Hopefully a conclusive Airport Van Thread...
 

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I know there have been quite a few posts over the years re Shuttles to<>from Orlando Airport. Some recent ones have detailed serious issues with Creative Concierge and others. We will need airport transport for planned trips a couple weeks from now, and would appreciate concrete advice. The last few trips (a year ++ ago), we used Creative Concierge and all was fine, but concerned now.

We really like the home pickup/dropoff feature. Considering Villages Airport Van now. Before we book - anyone have recent experience and recommendation?

Thx in advance,
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No experience, but we have reservations on the 23rd for a trip from Orlando to the house. I can report back then.

We have been using creative concierge for 19 trips, with no issues.
Our friends used them round trip, 4/18, arrival 1800 MCO and departure 4/26 @ 0300. New Cadillac suv, on time, nice driver. They were extremely happy.
I also have read disappointing posts, and am guessing the fleet may have taken a hit with nobody going to airports for a year. Our youngest is arriving Monday with Creative, will give an update

We have had good experiences within the past twelve months with VAV, but also with Groome Transportation

The experience you have with the airport van is very good if you live in the southern most parts of the Villages and it gets increasingly bad the further north you live. If you live north of 466, forget it. You will be the first to be picked up on the way to the airport and last to be dropped off going from MCO to your home. If you don't mind wasting about an hour and a half taking a tour of the Villages every time you use the service, I guess it is OK if you live in the northern sections.

Always have had good results with Dave's transportation.

PS: You're far from new here, so did you really expect a conclusive thread on TOTV???:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

How do the different services compare price wise? Do they all go to Sanford, too?

As of right now depending on time of day at MCO both groome and workman there is a 2hour between pickups. Long time to wait for older clients. Used to be every hour, maybe in the fall there will be more times

Suggestion - Instead of traveling with your spouse in a cramped van and a round-trip ticket for two will run about $150, why not just drive to the airport and use an off-site parking lot which will charge under $9 per day.

Not everyone is flying round trip. We are driving up, leaving the vehicle there and flying back with check for said vehicle.

We use to drive ourselves but at 82 yrs old we have problems with vision and especially after dark. Better to be safe and let someone else drive. Worth the money otherwise we can’t travel.

I’ve used both Villages Airport & Groome (most recent 2 weeks ago) and I’ve had good experiences with both. Price ends up being very similar and aside from the 90 minute wait at airport return service no real complaints. I would feel comfortable using either one again in the future.

Jerry’s Deluxe Car Service. Private car, door to door service and reliable.
1 (352) 208-2637

Not too bad at the moment as the vehicle is limited to less than half its carrying capacity. We made just one stop between "north of 466" and the turnpike, in Fenney.

(It actually proved to be a time-saver as the on ramp to the turnpike was backed up at Wildwood so, after the Fenney pick-up, we joined the turnpike at the next on ramp.)

This was my experience as well about 8 years ago when I visited my mom the first few times. Going to MCO was fine, I got picked up, we filled up and off to the airport.

Coming from the airport was a nearly 3 hour slog since she lived off Chula Vista(north of 466) and that was when Brownwood was just opening. I can't imagine it now if they start dropping off in Fenney or even further south than that!

I paid $4 a day last time, you should try way.com

PS some people don't want to drive on the highway anymore and definitely don't want to leave their cars in an overnight parking lot although I've never had trouble in 20 plus years, I probably taken 2 or 300 trips

No one better for service and reliability is DAVE’s

I was going to say the same thing. Dave lives next door to my best friend. We’ve used him and great service

JUST used fron sanford to osceola hills - GREAT ! again this afternoon for reverse expect same svce. van arrived on time :-)

We have used Jerry's Car Service and it has been great! We are using them again in July and August.

I know you prefer to take the limo service, but the Villages Shuttle, for an extra five dollars per person, will take you from the bus stop to your home if you book in advance.

VAV is reliable, reasonably priced, with very nice drivers that help out with heavy suitcases. As someone else said, living north adds a lot of extra time to the trip. I was picked up at 8:15 for a 1:30 pm flight. Lots of pickups from further south.

Tried a ride share company from the airport once, about $100. Struck up a conversation with the driver and got his number. Now I just call him a couple days in advance and we have personalized service. For two people, and home pick up/drop off, it's about the same as Workman. For three people, it's cheaper.

Airport Van
 

I just used Creative Conciege 4
Times for family members and had excellent service!
The person who complained rode with one of my family members and insisted the windows were down all the way to the airport!
Sometimes the whole story is not presented!!

Dave's number?

We are planing a trip for a week later this month. We found that we can use covered longterm parking for less than the price of a service. We will be able to walk from our plane (which lands at 8:15 pm) and get in our car and be home sooner than waiting for a service. Just a thought if you don't mind the drive.

I will vouch for this when we were living near Nancy Lopez near RT42, I was the first to be picked up and the last to be dropped off. For an 8 AM flight it was typical to be picked up at 2:30 to 3 AM, then it took an hour just to get to Brownwood, then to the turnpike. My best experience has been a private car to MCO then on the return Workmans Transportation back to be dropped off at LSL.

If you were a Member of the Unique Travel Club you would no longer have to drive to Orlando to catch a flight. Instead you could fly out of the Leesburg Airport just minutes away from The Villages.

352-223-4696

How much do they charge?

We have always booked The Villages Airport Van for the past 10 years to transport our children from MCO & back. However there have been recent bad reviews & the last time we used them my son was 2 hours getting here & 2 hours to get back. We booked Groome for him 2 weeks ago & he was very impressed & happy we booked them. The price was $66 round trip + tip.

If you use Village Airport just be prepared to either leave hours before or arrive home well after your flight. I was fortunately the last person to be picked up on the way to the airport, but on the return my flight was first to arrive and we waited quite some time until we had a full van. After finally leaving, the van’s A/C broke. It was brutal. Then the driver missed an exit and we had to turn around. Now when I fly, I’ve been leaving my car at the airport.

I haven’t tried Workman Transportation, but I have attached their poster at Brownwood in October.

ditto for Daves.

I have used them for years and never had a problem, like you, I like being picked up and dropped off at the door. They even bring my bag right to the front door and put inside the door. Love their service!

I have used Groome. I was very satisfied with their service. Loved being picked up and dropped off at my home. I recommend Groome.

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I'm the OP - after ALL your (great) input and various options, I decided to go with Villages Airport Van. I checked Groome but apparently they have-only 13 roundtrips daily. 48 daily for VAV. We've used them years ago, then went with Creative Concierge, but now concerned about recent reviews for them.

Definitely wanted Home pickup/delivery. And of course dependable service.

Fingers crossed, we'll see. At least I know of other options for next time(s). Thx!
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We have used Creative many times in the past year ,most recently this week, and have never had an issue with them!

We have used Jerry Schwartz Limo every year expect this past year (duh). You are the only one in the van-every driver very courteous; they wait when your flight is due in and when you tell him where you are, they are pulling up almost immediately. They know great shortcuts too ! Always satisfied. Call him at 352=208-2637. They are not a shuttle service-private car.

One thing that I like about Groome (besides the good price and home pick up) is the map in their app which shows where the van is as it travels to pick you up.