Mears Connect Experience

[Disneyhanna]

So I wonder what all the people who used to be lined up for DME are doing....and if there is any problem finding Uber/Lyft rides and if those ride share prices have increased as a result of no DME,,,

I think rideshare drivers are very plentiful. We found our fares on our recent trip to be comparable or cheaper than they were in 2015-2019. All drivers reached us very quickly and I remember often waiting 10+ minutes in past trips. Our trips between Pop and Universal were only $17 (on a school holiday!), which is way cheaper than I used to pay! I know that earlier in the pandemic during the driver shortages it was a different story, but I think all is back to normal in terms of the "supply" of drivers, from our experience at least.

 

[seashoreCM]

There is not enough data yet on Mears Connect to give a good idea on its performance. If you extrapolate what Mears Connect will do using Magical Express or Mears' regular non-Disney shuttle, there were problems with people having to run for their planes. You cannot pick people up 3 hours before their flights and make six or seven stops and get to the airport 2 hours in advance of flight time.

About all those folks who used to take DME? Many are not taking anything because they are not at Disney. The fact Disney still requires theme park advance reservations means there are still limits on attendance for social distancing or whatever.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Please report back how your return trip to the airport is with Mears Connect. I was planning on using this service for our quick trip in April, but my TA told me she is currently not advising her clients to use Mears Connect because of the negative reviews. I'm not sure what to do now. We are also staying at POP, which is why I am interested in your experience.

Thanks!

Unfortunately I won’t be able to help you with this as we’ve booked with Sunshine Flyer for our return trip to the airport. SF is a new service that just starts today. I will be sharing that experience in another thread though.

I will say from our one experience taking Meats from MCO to Pop, I would not hesitate to use them again.

 

[Evita_W]

Please report back how your return trip to the airport is with Mears Connect. I was planning on using this service for our quick trip in April, but my TA told me she is currently not advising her clients to use Mears Connect because of the negative reviews. I'm not sure what to do now. We are also staying at POP, which is why I am interested in your experience.

Thanks!

Sunshine Flyer is an alternative service.

 

[Evita_W]

About all those folks who used to take DME? Many are not taking anything because they are not at Disney. The fact Disney still requires theme park advance reservations means there are still limits on attendance for social distancing or whatever.

Disney was already trying to get to requiring reservations before the pandemic, the pandemic just gave them the excuse to push it faster. I seriously think reservations are here to stay on some form or another, I don't think it is an indication of limits on attendance or social distancing.

 

[AaronB]

I used MearsConnect from Bay Lake Tower to the airport on my last trip in early January, and did not have an issue with booking and did not have a problem getting to the airport.

However, I will say I overheard the radio chatter while on the shuttle and it sounded crazy. A whole bunch of people not showing up, and the dispatcher pleading with drivers to update their devices with passengers. In my case, I got on a shuttle about 20 minutes ahead of time because one just happened to be there, but the driver did not scan, nor even look at my confirmation. He said something to their dispatcher, but I have no clue how they would have figured out I was already on my way. So, I'm sure a little bit later another driver reported me as a no show. I'll probably use it again for a trip in early April, so will be interesting to see if they modify how it is actually run.

 

[disny_luvr]

Sunshine Flyer is an alternative service.

We only land at 11:00pm and our flight leaves at 9:00am, so I’m assuming a 6:00am pickup. I don’t think Sunshine Flier runs late late/early or I’d use them. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[jmparry]

My mom and I took Mears Connect from MCO to Pop Century on Thursday, 1/27. Checked in to Mears at 1:35pm, on bus at 1:39pm, departed 1:43pm, arrived Pop Century at 2:12pm. We were the first stop, and the bus was heading to All Star Music afterwards. Our driver, Santiago Mendez, was awesome! He played a Tom & Jerry video, serenaded us, and gave a countdown as we approached the Disney gates. I highly recommend Mears Connect!

 

[Kimrlav]

As a solo guest, I took Mears Connect for a recent stay at the Boardwalk Resort. At the airport, it was an easy check in process with the QR code on my phone, waited in a line to board bus for about 15 minutes and waited on the bus another 15 minutes before departure. The Boardwalk was the third resort stop - the route was Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, Boardwalk, and then onto the Yacht/Beach club resort. From landing at 8:45 am with only carry-on luggage, arrived at the resort at 10 am.

