Mears shuttle ??

[KNWVIKING]

My son and his girlfriend will be flying down in March. With the OKW confirmation paper came a coupon for Mears-$3.00 off. Is $25.00 round trip a decent price for the service and is it reliable ? We've always driven or flew/rental so I've never checked into whats availible. Thanks in advance.

[CarolMN]

I'm sure it is reliable (At least I haven't heard that any passengers were "misplaced";)). $25 seems to be the going rate with the coupon. I haven't heard of any shuttles charging less.

Mears is less expensive than a taxi or towncar, but IMHO, it is not nearly as convenient. A round trip in a private towncar that holds up to 5 people runs $75-$80 (with the web site coupon) plus tip. You get door-to-door servcie, do not have to wait for anyone else, and the driver will usually help with your luggage. Is it worth the extra $$? That's a value decision that the person paying must make.

Enjoy your trip!

[DeeP]

I have used Mears several times and they are reliable. For 2 people it will cost $50.00, a towncar with a tip is about $100.00 but the towncar is more convenient and they pick you up , within reason, when you want to be picked up to go back to the airport. Mears sometimes wants to pick you up 3+ hours prior to your flight which is ridiculous. But it is 1/2 the cost.

[GCM13]

Keep in mind that the towncars can no longer park their car at the terminal. They will still meet you at baggage claim, but then have to walk a distance to get their car and then come to the terminal to pick you up. This adds extra time and it is not as quick and convenient as it used to be.

[KNWVIKING]

Do you make reservations in advance with Mears,or just go to a pick-up spot at a scheduled time ?

[DeeP]

No advance reservations needed, you just go down one floor from baggage claim and the Mears desk is right there. You pay for the round trip at that time and you also arrange your pick up location at that time. The day before your departure you call Mears and they will give you the pick up time.

[WebmasterDoc]

Mears has kiosks right outside the terminal where they pick you up. They take credit cards (or cash) and usually have no more than a 15 minute wait for the next shuttle. There may be several other passengers to get off before you, so it could take over an hour once you leave the airport to get to your room.

It is very reasonable, convenient and reliable. If there are more than 2 people, a towncar is similar in cost, also convenient and reliable- plus you'll have the car to yourself and they'll make a grocery stop for you on the way.

Enjoy!

[Tootsietoo]

Does Mears operate 24 hours?

[Simba's Mom]

A few years ago, luckily for us, they were still operating at 3:00 am. So hopefully they're 24 hours. I'm sure we aren't the only ones to have very delayed flights.

[POOH&PIGLET]

I've used Mears a few times with no problems. Flying home, they would always schedule to pick us up 2 hours before our departure time. I don't know if that has changed since 9/11.

[llp479]

If they are claustaphobic at all, Mears is not the way to go! I got stuck in the back of a 15 passenger van for almost 2 hours! No window, no air, some stranger's briefcase pressed into my side - NEVER AGAIN! Plus, we barely made our flight. They pick you up three hours in advance so they can hit three other hotels on the way to the airport.

[boardwalk prof]

We used Mears years ago because it was recommended by our travel agent. It was okay. But the pickup was inconvenient. Had to leave 3 hours early and rode a huge bus back to airport. Not my idea of finishing off our wonderful vacation.
In 1996, we tried a towncar service. Because we were a family of four, it was a better deal. We also had a much more personalized delivery and return. Since then we continue to use the service and often get the same driver. He remembers our children and makes fun conversation back and forth with them. We also enjoy the 1/2 hour grocery stop that allows us to pick up drinks and snacks for our vacation.

[dizneeluvr]

boardwalk prof,


Which company do you use for the towncar service?

Thanks!

Laura

[scootert]

We used Mears several times, but no more. The last time we used Mears, it took over 2 hours to get to the hotel because of all the other stops (one in the opposite direction of WDW). We also were never comfortable with the pickup schedule -- we always have early flights and had some very tight connections because they were late.

We used Florida Towncar two years ago and were very pleased. They were on time, courteous, etc. If we don't rent a car, we'd use a towncar, even though there are just two of us. The convenience is well worth the extra.

[dvcHammer]

took Mears once, but now we just rent a car. With 4 people to get there d back, it's easier to rent a car for about the same price and have the car for the rest of the week.

for getting two people from the airport though, it might be the easy way to do it. easy to find and they will get you there

[mep319]

When we were down in December I was talking w/ a couple who needed to get back to the airport and had no arrangements. She was upset b/c she was told she needed to get a taxi. (Now this was from Port Orleans to the airport). I suggest she use Mears, a CM at our resort stated Mears does not accept walk-ons since 911, you need advance reservations--security issues. So I would definately call just to be sure & make the reservations so you don't have any problems. Maybe things have gone back to the old way of doing things pre-911, but I certainly wouldn't take that chance.

