You won't spend hours on the Mears shuttle (most runs are less than an hour from MCO to the last hotel on the circuit), but it's usually not direct, unless you just happen to be staying at the first hotel on the circuit. Mears is okay for what it is, but if you have 3 or more people, a towncar is the same price, way quicker, and far better service.
My personal choice is to always rent a car for the duration of my trip. Yup, that costs more than a towncar service, but has advantages of it own.
Pros of renting a car:
* I go where I want, when I want, and never have to wait for a Disney bus.
* I ALWAYS get a seat - I never stand up on an overcrowded bus full of sweaty, smelly, cranky folks who have spent all day touring the parks in the Florida heat
* I can go from my resort to any other resort for a meal, direct, any time of day or night, without agonizing over Disney transportation options
* I can go off-site for shopping, dining, and my obligatory visit to the Universal parks
* I can make a grocery stop (or 2 or 3 if I choose) on the way from the airport anyplace I want with no time limit
* I don't have to tip the driver, since he's me
* No chance of luggage getting lost or mistreated, since the luggage handler is also me
* I can crank the A/C as high as I want - or simply open the windows if I choose
* I can change the radio station any time I want
Cons of renting a car:
* Costs more than DME, Mears, towncar, or taxi (unless you factor in multiple trips like resort-to-resort or a Universal trip)
* Parking lots are not as close to the gates as the bus stops
* No booze on PI nights (cause my Mom didn't raise no dummies, except for my brother, but that's a different story...)
* I can't sleep on the way back to the hotel at night (the car radio keeps waking me up)
* Can't pawn off the driving on somebody else, it's all me ("Ya mean ya gotta use your hands?! That's like a baby toy!")
* Two words: GET LOST
Conclusion:
I rent. To me the pros outweigh the cons, whether I'm staying on-site or off-site.
