Taking A Cab Around Property at Walt Disney World

POSTED: Tue, 02/07/2012 - 06:05 | POSTED BY: Kristen Kirk

The complimentary transportation available at the Walt Disney World Resort is one of the key reasons many people chose to stay on property. It's direct and convenient, though often can take more time than I'm willing to spend getting from point A to point B. Then a couple of years ago I discovered the joy of taking a taxi. Taking a taxi on property can save you time, reduce hassle, enhance your comfort and possibly increase the overall enjoyment of your vacation.

Taking A Cab At Walt Disney World

Mears is the official transportation provider of Walt Disney World Resort and provides metered yellow cabs stationed across WDW property. Cabs can be found at all Resort Hotels, Downtown Disney, the Transportation and Ticket Center, and near the Resort Bus lines at all parks except for Magic Kingdom. The cabs may have different names on the doors, but if it's yellow, it's Mears. Fare for Mears taxi service on Property for both sedan cab service, and larger party van service, should seldom exceed $25 plus tip to any other destination on property. To get a general idea of what your costs will be, Mears offers an online Taxi Fare Estimator.

Mears Transportation Service Sedans
The direct number to Mears Transportation is (407) 699-9999, and you can call yourself. However, Disney Resort's valet staff will gladly call a Yellow Cab for you. With Disney service on your side the response time is usually faster than if you call yourself and there's no question whose taxi is next when multiple guests are waiting. The longest time I have had to wait for a cab is about 5 minutes. If you are a party greater than 3, be sure to let the valet know that you will need a van.

Benefits to Taking A Taxi Include:

Direct Resort to Resort Transportation
Direct Transportation to Special Events
Save Time Getting to Your Destination
No Waiting in the Bus Line at the End of the Night
Longer Hours than Complimentary Disney Transportation

Taking a taxi is now a regular part of my vacations for when I'm running short on time, or just want to get back to the hotel more quickly. It gives me a greater flexibility without having to rent a car. When budgeting for taxis during your vacation include both the estimated meter cost and a 15% tip for your driver. I always budget for $25 plus tip per trip, and whatever money is left over goes into my spending cash.

Have you used taxi service when staying at the Walt Disney World resort? Do you love the time it saves you, or another benefit of taxi service? Leave me a comment and let me know if you think Mears taxi's could be a benefit n your next vacation!

Are you looking for more, fast, point to point transportation options at Walt Disney World Resort? Read our article Uber Orlando: Navigating Your Way Around Walt Disney World to see if it's right for you.

In:

Michele G wrote on Thu, 06/18/2015 - 19:22:

Hi Kristen,

Great article! I wanted to take a cab from Contemporary to Hollywood Studios to get us to the park quickly after a 9am Chef Mickey reservation.

Would we be dropped off close to the front entrance at Hollywood Studios?

Not sure what time we would be getting to H.S.

thank you!

Kristen K. wrote on Thu, 06/18/2015 - 22:47:

The Taxi Stand at DHS is near the Disney Resort Bus Stops at the front of the park.

Jeff wrote on Thu, 10/08/2015 - 20:52:

So glad I stumbled across this post. Kudos to keeping it going for over three years. I have a rental car (minivan) reservation for my family of 6 for our 12 day stay over New Years, that will include 2 nights at Seaworld, 4 nights at Universal and 6 nights at Disney Beach Club. Cost of minivan will be about $1,400 and it will be sitting in a parking lot for most of time, with the exception of a one-day road trip to Busch Gardens. It seems to me that we could probably cut our transportation costs in half by making use of the taxis for the majority of the trip, with an occasional free bus ride now and then while at Disney. The added benefit of staying within walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios makes it seem like a no-brainer. I had originally decided on the rental car because I am familiar with the "free" Disney transportation system and I did not want to have to rely on that in order to flexibly hop in between the resort and parks. And the rental car seemed to give us the most flexibility. But now I am seconding guessing that. Thanks for the insight!!

Jeff wrote on Thu, 10/08/2015 - 20:53:

Kristen K. wrote on Sat, 10/10/2015 - 01:46:

Glad that I could help Jeff!

Alison wrote on Fri, 10/30/2015 - 03:34:

Thanks for this info! Have you used Uber at all? I think I read that Uber won't pick you up at the parks but will take you there from an offsite hotel. Just wondering if you have experience with them.

Sounds like the only difficult park to get to by taxi is Magic Kingdom, which drops you off at a ticket and transportation center where you then have to get on the monorail, unless you ask to be dropped of at the Contemporary which is close to MK gates? Is that correct?

Thanks so much for your patience and commitment to answering all taxi related questions! :-)

Jen G wrote on Thu, 11/19/2015 - 03:00:

Hi Kristin!

I am going with two small kids in tow, and was wondering if the hotel staff at bay lake or other resort on the monorail loop will give me a hard time about calling a cab from their destination? We are staying at another Dis resort.

Thanks!

Kristen K. wrote on Thu, 11/19/2015 - 12:20:

Hi Jen! I've never had any problems taking my kids in the cab from anywhere on property. Just ask the valet to hail you a taxi and they'll be happy to help.

OilCityAnita wrote on Sun, 01/24/2016 - 03:34:

Hi, Kristen. Just want to let you know that as of this evening, the Mears website does not give any information re taxi service--price, times, etc--except from the airport. :( Was hoping to get some $$ and time info from Poly to a number of places for breakfast.

Kristen K. wrote on Sun, 01/24/2016 - 16:13:

Hi Anita!

Try this link, I was able to get there this morning. Look up the addresses you're traveling to and from to make it more precise.

http://www.mearstransportation.com/taxi-services/taxi-fare-estimator/

Time-wise, you can usually get anywhere across property by cab in about 30 minutes, barring unforeseen traffic issues.

