Disney & other theme parks...Question
 

I always find anwers here so thought I would post this question...Are there buses,etc that transport folks from the Orlando airport to the parks? We have 3 sets of family members visiting ( yes 3!) in April with all of their children off for spring break. Most of them want to go to the parks and on different days etc. We cannot cart everyone to and from parks or spend every day at the parks, so...if there is such a service, on the days they arrive early by plane ( yes all 3 families on different flights from diff. cities and some on different days! ) can they get transport from airport to parks? Then we would only have to make one car trip to pick them up???

Complimentary airport transportation service, known as Disney's Magical Express Transportation, is free roundtrip airport transportation and luggage delivery for Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels. For more information click on the link below.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/res...rport-service/

Probably staying for a night or two at one of the Disney resorts (and there are several lower priced ones - or maybe they can share a suite somewhere) would be worth it. Big plus is that some of the older kids might be able to stay at the parks longer when the little ones are ready for naps - and you can go back and forth too.

There might be some other chains that provide airport pickup and buses back and forth to the parks, so you or they might also want to check out some national chains' websites or call. If you find that one chain does do this, there are likely others. If the price difference isn't much, well worth it to stay at Disney IMO.

Years ago we stayed at a new Howard Johnson's near Disney World that had an unbelieveably low rate (it was new and trying to get bookings) that had a bus service to the parks back and forth several times a day. Not quite as convenient as staying at the parks but almost. We rented a car for the week.

It would not be easy to coordinate pick-ups and deliveries yourselves, nor be able to fit everything and everyone in your car (multiple times). And all that gas and tolls adds up to.

Wasn't clear to me if everyone was coming on the same day and leaving on the same day, but here's what I'd probably do:
Have them book a room/suites (or possibly a condo if available) for 2 - 3 nights on their arrival and let them do the Disney or other parks thing on their, unless you really want to go with. You might also want to book a room yourself for either one or two nights, or not, dpending on YOUR wishes.

Either pick up the first group of the day and meet the rest at the hotel the first day, have a family visit (if you're trying to save money, could bring along a picnic dinner to eat at the pool - almost all of them have really nice pool areas with tables - but check).

This way, they can get settled in, stay all night, go to Disney the following day when everyone's had a good night's sleep, stay all night again, check out before going one more day to the parks, then leave for The Villages.

Alternately, maybe the first one in can rent a van and everyone can share in the cost. Coordinate pick-ups at the airport the 1st day (letting the kids stay at the hotel pool with you - even if you're not staying all night). Usually cheaper to have one husband/wife team be the drivers, as it costs extra to add more drivers. (Usually $5/day per driver, which can add up). Or if everyone can fit in 2 cars, have them rent a car (usually a lot cheaper than a van) and also use yours.

For vans around spring break, I'd reserve early - like now (you can always cancel) and doublecheck the reservation. They might be able to drop off the van at the Villages (either Enterprise in LSL or Hertz in SS) if they don't need it the whole trip, but maybe with that crowd, they might want to keep it for the week. Make a one bag rule for everyone. They can wash their clothes when they get to TV.

Wow - long post, sorry - think I'm a wannabe Rick Steves or something.

Thanks
 

Haha Thanks "Rick Steves wannabe".... Great suggestions!

if your families are not staying at a disney resort and, therefore, cannot take advantage of magical express transport, i suggest you have your families google 'orlando airport transfer to disney parks' and read thru the options for busses, lime, taxis - they can select what is best for them. that way you are off the hook for coordinating their travel!