Avoiding Mears

[Sunstar]

My dad and I are going to be going to IOA from Coronado Springs on August 30th. On previous trips, we've always taken Mears, but last time, we had a pretty horrendous experience, so we're looking to try and avoid them. However, they are pretty inexpensive. What other options are out there for us? We're looking for specifics, if possible. Thanks!

 

[KristiKelly]

I have no advice but do you mind sharing your experience? We are going to WDW in Sept and DH, DS & my Dbrother will be going to Universal and I'm trying to find the best & cheapest way for them to go from WDW. Do you know how much it costs also.

 

[Sunstar]

Sure, I don't mind. Mears costs, I believe, around $15 per person round trip.
Here's what happened on our last trip. So you have some idea about ages, my dad was around 50 and I was 22. We called the day before, as instructed to do by the Mears people and set up for them to pick my dad and I up at 8:30 am. Dad and I were sitting on a bench in the carport area outside the front doors of Coronado Springs at 8, waiting for the shuttle.
8:30 - no shuttle.
8:45 - no shuttle. Dad goes inside to call Mears and see what's going on. A CM at Guest Services makes the call for him and tells dad that Mears will send a shuttle by 9.
9 - still no shuttle. Dad goes back inside and the CM calls again. This goes on twice more before Disney finally works something out with Mears and puts us in a paid cab around 9:30.
Spend the day at IOA, fantastic, great fun. We call at noon and schedule our outgoing shuttle for 6:30 pm. Dad explains what happened earlier and the Mears people assure him that it was an anomoly and we'll have no trouble getting home.
6:00 - We're waiting at the designated shuttle spot, with a looooong line of other people. Shuttle bus never shows (noticing a pattern). Now, by this point, my dad has one of his famous raging migraines. Not fun in the Florida sun, I can assure you. I find a US employee and explain the situation. He calls Mears. Assures us a bus is coming for us. Sure enough, the bus shows up. People get in line and they start checking names and something else (can't remember what) and sending people away. Angry people. Dad and I get to the front of the line and the girl check on her clipboard and says we can't get on the bus, we have to wait for the 8:45 bus (It's 7:00 pm) at this point. I looked at her, looked at my dad, who was pretty much useless at this point and tell her that we are getting on the bus. She looked really startled and didn't say anything so Dad and I got on the bus. She never said anything to us, which is good, because I was ready to fight at this point. We did eventually get home to the hotel, but you can see why, if I can avoid Mears this time around, I'd like to.

 

[gpaint]

Sunstar:

That's not encouraging news. I just called Expedia and I cannot cancel my Mears Roundtrip Shuttle to and from the Orlando Airport to our hotel. In hindsight, even for a few more $, I would rather take the taxi

Oh well, I'll report my experience with Mears when we're done with our trip.

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> "I am getting on this bus"
Probably worth a complaint letter. I'm still brainstorming on the best way to increase the chances of their management's actually doing something with the letter, including a request for a refund of half the fare sounds like it will do the trick.

 

[manning]

Quess what!!! Yello Cab is Mears!!!!

http://www.mearstransportation.com/TaxiServices.htm


Magical EXpress ---------Mears operated!!!

 

[yayagoofy]

DME (Disney Monopoly Express) is operated by Mears. They are Mears buses with a Disney paint job, so don't expect quality. It's the same old Mears "cattle car" operation.

 

[mrFDNY]

Hi all,
I have nothing nice to say about mears and using then over 4 times each and every time there was a mistake or huge problem.may I suggest using fl tours,we now use then and were very happy with them each and every trip we took with them.Tell them you found them on the dis and i could be wrong but i think you get $5 off your trip.

 

[Rella Bella]

We have used taxi's many times and had no problem. They come on time and are so much better and faster than Mears. When we stay on property we never rent a car... just use taxi's or Disney Transportation. It cost us about $30-$35 for 3 of us to go to or from the airport. Mears was $45!

I don't know where the taxi stand is at Universal/IOA/City Walk... but I'd be surprised if there isn't one. At Downtown Disney there are cabs just waiting around to take you home when ever you're ready... you never have to call, I bet it's the same there.