Return trip to MCO - I was a standard fare, but there was an express group at the Boardwalk for the same time/day. The party did not show up, so had a private shuttle back to MCO on the return trip and was dropped off at the main level for JetBlue. It was Saturday of the 2022 Blizzard in New England, so most flights were canceled, as was my flight - which I knew prior to the trip, but decided to stay overnight at the Hyatt MCO, instead of another night at Disney. The Hyatt MCO was cheaper and I wanted to be at the airport to have flexibility with alternative flights, but thankfully I was fortunate that my flight on Sunday afternoon to Providence, RI was not canceled.

Overall, as a solo guest, the price is affordable and professional, but it did lack something for me. I cannot put my finger on it, but Magical Express added a little something to start the vacation.

In consideration of the cost, traveling with a family or even as a couple, I would look into a car service.

 

[The Mayor]

This thread is definitely very helpful. I have one question I can’t find on the Mears site. Car seats for children? We are heading down in October with our children and four grandchildren ages, 5, 3 1/2, 3 1/2 and 2. Not using a van or car service so we don’t have to haul 4 car seats along with all the luggage. I’m assuming they aren’t required as with other bus transportation.

EDITED: Found the answer in the FAQ section. Not required.

 

[seashoreCM]

I am not sure whether a lot of frantic chatter about no-shows is meaningful or useful. Unless there are other guests who missed their bus or are walk up customers in which case a count of empty seats back to the airport would be significant.

Normally if a guest was a no-show then the company would just pocket the fare paid with the reservation. If a guest got on an earlier bus or is offered and accepts a later bus then everyone is even; Mears got one fare and the guest got one ride.

If the shuttle waits for guests who are late getting to the platform then the schedule gets all messed up like it did with Magical Express, and other guests get anxious about getting to the airport on time. Frantic talk on the radio doesn't accomplish anything.

 

[LarryBoy]

We used Mears Connect this past weekend and returned yesterday and had absolutely no problems at all. My only complaint is how far you have to walk if you have to pick up your luggage on A concourse, we flew Southwest, and then go back up and across to B concourse, then down three floors to the lowest level, and walk what seemed like a really long way past all the rental car agencies to the end of the concourse. That being said, I think it's in the same location as MDE but you have to get your own luggage. You might consider a cart if you have multiple bags.

As for the trip to WDW and back everything was great! We checked in on Friday 1/28 at 1:11 and were on a bus by 1:14 and it was leaving the airport by 1:19. We had one stop, Art of Animation at 1:49, and were at Pop by 1:55.

On our return day, Tuesday 2/1, we had a pick of time of 4:05 and the driver was a few minutes early. He made one stop at Coronado and we were at the airport by around 5:00. The drivers both ways were very friendly and both busses were around 1/3 full or less, each party had plenty of room to separate.

 

[Gitelfor]

With the reported loads being very light for Mears Connect, especially when compared to the almost always full loads that DME had, I wonder how much longer Mears will be able to operate the service under the current system.

I don’t believe that the potential demand is the problem, but rather the cost for families/groups of 3 or 4+ people who can book other means of more private and direct transportation, at a similar or lower cost.

Perhaps Mears needs to be more competitive by adjusting their pricing structure and offering discounts for larger groups traveling together.

With the current cost for the Express service clearly being higher than other options, how much longer will that option be offered? The reports of Standard service customers boarding at the same time as Express customers to/from the same resort seems an indication of lighter demand.

There has been a vague message that Mears was looking into being able to offer a similar service to the bag transfer service included several years ago by DME. I can see that being a draw, depending on the additional cost.

The current pricing notes that posted rates are introductory.

Realizing that Mears Connect is relatively new, there are bound to be some adjustments.

 

[Ross Kratter]

With the reported loads being very light for Mears Connect, especially when compared to the almost always full loads that DME had, I wonder how much longer Mears will be able to operate the service under the current system.

I don’t believe that the potential demand is the problem, but rather the cost for families/groups of 3 or 4+ people who can book other means of more private and direct transportation, at a similar or lower cost.

Perhaps Mears needs to be more competitive by adjusting their pricing structure and offering discounts for larger groups traveling together.

With the current cost for the Express service clearly being higher than other options, how much longer will that option be offered? The reports of Standard service customers boarding at the same time as Express customers to/from the same resort seems an indication of lighter demand.

There has been a vague message that Mears was looking into being able to offer a similar service to the bag transfer service included several years ago by DME. I can see that being a draw, depending on the additional cost.

