Walt Disney World Transportation- Taxi Company Guide Orlando, Florida

There are several ways to get to and from the airport to your Walt Disney World Resort or other off site hotel. This article is focused only on taxi cab services.

There are a few things you need to know about the taxi cabs before you get in. Not all taxi cabs are created equal. There are a few companies running scams to rob you of your vacation dollars before you even get your suitcases unloaded.

Disney is affiliated with several taxi cab companies- Yellow Cab, Checker, City and Safety which are all owned and operated by Mears Transportation. They are either cars or vans (for groups over 5), they all yellow and most importantly- they all have meters inside the cab.

Never get into a taxi cab without a working, running meter. Also ask the driver what the approximate cost is going to be before you get in. If you don't like it or feel it is too high, move on to another cab. They are lined up everywhere.

There are several taxi cabs companies that will over charge an unsuspecting tourist by double and sometimes triple what the fare actually should be. If you pay by credit card, you do not want one of these companies having your credit card numbers.

Getting from the airport to the hotel (not including stops) runs around $60 or so. Taking a taxi cab around Disney property from its furthest points shouldn't run you more than $20.

Some people would rather take a taxi for different reasons for example - they may want to stop at the grocery store, Wal-Mart or Target before they get to their resort to pick up a few things and Disney's Magical Express bus -a free service offered by Disney - doesn't make those stops.

Using a taxi also has the added convince during your vacation of not waiting in lines for the buses and monorails or looking for you car rental at the end of a long day.

There is also no resort to resort transportation so if you have plans to do things at a different resort- like a dining reservation; a taxi cab reduces the amount of times you will have to change buses if you are in a hurry.

A taxi cab will pick you up and drop you off right in front of where you want to be plus the air conditioning is already running and cold when you get in.

That's very important in the middle of a hot Florida day.

When you are on Disney property they will be happy to call the preferred taxi cab company for you. If you are at an off-site hotel, ask them specifically to call one of the above listed companies. Some off-site hotels have "arrangements" with other taxi cab companies that is not in your best interest financially.

If you want to call yourself, Mears Transportation number is 407-422-2222 and the number to dispatch any of the above companies is 407-699-9999. You can also make reservations ahead of time which is recommended during the busier seasons.

Be sure to let them know if you will need a van if you are a party over 5 people or if you will need a car seat. The vans can carry up to 7 people for the same cost as a car. If you are more than 7, leave some people behind, take only your favorite children or request a larger passenger van.

Don't be taken by crooks. Your best bet is to stick with companies that are known and trusted by Disney.