Mears for under 3s?

[justhat]

My daughter and I will be arriving in MCO hours before my husband, and leaving well after him, so we'll need to get to/from the airport separately. Ordinarily we use a towncar since it's much more convenient than Mears, but we can't pay for 2 towncars so this time we'll be taking Mears. My daughter will be 9 months old so according to Mears she is free. Does anyone know if they would say that she can't use her carseat since she doesn't have to pay? I would just buy her a seat if that's the case, so I'd like to know in advance so I can have the money ready. Also, if they have one of those big buses, can I wait till they have a van going? I really don't want her riding without a carseat, but getting a towncar is too expensive this time since we're not arriving together.

 

[CarolA]

The reason Mears views her as "free" is that they consider her a lap child and you may be expected to hold her on your lap. I would pay for a seat and use your car seat.

I am not sure about the bus vs. Van thing. Mears has gotten so "user" unfriendly.... Plus on the return if they send a bus you won't be able to wait.

What about paying for a town car for you and letting hubby take Mears! I mean it's about $50 for you and your daughter on Mears so a towncar won't add that much!

 

[tjmw2727]

I know that Mears does use vans but in our 3 tries we always had large buses - no seatbelts. I imagine if you did get a van you could use a CSR. After having to wait over an hour for a bus with Mears I can't imagine waiting for a special request with a baby.

In fact, regardless of cost IMHO I can't imagine using Mears as the lone adult with a baby. You will have to collect your luggage, wait in the line to purchase the voucher, proceed outside for the cattle call all the while managing your own luggage, stroller, carseat and baby. If your lucky you will be on a bus within the 30 minute estimate but my experience was closer to 60 minutes. Then you may hit more terminals before heading to WDW and you will very likely hit other resorts before yours.

So the CSR would be the least of my Mears concerns when traveling alone with baby.

I agree with an above poster and suggest you take a towncar with baby. The driver will meet you at baggage, assist you with luggage and you can have a grocery stop. Iimagine there are quite a few items you would need/want for baby and then you would get to the resort with less hassle. Most importantly and to answer your original question, with a towncar you will have no problems using the CSR for baby.

I think that your DH could manage Mears and the extra time for him would be worth the costs savings. In your case I don't think the hassle factor of Mears would be worth the cost savings.

FWIW I have traveled with my dd's alone lots and the anticipation and planning was always more stressful than the actual traveling. So keep planning and then just relax and go for it.

TJ

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I agree--I would take the towncar with the baby and let your husband take Mears. Or if you'r up to it you can rent a car and then return and pick your husband up (personally I don't know that I'd do this with a baby, but I probably would if she were older.

Looks like we'll be there at the same time! Remember your lime green ribbons!

T&B

 

[justhat]

Thanks for the replies. My daughter and I flew alone to Las Vegas and we had to take Super Shuttle from our home to/from the airport, so you're right, it is no fun having to lug around all the bags yourself and carry a baby. I thought about renting a car, but the towncar/Mears for my husband would be cheaper than even an economy car (and I found one for $12/day!!) because I'm 24 so I have to pay that ridiculous surcharge. Not to mention my daughter is not a fan of the carseat so I would not want to be driving around with her too much. If my husband were arriving before us then he would be renting the car and getting us. I had planned on packing everything my daughter would need since we wouldn't be getting the grocery stop, but I guess I can leave out those baby food jars now.

One thing I hadn't thought about was if they sent a bus on my return trip from the resort to the airport. Not sure why, but I never thought that far ahead, just stopped at airport to the resort! I'm glad I can count on you guys to help me out!

So it looks like we'll be taking a towncar. Once I factor in paying for a seat for my daughter, tipping a skycap since I wouldn't have help from the driver, it will all come out pretty close. Plus I have a Tiffany coupon. I know this sounds crazy, but since my daughter was born I've sort of had a fear of riding alone in taxis/towncars. Logically I know I'll be fine, but just that mommy-lion protectiveness about a guy who could be a killer.... I know that won't happen, but it was influencing my decision. Well, I'm sure we'll be fine, and we'll be looking for you Tigger&Belle!

 

[CynJ]

I was just looking thru the stickies at the top of the Transporation board - WebmasterPete has one about the "official" car service company for the DIS -

its here

http://www.fltours.com/

Looking at their site they offer complimentary car seats

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Murray Hill has also gotten good reviews and seems to be the least expensive company.

T&B

 

[CarolA]

I think you made the right decsion.

Murry Hill has also gotten some horrid reviews....so who knows.

Florida Tours is the board sponsor and seems to get good reviews.

 

[Trackerbee]

Florida Towncar Service-different than Florida Tours is a great service and I highly recommend it. We have used it 5 times, and it has been great everytime. Ask for Michael Hagos, he is a wonderful driver and very helpful. www.floridatowncar.com:sunny:

 

[justhat]

We've used Tiffany in the past and always had great experiences so I'm leaning towards them again (plus I've got a coupon which makes them even more appealing), but if others had especially great reviews about one of the other services I'd love to hear it. My daughter has a seat on the plane, so we'll need her carseat for the flight so I don't need to use one from the towncar service, but any other perks one company does that others don't would be great to hear about.