Booking Mears ahead for airport pickup

[librarylady]

Is there any advantage to booking online ahead of arrival? thanks Gail 8 days til WDW

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Not really. Whether you book ahead or just go to the window when you get to the airport you will still have the same wait. You might get lucky and get on a bus and take off, or you might wait a long time. There is no way of knowing. Most of us on the DIS avoid Mears (especially those of us who used them....once is ENOUGH!).

 

[clkelley]

There might be an advantage now. I read a report somewhere (I think on Deb Will's site) that if you book Mears online, you print out a receipt/confirmation with a bar code.

When you arrive at the airport, there is a machine where you can scan that barcode and your tickets will print out automatically.

This will be a time savings over those that have to go to the counter to purchase tickets or exchange vouchers.

They aren't sending out the Disney $3 coupons anymore, so there is no advantage to not booking online.

It is essential to book online if you need a wheelchair accessible van, as there are only a few of them for all of Orlando, so you need to make sure they know you are coming.

Carol

 

[coasterville]

I have now had to Mears experiences. the first had I had no issues and so can't really complain about, the second though left my wringing my hands and gnashing my teeth hoping that I would get to my flight on time. (I did, but it was REAL close)

But that makes me shudder. I mean the ride to Disney where I just walked up to the counter unannounced and presented a voucher, the ride went smooth. It was the ride back to the airport where I at mears request called 24 hours in advance, discusses my airline and its departure time, and Mear's suggested and confirmed a pick up time 3 hours early. Then they fail to show.

They claim it will all be better under Magical Express as they know who is coming and where they are going. After my recent experience I have my doubts.

 

[localdriver]

Is there any advantage to booking online ahead of arrival? thanks Gail 8 days til WDW

Not unless you have special needs such as a wheel chair.

Not doing so gives you the option, if it appears busy and people are waiting you can go take a cab and be on your way. The Tickets for the shuttle are non refundable.

If your party consists of more than 2 Adults and 1 child 3-11 you will most likely save money with a cab or town car service.

 

[localdriver]

They claim it will all be better under Magical Express as they know who is coming and where they are going. After my recent experience I have my doubts.

The DME will not be anything like the current airport shuttle.
The closest comparison is the current DCL service, in operation for years. If you search this board for complaints on DCL Bus Transportation, you won't find many. DME will operate in a very similar way.

 

[CarolA]

I would think Disney is counting on critical mass and can run fairly regular shuttles back to MCO.