Florida without a car (we have no choice)

[Ciara]

Hello,
We are a group of 10 Irish[lucky] students going to Florida without a car. We do not have the choice as we are not all 21 yet. We were planning on getting around using the Lynx and other public transport. Is this possible? On average how much is a taxi fare? Ideally we would like to stay in a villa-what villas have shuttle bus services?

We would really appreciate any helpful advice.[msncool]

[ravtino]

Not sure how much a taxi would cost but I have sent you a DM about transport, you could type in taxis in Orlando on google or similar, I don't think it would be very good getting buses as getting to the theme parks on them takes lots of time, we had friends that did this from I drive and it ruined there holidays, we have managed without a car but we were staying in Disney and only were only concentrating mainly on the Disney parks, we did use a couple of taxis from Downtown disney to go shopping and Mears to go to Discovery Cove.
Best of Luck[lucky]

[brazie]

Ciara,

If you stay in one of the hotels on International Drive you will be able to get a bus from the hotel to the majority if not all the attractions.

I don't know of any villa communities that run shuttle buses to the attractions (other forum members will be able to correct me on this if there are any).

The money that you are saving by renting a villa can't 2 member of the party that are over 21 hire the cars in their name and pay the $25 daily surcharge? This would give you much more flexibility over your holiday than relying on public transport.

[pbensur]

Ciara,
Is your entire party under the age of 21?? If this is the case, you will find that many villa owners will not rent to anyone under that age. Possibly, a hotel may be your only option and you will have unlimited use of the hotel shuttles to take you back and forth from the parks.

[esprit]

Didnt Windsor Palms used to do a shuttle service, do they still??

[benfilo]

Don't know if the cost would put you but have you thought of a disney hotel, we've stayed there , free transport to all the parks (Disney) and to the nightlife of Pleasure Island. It would be worth weighing up the cost of that and a Villa, could be the villa would be that much cheaper to cover cab fares

[chrizzy100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Ciara
Hello,
We are a group of 10 Irish[lucky] students going to Florida without a car. We do not have the choice as we are not all 21 yet. We were planning on getting around using the Lynx and other public transport. Is this possible? On average how much is a taxi fare? Ideally we would like to stay in a villa-what villas have shuttle bus services?

We would really appreciate any helpful advice.[msncool]
[/quote]

I'm sure some people said they had a bus go to their communities....but I can't remember which ones...ask in your search...also like someone said.....it maybe harder to find a villa owner that will take a group of people so young.....you could look at a hotel in Disney..they are doing deals right now could be the answer....or a hotel in town with a bus service......then maybe you could hire a car for just a few days paying the extra......

[KevinT]

Hi Ciara,
There is a shuttle bus which calls at several communities like ours (Lake Berkley). You just ring their number and the shuttle bus will pick you up and deliver you back to the resort or subdivision. I think the cost is about $8 or $10 per person for a single trip.
In view of the ages of your group, it might be difficult to rent a villa as most owners specify that the main guest renting is over 21, so perhaps a hotel or suites on either International Drive or Highway 192 would be advisable , where there are plenty of local shops and entertainment, and the hotels run organised shuttles to the major parks. On International Drive there are small trams going up and down all day between the shops and hotels.
If you could persuade at least one person over 21 to go with your party, it would open up a whole lot more possibilities, as not only would you be able to rent a villa (a much more reasonable and comfortable accommodation option!) but it would also solve the transport problem. Surely you might be able to talk someone into going with you who's over 21 ??

[msnsmile2]

[ringwood1]

Hi Ciara

Sorry, but you really do need a car in Orlando, even if you can get to the theme parks what are you going to do about eating, if you go to the supermarket you will need a car, if you eat out, you will need a car. As previously said, try (beg) somebody in your party to hire a car, you said that not all were 21 which implies some are. Can they drive? If not, find another friend who can, offer to help with their fare, it would be worth it. Fiona

[brizzle]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ringwood1
Hi Ciara

Sorry, but you really do need a car in Orlando, even if you can get to the theme parks what are you going to do about eating, if you go to the supermarket you will need a car, if you eat out, you will need a car. As previously said, try (beg) somebody in your party to hire a car, you said that not all were 21 which implies some are. Can they drive? If not, find another friend who can, offer to help with their fare, it would be worth it. Fiona
[/quote]

In my opinion, whilst preferable, you don't 'really need a car'.
We managed quite fine minus car, with two young children, based on International Drive. We do now rent every trip but it can be done easier than people think.
We used a combination of the I-Ride (the length of I-Drive), Lynx buses (WDW Ticket Center to Seaworld on I Drive) and hotel shuttle service.
Managed to do all the parks and food was never far away (it never is in the US anyway).

I would try to get a driver or two and hire a car but don't think it will ruin your holiday if, shock horror, you have to use public transport .

Brizzle.