Mears Connect/Rideshare vs. Rental Car (poll)

[bsmcneil]

I'm taking my two kids (9 and 5) in Jan/Feb (so DME will be gone) and I keep going back and forth about whether I should plan to rent a car or rely on Mears/Rideshare. My thought is that for getting to the park in the morning and going back to the resort, we'd use the buses - but I think it's important to get the kids back to the room for some down time during the day and my most recent experience was really hit or miss and it eats up so much time. So, I've been contemplating other options.

For my trip/length (7 days), etc - it seems like a rental car would be about 500 dollars (just the rental - but luckily I wouldn't have to pay for parking). Renting a car offers a significant amount of freedom, though, right? On the other hand, using Mears Connect and/or Rideshares would definitely not add up to 500 dollars. I'd need to buy the inflatable boosters for ride share - but still it would seem to be less than renting a car. If I'm doing two rideshares a day (mid-day break and return), that would likely add up to about 200-250. Add in the boosters and Mears Connect and I'm thinking it'll be about 275-300.

So - I'm wondering what other families are planning to do.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I am wondering what resort are you staying at? I am guessing you are a DVC Resort guest for free parking but it is only offered if you are using points for your stay.
I am thinking about all the options and trying to tally the cost and convenience/ inconveniences for all.
I tend to vote for using the “greenest” options and consider Disney transport is a way to experience the concept of using bus transport ,etc in daily life’s. Disney does offer lots of fun transportation with the monorail and the SkyLiner and different types of water taxi options. And they have not brought back the tram service in the parking lots.
Knowing your children & ages , they will def need a daily mid afternoon break and also pool time ! haha
If I was planning I would choose the resort location closest to the theme park I would probably visit the most and hope for the option to walk.
I also think driving in Florida is not part of Vacation for the driver.

 

[sponica]

Eh we don't take midday breaks. We'll probably use Mears connect because we're still in 5 point restraint land for one kiddo.

We'll bus it to AK and DHS, monorail to Epcot and monorail/boat to MK.

 

[kevtlas]

Last visit we had a car. It was pretty convenient for heading off property and going to parks that need a long ride on the bus. I’m not a fan of cars normally, but must admit it was nice having the choice of transportation or drive

 

[bsmcneil]

I am wondering what resort are you staying at? I am guessing you are a DVC Resort guest for free parking but it is only offered if you are using points for your stay.
I am thinking about all the options and trying to tally the cost and convenience/ inconveniences for all.
I tend to vote for using the “greenest” options and consider Disney transport is a way to experience the concept of using bus transport ,etc in daily life’s. Disney does offer lots of fun transportation with the monorail and the SkyLiner and different types of water taxi options. And they have not brought back the tram service in the parking lots.
Knowing your children & ages , they will def need a daily mid afternoon break and also pool time ! haha
If I was planning I would choose the resort location closest to the theme park I would probably visit the most and hope for the option to walk.
I also think driving in Florida is not part of Vacation for the driver.

AKL, DVC on points (so, transportation isn't great/as easy as a monorail resort, etc). The environment is a key factor for me, too. And I've driven in Florida (and to/in/around WDW) more times (originally from NC) than I'd like to count though not recently.

Another point is that I will likely be using an ECV. That comes with its own pros/cons for each option (a rental car - I can put it in the trunk but not really with a rideshare. Disney buses will be fine but I'm worried about the frequent use of chartered buses).

 

[Chief Powhatan]

I am going in January as well. I usually rent a car, but I am not spending $500 on a rental car this trip. We are staying at the Pop, so we will skyline to Epcot/Hollywood Studios and rideshare or bus to Magic, Animal and the Springs. Also, we will probably rideshare back and forth to the airport. When my teen daughter was younger we always wanted the car for quick trips back to the resort in the afternoon, but with her being older, that is no longer necessary.

 

[Rory607]

We personally don’t like to drive at Disney. Disney transportation has its issues, but we’ve never had too much of a problem with any of it. I would rather be waiting for the monorail than battling traffic. We don’t do midday breaks, though, so I can see how that might be a different scenario. I am sad about DME being gone, but I’d still rather just pay for the Mears shuttle over the rental car.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I'm taking my two kids (9 and 5) in Jan/Feb (so DME will be gone) and I keep going back and forth about whether I should plan to rent a car or rely on Mears/Rideshare. My thought is that for getting to the park in the morning and going back to the resort, we'd use the buses - but I think it's important to get the kids back to the room for some down time during the day and my most recent experience was really hit or miss and it eats up so much time. So, I've been contemplating other options.

For my trip/length (7 days), etc - it seems like a rental car would be about 500 dollars (just the rental - but luckily I wouldn't have to pay for parking). Renting a car offers a significant amount of freedom, though, right? On the other hand, using Mears Connect and/or Rideshares would definitely not add up to 500 dollars. I'd need to buy the inflatable boosters for ride share - but still it would seem to be less than renting a car. If I'm doing two rideshares a day (mid-day break and return), that would likely add up to about 200-250. Add in the boosters and Mears Connect and I'm thinking it'll be about 275-300.

So - I'm wondering what other families are planning to do.

I have read that Disneyland trams coming back but if they are not back you might take walk thru lot in to your plans

 

[Runnsally]

Mears Connect is pretty useless if you need car seats. They don’t guarantee what type of vehicle and don’t provide car seats, so you need to schlep your own car seats in case you’re put in a vehicle that requires them.

 

[sponica]

Mears Connect is pretty useless if you need car seats. They don’t guarantee what type of vehicle and don’t provide car seats, so you need to schlep your own car seats in case you’re put in a vehicle that requires them.

That's a change. When I emailed about this they said the standard was charter busses and the direct (which may or may not be private) could be a variety of vehicles. I figured I'd wait to book until there were first person reports in the new year.

 

[Runnsally]

That's a change. When I emailed about this they said the standard was charter busses and the direct (which may or may not be private) could be a variety of vehicles. I figured I'd wait to book until there were first person reports in the new year.

From the Mears Connect FAQ…
“Car seats will not be offered with the Mears Connect service…service may be on a motor coach, shuttle van or small vehicle. If a guest has a personal car seat, they are welcome to use it”

 

[bffdisney]

From the Mears Connect FAQ…
“Car seats will not be offered with the Mears Connect service…service may be on a motor coach, shuttle van or small vehicle. If a guest has a personal car seat, they are welcome to use it”

Wait wait wait Mears won't have car seats if they send a small vehicle? Does that mean I basically need to do the larger group one? I'm not bringing car seats on my flight to leave in the room all week for one ride to and from the airport if I don't need to.

 

[Runnsally]

Wait wait wait Mears won't have car seats if they send a small vehicle? Does that mean I basically need to do the larger group one? I'm not bringing car seats on my flight to leave in the room all week for one ride to and from the airport if I don't need to.

Seems like it. It’s a half-baked program.