your immediate needs.  As you pass the Mears Transportation loading spots look at the crowds waiting around to get aboard and you certainly will be happy you chose the vehicle-for hire or the taxi transportation to the resorts.

 

If you have made contact with a taxi driver to "Meet and Greet" you, he will meet you at the foot of the escalators (LEVEL 2), help you with your baggage and lead you down the elevators to (LEVEL 1)  where you walk to the driver's vehicle (a very short distance), load up and will be on your way. 

 

MEETING YOUR TOWN CAR, LIMOUSINE OR LARGE VAN DRIVER:

This is a very simple process as you will be met by the driver, with a "Meet and Greet" sign, at the foot of the escalators (LEVEL 2).  He will show you to the correct carrousel and help you pick out your luggage. Than he will lead you to the the elevators to (LEVEL 1) where you will walk to the drivers vehicle (a very short distance), load up and will be on your way.

 

Your driver may want to meet you in the commercial lanes on the first floor. If you know your way around and a driver asks you if you will go downstairs and outside to meet him that is no big problem. He will give you a numbered sign in which he will be waiting at when you get down there. It may be something like B6 or A6 all the way up to about A35 or B35. From the baggage floor you take the elevator or escalator to the first floor. On the first floor go out the doors opposite from the car rental counters. You will see numbered signs straight ahead starting at B1 or A1 on your left to B35 or A35 on your right, A side are orange signs and B side are green signs. All you have to do is walk to the numbered sign given to you by the driver. Normally he will be there waiting for you. If not he is on his way. Just have a seat and watch for him to pull up.  If you have a cell phone, this system will work great because reception in the airport is great and you can be directly in contact with your driver.