a MEARS story

[reedycreek]

just wanted to share a MEARS story from last week.

we did not make a prior reservation because we wanted to use toe $3 R/t coupons that Disney sent us. so we checked in at the MEARS desk, paid for our tickets and were told to go to the curb to check in there. We did that and they gave us a beeper and said they would call us in no more than 30 min. well we sat on the bench (they were not really that busy), and watched van after van leave with people. then we saw about 4-5 couples who checked in before us leave. then 25 min came around, so we asked what happens after 30 min. they said after 30 min they get you a taxi. well at 32 minutes, the paged us (after maybe 10 couples who checked in before us went in front of us now) and we boarded a big bus to POR along with 2 other groups.

we then waited at the curb (on the bus) for another 10 min, for nobody to show up. then we were dispatched to the other terminal at MCO, parked there for 10 min, with nobody showing up. finally, the driver got frustrated from all the useless waiting and left. so it took us about 1 hour to GET OUT OF ORLANDO AIRPORT. i was no pleased. the people at the check in desk at the curb are not the brightest and dont really care that you are waiting. they are also rude.

the ride back from POR was fine, no problems, except we made 3 other stops after POR.

i would not suggest using mears if you are in any sort of rush to get to your hotel after flying all day. i think the taxi rates were similar, you are prob better off using that (if not a towncar).

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Did you ask them about the taxi since you waited longer than 30 minutes? I wouldn't have been happy, either, since people arriving after you got a ride before you. I've never ridden Mears before, but do you suppose these people had reservations and you didn't?

We've always either taken a town car or rented a car.

T&B

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by Tigger&Belle
Did you ask them about the taxi since you waited longer than 30 minutes? I wouldn't have been happy, either, since people arriving after you got a ride before you. I've never ridden Mears before, but do you suppose these people had reservations and you didn't?

We've always either taken a town car or rented a car.

T&B

Its more likely the party that "skipped ahead" was headed to a resort that was the same or near to a party who was already on the bus/van. They load by destinatoion not first come first serve.

If it makes you feel better there was no 30 minute rule when we used Mears nor was there a beeper. We waited in the sun, with the fumes for an hour before heading on the resort tour and eventually our resort.

A little research shows that most people who try Mears once won't try it again! FWIW - Mears dosen't take reservations so even if you had booked and paid in advance you still would have to wait the line and get your "voucher".

IMHO its worth more than the difference in cost to hire a towncar. For 80-100 r/t you are met at baggage and taken directly to your resort, via a grocery stop if you desire. Not much help to the OP (sorry) but just an fyi for anyone reading because they are considering Mears.

TJ

 

[Mrs. Potts]

It only took you an hour? You're lucky. Last time we were there we waited for more than 2! The only reason they finally put us on a van was because I complained loudly. NEVER AGAIN!

We're using Florida Tours for our upcoming trip.

 

[reedycreek]

Originally posted by Tigger&Belle
Did you ask them about the taxi since you waited longer than 30 minutes?

We did go back after exactly 30 min, and while talking to them the big bus came to get us, so we didnt pursue the taxi. little did we know that once onboard the bus, it would be another 30 min or waiting around and driving aimlessly around orlando airport that we should have pursued their taxi policy...

so all of you reading this...there is a 30 MIN POLICY AT MEARS...you get a taxi if they cant get you a ride within 30 minutes.

either way i am definitely getting a towncar next time.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I don't blame you getting the town car and I will continute to rent a car or go the town car route, even when there are only 2 of us going. I like the grocery stop with the town car and end up eating enough meals in the room to just about make up the cost difference.

T&B

 

[Donna]

I am not a fan of mears either, but had to use them last week. I must have been lucky. We paid at the desk with the coupon, was told to go out to curb. I was thinking, this will take forever. Went up to the podium, told him where i was going and he said, go ahead and board the bus behind him. i said BOARD? he said, yes, you can give them your luggage and get a seat. I really think its all about timing and we just hit it lucky!

 

[CDoobee]

I agree that it's all about timing. I've used them twice. The first time we had a fairly long wait and went to 3-4 other resorts before ours. The next time, I was prepared for a lengthy wait and only had a short one, and only stopped at 2 other resorts before ours, one of which I'd never seen before so didn't really mind! I'll be using them again in January for a solo trip. I've used Tiffany Towncar 4 times and loved them, but can't go that route for just me. I don't need a grocery stop, Mears is much cheaper for me, plus I'm too shy to be alone in a towncar with just the driver!

Debbie

 

[Robinbare]

could some of you tell me how exspensive Mears was? If you just want a cab are there cabs waiting? This si our first Disney trip.

 

[CDoobee]

I'll be using Mears in January to go to All Star Music. It costs $29 round-trip per adult. I'm not sure if children are cheaper or not.

Debbie

 

[reedycreek]

plus if you booked a hotel at a disney resort, they (disney) should send you a coupon for $3 off each person round trip.

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by Robinbare
could some of you tell me how exspensive Mears was? If you just want a cab are there cabs waiting? This si our first Disney trip.

Mears is $29.00 pp adult and $21.00 child, just go to the counter and purchase the r/t voucher when you arrive at MCO.

Plenty of taxi's but at $50.00 + each way they are not economical. Some run on the meter leaving you stuck in the event of traffic or a driver "taking a shortcut".

Depending on the number in your party it can be more cost effect to reserve a town car in advance. They run approx $90.00 r/t total not pp plus tip and many offer grocery stops and child safety seats.

TJ

 

[MissionMouse]

In fairness to MEARS I will say they provide a economical ride to WDW but at a price...your time. If this is not a issue for you, then they will work for you.

We have used MEARS twice. The first time we went right to the CR without one stop. The return to the airport went the same way. Our second time with MEARS took us on 1 1/2 hour journey to get to the CR. The return trip to the airport put us on edge of the growing thought we might miss our flight.

We value our vacation time and when we compared other options we find we do not have to waste our time to the level we do with MEARS. We strictly use towncar/limo services now.

We get to ride as a family. We get a 30 minute stop for groceries and go directly to and from our destinations without losing large segments of time which equates to lost vacation time.

 

[Minybear]

We have been on Mears 2 x's and never again. It took us 1 1/2 -2 hrs to get out of the airport and on our return flight we almost missed our flight. Since then we have taken towncar servcie. I wish Disney would cancel Mears contract with them and get a more reliable servcie!!

On one of our trips to DL we had to take a shuttle service like Mears which is the Super Shuttle. The cost was $30 per person. We waited (just like Mears) 1 1/2 hrs to get out of the airport and we were finally delivered to our hotel after several stops. While we were at the airport I looked at my DH and was very upset saying "this is like Mears". At that time I wished we had splurged for the towncar servcie, but with the towncar servcie cost approx $100 per way w/o tip (with Super Shuttle it cost us $60 for the 2 of us round trip). With us being economical we waisted lots of time and that time we could have been doing fun things.

We will never take a shuttle servcie again. Especially experiencing great towncar service.

Minybear