is MEARS a nightmare?

[I wish I were at Disney World]

what's the best way for ONE ADULT to get from airport to All Star Movies.

Tiffany Town Car doesn't make sense for one person because it's $85 round trip. Mears is only $28. But last time I took Mears we had to go to 9 million hotels before we got to ours and they actually dropped somebody off at the wrong hotel!

 

[atigeg]

With one person, it's a hard call. Hubby and I always used Mears before we learned about towncars, and we figured that stopping at multiple hotels and being herded into a van like stockyard cattle was the norm. Back then, Transtar also ran vans to WDW from the airport, and they lured us away from Mears on one trip by telling us they had a van that was stopping at our hotel first...bliss!! But now we've learned about towncars and use Happy Limo, and we are so spoiled that I don't think we could ever go back to shuttles. Even tho' it's a little more for two people, the difference is not as great as for one and it's definitely worth the convenience. Maybe you will luck out and your hotel will be first (someone's has to be!).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Chance's Mom]

In a word--YES!

Mears is a nightmare! I will never use it again, once was quite enough!

 

[Jeanny]

We're booked with Yourride for November... we have 2 but it's worth the extra few $$. We'll go directly to our hotel and won't be herded in a cattlevan.

You may want to price out a taxi, I'm not sure how much it be vs. Mears, but to not have the aggrevation of going to 9 million other hotels may be worth it.

 

[msdis]

We have used Mears many times and it's never been that bad. Usually it's a van that holds about 9 people so it depends on how many in each party. We usually end up with 2 other parties and it's never really been that bad. I look at it this way, if I was running that business what would I do and keep the cost down.......probably not much different. When you figure that they go ANYWHERE and you have 15 parties standing there, they are not all going to stay on WDW property. In fact often times most of them are not. With a bazillion resorts, motels, hotels, and flea bag inns, from many different cities in the Orlando area what do you expect. The drivers are very quick and do their job efficiently; albeit, most of them are quiet.

 

[I wish I were at Disney World]

I think Mears is a bad idea in this case

 

[Carl]

For ONE person I'd definitely take Mears. The towncars just aren't worth the extra cost for one. Now, with 2 or more I'd seriously consider a towncar. I've gone with Mears every time I've come to WDW (8 times) and never really been unhappy. As has already been said, the vans are best. If you get put on a bus, it may take a while.

 

[ASFCurly]

I am taking a solo trip May 2003, I wouldn't even consider using anything but Mears, it seems silly to pay that much extra money, two people maybe, but not for one. I suppose that if I just had the money, and didn't have to worry about saving I might, but I took Mears on my last trip and thought it was kind of cool, there were other people, but it wasn't extremely crowded or anything, we only went to one other resort (even if it had been more it would have been fine) and it was nice seeing what the other resorts were like, without having to get there myself.

 

[fan_of_wdw]

With all three trips we have used Mears, and have been satisfied. Each trip from the airport to resort was on a large bus, and each bus was only scheduled for about 4 resorts. And the driver was always entertaining (you would have though he was a CM).

On returns to the airport, it has always been a van, and the van only picked up from the one resort we were at with only two other families at the most.

Very reasonable, both money-wise and time-wise. The only difference in experience from other posters that I can explain is that we generaly travel in the off-season, October and March.

 

[Carrieberry]

We have taken Mears once. Did we hate it? Yes. Would we take it again NEVER..UNLESS>>> There was just one of us. Everything else would be a rip off for just one person. I wouldn't hesitate if I was the only one traveling. I just don't think it's wise to take a taxi when you can pay Mears. Yes, you have to stop at other hotels, but then again, is that really worth paying an extra $50 to get out of? IMHO no. I would take Mears.

 

[Darian]

Having explored the dubious "joys" of the Mears Shuttle in a previous thread, I'd have to agree it was a "nightmare" of sorts.

On our Mears trip, my mildly claustrophobic DW was quite troubled by having the van so totally packed with people. Maybe being in the very back seat made things seem a bit worse than they were. I'm not claustrophobic at all, but even so - between the heat, the smells, and so many people packed inside, it was beginning to get to me as well. The endless stops... that was wretched.

But to be honest, the Mears experience really does vary - as several posters have pointed out. The van isn't always full, it sometimes leaves after only a short wait at the airport, and there are reports the Mears employess can actually be pleasant. <grin>

I'll most likely burn in Hell for saying this, but for just one traveler, Mears is <gulp> <choke> probably your best bet. Just kidding, its not that bad. Take Mears, you'll be fine. Really.

 

[Geri]

At least Mears is reliable. I have tried to use Yourride three times. The first 2 times were great! The third time they never showed up(& they never responded to my e-mail or personal message on this board). I've used Mears 3 times & they have always showed up on time. Cost & reliabilty far out way the unreliable convenience of a towncar.

