Mears Connect Experience

[sky13]

Used Mears Connect a couple of weeks ago at around 8+pm to get from MCO to All Star Sports.

Very easy trip - didn't have too long of a wait before the bus left MCO (maybe around 10 minutes). Bus stopped at Pop, AoA, CSR, then All Star Sports - I'd guess it was continuing on to the other All Stars.

On the way back I opted to take Uber/Lyft from the Dolphin to MCO. Mainly because I didn't want to deal with the stress of having a fixed time pickup (I always take ages to pack when leaving a hotel room) or having multiple stops before going to MCO.

 

[MinnieMSue]

We did mears before the merger with sunshine and the bus to the resort was quick and not crowded. I think we were first drop off at Pop. But going back to the airport I was confused as it was one of those big 15 or so passenger vans. The driver was very nice but we were first pickup and we had to climb all the way into the back furthermost 2 seats as we were first picked up. That was hard with my disabilities but doable. We stopped at several hotels and we filled up every single seat on the van. We were at the airport in plenty of time especially since our flight was delayed but I did not like the experience of being crowded into that van. Claustrophobia was pretty bad. Only saving thing was the window beside me at least.

 

[jimmymc]

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.

Same. I've been looking at them since joining DVC (yay free parking!), but the cost is always significantly more than an Uber to and from the airport.

 

[CarolynFH]

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.

Would you consider booking Mears one-way, airport to WDW, and planning on an Uber/Lyft back to the airport? You don’t have to book Mears RT.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Well, we already booked it RT. And honestly, our son would do best on a bus, I think. He's autistic and this past year or so, he freaks out and won't get into cars that aren't driven by us (no idea why and he can't tell us.) So it would be ideal for a bus to take us back to the airport as well. But if it came down to a van vs. Uber....I think Uber would be slightly better than a van but we'd likely need to physically put him in either, literally kicking and screaming. I'm hoping to avoid that by doing the bus.

 

[Moneypenny]

We just returned from a trip last week and used Mears both ways. No issues either time. Leaving MCO we got right on a bus and sat for about 10 minutes before leaving. Ours was the third stop, but the first two were All-Stars resorts so took only 10 minutes total for both. Going back to MCO we were at the stop a bit early when a bus came. Ours wasn't scheduled for another 30 minutes, but the driver called to make sure our scheduled driver wasn't arleady on his way and got the all clear to take us. Went straight to the airport. Both buses were clean and we had plenty of room.

 

[bookgirl]

Just used Mears both ways on my last trip and it was fine. I always consider the Mears/Uber split but it always comes down to do I want to pay so much more for convenience and at WDW that would be a no.

At DLR I only did the shared van a few times and that was enough to know that with how close the Uber and the shared van prices are, the Uber is the better choice.

I also miss the days of inexpensive car rentals or the one day rental and return at the Dolphin. Driving around Orlando is so easy.

 

[Goldelpack]

Regarding my most recent Mears use (end of September) - I did not reserve far in advance - actually requested pick up from MCO to All Star Sports the day prior to arrival. Due to local LYFT nightmare (NJ to LGA) I missed my scheduled flight and contacted Mears just to be sure time change wouldn't be an issue - and it wasn't. Landed several hours later than expected and went to Mears location, was directed to a line for Sports - waited for bus to load for about 15 minutes or so - 35 minutes later got to Sports. Seamless & easy. Very unexciting, uneventful and peaceful ride.
Returning to MCO I actually was fine with a 3 hour before my flight took off time (due to mentioned LYFT nightmare) and once again - no issues.
The time factor was minimal especially given the lower cost - and my distrust of LYFT is pretty strong right now so I'll opt for alternatives where available.

 

[ozliz]

Used Mears connect for the first time this trip (did sunshine last time pre-merger). Late night arrival was fine. Shown straight to a bus and then after a short wait we took off. Nothing different to any other shared shuttle service.

Return to the airport was weird. I walked out to the airport shuttle stop as Akl-Jambo a little more than 15mins before collection time. 7 mins after my collection time a meats bus arrives and I assume it’s for me. Driver says no he’s only dropping off and notes my driver must just be running a little late. 17mins after my pickup time another bus shows up. I don’t think much of the delay as that’s common with shared shuttles. Then he says I had been marked as a no show. I object saying I’ve now been waiting in that spot over 30 mins and he of course knows nothing more. He only takes me though so I don’t know who he was there to collect if I had already been marked as a no-show.

As a frequent solo traveller I’ll probably need to use them again as other services are a bit $$$ when travelling solo. But might call in advance of pickup next time to get some more details. I’m worried that I just got lucky and still have no idea how I was marked as a no show.

 

[preemiemama]

Used Mears connect for the first time this trip (did sunshine last time pre-merger). Late night arrival was fine. Shown straight to a bus and then after a short wait we took off. Nothing different to any other shared shuttle service.