The current pricing notes that posted rates are introductory.

Realizing that Mears Connect is relatively new, there are bound to be some adjustments.

I think once the Sunshine Flyer was announced, coupled with all of the poor reviews that Mears Connect had when they launched, they lost a lot of their customers.

 

[Allison]

The fact Disney still requires theme park advance reservations means there are still limits on attendance for social distancing or whatever.

It doesn't really mean that. It means Disney wants to know where guests plan to be on any given day.

 

[AndreaDM]

With the reported loads being very light for Mears Connect, especially when compared to the almost always full loads that DME had, I wonder how much longer Mears will be able to operate the service under the current system.

I don’t believe that the potential demand is the problem, but rather the cost for families/groups of 3 or 4+ people who can book other means of more private and direct transportation, at a similar or lower cost.

Perhaps Mears needs to be more competitive by adjusting their pricing structure and offering discounts for larger groups traveling together.

With the current cost for the Express service clearly being higher than other options, how much longer will that option be offered? The reports of Standard service customers boarding at the same time as Express customers to/from the same resort seems an indication of lighter demand.

There has been a vague message that Mears was looking into being able to offer a similar service to the bag transfer service included several years ago by DME. I can see that being a draw, depending on the additional cost.

The current pricing notes that posted rates are introductory.

Realizing that Mears Connect is relatively new, there are bound to be some adjustments.

The ONLY reason we're using Mears is because we're taking our 2 granddaughters who still need car seats so that rules out Uber. But if I wasn't traveling with small kids, no way would I be paying for their service.

 

[Lewisc]

Perhaps Mears needs to be more competitive by adjusting their pricing structure and offering discounts for larger groups traveling together.

Private transfers are generally less expensive then shared shuttle for 4 pax and close enough for 3. True for almost any destination.

Mears needs to switch to smaller mini buses and operate out of both sides of the terminal. Schelping luggage across the airport, coming and going is.a pita.

Free produced volume which allowed for frequent service with a few number of stops. Large buses will wind up making us wait 30 minutes or more OR taking an hour tour around WDW dropping off pax. Mears can't continue operating with that many empty seats on the buses.

How many people would be willing to pay $10 per bag for pick up and delivery to your resort.

 

[scrappinginontario]

There has been a vague message that Mears was looking into being able to offer a similar service to the bag transfer service included several years ago by DME. I can see that being a draw, depending on the additional cost.

We’re here this week snd for the first time in a long time we transferred our own baggage. I have to say, I’m not sure I’ll go back to someone else transferring for me.

Pickup at the airport was easy and having our luggage when we checked in was great! Our room was ready soon after we arrived and within 30 mins we were unpacked and on our way to the MK. An added bonus was it was easier to pack before our trip, not needing to carry our arrival day park things with us in our carry-on luggage.

I can’t express how nice it was to return to the room knowing not only was our luggage already there but that we were unpacked and we could easily get ready for bed and pack our park day for the next day.

For us, I’m pretty sure we’ve changed and will now choose to pick up our luggage at the airport.

When DME first started their luggage delivery was fast (sometimes it arrived in my room before I did) but later it seemed I was waiting, calling and chasing down my luggage. Happy this change was ‘forced’ on me as it’s one I would not have tried voluntarily and now I like it.

 

[Gitelfor]

Private transfers are generally less expensive then shared shuttle for 4 pax and close enough for 3. True for almost any destination.

Mears needs to switch to smaller mini buses and operate out of both sides of the terminal. Schelping luggage across the airport, coming and going is.a pita.

While DME was still fully operating, but we had a split stay with the initial resort not Disney-owned, a Mears shared shuttle was booked. With a tip, the cost was in the low *$30s, one-way, per person. That compares to the current $16 + tip for Mears Connect.

One time, a Mears taxi was substituted for the shared shuttle van booked for my party, as there were no others headed in our direction, at the time, besides the one other person sharing our taxi.

If the current loads continue for the Mears Connect service, it can’t continue, under the current conditions.

ETA *Typo - s/b low $20s, one-way, per person, with tip

 

[Narcoossee11]

Sounds like Mears connect is pretty similar to DME on timing/service, but will cost me an extra $125 or so (for four adults). Wonder if there isn't a better/quicker option for roughly the same price (or even a bit more)?

DME and MEARS should be the same since Disney had very little to do with dme. TOTALLY run by Mears.
The catch as you mentioned, it now cost money that guest have to fork over.