[jfis1020]

We won't use Mears again. The last trip we made SEVEN stops before our resort. I want to get there! I like 'Tiffany Towncar and the 1/2 hour grocery stop that goes with it. Used it in March. Driver met us and by the time we got the luggage he was in his spot ready to load. I noticed no changes in pick-up before and after 9/11.

[poohstx]

We've used Tiffany Towncar in the past and have been very happy. $80 plus tip, with a 30 minute grocery stop on the way to WDW. Here is their site:

http://www.tiffanytowncar.com/

[TiggerFreak]

We have used Meers, Tiffany TC and rental cars.
Personally I prefer the rental car. With just 2 people this may not be economical though.

We always have at least 4 of us, this year there will be 10 !! So we have reserved 2 cars. It works out to about $75 more for the rental cars, but allows the luxury of following your own schedule.

Hey, your on vacation, get the towncar if it can fit your budget.
Like Walt said "Go first class whenever you can afford it."
:p

[Pumbaa_]

I always use a towncar service. I had the same experience as the others with Mears. Saw waaay too much of the area. I think 2-2.5 hours is excessive to get to the airport.:mad:

So one of the things I treat myself to is the towncar service. I have used when traveling by myself or with my DH.

It is more expensive, but IMHO, it is worth it. I truly appreciate the service when I travel alone.

You can also get a 30 minute grocery store trip. This is great to pick up some water and snacks. Can lots of $$$ over Disney prices.

I have used Tiffany Towncar in the past. For my next trip, there will be 8 of us. We will be getting a limo from ********. Not only did I get a great price, but also supporting a sponsor.

(Just a word of advice, everyone I know who has used the towncar service is now spoiled and can;t see themselves going back to cattle land oops, I mean Mears! LOL)
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Lyndarella]

We used Mears 2 times in the last year, and were happy with their service. We even changed our pick up point at the last minute, and had no problem with that. We were always in a small van, not a bus, so only able to stop at one or two other hotels. Actually, we enjoyed seeing the area, and judging the other hotels!

[bres@westernMA]

We have had good luck with Tiffany Limo but not so good luck with Happy limo (they showed up with a van, then required my kids to walk to the Hospitality House for pickup).

[Autumngirl]

The first time I was there....we used Mears Shuttle. YUCK! 2 hours to get from the airport to POR. The bus was hot and crowded and the driver had his hand out for a tip when we got off.

This year we used Happy Limo, the ride great....when they finally showed up...I had to call them 3 times to find out where their driver was. But the car was great and the driver was a real kick.:p . But she was running so far behind on runs that were too close together, we never got our 1/2 stop in a store.

Next year... we will use Tiffany Towncar.

[Regina]

I used Mears when it was part of a National PTA convention package. It was awful. We were staying at the Swan/Dolphin, but the bus had to stop at the moderate resorts for pickups as well. It took forever to get to the airport.:(

We love the towncar services, particularly http://www.fltours.com/

Always be sure to request the 30 minute grocery stop when you book your trip. They need to know in advance. :D

[DaveH]

I have used Mears in the past. They fill up a van with folks from hotels near each other and if you are at the last hotel it takes awhile. They do fill all the seats. So it is crowded and if you get a van full of folks like me a big large. Ouch. Going back to the airport they usually use a bus. They do pick you up real early. We are trying a towncar in Dec. We are using FLtours a DIS supporter. If the extra money is not much of a big deal. $50 is a meal for 2 at a sit down resteraunt at WDW. I would suggest the towncar with a grocery stop. They can save a bunch that way. Good luck.

[jimmytammy]

Dont totally give up on the idea of using a towncar service. We have used Florida Towncars twice and both times it was great! The cost is around $80-$85 ROUNDTRIP. Mears and taxis will cost around $25 per person each way. Im a dumb ol country boy but my math shows that to be a $20 savings for 2 people. Tiffany Towncars also offers a $10 off w/coupon roundtrip. You have someone waiting there for you when you arrive and you dont have to stop at everybody else's place first. The drivers are all very friendly as well. Give one of these a try, you wont be sorry.

[DeeP]

I agree the Towncar service is much nicer but Mears is not $25.00 per person each way it is $25.00 per person ROUND TRIP.