 

[IlovePiglet]

Quess what!!! Yello Cab is Mears!!!!

http://www.mearstransportation.com/TaxiServices.htm


Magical EXpress ---------Mears operated!!!

So is, Checker Cab, Safety Cab, Osceola Cab, and City Cab.

The taxi stand at Universal Studios is at the bottom of the escalator going down to Bus Parking.

If you want to avoid Mears, rent a car or hire a towncar.

 

[Chicago526]

We took a cab from our resort to the airport on our last trip. I think it was around $40 or so, it was very fast and we liked it so much we think we'll take cabs for now on! My time on vacation is worth more that what I'd save taking Mears, although I do have to say the few times I've taken them has been okay, no major problems other than all the time that's waisted waiting for the bus to fill up and all the stops made to other hotels before we get to ours.

I think cabs are great, you walk out to the curb at the airport or the front of the hotel, hop in the 1st available cab, and you're off! No waiting on late limo drivers or for a Mears bus to fill, no extra stops, just get in and go!

The only time I'd use Mears is if I had enough people to justify the cost of a private van. If you have 5 people or more it can be cost effective (I think), and since it's a private van you don't have to make any other stops.

 

[PennyW]

We just got back on Saturday from a quickie trip. We used FL Tours, and they were excellent. They were on time, courteous, and offer a grocery stop on the way to the resort. The cost was $99 RT, including the stop.

 

[Sunstar]

Sunstar:

That's not encouraging news. I just called Expedia and I cannot cancel my Mears Roundtrip Shuttle to and from the Orlando Airport to our hotel. In hindsight, even for a few more $, I would rather take the taxi

Oh well, I'll report my experience with Mears when we're done with our trip.

We used to use Mears for that too and missed our flight once because they were late. I've heard many other stories about them that aren't good.

 

[Sunstar]

I know that ME is opperated by Mears. I'm asking about getting from my hotel to Universal. ME doesn't cover that.

 

[pugdog]

Magical EXpress ---------Mears operated!!!

Mears drivers doing things the way the WDW has told them. Following WDW rules not Mears rules.

 

[Sunstar]

Has anyone used Sunray? How are they for going from hotel to IOA?

 

[allonte]

we're taking MCO Express (recommended by our hotel). It's alot cheaper than Mears! We'lll see how they work. Anyone ever taken them?

 

[Mrs. Potts]

Mears....never again. We had a similar experience to the poster up-thread on our trip in 2002. No busses or vans to the Polynesian to be found. We waited an hour and a half and I finally went up to the desk to complain. They said the next bus will take you. Once it came we dragged our bags to the line. When we got up to the driver he looked at our tickets and said "I'm not taking you!". Then proceeded to argue with another staff person about us! I threw a fit about being jerked around. The volume of my voice increased so much I think it scared them or something! Miraculously, the next van was going to the Polynesian. Now how about that? Put the out of control lady and her family on the next van no matter where it's going! After that I said NEVER AGAIN! We used Florida Tours for our Thanksgiving trip two years ago. Yes, they are much more expensive, but they know what good customer service is. Our flight was delayed and yet they still had a driver waiting for us when we go there. Unless someone can convince me otherwise, we'll go with them again. I'm having a hard time believeing ME isn't Mears in disguise. Color me sceptical!

 

[Andrew Bichard]

My wife and I have had bad service from Mears on occasion.

We have also had a limo company arrive very late for a return trip to MCO.

We have been left stranded at a supermarket by a wheelchair taxi that didn't show up for nearly two hours.

At one time or another I have read complaints on this board of just about everyone providing a transport service.

I truly don't believe any form of transfer is better or worse than any other. I just give myself plenty of time and sit and enjoy the sun!

Andrew

 

[seashoreCM]

(D)ME has the Disney name on it. Mears does not.

If DME fails a guest, the Disney name is tarnished.

If a guest is dissatisfied with the Mickey ice cream bar or the French fries served in the park, Disney will get the complaint even though these items were made by some other company although not conspicuously named so.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm