mouseketab.....Carol

I have found the best way to get to SeaWorld without a car is the good ole Orlando City Bus System. Lynx!!!
You need to take Lynx #50
The schedule can be found here
http://www.golynx.com/core/file.php?path=/Solodev/clients/solodev/Enterprise%20Main/Data%20Center/Route%20Manager/_Images/0053332-link_50.pdf
It departs from the TTC starting at 6:33 am and the last bus departing near SeaWorld is at 11:10 pm.
There is also a major departure point at the Westside Bus Stops at DTD, but I wouldn't recommend that for an early morning departure because it is extremely difficult to get there before 10am unless you walk over from Saratoga Springs.
Anywho, take a bus from your resort to Magic Kingdom, then monorail over to the TTC, then ask any castmember you see how to get to the Lynx Bus Stop. Buses from your resort to Magic Kingdom start as early as 6:30am. If you are staying at Fort Wilderness or Wilderness Lodge, then take the resort launch to the Contemporary, then take the monorail. This boat starts at 6:45 am
The fair is $2 per person one way, exact change.
Tell the driver you want to stop at Sea World, they will tell you the correct stop.
Note the location of your stop. The return stop is just across the street.
Once you arrive, cross the SeaWorld parking lot and enter the park.
When you return, go across the street from your drop off stop, and wait on Lynx #50.
Once again $2 per person one way, exact change.
You can ride all the way to TTC, or get off at the DTD stop. If it is later in the day, DTD stop is recommended because it will be easy to get back to your resort from the Pleasure Island bus stop without dealing with the monorail or closing buses at the MK.

There are several options to get to Universal/IOA when you don't have a vehicle of your own.
Depending on how many in your group and your needs, one of these options may fit.
1. - Rent a car for one day. There are a couple of rental places on Disney property.
One is Alamo at the Care Care Center, Another is Alamo/National at the Swan/Dolphin. Just check online for rates. The location at the Car Care Center will pick you up from your resort, you rent the car, then when you return it, they will return you to your resort. You have to call in advance to schedule the shuttle.
Alamo/National at the Swan/Dolpin. They don't have pickup or dropoff, but you can get there easily by taking a bus to the Studios, and then walk/boat over there. You can even drop off the car with the valet after hours.
When you look at the cost, consider you have to refill the gas tank, and pay around $15 for parking at Universal.
2. - Taxi - This is quick, direct, but probably most expensive, but takes no planning. Just go to your bell services desk at your resort and they will call you a cab. When you leave, go to the taxi stand at Universal, and you will get the next cab in line.
3. - TownCar or Limo - There are several towncar or limo companies in town that can take up to 5 guests in a towncar or more in a van to Universal for a set rate. The last company I used was Tiffany Town Car. They did a great job.
4. - Mears Shuttle Service $19 Round Trip Per person. - Cash only to the driver OR purchase a transportation voucher with a credit card at any Mears desk at MCO.
This is a shared service. You need to call them the day before you wish to go to Universal and arrange a pickup time. The easiest way to do this from Disney is use your resort phone, or any Disney house phone and dial "0". Once the Disney operator comes on the line, ask to be transferred to Mears.
Once Mears comes on the line, tell them your resort, number in your party, and approximate time you want to leave for Universal. They will give you a list of pickup times to choose froom.
The next day, be at the pickup location about 10 minutes before your departure time, pay the driver in cash or give them your prepurchased transportation voucher.
You will be delivered to the Universal shuttle lot.
About 2-3 hours before you wish to return to your Disney resort, call the phone number on your return ticket. Tell them your approximate departure time, number of guests in your party, and the Disney resort you wish to go to. (You DO NOT have to return to the same resort) For example, you have dinner reservations at Magic Kingdom, you can be dropped at the Contemporary and just walk over to MK from there.
Then proceed to the location where you were dropped off that morning, and a shuttle will arrive shortly to take you back to your destination on Disney property.

OK, the Holiday insanity is over, and from other threads, it seems you have time for Nerf Wars at work, so get on that TRIP REPORT!!!! :jumpforjoy

Now that all the excitement of Christmas is over, I can continue on with this report.
My morning walk from my room to the bus stop.
The progress on Lady's paint job

Now, how I got to Universal/IOA. When I arrived at MCO, I went to a Mears desk and purchased a round trip ticket from my resort to Universal. The cost was $19 RT. You do not have to purchase the ticket at the airport, but I wanted to use a credit card, otherwise, it is cash only paid to the driver.
The day before I went to Universal, I called Mears and scheduled my pickup time. The bus showed up right on schedule, and several of us boarded the bus. One nice thing about Pop Century, is it's on the outskirts of property, so is frequently one of the first/last stops for DME and Mears buses. We headed directly to Universal.
My bus time was 7:35 and we arrived at the Universal Parking area around 8:00. Plenty of time to wander. I also stopped by a ticket booth to make sure my ticket really was still valid. It was an old 4-day two-park nonexpiring ticket that we had purchased back in 2004 for only $100!!! I was pretty sure it still had one day left and it did!!!!
Here are some pics as I wandered around before Islands opened.

Folks,
Seem like there's been alot of fud flying around regarding golf cart rental at the Fort. I rented a cart from Kenny on Wednesday. Keeping it short: Great price, great customer service, and an easy process.
Other rental company's maybe good, but this guy has always delivered. If you're renting from Kenny, I hope this takes a little stress out of your vacation planning.
Cheers,

well at least you have the meat baby to remember the good old days.

