Hi!! I'm not from the US so I would just like to know if anyone can help me with how taxis work in Orlando. We (a party of 2 adults and 3 kids- ages 2,8,11) plan to stay at a hotel outside Disney. I've read in most forums and guidebooks that hotel shuttles are not very reliable. If we were to take a cab from MK back to our hotel (about 1.5 miles away), how much will it cost us? Will we have a problem getting a yellow cab? Will they be charging by the mile or at a fixed rate? Will the five of us fit in one cab? Can I put my 2 year old on my lap? Thank you to all who will read and respond to my post. :)

Taxis in the Orlando area charge $2.00 for the first 2/8 mile and then $0.25 per 1/8 mile after that, so the first mile is $3.50 and each additional full mile is $2.00. The rate is the same no matter how many people. (Plus expected tip of 10% to 15%.)

Five people should be able to fit in a taxi, more than likely one adult in the front rseat and the other adult and the three children in the back seat.

The one dangerous comment you made is that the hotel is 1.5 miles from WDW. That is probably in a straight line to the nearest point of WDW. For example, it is just under ten miles from the Magic Kingdom to one of the closest hotels off property.

Taxis are generally available from all the parks. At the four theme parks they are near disabled parking; at the water parks Guest Relations will call one for you.

Five people should be able to fit in a taxi, more than likely one adult in the front rseat and the other adult and the three children in the back seat.
In a typical cab, there are only three seat belts in the back seat... Unless you happen to stumble into a mini-van cab, I cant see how three kids, especially one under the age of two, can legally sit in the back seat with an adult. Besides, one would think that the 2 year old would need to be in a car seat. In other words, 2 cabs may be needed for each trip.

Ditz.... this is where the dilemma comes into play. If you are off site, you are pretty much stuck having to either rent a car or deal with the hassles of hotel shuttles or taxis. This is where staying on-property may cost more but it can also mean fewer worries / hassles regarding transportation. At the same time some of that extra costs may be absorbed by what you would spend in cabs or rental cars.

Just something to think about.

Also, consider that in most states, there is a legal requirement that a child under a certain age or weight use a kid's car seat or booster. I don't know what Florida's requirements are, in this regard. In PA, for example, it's age 8 or 80 pounds, and most states that I know of require the booster until the kids are at least 60 pounds. You probably won't get caught on a short trip, on-property, but going out on the highways is another matter. Plus, of course, it is a safety issue. Carrying a booster seat around with you would be a hassle. While there are normally a few cabs outside the parks, it is an uncertain proposition. You could call a cab company, especially if you want a minivan size vehicle, but there is a chance (a good one) that another family would "steal" it from you, by getting in first, and the driver is probably not going to make them get out. In short, I recommend that you either rent a vehicle, and the rental company can provide a car seat, or stay on-site, and use the free buses, monorails, and boats for transportation, none of which require kiddle car seats.

I just tried to determine if there's an exemption in Florida for taxis - and I couldn't find one. I did find this page (http://flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC613.HTM&Title=-%3E2003-%3ECh0316-%3ESection%20613) that says 3 and under need to be in car seats - 4 and 5 year olds can use the seatbelt or booster/carseat/whatever. It also said (elsewhere) that everyone under 18, and anyone in the front seat had to wear seatbelts.

You have to put the 2 year old in a car seat - you'd never forgive yourself if you got hit by another car. The town car we used a few times had 2 booster seats in the boot ready for people to use, but I don't know if taxis have them too.

A few years ago my wife became very ill. The antibiotics she was on really screwed up her system and she needed to get back to the hotel ASAP. When we got to the ticket/transportation place, I was in a panic. I asked a cast member to help and they said they couldn't use any of their shuttles to get her to the hotel. She wasn't going to make it on a bus. Anywho, I grabbed a quick taxi and from the ticket place to All-Star Sports and it was $20.00 with tip.

Hope that helps.

I grabbed a quick taxi and from the ticket place to All-Star Sports and it was $20.00 with tip.
While I am sure it was worth it given your situation, that is by no means cheap.

While I am sure it was worth it given your situation, that is by no means cheap.

My point exactly.

thanks!!!!!!