Instead of Mears?

[nicanna]

I was wondering what transportation to and from the airport people have used instead of Mears. On our last trip it was a pain to drop off so many other people. Is there a company you recommend that will just take our family to the Poly?

 

[seashoreCM]

For four or more people just about anything is better than the Mears shuttle. A lot of folks like Your Ride (I haven't used them, preferring to rent a car for off site activities).

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

 

[inkkognito]

We used to use Mears until we found out about towncars. Now we stick with Happy Limo. A towncar is so much more prompt and convenient!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Luv2Roam]

We have used Mears RT, and one way.
We have had a rental car (EA) with a drop off CCC.
We have used YourRide (Jim) three times.
YourRide has always been the best. Maybe the most expensive of the three, $:time. But has always been a stress reliever and perk for us.

 

[goofy4tink]

Fl Tours is supposed to be good. We have used Tiffany Towncar in the past and have booked them for our trip in Aug.

 

[jaysue]

FL Tours was very good - top notch service and top drawer car

For the price difference unless I was really budget bound, I would not even consider Mears

Thanks
jaysue

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

We used Tiffany town car, in 2001, and are planning to use them again in October. The grocery stop is great for snacks, and bottled water.

 

[katypop]

i just got back and used Tiffany for the 2nd time. excellent service both trips, they were at the airport waiting to help with the luggage before i was and both return trips to the airport they arrived at my resort a few minutes early. i requested a grocery stop both times when making the ressie and the drivers were very courteous telling me to take my time. haven't used any other company so can't compare but i would highly recommend Tiffany.
katypop

 

[Krissalee]

I used to use Mears, but now, I will only use a towncar. The expense is just a bit more than the shuttle, but you are dropped off at your hotel a lot more quickly. I have spent an hour and a half on the Mears shuttle with all the drop-offs, versus a 30 minute ride in a towncar.

I used Tiffany Towncar in December, and the service was great, but to tell the truth, our drivers (to and from the airport) were a little creapy. But that is just my opinion. Our next trip in October, I have booked FL Tours. I have read great reviews of their service, plus they sponser this board. I really want to support the sponsers of the DIS!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Krissalee -- Hit right on the head.
Mears isn't all that cheap, esp considering the type of service travelers get. I think they should be cheaper than they are.
They really are just a bus service to and from WDW. Other than being at the airport, they are not not convenient.
* They aren't very friendly or helpful, from our experiences. You are lucky to get a smile from anyone and correct instructions.
* Mears tells guests when they will pick them up. (A town car service will advise, but you have the final say.)
* No stops with Mears, except where you don't want to stop. (With YourRide I get a free 1/2 hr stop at an outlet store of my choice. That's worth a lot in taxi fare alone.)
* With Mears, you get your luggage, stand in line for tickets, drag your luggage to another floor, and plop it outside and wait. -- A towncar service meets, greets and totes your luggage direct to their vehicle and off you go.
That half hour I spend waiting for a Mears bus to show up I can spend in a Disneyfied outlet store saving bundles of $. (Or spending bundles -- not sure which is true! )
Then with Mears you don't know how many stops you will be making at various resorts. With Mears you can add on another 1/2 hour to an hour of travel time, one way alone.

I think Mears should be a lot cheaper in comparison. Heck. why don't they just run a continuous bus service, like a city does? Of course that way they wouldn't suck as much $ out of people.

 

[Beachangel]

Posted by nicanna:
Is there a company you recommend that will just take our family to the Poly?

I highly recommend FL Tours. I just tried them this weekend and they were great. Exceptional service!

 

[cpl100]

Please give your thoughts about the transportation for one person. Hubby is arriving separately from family (work considerations). Rather than drive over to the airport to fetch him, I was planning to have him take Mears to the Marriott Grande Vista.

Would appreciate all insights.

And, thanks!

 

[DaveH]

cpl100, first question is money a factor. If it is Mears may be best if not, I would consider a towncar. A towncar will be waiting where Mears he may be second or later stop. In a towncar just be him. Mears part of a group.

 

[Wenda]

This is another plug for FL tours. We used them two weeks ago and will use them from now on. We didn't use the free 30 min grocery stop this time, but did request it when we booked just in case we needed it.

The driver was right on time for both pick ups and was very accommodating when I requested an eary pick up for the airport.

For three adults the cost was less then Mears.

 

[cpl100]

Okay, about the money factor. If it was hubby and someone else (or even me alone perhaps), I'd go for the more pleasant route. If I did that for him and he found out the cost, I don't think he'd be happy.

What would be the actual cost differential for one person? Does anyone know?

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by cpl100
Okay, about the money factor. If it was hubby and someone else (or even me alone perhaps), I'd go for the more pleasant route. If I did that for him and he found out the cost, I don't think he'd be happy.

What would be the actual cost differential for one person? Does anyone know?

A town car is approximately $40-$50 plus tip one way. Tip approx $6.

Mears one way is $16 plus tip one way. Tip approx $2.

My tips are based on one person with minimal luggage.

So the difference is simple math.

 

[cpl100]

Thanks!

 

[disneyberry]

Originally posted by prncess674
A town car is approximately $40-$50 plus tip one way. Tip approx $6.

Mears one way is $16 plus tip one way. Tip approx $2.

My tips are based on one person with minimal luggage.

So the difference is simple math.

just curious, what would be the average tips for 2 people with 1 small bag per person?

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by disneyberry
just curious, what would be the average tips for 2 people with 1 small bag per person?

Mears If there were 2 persons each with a 22 inch rollaboard bag I would tip a total of $3 - $4 total to a Mears driver. They usually aren't very helpful and all they do is throw your bag on the sidewalk. I might give $5 if the driver was especially nice and had maps and gave me tips or hints about the parks.

Towncar use your judgement. Was the driver friendly and polite? Did he bring your bags inside the hotel? Did he make a grocery stop? If yes you now have more bags. Did he help you load your groceries? Depending on what the driver does anything from $6 to $10 each way seems adequate.

 

[Lewisc]

Agree with the tip suggestions:

Shuttle vans (Mears) $1-2 /bag seems the norm.

Town car (or cab) tip is usually 15-20%. You should tip high(er) if you take a grocery stop (particularly if the driver waits longer than 30 minutes or helps you with your groceries).

I find a rental car doesn't wind up costing much more and give me more flexibility (although PBH does charge for parking).