Mears Connect Experience

[ClaraOswald]

From what I read, it sounds like the express might be a bus sometimes or a van other times. Not sure if the van would be able to handle the ECV either.

 

[LoveToDisney]

I saw on their express form that they ask how many wheelchairs the same time you note how many bags so I’m guessing they would use one of their ADA vans if not the bus. It might be more pleasant than the ADA taxi….not sure. It’s definitely more than the taxi.

 

[Goldelpack]

The problem with private car service is my ECV. I don’t know any that have that option. So far, I’ve been taking a ADA taxi each way.

That will depend on what type you have - I use a transportable VIVE ECV that can fit in any trunk easily. I take it apart and at worst have had to put the base in the back seat if the car service has a packed trunk. Generally I use LYFT (earns skymiles for delta). If you have a non transportable ECV - you can request a wheelchair approved car from private car service - lyft has the option - probably others as well

 

[JoJoGirl]

The problem with private car service is my ECV. I don’t know any that have that option. So far, I’ve been taking a ADA taxi each way.

We are looking into taking the ADA taxi from MCO to the Polynesian. What have you found to be the best way to order it at the airport? (app, cab stand, phone call?)

 

[BillFromCT]

Took Mears last Saturday from Terminal C (JetBlue). Got to Mears checkin desk at 6:45. The driver came in at 7:00pm to escort to the bus. First stop was Gaylord Palms, then AoA. Third was Pop. Arrived at 7:42 pm.

 

[LoveToDisney]

We are looking into taking the ADA taxi from MCO to the Polynesian. What have you found to be the best way to order it at the airport? (app, cab stand, phone call?)

We just ask where the cabs are at the airport and give them a tip for the extra trouble. Do the same at the resort for the trip back.

 

[JoJoGirl]

We just ask where the cabs are at the airport and give them a tip for the extra trouble. Do the same at the resort for the trip back.

Thank you!

 

[Peaseblossom36]

Used Mears Connect from the airport to AKL on 9/7. We waited in line for about 30 minutes at the airport before getting on a bus (used to be a DCL bus). The bus went to Yacht Club, Coronado, all of the All-Stars, AOA, Kidani and then AKL (). There was no music playing but there was a safety video that played. The bus was also FILTHY, like build up on the seats of hair and dirt under the armrests, after about half the bus ride I noticed that someone had shoved used tissues between the seat and wall of the window seat where my toddler was sitting . The driver was also really aggressive, I’ve never heard someone use the horn so much. I was dreading using them back to the airport.

The return trip was GREAT. We were waiting at the pick up spot an hour early because we were just ready so why not. A bus came for pick up and the driver picked us up also. He stopped at Coronado and Yacht Club and then headed to the airport. The bus was fairly empty and he was playing a 90s hits radio station. It was also VERY clean so that was awesome.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Wow...crazy that it's seems to hit or miss!

 

[jimmymc]

Used Mears connect going to All Star Music and coming back from Polynesian. Getting to ASM was great. I was one of the final people on the bus, it was big and comfortable, and even though I was one of the later stops, it didn't take that long.

Going from the Poly back to the airport was completely different. I was picked up in a tiny van that made 4 more stops around property. There wasn't nearly enough legroom, it was hot, and the van smelled like dirt. It took about 2 hours to reach the airport. I also didn't get any sort of call or alert when I was at the resort, and didn't think to look for a small van.

If Mears only ran the larger busses, I would probably use it every time, but I'd rather get an Uber than use their smaller shared vans.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Used Mears connect going to All Star Music and coming back from Polynesian. Getting to ASM was great. I was one of the final people on the bus, it was big and comfortable, and even though I was one of the later stops, it didn't take that long.

Going from the Poly back to the airport was completely different. I was picked up in a tiny van that made 4 more stops around property. There wasn't nearly enough legroom, it was hot, and the van smelled like dirt. It took about 2 hours to reach the airport. I also didn't get any sort of call or alert when I was at the resort, and didn't think to look for a small van.

If Mears only ran the larger busses, I would probably use it every time, but I'd rather get an Uber than use their smaller shared vans.

I totally understand how your experience going back to the airport would leave a very bad taste.

I had an early morning pickup at Boardwalk on Monday, and having had the small van before at that time… not enough passengers for a bus… I was not surprised to see it pull in. It was early so I’m glad I was there! I was the last pickup for a full van. It was very clean and the driver was great so I lucked out…. a quick , comfortable trip.

The problem is whether you get a van is not always predictable and I’ve definitely had the 2 hour experience where we stopped at 4 resorts before finally heading to the airport. Sorry that happened to you… not how you want to end your trip!

 

[jimmymc]

I totally understand how your experience going back to the airport would leave a very bad taste.

I had an early morning pickup at Boardwalk on Monday, and having had the small van before at that time… not enough passengers for a bus… I was not surprised to see it pull in. It was early so I’m glad I was there! I was the last pickup for a full van. It was very clean and the driver was great so I lucked out…. a quick , comfortable trip.

