What's your experience with Mears shuttle to Universal?

[Donna M]

The price is right, but I'm reading the schedule is not great. What are pick up times at each end like?

What did you think about it? Two 21 yo guys would be using it.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

We used the Mears shuttle last year to go to Universal and for us personally, never again! The pick up times were alright, we were told pick up was 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30 and 10:00. While we were at Universal, we had to call them for a pick up and given them 2 hours notice. They picked up ever hour from 4PM until an hour after the park closed.

Our driver in the morning was SO rude to us! He turned up early (no drama for us) and practically yelled at us to hurry up and get in. We were absolutely packed in like sardines. Upon arrival at US, we paid the driver and gave a $10 tip (it was only 2 of us) to which he replied "Gee thanks SO much for the HUGE tip!" We were stunned!

In the afternoon, we called for a pick up like we were told. The operator offered us an earlier pick up time, since there was already a shuttle coming to pick up other people. We took that one (we were ready to leave earlier) So we headed out and waited for the bus. It arrived, we gave the driver our confirmation number and again, he was so rude to us, saying that we couldn't be booked on HIS bus since we had only called an hour earlier. We insisted that we were, he checked and indeed we were. We got on the huge coach and waited 45 minutes to go anywhere! There were alot of other people on the bus as well, it wasn't half full. After this, we stopped at Sea World as well so it took us almost two hours to get back to WDW!

We wouldn't ever use the Mears shuttle again. It cost is about $25 each for a return to Universal but it took us at last two and half hours round trip. An estimated taxi fare is $36 each way and we would absolutely take a taxi next time!

 

[coco392]

We used the Mears shuttle last year to go to Universal and for us personally, never again! The pick up times were alright, we were told pick up was 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30 and 10:00. While we were at Universal, we had to call them for a pick up and given them 2 hours notice. They picked up ever hour from 4PM until an hour after the park closed.

Our driver in the morning was SO rude to us! He turned up early (no drama for us) and practically yelled at us to hurry up and get in. We were absolutely packed in like sardines. Upon arrival at US, we paid the driver and gave a $10 tip (it was only 2 of us) to which he replied "Gee thanks SO much for the HUGE tip!" We were stunned!

In the afternoon, we called for a pick up like we were told. The operator offered us an earlier pick up time, since there was already a shuttle coming to pick up other people. We took that one (we were ready to leave earlier) So we headed out and waited for the bus. It arrived, we gave the driver our confirmation number and again, he was so rude to us, saying that we couldn't be booked on HIS bus since we had only called an hour earlier. We insisted that we were, he checked and indeed we were. We got on the huge coach and waited 45 minutes to go anywhere! There were alot of other people on the bus as well, it wasn't half full. After this, we stopped at Sea World as well so it took us almost two hours to get back to WDW!

We wouldn't ever use the Mears shuttle again. It cost is about $25 each for a return to Universal but it took us at last two and half hours round trip. An estimated taxi fare is $36 each way and we would absolutely take a taxi next time!

that's interseting so a party of four is better off catching a cab. thanks for posting that

 

[Disney_Princess83]

that's interseting so a party of four is better off catching a cab. thanks for posting that

Yes, a party of three or over would be better getting a taxi. You can get a van which holds up to 7 passengers. In our experience a taxi is much faster and more convenient. We will never use the Mears shuttle again.

 

[merbobear]

We used the Mears shuttle to Sea World, and NEVER EVER EVER AGAIN! I cannot stress that enough. NEVER. neverever!!

The cost is reasonable and the driver was professional & courteous. The actual vehicles were well maintained, clean, no odors. I mean they had all of those basic transportation needs met.

However! We had been told what time to be outside, so we were out about 20 minutes early. After waiting about 35 minutes (so they were already 15 minutes late), we called and were told they already picked up. WHAT?! They were never there! So they said they would send someone for us. A cab came, and they took another family instead! We called again. They said they would send someone again. Several Mears taxis were lined up outside the resort, and we checked with each, none were for us. So we keep waiting. And waiting. And waiting. We call again. They say our ride is sitting there waiting for us! We go around and ask again, one driver radios to their dispatch and it was finally agreed upon that he would be driving us to SW, though he said he wasn't sent there on that particular mission.

We did finally arrive at SW - no joke, TWO HOURS later than we had anticipated.

Ride home was on time and uneventful, though another family that was to ride in our shuttle had to wait because they had sent one that was not equipped for handling wheelchairs/ECVs (even though they had ridden in that morning on the shuttle, they failed to send a vehicle back to pick them up).

Now, I have read a bazillion positive reviews about Mears on the Dis as well as other websites, so I don't think my experience was typical, but it definitely put a damper on our day and it definitely stung to lose hours out of our one SW day due to their disorganization!

 

[Donna M]

Wow, since my son will be able to get his Universal ticket for free with his military ID, I'll highly suggest they spring for a taxi.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have used the Mears shuttle to, and from, US/IoA. I have always had a good experience!!! We called the day before we wanted to go, and were asked what time we wanted to get to US and then given a choice of pickup times. The only time I saw a driver get nudgy was the one time a passenger tried to just get on the bus..said he had booked but had no confirmation number. Also, didn't have correct change..the drivers don't give change. The driver called the home office and was told it was fine to put the people on the bus since it wasn't close to full. But he was pleasant the whole time.
We called a few hours prior to departure time to book our ride home and were told we could leave in 45 mins if we wanted...actually given a few choices. We were ready and when we got to the bus stops, had no issue with the bus.
But, it can take a longish time to get back to WDW. The bus makes many more stops going back than it does going to US/IoA.
But, as I said, I've used it many times, and had good experiences.

 

[emerick]

I used the Mears shuttle from a Disney resort (Port Orleans Riverside) to Universal for a day. The trip was ok, they showed up on time and we got to enter Universal early with all the others who stay at the Universal area hotels. My only complaint was that I was told I just needed to give them a confirmation number and we could get on the bus ok. But when we have it to the driver he insisted that he needed a printed copy of the number. So..... he made me run back into the hotel, and get the front desk to print him a copy of what I had ( which contained personal info I didn't want to give them). So anyway, it was a bit of a hassle so just make sure you have a copy of your confirmation number/ email.

 

[pigletto]

I used the Mears shuttle from a Disney resort (Port Orleans Riverside) to Universal for a day. The trip was ok, they showed up on time and we got to enter Universal early with all the others who stay at the Universal area hotels. My only complaint was that I was told I just needed to give them a confirmation number and we could get on the bus ok. But when we have it to the driver he insisted that he needed a printed copy of the number. So..... he made me run back into the hotel, and get the front desk to print him a copy of what I had ( which contained personal info I didn't want to give them). So anyway, it was a bit of a hassle so just make sure you have a copy of your confirmation number/ email.

Hmmm it's been a few years but I remember some hassle about that printed number as well. I don't remember all the details but I think I handed him my printout on the way back and he said I needed a voucher. I kept saying that the driver in the morning had been fine with the printout and we never had any voucher. He then told the same thing to 3 other families and had to call and confirm us all and wouldn't let us on the bus until he had. I do remember it was pouring. The next day was completely uneventful and went off with no problems.
I would use them again, and overall it was a good experience but reading emiricks response triggered that memory.