Ask Magically Speaking

In each issue we like to answer questions from you. Are you wondering about a certain attraction? Are you curious about a resort or cruise? Do you have some nagging little trivia question that you are just dying to know the answer to? If so, please send them to us. We have a great team of Disney experts and sleuths that who would love to answer your questions! If you have a question, send it to us at magicallyspeaking@themouseforless.com.

Ask Magically Speaking is a regular feature in the Magically Speaking newsletter. The following Ask Magically Speaking was published in the September 8, 2008 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. My family is interested in visiting Universal and Sea World during a trip in which we would be staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Is there a particular taxi service you recommend, and what do they charge? Thanks so much! (Submitted by MV from NH)

A. There are a number of options for getting from a Walt Disney World resort to Universal Orlando and SeaWorld. Mears (a.k.a. Yellow Cab) has the market cornered on taxis. We talked to a nice dispatcher, and he said that one-way from the Animal Kingdom Lodge to Universal (for up to seven people) would be around $39, and to SeaWorld, it would be approximately $30. Plus tip, of course. To request a cab, call the Mears taxicab & taxi-van dispatcher at 407-699-9999 (or have AKL bell services call for you).

Another option that is nicer and cheaper is a towncar service like Sunray Transportation. We can enthusiastically recommend their service, as we've used it personally (over and over . . . and over). Their towncars and SUVs are immaculately clean, their drivers are faultlessly courteous and helpful, and we've yet to come across negative commentary on Sunray around the Disney internet forums. They charge $70 for a roundtrip ride for up to six people to Universal, and $60 for roundtrip to SeaWorld. An added gratuity would be appropriate. You can reserve transportation with them at their website, sunraytransportation.com. (Note: Sunray is a sponsor of our newsletter and offers Magically Speaking readers a discount.)

The least attractive option, time-wise, but definitely the most affordable is LYNX, the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority. You can catch the LYNX buses at the Transportation and Ticket Center (near the Magic Kingdom). The #50 bus, which comes every half hour, takes you on a 15-20 minute ride to the SeaWorld parking lot. From there, you can get a #43 bus to Universal Orlando (be sure to request a transfer). This will cost you $1.75 each way (exact change required; if you pay $2, you will not get change). No tips needed. ;-) The full #50 bus schedule can be found here. Or you can call customer service at 407-841-5969.

Q. We are looking at taking another trip to Disney World. Now that our fourth child is over three, we need to look for accommodations for six, versus five when she was under three. It doesn't seem like there are many budget-friendly choices to accommodate a family of our size. Any recommendations? (Submitted by Kim in WI)

A. Hi, Kim! You've asked the million-dollar resort question. Disney World is infamous for not offering lots of options for a slightly-larger-than-average family. I thought I would consult some experts who deal with this kind of situation all the time – the agents at The Magic for Less Travel.

Leigh Ann agrees that it's difficult, and she knows personally, as she has a family of six. She writes:
There are really no good answers, in my opinion. If we want economical, it's a cabin at Fort Wilderness or two rooms at Port Orleans. We've done a two-bedroom villa at the Disney Deluxe Villa resorts, also. While great for the space, it's definitely not cost-conscious. We've done two rooms at AKL. Again, that's not going to be the most bang for the buck. There's the family suite at All-Star but I can't convince my husband this is a good option.

Mic had this information to share:
What I usually recommend in this case is either two connecting rooms at a Value resort, the family suite at All-Star Music, or the Fort Wilderness Cabins. The cabins are great as there is a separate bedroom, a full kitchen, and living room area, as well as a deck – lots of room for a family to spread out and some can go to bed at night while others hang out in the living room area.

We also have information up on TheMouseForLess.com about room occupancy possibilities for all the Disney World resorts. You can find that page here. Hopefully there's an option that fits your growing family's needs, Kim!

Erratum

Finally, we'd like to clear up some misinformation in our last edition of ASK (eek!). We'd said that if you have two rooms booked, and two adults plus kids, you're guaranteed connecting rooms. It's actually more complex than that, wouldn't you know. Kids have to outnumber adults. So if there are two adults and three children with two rooms, you're guaranteed connecting rooms. But if there are three adults and two children (adults outnumbering children), you can request connecting rooms, but it's not a guarantee. In your case, Kim, you would be guaranteed connecting rooms. Just be sure that you are clear with Disney or your travel agent that you would like connecting rooms.