Rachael wrote on Fri, 02/05/2016 - 09:42:

Hi Kristin!! I am confused,I will be staying at the Caribbean and I have a Chef Mickey reservation for 7:15am. Then after our breakfast I want to speed over to Hollywood Studios by 9am opening. Should I take a taxi both ways? Can I get a taxi early enough in the morning?

Kristen K. wrote on Fri, 02/05/2016 - 13:15:

Hi Rachel! I would absolutely take a taxi to breakfast if I were you. That's actually why I take cabs the most often. However from breakfast, depending on what time you're done eating, I would probably just hop the bus from the Contemporary to DHS. If speed is supper important to you though, yes, go ahead and take a taxi both ways.

Rachael wrote on Sat, 02/06/2016 - 10:19:

Thank you so much Kristen for your super speedy reply!!! You are so helpful!!!

Reshma wrote on Fri, 03/04/2016 - 10:14:

Hi Kristen
I'll be put up at Four Points Sheraton which probably offers a shuttle service in the morning at 7.15am and then a return shuttle service at 10pm from Epcot. I want to stay back for the night fireworks. Can you please suggest how to go about the return journey from Magic Kingdom to Four Points Sheraton? Can i take a cab from outside Magic Kingdom to Bay Lake Tower or Continental Hotel instead of taking a monorail to TTC and then again a monorail to Epcot? Please help

Kristen K. wrote on Fri, 03/04/2016 - 13:53:

Hi Reshma!

The Taxi stand for the Magic Kingdom is over at the TTC. For a closer option, you can walk from the Magic Kingdom Gate to the Contemporary Resort and catch a cab there. Just head towards the buses and take the path to the left hand side over to the Contemporary. They will be happy to hail you a cab at the valet stand.

Kerrie wrote on Fri, 05/13/2016 - 12:00:

Hi how much to catch a cab from art of animation to all stars music resort?

Kristen K. wrote on Fri, 05/13/2016 - 21:10:

Kerrie - I can't say that I've ever taken that route, so I don't really know. I would budget a $20 and you should have change. But that is a complete guess.

ChrisSanders1 wrote on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 19:32:

Hi! I've used mears a couple of times and it was excellent, I didn't have any problem to get to the parks and my hotel. Once I traveled with my whole family (parents, sons, brothers, etc.) and we asked for an airport shuttle instead and it was nice as well.
:)

Bill L wrote on Mon, 08/29/2016 - 16:03:

Just wanted to thank you for keeping this post up. I'll be using the taxi to get back to my hotel from Epcot next month during the Wine & Food Festival. Just wanted to confirm, is the Taxi Stand still up front near the Bus Stops?

Kristen K. wrote on Mon, 08/29/2016 - 16:51:

Indeed it is Bill!

Melinda wrote on Mon, 12/26/2016 - 21:34:

I'm planning a trip and have breakfast reservations (8:45) for Ohana at Poly on a Tuesday in mid-March. My question is this... Would I have time to take the bus from All Stars Music to MK and then monorail to Poly when the parks don't open until 9am (as of now) that day? Is it possible that additional Magic hours could make the buses run earlier? and if not is the cab price the same per ride or is it per person? We will be a party of 4.

Thanks!

Kristen K. wrote on Tue, 12/27/2016 - 17:16:

Hi Melinda!

If there do end up being early magic hours for the MK you'd be fine taking the bus. However I would probably take a cab or use uber myself. A cab ride is the same price no matter how many guests you have.

Walter Baily wrote on Sat, 02/25/2017 - 01:31:

Hi I am making the trip to Disney this year and I can't find info on taxi stands at Saratoga Springs (Down Town Disney). Also do you think it is practical to use a taxi for a one day trip to universal. Thanks for maintaining a great site.
Regards
Walt

Kristen K. wrote on Sat, 02/25/2017 - 17:08:

Hello Walt!

You can catch a taxi at the main compound of Saratoga Springs at the Bell Desk, just ask one of the Bell Men to help. Alternatively, if you use Uber they can pick you up at your building. Uber has become very popular for getting around Disney. I don't usually leave property, so I can't really assist with the Universal Question.

RICHARD H wrote on Wed, 03/08/2017 - 19:57:

Can you tell me how to get a cab from Epcot and from Animal Kingdom to Pop Century. I'm not familiar with where the bus stops are.

Kristen K. wrote on Fri, 03/10/2017 - 12:51:

The cab stand at Epcot is near the resort bus stops, walk to the left if you are exiting the Park, and follow the signs.

Last time I took a cab from Animal Kingdom, the taxi stand was at the begining of the resort bus area, out into the Parking lot. Again, look for the signs, or ask a cast member for assistance and you'll be fine.

Barb K wrote on Mon, 04/24/2017 - 01:53:

Here's a new question for you. One of our party of seven will be using an ecv. Any of the mears
taxis capable of transporting all of us and the ecv ? Say from a park to a dinner reservation in case we are running to late for the bus service?

Kristen K. wrote on Mon, 04/24/2017 - 21:01:

Hey Barb!

That is a great question! Sadly, I don't have an easy answer for you. Part of that also depends on the type of ECV that is being rented. Some of them are designed to be taken apart and fit into a standard car trunk. However - since there are 7 of you, I think that you would need a van to transport the whole part, leaving no room for the ECV. I do know that Orlando has some ECV taxi services, but they need to be booked in advance, and if you were running late that wouldn't help you much. I wish I had a better response, but I'm feeling like the bus is going to be your best option, with the possibility of getting two cabs (1 van and 1 car) if the ECV is the kind that can be put in a trunk.

~Kristen

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