ME vs. Mears vs. Taxi from park to airport

[vfalkner]

We have a weird situation for our upcomig trip where after our 4 days in Disney, my kids and I are heading out to the beach area to meet my parents and my husband is flying out.

We have a rental car for me and the kids and at the end of our last day in the park, we will drive out to the shore, but we have decided to allow us to stay later and my husband will find his own way back to the airport that night. So now we need to decide how he should do that...

1. ME - this is a nice free option - but will required him to leave the park (Hollywood Studios) 4 hours before his flight as ME wants to pick him up at the hotel 3 hours before

2. Taxi from the park straight to the airport (since we have a car we can put his bags in the car in the parking lot.) This would allow for more time at the park - but is more money

3. Mears Shuttle - does anyone know if they will pick up at a park and go to the airport or do you have to be at the hotel? How much before the flight will they require a pick up? I can't find any information on their web site about this.

So does anyone have an opinion on this choice?

Thanks in advance...

 

[DVC California]

IMO, DH should use your resorts RAC to check his bags and get his boarding pass before you head to the DHS. This way no one has to transfer bags back and forth, no matter what mode of transportation you choose.

I also think that DME is as good as any way to get to the airport and the price is right. I would leave 3-4 hours early in any case as you never know how the TSA lines are running.

I'm not positive but I believe both taxis and Mears can pick up at the DHS "non"-Disney bus stop area.

 

[TaraPA]

I've done all 3, sort of!

I've taken a cab from MK (TTC) right to the airport to gain more time, it was $65 one way. I only travel with a carry-on, and stowed it in a locker at MK for the day. I already had my boarding pass so I knew I was just heading to security & then off to the gate.

I've also used the Mears shuttle, but from a hotel (Swan/Dolphin - that doesn't participate in ME). I don't know that they will pick up at a park, but I can tell you they will pick you up just as early as ME. Mears is a shared shuttle, and stopped at 4 other hotels prior to heading out to MCO, so it took awhile. I think it's around $22 one way.

I've just left a park early & been back at the resort to catch ME. It's frustrating to have to be there so early, but it is what it is. It's free & convenient is the way you want to go, then this is it!

Is there a later flight DH could switch to, to gain more park time?

 

[vfalkner]

Thanks for the info. I think we will stick with DME. Free is good, right?!

DH's flight is already late so he will have until about 4:30. We are planning for Hollywood Studios that day which hopefully we can do in less time anyway. But at this point the kids want to stay for Fantasmic which is what causes all our problems!

Thanks again.