Our day at Disney World Hollywood Studios
Orlando
Orlando
I know Orlando has more to offer like the NASA centre but we only had one purpose here: Disney World
Our Glimpse of Orlando
Orlando
I know Orlando has more to offer like the NASA centre but we only had one purpose here: Disney World Our Glimpse of Orlando
30/10/2018
29/10/2018
Getting Around Orlando
Getting Around Disney Springs and Lake Buena Vista Our main priority in Orlando was getting to and from the airport. All our other transportation requirements
29/10/2018
Understanding Hotel Living
The Best Western Hotel was a treat after doing three Airbnb’s. But I hadn’t factored in some housekeeping given the length of the stay here. Here’s some tips to “family living” in a hotel.
29/10/2018
Disney World The Magical Kingdom
Our day at Disney World The Magical Kingdom in Orlando
Getting Around Orlando
Getting Around Disney Springs and Lake Buena Vista
Our main priority in Orlando was getting to and from the airport. All our other transportation requirements were not going to be a problem because of our chosen accomodation location.
When booking our hotel for Orlando we knew it had a free shuttle to and from Disney World. One of the reasons we went with a hotel rather than an Airbnb, as well as finding a great deal on a room that sleeps six people, was because of this service. Our hotel was in the Disney Springs area which is the closest hotel zone to Disney without actually being in a Disney World resort. All the hotels on this Lake Buena Vista area have free shuttles.
I knew I had to do supermarket trips once there but I figured I could taxi. As it turned out, the supermarket was walking distance and there was a shopping complex in the other direction which was walking distance. Probably the hardest part of the one kilometre walk was the heat but it was nice and flat so made for a dash.The only issue with the shopping complex is that it is designed for Disney tourists so the shops, eating places and supermarket are relatively expensive.
Had we stayed in a residential area close to Disney World we would have had to hire a car to reach a supermarket and all the Disney theme parks.
Getting to and from the Orlando Airport
Arriving in Orlando at midnight meant there were no public transport options. The shuttle was going to be expensive but I’d read reviews that Uber Car Seat was the way to go for a family. In Las Vegas we’d already had Uber reject us because we needed a car seat for our 2yo. Unfortunately when we arrived we found Uber Car Seat for 6 people was $75 which seemed like taxi prices. We tried to book one anyway but because it was late at night there were none available.
We ended up having to go to the taxi stand and was pleasantly surprised to find it was only going to be USD55 fixed price plus taxes for a van. As a bonus it had two car seats we could use.
On the way to the hotel, the taxi went through a toll bridge so the driver charged us the toll amount plus taxes. We got the feeling he wasn’t supposed to charge us for that but it was only an extra USD5 at one in the morning so we didn’t bother to contest it. Plus it still worked out cheaper than the Uber quote for an XL carseat car.
On the way to the airport from the hotel, the taxi was around USD60 including taxes.
Summary
Getting to and from the airport is still proving to be the most expensive part of our transportation costs once we land in a place unless we are using public transport. Public transport isn’t an option after hours when our flights are in the midnight zone.
Do your research before booking accommodation in Orlando and find out how you will get to Disney World. You might find a hotel with a free shuttle works out cheaper than having to hire a car plus pay for an airbnb.
Our Glimpse of Orlando
Understanding Hotel Living
The Best Western Hotel was a treat after doing three Airbnb’s. But I hadn’t factored in some housekeeping given the length of the stay here. Here’s some tips to “family living” in a hotel.