Mears Return To Airport

[SpiritedHaunts]

We are planning a trip and have a quick 'what would you suggest' question.

We will be staying at the Dolphin, but our return flight is at 920ish am. So we have also booked the last night at the Sheraton Airport Hotel.

What we are trying to decide is if it would be better to stay the last night at the Dolphin and take the Mears shuttle van at about 5am to the airport.

Or to check out of the Dolphin the day before we fly out, take Mears to the airport and the hotel's shuttle to the Sheraton Airport Hotel, stay the night and take the hotel's shuttle back to the airport in the morning.

Any reason to be concerned about getting on a Mears shuttle van at 5am?
Anyone know how much a rental car or taxi might be from the Dolphin or any other 'safer' ideas?

Thanks.

 

[seashoreCM]

For an early morning plane home it is safer to stay the last night near the airport. Also you will get a little more sleep that way.

Less of a jet lag problem for those heading west.

 

[NancyIL]

I would check one-way rental rates between the Dolphin and the airport (National and Alamo). You would have to rent the car the day before, and the office closes at 4:00, but you wouldn't have to take possession of the car until the next morning when you are ready to drive to the airport. If you pick-up the car at the time of rental, you'll pay $12 to park it overnight in the Dolphin's lot.

Personally, while I don't like getting picked up at the crack of dawn by Mears, it's less hassle than changing hotels for one night.

**For a 9:20 flight, you would get picked up shortly after 6 a.m. - not 5 a.m. Mears has certain times they pick-up at the Swan and Dolphin. The Swan's pick-up times are 20 and 50 after the hour, and I think the Dolphin's are at 10 and 40 after the hour.

 

[goofy4tink]

See what a one day, car rental would be, from the Dolphin to MCO.
Then, you can leave late on that last day at the Dolphin and head to the airport hotel...get a decent nights sleep and head out in the morning.
You can also get a car service for about $50-60 from WDW to MCO if you don't like to drive in unfamilier places.
How are you getting to the Dolphin on your arrival day??? Remember that Mears charges by the person. If you have more than 3 in your group, a car service might be a good way to do.