Mears Headsup

[hsmamato2]

I was at MCO a couple of weeks back,and I don't recall seeing this anywhere on the threads...I thought I'd share in case it helps someone else.... to get a Mears bus to a Disney or Springs resort, you have to go to the B side of terminal,go down to ground floor and find your buses. We had flown Southwest, landed on A side.... had to go get our luggae on that side-then followed the (lame,unclear) directions in our email confirmation ,along with a few lame,unclear mears signs along past the car rental places....(dragging 2 small kids and a big load of stuff) - when we finally stopped walking,and asked an info worker we found how to find the buses, we were told that the MEars buses fro the A side go to Universal area....to get to Disney area, we had to traipse back across the airport(up the elevator,back down etc) to find the proper place. This could easily be avoided with better info and signage. Just an FYI for anyone else who may need this info.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I'll add to that. I was scheduled to take Sunshine Flier and had had it booked for months. Jet Blue just changed my flight so I went to SF to make any changes I had to there. The website wouldn't let me get past the point where I put in my flight info so I called. SF told me they CANNOT book anyone who is flying into any of the 'C' gates. They immediately cancelled my ride and refunded my money - but whoa! I still need a ride. I was able to book on Mears so I guess they load in a different place? Anyone know the details on that? Seems weird - if you can get from your plane to the buses (and I don't see why you wouldn't be able to) why can't they book you?

Most importantly, PSA - if you are flying Jet Blue or any other airline into Gate C you are out-of-luck if you had intended to take SF. The rep told me they are in the process if cancelling and refunding to anyone that is.

 

[CarolynFH]

I'll add to that. I was scheduled to take Sunshine Flier and had had it booked for months. Jet Blue just changed my flight so I went to SF to make any changes I had to there. The website wouldn't let me get past the point where I put in my flight info so I called. SF told me they CANNOT book anyone who is flying into any of the 'C' gates. They immediately cancelled my ride and refunded my money - but whoa! I still need a ride. I was able to book on Mears so I guess they load in a different place? Anyone know the details on that? Seems weird - if you can get from your plane to the buses (and I don't see why you wouldn't be able to) why can't they book you?

Most importantly, PSA - if you are flying Jet Blue or any other airline into Gate C you are out-of-luck if you had intended to take SF. The rep told me they are in the process if cancelling and refunding to anyone that is.

The C gates are in the completely new Terminal C, which is some distance from Terminal A/B and connected to them by a shuttle train. Mears has a pickup/dropoff facility in Terminal C, but Sunshine Flyer does not.

Check out details on the MCO website, https://orlandoairports.net/.

 

[Lumpy1106]

The C gates are in the completely new Terminal C, which is some distance from Terminal A/B and connected to them by a shuttle train. Mears has a pickup/dropoff facility in Terminal C, but Sunshine Flyer does not.

Check out details on the MCO website, https://orlandoairports.net/.

I figured that part out - BUT...there is a peoplemover that takes you between the gates. Seems like SF could have still let you use their service as long as you knew you'd need to get on the peoplemover to get to/from gate C.

I'll check the link - could be a security issue? Maybe just a time issue? Whatever - it's worth the little bit more I am paying to ride Mears to avoid the hassle I guess.

 

[CarolynFH]

I figured that part out - BUT...there is a peoplemover that takes you between the gates. Seems like SF could have still let you use their service as long as you knew you'd need to get on the peoplemover to get to/from gate C.

I'll check the link - could be a security issue? Maybe just a time issue? Whatever - it's worth the little bit more I am paying to ride Mears to avoid the hassle I guess.

I agree - if you're willing to schlepp whatever luggage you have from C to B (I understand it's a long walk from C gate to baggage claim and/or the people mover, and the people mover travels a longer distance from C to B than the little airside trams do from the A/B gates to the A/B terminal), SF should allow you to book with them. But given that not everyone will realize what's involved, SF may have decided to save themselves the complaints about those issues and not book anyone coming in at C, until SF has a pickup/dropoff location there like Mears does.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Just speculation on our part of course, but probably right. And to OP - yes, it can be confusing if you end up on A side when you really need to be on B side. It was that way with DME too - this is really not new, and never not confusing. BTW - now that I've looked at it, the maps on the airport website don't help in the least. Mears and Sunshine Flyer aren't even shown on the maps and do not come up when you search. The instructions on the FAQs on the Mears and Sunshine Flyer websites are marginally better - provided you have knowledge of the airport layout.

 

[Anthony1971]

I noticed SF as well went to book them with a JB flight and it would not allow. It was fine for me as Mears was running a sale (somewhat) -so is SF now. Almost threw in the towel and used my first thought to use Uber or Lyft I however hate the Airport waits lately and surge price game wait a few minutes and price drops…. Lyft will say 20 minutes Uber will say 2 minutes for 30 minutes before car arrives…. Shuttle are like McDonald’s you know what you are getting when walk in. Location is easy same place as ME for Mears in the A/B terminal my body just goes that way ended up there when taking SF last year walked outside to the other end which sounds fine but being that is where we were on the higher levels to start with wooops.

 

[MinnieMSue]

Yeah it was always confusing since back in the day when magical express was a thing. We always take SW and are always on the A side. My first trip I was very confused about it all. I think Magical Express had better signs too. After I learned the airport configuration it got easier. Sorry it was a rough start to your trip OP. Hopefully things are going good now

 

[hsmamato2]

I think I only rode ME once in my life,a few years back,and had no idea where it was..... my point was that Mears (and SF) should get their act together and provide very clear direction/signage to help folks out! Now that I've been there,done that,I can see how it works, and yes that new C terminal is FAR from A and B ! (I'll keep that in mind if I'm flying JB into MCO) I usually take a Lyft so a shuttle was new for me.