The problem is whether you get a van is not always predictable and I’ve definitely had the 2 hour experience where we stopped at 4 resorts before finally heading to the airport. Sorry that happened to you… not how you want to end your trip!

Yeah, it also just wasn't worth trying to rush back to the resort from the parks. This fall, I'm considering getting a rental car, otherwise I may do Mears connect on arrival but Uber on the way back.

 

[Disneyhanna]

Yeah, it also just wasn't worth trying to rush back to the resort from the parks. This fall, I'm considering getting a rental car, otherwise I may do Mears connect on arrival but Uber on the way back.

This is what I’ve done 3x (Mears on arrival, Uber back) traveling as a party of 1-2. I’ve gotten a shuttle 2/3 times and been to my resort in less than an hour of getting my bags, the third time I was on a bus and was last off but we only made two stops. I’m never in a rush to get to the resort and I prefer ubering to the airport as I prefer to be there less than two hours early since I have precheck. I’m always surprised to hear all the horror stories of the bus taking forever to get to the resort as Mears has always been so empty when I’ve been there (literally no one will even be waiting for a bus) so I suppose it’s just luck of the draw and travel season, I usually fly on less busy dates so that might help.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Used Mears connect going to All Star Music and coming back from Polynesian. Getting to ASM was great. I was one of the final people on the bus, it was big and comfortable, and even though I was one of the later stops, it didn't take that long.

Going from the Poly back to the airport was completely different. I was picked up in a tiny van that made 4 more stops around property. There wasn't nearly enough legroom, it was hot, and the van smelled like dirt. It took about 2 hours to reach the airport. I also didn't get any sort of call or alert when I was at the resort, and didn't think to look for a small van.

If Mears only ran the larger busses, I would probably use it every time, but I'd rather get an Uber than use their smaller shared vans.

Oof. If a van shows up instead of a bus, do you think it would be difficult to say "no thanks" and get an Uber last minute instead? I've never actually used Uber or any service like that. But I think I'd rather do that then potentially get stuck in a cramped bus for hours. Especially with our son who is autistic and would struggle a lot with that.

I totally understand how your experience going back to the airport would leave a very bad taste.

I had an early morning pickup at Boardwalk on Monday, and having had the small van before at that time… not enough passengers for a bus… I was not surprised to see it pull in. It was early so I’m glad I was there! I was the last pickup for a full van. It was very clean and the driver was great so I lucked out…. a quick , comfortable trip.

The problem is whether you get a van is not always predictable and I’ve definitely had the 2 hour experience where we stopped at 4 resorts before finally heading to the airport. Sorry that happened to you… not how you want to end your trip!

How early was your pickup? Our flight leaves at 12:15pm on a Friday, so I'm assuming our pickup would be 9:15. I wonder if that's busy enough that we'd get a bus?

 

[Debbie Jean]

Oof. If a van shows up instead of a bus, do you think it would be difficult to say "no thanks" and get an Uber last minute instead? I've never actually used Uber or any service like that. But I think I'd rather do that then potentially get stuck in a cramped bus for hours. Especially with our son who is autistic and would struggle a lot with that.



How early was your pickup? Our flight leaves at 12:15pm on a Friday, so I'm assuming our pickup would be 9:15. I wonder if that's busy enough that we'd get a bus?

Mears pick up scheduled for 6:45 am… van arrived 6:30 am. Flight time 10:16 am.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We had a very good experience with Mears this past trip. We traveled September 9th to 14th and stayed at POR. We arrived at the Mears location around 10:10am and the bus left the airport about 5 minutes later. We stopped at the new terminal and then went directly to POR.

Our return to the airport was good, too. The bus arrived early at POR. It went directly to the airport. This was at 12:20pm. We were the only stop for this bus.

The buses were full size and very clean. I was very pleased with the service, especially since they didn't stop at any other resorts.

 

[jimmymc]

Oof. If a van shows up instead of a bus, do you think it would be difficult to say "no thanks" and get an Uber last minute instead? I've never actually used Uber or any service like that. But I think I'd rather do that then potentially get stuck in a cramped bus for hours. Especially with our son who is autistic and would struggle a lot with that.



How early was your pickup? Our flight leaves at 12:15pm on a Friday, so I'm assuming our pickup would be 9:15. I wonder if that's busy enough that we'd get a bus?

I'm sure I could've said no thank you, but I don't think I'd get any money back either.

 

[jimmymc]

It's like they say, even God hates Creed, but not our bus driver.

Like Hank Hill once said, you aren't making Christianity better, you're just making rock worse!

 

[jimmymc]

So we booked Mears to get us to our resort, however we didn’t book a ride back to the airport. For those who have used Uber to the airport, how was your experience?

Thank you!

There are plenty of Uber and Lyft drivers around Disney at all hours. I used them to get to Animal Kingdom for a private party at 11 pm with barely any wait.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I'm sure I could've said no thank you, but I don't think I'd get any money back either.

Yeah. I'm just hoping switching to an Uber won't be an issue for us if we are in this situation in January. I wish rental cars weren't so expensive or we'd just do that.