Return to the airport was weird. I walked out to the airport shuttle stop as Akl-Jambo a little more than 15mins before collection time. 7 mins after my collection time a meats bus arrives and I assume it’s for me. Driver says no he’s only dropping off and notes my driver must just be running a little late. 17mins after my pickup time another bus shows up. I don’t think much of the delay as that’s common with shared shuttles. Then he says I had been marked as a no show. I object saying I’ve now been waiting in that spot over 30 mins and he of course knows nothing more. He only takes me though so I don’t know who he was there to collect if I had already been marked as a no-show.

As a frequent solo traveller I’ll probably need to use them again as other services are a bit $$$ when travelling solo. But might call in advance of pickup next time to get some more details. I’m worried that I just got lucky and still have no idea how I was marked as a no show.

We had a very similar experience a few weeks ago while leaving AKL-Jambo. This was also our first Mears experience since the demise of Magical Express- we had also done Sunshine Flyer last trip without any issues.

Arrived at the stop early, saw the bus dropping people off and were told it was only drop off. We were scheduled to be picked up 3 hours before our boarding time, so we felt like we had enough time. At 15 minutes past our pickup time, I received a call saying they had "forgotten" to add us to the schedule. They sent the same driver back (he had gone to Kidani to drop off) and we were added to his schedule. There were 3 other stops (Grand Destino, then 2 of the All Star resorts) before we headed to the airport. When we arrived at the airport, we had to drop off at terminal C, then go to B. We arrived with about 1.5 hours before the flight was scheduled to take off. We still had to check our bags and get through security. Security wait was about an hour on its own- they only had 3 bag scanning lines open! We made it to the gate right as we were supposed to be boarding. We had planned to eat (or at least grab something) prior to boarding, but couldn't! We were delayed enough to get a quick restroom break, but it was awful.

 

[ozliz]

We had a very similar experience a few weeks ago while leaving AKL-Jambo. This was also our first Mears experience since the demise of Magical Express- we had also done Sunshine Flyer last trip without any issues.

Arrived at the stop early, saw the bus dropping people off and were told it was only drop off. We were scheduled to be picked up 3 hours before our boarding time, so we felt like we had enough time. At 15 minutes past our pickup time, I received a call saying they had "forgotten" to add us to the schedule. They sent the same driver back (he had gone to Kidani to drop off) and we were added to his schedule. There were 3 other stops (Grand Destino, then 2 of the All Star resorts) before we headed to the airport. When we arrived at the airport, we had to drop off at terminal C, then go to B. We arrived with about 1.5 hours before the flight was scheduled to take off. We still had to check our bags and get through security. Security wait was about an hour on its own- they only had 3 bag scanning lines open! We made it to the gate right as we were supposed to be boarding. We had planned to eat (or at least grab something) prior to boarding, but couldn't! We were delayed enough to get a quick restroom break, but it was awful.

Lucky for me my flight was delayed by 1 hour which then became 1.5hours so I wasn’t stressed. But definitely worried about their reliability for pickup. I also sat outside waiting in the heat for over 30mins and with the delay there was no time for me to shower at my transit point in LAX. First world problem but when it takes you about 24 hours to get home then sitting in the heat and humidity at the beginning of that trip isn’t nice for the people you have to sit next to on your final flight (3 flights to get home).

 

[preemiemama]

Lucky for me my flight was delayed by 1 hour which then became 1.5hours so I wasn’t stressed. But definitely worried about their reliability for pickup. I also sat outside waiting in the heat for over 30mins and with the delay there was no time for me to shower at my transit point in LAX. First world problem but when it takes you about 24 hours to get home then sitting in the heat and humidity at the beginning of that trip isn’t nice for the people you have to sit next to on your final flight (3 flights to get home).

Wow- yeah. Sitting in the heat isn't great for a long travel day! We only had 1 flight to contend with, luckily. I can't imagine 3 after all that! Glad you got home ok.

Hoping that maybe our combined experiences with being picked up late can help someone else on this thread. Or maybe if there is enough feedback to Mears they'll fix it? I believe half of the blame for our situation was the MCO security lines being so backed up. An hour wait because you are not staffing as many lines as you should be is not acceptable IMHO. When you add that to the delay in pickup/airport arrival, it becomes a mess.

 

[Minnesota!]

Are you able to request an earlier bus? Let's say our flight takes off from MCO at 12, they would normally get you around 9. But, what if I want some assurance of being on time - can I call and ask to be put on an 8am bus? We have had a lot of close calls with ME, hoping to avoid that with Mears, which sounds even less reliable!

 

[LoveToDisney]

Are you able to request an earlier bus? Let's say our flight takes off from MCO at 12, they would normally get you around 9. But, what if I want some assurance of being on time - can I call and ask to be put on an 8am bus? We have had a lot of close calls with ME, hoping to avoid that with Mears, which sounds even less reliable!

Yes, I have done this twice. After they give you the original pickup time, just email them letting them know you would like an earlier pickup and what you have in mind and they will let you know what bus time is near the pickup time you want.

