Mears- How Long Could it Take Really?

[campinggal]

Greetings all!

Looking for just how long and 'all around Orlando' might I be subjected to if I opt to take the Mears shuttle from the airport to POFQ?

In the past I have used Town Car service as there have been more of us but this trip I'm solo so I'm having a hard time justifying the additional expense. Given that my upcoming trip is short, I do want to get to the POFQ as soon as possible. My flight lands on a Thursday morning.

What have been your experiences with the Mears shuttle? How long did it actually take you to get to your hotel from the Airport?

Thanks!

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

We have not used it for a couple of years, but last time it took us about 1.5 hours to get there. We stopped at 3 different hotels off property, then 2 on property before we got to CBR.

Have you thought about using the new Disney Magical Express service? look around and you will find several threads on it here.

 

[cbrfan]

A verrrrrry long time. Or at least it sure feels like it! I think I'd spring for the extra $$$ for the towncar if the Magical Express isn't available when you go. Think I'd even try Lynx before I'd ever try Mears again!

 

[John Dobbertin]

Used Mears once. Almost 3 hours from Airport to WL. Children also used it first year. Same experience. Tiffany has always been quick for us.

 

[C.Ann]

I'll be using it tomorrow evening.. I'll let you know when I get back.. There's such a huge price difference when there's only one person going - I just couldn't justify the cost..

 

[campinggal]

Thanks for sharing your experiences!!

Although the thought of driving around Orlando for over 1 1/2 hours sounds a bit frightful!!

C.Ann- would love to hear your experience when you return.

Unfortunately, no Magical Express option for me- I head down on 4/14- - before it starts.

Given this is a short trip- just fly down Thurs and back on Sun- I really want to maximize my time at the parks rather than squandering it doing the scenic tour of Orlando area hotels!

Hmm...eating cereal for lunch and dinner might just be worth it to save money to cover the Shuttle/Town Car difference!

Thanks All!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I took it on a solo trip, the van was full, but there were only 2 stops before me - I think I was at the hotel in an hour or so after boarding. Not bad at all, and worth the money saved!

 

[twinklebug]

We used Mears once ... Waaaaaaay back (13 years back). The time to our Disney Hotel wasn't bad at all, considering the driver got LOST, had NO Clue where Disney was and kept asking US for directions.

I'll never take them again. The van was packed like a can of sardines, but didn't smell as nice. IMHO, it's really worth it to book a towncar.

 

[Debbie]

I used Mears in January. Solo flight, so it made cents I was 1 hour from getting my ticket at the Mears counter to climbing out at WL. That was after a couple of airport stops, 2 offsite stops and 1 onsite stop. I didn't mind the van (yes, it was full), since I'd travelled 2 hours from my home city to Toronto for my flight in an airport van 12 hours earlier. (long story ) I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it meant that....I'm in DisneyWorld!

 

[dgaston]

We took Mears in August 2003. Waited 20 minutes for the van, then our hotel in DTD was the first stop. I'd have to say it was under an hour to the hotel desk.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We used Mears once - that says it all. DH still calls it the trip from Hell. After that we always went with Tiffany Town car.

 

[mortimor]

What I am wondering is how fast the magical express will be. I have a feeling that while the service will be free, it will amount to a whole lot of waiting at the airport and numerous stops throughout the property, much like the Mears Shuttles. Car rental is still the way to go for us. Saves TIME, Saves MONEY (eating/getting supplies off site) which more than pays for the rental. Here is my example, midsize car for 8 days $111.65 = $13.95 a day. We save more than that in food and enjoy being able to get somewhere on our schedule.

 

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

Last July we used Mears it was 3 adults and 2 children. We had reservations and prepaid on the internet. When we got to the Mears pickup desk we waited for 1 hour and 15 minutes for a shuttle bus. Our hotel was the 2nd stop CSR. So, total it was about 2 hours give or take a few minutes. All was not lost because we got to see the Pop Century Hotel which was new at the time. We are returning July 2 but, we are using a Town car.

 

[maxaroni]

We didn't have the knowlege of all these wise Disboarders when we went the last 2 times and used Mears. We didn't know any different so it was fine. I think it was about 1.5 hrs to get to the hotel which wasn't too bad. This time we are driving but if we were to fly again, I'd look into a town car to see the price difference.

 

[DMRick]

C.Ann got in at 5:05, took about 15-20 minutes to get her luggage. Went down to Mear's and signed in. Got put on the big bus, and had a stop at one other hotel before hers, and was at POP at 7:00.

 

[campinggal]

C.Ann got in at 5:05, took about 15-20 minutes to get her luggage. Went down to Mear's and signed in. Got put on the big bus, and had a stop at one other hotel before hers, and was at POP at 7:00.

Thanks DMRick for the C.Ann report! Great to hear some recent experience. I am so waffling between Mears and Tiffany Town Car. If I wasn't solo- the town car would be a no brainer. Given that this is such a quick trip, I would rather spend time at WDW than on a Mears transport so I might actually spring for the Town Car.

Thanks everybody for your sharing your experiences!

 

[DisneyRose]

We have used Mears 4 times and the average for us has been around 1 1/2 hours. However last year we were the very last ones off the bus and it took 3 hours- not how I wanted to start off my vacation becasues we took an earlier flight for more WDW time on our arrival day and then wasted it with Mears! It's just one of those luck thing I guess but we dropped off the off site guests, value resort guests, moderate resort guests and then deluxe resort guests with ours being the last one! Good Luck