Debating Mears bus vs Uber for trip from MCO to Beach Club...

[zdad59]

Just two of us. Mama & Papa in our mid 60s. Mears is certainly cheaper for a party of 2 but is a ride with multiple passengers and making multiple stops. An Uber is direct to our hotel and private. Luggage isn't an issue, just one bag each.

Is it worth the extra few bucks to grab an Uber and just go directly to our hotel ? Or should we enjoy the bus ride and entertainment and save a few $$.

TIA

 

[Lewisc]

What airline? SW pax have to collect their luggage, go back up to level 3, schlep to the opposite corner of the terminal then down to level.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Just two of us. Mama & Papa in our mid 60s. Mears is certainly cheaper for a party of 2 but is a ride with multiple passengers and making multiple stops. An Uber is direct to our hotel and private. Luggage isn't an issue, just one bag each.

Is it worth the extra few bucks to grab an Uber and just go directly to our hotel ? Or should we enjoy the bus ride and entertainment and save a few $$.

TIA

We've taken the Mears bus to the Beach Club many times. And we are often the only ones going to the Beach Club. The Beach Club is often the last stop. But it's cheaper than an Uber.

 

[pooch]

What airline? SW pax have to collect their luggage, go back up to level 3, schlep to the opposite corner of the terminal then down to level.

Helps get you in shape for the parks!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Personal taste but Mears wins out for us every time for our party if 2. Cannot justify the extra cost.

 

[zdad59]

What airline? SW pax have to collect their luggage, go back up to level 3, schlep to the opposite corner of the terminal then down to level.

Southwest. Is the "schleping" to Mears or the Rideshare area ?

 

[gottalovepluto]

How much is that 2 hours worth to you? I was not a happy camper, my total Mears experience was about 2.5 hours (on the long side, we had 6 stops and I waited almost 20 mins before even boarding). I was miffed at the time lost. I knew going in it was possible but experiencing it was different for some reason. Decided I only have so much vacay & going forward I’ll spend the extra $30 every time. For a party of 2 I wouldn’t even question spending for the rideshare unless the budget constraint was important.

 

[honeymo78]

Southwest. Is the "schleping" to Mears or the Rideshare area ?

It's to Mears. Rideshare picks up right outside the luggage carousels.

 

[snowmanlover]

Definitely worth taking an Uber!

 

[zdad59]

Thanks all. I think we'll follow the following...

• Not book anything pre travel (btw...we head down this Friday 9/12)
• When we arrive, I'll look at the Uber offerings. If they're not in surge pricing, we'll pay the extra $20-$25 and Uber.
• If the Uber prices are unreasonable, we'll walk to Mears and jump on the next available bus.

We keep all our options open. The new post that talks about the extra time in transit being worth the extra few bucks makes sense. Mears is there if the prices look out of hand.

Thanks again !!!

 

[Lewisc]

Also check Lyft. If you don't have the app installed wait until a few days before your trip. Lyft frequently offers new user discounts.

 

[Headless]

My last experience with Mears.... While not the worst... kind of was my nail in the coffin. While the monetary price isn't bad you pay with time (how I feel)

on arrival we got in fairly early (7-8am) and they didn't stick us on a bus but in a van. what they did do though was wait to fill it which lead to us waiting a good 45 minutes before even leaving. luckily we were the first stop as past trips we are the last/second to last.

On departure the driver was fantastic. she was early to pick us up and we were early to the stop (how it should be. you get a scheduled time be there early to be polite to everyone else involved) so were the next 3 families but of course the last stop ran pretty late coming out and then struggled to get loaded. While I was sure we would be fine it just.... irritated me knowing we still had to get through all of the travel home (which is the worst part of the trip) and it was just being made worse.

I think for me It's boiling down to wanting more control personally. I just wish there were better options as Uber/Lyft can be great and can be not so good and I can't justify the cost of a car service for just two of us. Mears just.... well it just annoys me now.

I think my next trip I'll try doing it the way you are - try ride share and if it's abysmal walk down and get on a bus because they always seem to be willing to take on other passengers.

 

[Miffy]

Thanks all. I think we'll follow the following...

• Not book anything pre travel (btw...we head down this Friday 9/12)
• When we arrive, I'll look at the Uber offerings. If they're not in surge pricing, we'll pay the extra $20-$25 and Uber.
• If the Uber prices are unreasonable, we'll walk to Mears and jump on the next available bus.

We keep all our options open. The new post that talks about the extra time in transit being worth the extra few bucks makes sense. Mears is there if the prices look out of hand.

Thanks again !!!

This is pretty much what I do--check out Uber/Lyft prices, then decide. Sometimes the rideshare price is so high (in the $50 to $70 range) that I absolutely won't do it. I'm by myself, though, so the price difference can be large.

I've had good and not-so-good-but-fixed-in-the-end experiences with Mears so I can't unconditionally recommend them but usually they're pretty good, the drivers know where they're going (yes, I've had rideshare drivers get lost), and when I get in so late that I wouldn't be doing anything but going to my resort anyway, Mears wins out. But I have never had the entire thing take 2.5 hours. If so, I'd probably have a different opinion.

 

[easyas123]

Is it worth the extra few bucks to grab an Uber and just go directly to our hotel ?

Yes!

 

[Lumpy1106]

Have you ruled out just getting a rental car?
We were a party of 4 and doing a split stay on our last trip. Cost was roughly the same, but the car gave us flexibility to get groceries and move our stuff. We also were able to go off property to Friendlys for Ice Cream one night - way cheaper than anything on property. Renting the car for us was totally worth it. YMMV...

 

[jimmymc]

I will take Mears from MCO to Disney if I don't have any plans on check in day. Otherwise, I take an Uber.

I also always take an Uber back to the airport.