Geri

 

[Luv2Roam]

We have used Mears once RT and once one way. They weren't a nightmare, but just really anything to brag about. They got us there and back at their convenience and time. The main point is we got there and back, period. That alone made us happy.
I would use them again if I had/needed to.

 

[Pumbaa_]

i only use a Towncar service. I can't stand Mears, won't do it. I have used a towncar for 1. Was it more than Mears? Yup. Was it worth it, absolutley!

I look at it this way. It is the start of my vacation and how do I want to begin?
As a sardine taking a forced site-seeing excursion?
OR
In a Towncar, getting personalized service, quick, hassle-free transportation, a grocery store stop to stock up on water, fresh fruit, etc?

Hmmmm, hard choice! For what the whole vacation costs, $50 or so for the luxury of first class treatment doesn't seem so bad.

Just MHO. Everyone has different priorities, I will gladly forgo an extra t-shirt or 2 for the towncar. Good luck on your decision!

 

[Darian]

Originally posted by Pumbaa_

I look at it this way. It is the start of my vacation and how do I want to begin?
As a sardine taking a forced site-seeing excursion?
OR
In a Towncar, getting personalized service, quick, hassle-free transportation, a grocery store stop to stock up on water, fresh fruit, etc?

Ahhhh Pumbaa_ you know how to live! We booked Yourride today for the limo to AKL. The extra cost is nothing compared with what we are already spending for 4 nights at AKL Concierge and 4 more at YC Concierge. As you pointed out, why start a WDW luxury vacation with something like Will Smith's odorous cab ride in the opening credits of "The Prince of Bel Air?"

If you're in the World between Oct 17th and the 25th meet me and my DW in Epcot and lets toast to the good life!

Darian

 

[atigeg]

Pumbaa, I agree completely!! We do a towncar rather than a limo, but it is sooooo much better than Mears. Some things are worth the extra cost I think that's especially true after spending 2-3 hours cooped up like a saradine in an airplane, then running with the cattle herd to pick up our luggage. I really like it when we fly in late too (we always fly out the night before our Disney cruises)...no worries, even if the plane is late.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[dansyr]

Maybe we just lucked out, but Mears has always been good to us. Last time there was a bus available as soon as we picked up our luggage and it only went to our resort. Hope we have such good luck this time. We also used Mears to get to Universal and back. No problems there either.

 

[DaveH]

All the times I have used Mears I have not had a bus from the airport. To the airport yes. Ok I went to WDW on a tight budget solo many times. Mears was best because I would have to drop something else from my vacation to use a towncar. Several things:

1. I knew when I used Mears I would be in a crowded van and a crowded bus.

2. I knew it would take longer in each direction.

3. I knew the cost will be 1/3 the cost of a towncar for one person.

So knowing that the van will most likely be full and a full bus back. I will be picked up earlier with Mears than a towncar. For the money on a tight budget that was a no brainer. I have another suggestion, depending on the length of your stay you may rent a car for the same or less than a towncar. You then have other options while at WDW. Just make your decision with the knowledge of how it is. I had one time that Mears seemed real bad going to WDW. I was the last out and was the 5th hotel hit. Most of the time it is a total of 3 or 4 hotels/resorts hit. They have tried when I used them to put folks with resorts near each other. Like the All Stars, DXL and PO kind of thing.

 

[rlt431]

Ok--we leave Sat. with a 2 1/2 year old. Now I'm really stressed. How much is the towncar and how do I book???? What is it roundtrip? Help????? We've used Mears before but not since my son was with us.

 

[Darian]

Hi RLT431,

Don't worry, as DaveH pointed out, Mears is a pretty known quantity. You know what you are getting for the $$$, just be prepared to make lots of "mooing" sounds.

For Mears, you will have to buy TWO adult round trip tickets. If they are already included in your package, then you may still want to go with a towncar or limo, but thats going to be money down the drain. I don't know what the Mears policy is regarding children, but you may have to purchase a ticket for the child as well.

When you go by towncar, its not a per person thing, you get the car for the round trip price PLUS tip. Yourride lets you have that helpful grocery store stop. Some people have gone to fast food or the disney discount store. I don't know if I'd do that personally, but hey, whatever floats your boat.

Here are some costs from Yourride's web site for a Towncar Round Trip from Orlando International Airport:

(I'm not sure which resort you are going to so I listed a few of the options here.)

$85 to Magic Kingdom Resorts
$80 to All other Disney Resorts
$70 to Lake Buena Vista
$70 to Universal Studios

Be sure to goto their web site www.yourride.net and print the discount coupon to get $5 off the cost of your trip. As far as tip goes, I'd recommend tipping on each leg of your trip in case you get a different driver. As many posters have said, $10 is a good tip each way. (1/2 of the total cost=$40, based on $40 a $10 tip would be 25%)

Hope this helps!

Darian