Mini Golf! :jumpforjoy
I hope you remembered to "swing those hips and suck in that gut" :rofl2:

Just a few more tidbits.
If your tags don't show up on time, DON'T WORRY!!!!!
The DME folks have plans for this.
Go to the desk, tel them your name and resort. They will print you up boarding passes for the bus.
If you have checked luggage. Give them your luggage claim tags that you got when you checked luggage and they will go retrieve it for you and send your luggage on its merry way!!
Some FAQs.
Can I go to a different resort than mine. NO, you must board the bus for your resort. HOWEVER, if a resort that you would prefer to get off at is on your route, feel free to get off at any resort on the route. (However, this only works if you don't have anything under the bus)
Can I depart from a different resort than my own. NO. There is no flexibility on this.
Can I take a later bus. NO Not advisable.
Can I take an earlier bus. YES, but go to your front desk and request an earlier pickup time.
What if I miss my DME bus. CALL a Taxi!!
Am I assigned a certain bus when leaving MCO, do I have to rush to get down there?? NO. Take your time, go to the restroom, get something to eat or drink if desired, and head down to DME. A bus for your resort will depart shortly after you arrive.
What if I decide to ride DME at the last minute? Even if it's the same day as your trip, call DME and make reservations. You can't ride free without reservations. If you wait till you get to the airport and decide you want to ride DME, then you have to pay for it. Go to the Mears desk next to DME, purchase a Mears ticket, and proceed where they tell you. You have to claim your own bags.
I am an international customer and I have to claim my bags at the airport to go through customs. How do I get my bags through the "automagical delivery". It's quite simple. After customs, there is another luggage carousel. Place your bags on this carousel with the yellow tags and they will be transported to the main terminal. That is where the DME folks will intercept your bags.
I'm arriving the night before and staying at the Hyatt, can I still get my bags delivered to my resort. YES!! When you leave home, DO NOT put the yellow tags on your bags. When you arrive at the airport, claim your luggage from the baggage carousel. Proceed upstairs to the Hyatt. The next morning, put your yellow tags on your bags and hand them to bell services at the Hyatt. (A tip is appropriate). They will get your tagged baggage into the DME luggage system. Then proceed down to the DME desk and board the next coach for your resort.
Alright, Anybody else have any good DME tips??!!!

I'm not sure how much I like that you have your arm around that moose.....looking all happy. Are you sure Melvin is a Melvin and not a Martha?

EPCOT

Hollywood Studios

So even if you get swept off the course cause you are too far back can you still go to the party??!!!! Toy Story Mania after hours??!!!! That is worth the price of entering by itself!!!

I thought this was funny. "Speaking of AK Lodge, stop by the Zawadi Marketplace for loads of unique African-themed gifts. I found a great elephant statue for my Mom’s birthday on my last trip."
We did our guest room in "safari". You can find the exact same stuff in Hobby Lobby, Michael's and Pottery Barn for 80% less!!!!!!!

THAT IS AWESOME NEWS!!!!!!!

I appreciate that Andrew. I've known Judy for several years and I used to see Lil B sitting on the steps and he'd kinda wave or say hey when I'd come by. VW Dano and I were hanging out one night (Dan has known Judy and B longer than me) and B was with him. I wasn't sure to be honest, due to me never being around a special needs person much of his capabilities. Anyway, Dan was telling somebody he was heading home that weekend and Lil B asked if he was going to give him a hug before he left. Now let me explain, Dan is at the fort way more than me and he looks at B and says well you know I'm probably gonna be back after I drop the camper off (30 minutes away) so I got to see he has emotions. Like I said, I've never been around anyone with Downs before so I knew nothing.
Over the past couple years I've spent time with him playing bean bag toss and taking him to lunch or a park. I'll tell you 2 things about him. He WILL beat your ass at bean bags and if you say something you don't want him to hear you'd better be far away because he has bionic ears. He loves people and once he gets to know you and you him there is no more special a friend can you have. I've learned a lot from B and seeing things through his eyes is amazing. For those of you who know Tina who is next to Judy her daughter is also special needs and she's a little doll. There's no words to describe what these people will give back to you.
Sorry to ramble but until you've been around someone with special needs you haven't lived right yet.

You could mount a camera to the dash with a little remote control :-)

Because the difference is the other companies are being referred to by "customers" not touting themselves. Tell your or your dads customers about this board and have them write a review!!!

From Screamscape...

yes, please let us know how your customers liked your rentals, or better yet....you can always pay for advertising....Ip addresses are wonderful things, arent they?

In Carol's current TR, she brought up the bus situation at Pop and hoped that they weren't going to share with AOA.
In addition to the regular buses sent by the bus hubs to the resorts, Pop and CBR have a bunch of dedicated buses staged and on call until noon in the CM parking lot located at the CBR. The bus dispatch center for those buses is located in, of all places, a closet size room in the drivers break room at Epcot, which is where I was today. They have real time video of Pop and that's how they know when and to what bus stop to send another bus. Someone is watching you.
I was talking to the dispatcher about what the plan was for AOA. As I thought, they will not share buses. AOA will be part of the Pop, CBR dedicated bus setup in the morning but they will be separate.

WELCOME!!!! We love renegades!! We love Purple!! We love Snarky!!! You'll fit right in!!!