 

[Minnesota!]

Yes, I have done this twice. After they give you the original pickup time, just email them letting them know you would like an earlier pickup and what you have in mind and they will let you know what bus time is near the pickup time you want.

THANK YOU! This is the first time I am the lone person in charge on a trip (just me and a kid this time, no husband to quell my anxiety this time...he is staying home to enjoy the not-summer-in-Florida-air). My anxiety about missing a plane or being late has been my biggest stressor! I will email them once we get on property

 

[LoveToDisney]

THANK YOU! This is the first time I am the lone person in charge on a trip (just me and a kid this time, no husband to quell my anxiety this time...he is staying home to enjoy the not-summer-in-Florida-air). My anxiety about missing a plane or being late has been my biggest stressor! I will email them once we get on property

I did the change when I first made my reservation, not after my visit started. Once the new time was established , they sent me updated reservations.
The email response back and forth takes a few days. Not sure about last minute changes. I’m guessing that requires calling(?)…and not sure of the success.

 

[LRdismom]

Used Mears connect for the first time this trip (did sunshine last time pre-merger). Late night arrival was fine. Shown straight to a bus and then after a short wait we took off. Nothing different to any other shared shuttle service.

Return to the airport was weird. I walked out to the airport shuttle stop as Akl-Jambo a little more than 15mins before collection time. 7 mins after my collection time a meats bus arrives and I assume it’s for me. Driver says no he’s only dropping off and notes my driver must just be running a little late. 17mins after my pickup time another bus shows up. I don’t think much of the delay as that’s common with shared shuttles. Then he says I had been marked as a no show. I object saying I’ve now been waiting in that spot over 30 mins and he of course knows nothing more. He only takes me though so I don’t know who he was there to collect if I had already been marked as a no-show.

As a frequent solo traveller I’ll probably need to use them again as other services are a bit $$$ when travelling solo. But might call in advance of pickup next time to get some more details. I’m worried that I just got lucky and still have no idea how I was marked as a no show.

I've had this happen to me. Once my family simply wasn't on the driver's pickup list and once I was marked as a no show. I think there was a glitch in their system because they marked me as a no show after the driver stopped at a hotel I had stayed at on a prior visit a few months earlier. Both times the driver acted like they were doing me a favor by taking me, when I clearly had the confirmation and qr code showing I should be on their bus.

 

[Minnesota!]

Just wanted to give my experience: Arrived at MCO around 1145 on a Friday. We took MC, pretty much walked onto the bus. We went to AKL, CBR, AoA, Pop. Was at Pop at 1245 (after waiting for luggage, even), room was ready at 135.

Coming back, I had asked for an earlier bus - for a noonish flight we had an 805 bus. People were on when we got on and then we stopped at CBR. To airport around 9.

All in all, great experience and would not hesitate to use them again! I miss DME SOOOO much, but this will do until Disney tries it again in the future

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Here are a few thoughts. I saw how Mears arrives late for resort pick up first hand on Sunday. It was pouring rain with thunder and lightning. My daughter had a 4:20 pick up. Some guests had been waiting quite a while for their bus. A bus driver dropping guests off, contacted dispatch and said a bus will be coming in ten minutes. He said they were behind. Perhaps the rain slowed them down. One bus showed up at 4:40. Everyone waiting was able to get on, but the driver was hesitant. They were not on his list. Another bus pulled up just as luggage and passengers were loaded on the first bus. That second bus was the 4:20 bus. She left empty after the two drivers talked. Today when we left and our driver was early. Not a big deal for us as we get to the pick up location ahead of time. I got a text the driver was on the way. Everyone was checked in and we departed early. I got another text after we left that the driver was on the premises. I also saw an email after departing the resort. Perhaps this is how people miss their bus. Late notifications. Idk, just wanted to give some feedback on the glitches Mears can have.

 

[NYCgrrl]

MCO to BWI 4th of July.
At counter with luggage, one wheelchair user, one not. Realized I was in an airport chair not my gate checked one so we missed bus. Agent closed desk to take use back to luggage pickup area where my mobility device was found with security. Back downstairs, waited about 15 minutes then elevator lifted into back of bus that was going directly to Lake Crescent. BWI was first stop though I doubt the remaining passengers had long to travel. Pretty painless, thoughtful workers.

Return to MCO from BWI July 9th. Think we were the first stop; bus was on time. Continued to BC/YC then on to highway. Arrived at MCO and was the last passenger off the bus as once again the lift was used. Pretty painless process but territorial dispute between airport workers and bus employees. Airport claimed bus should have left us at an upper level (mezzanine?) and it wasn’t their responsibility to travel down one flight. Bus driver ended the discussion by taking the elevator up one flight then waiting for the airport employee to get off the escalator and take over.
Truly bizarre; I wrote a letter to MCO asking for explanation and proper procedure for a later time. No answer yet.