Mears shuttle and ME

[ibouncetoo]

I just tried to book a Mears SHUTTLE on their web site to SSR and it doesn't allow me to (I can only book a town car)

Here's my story and why I ASSUMED I wouldn't be able to use ME in this case:

I'm staying at SSR (DVC rental for a 2 bedroom with four people) for four days in December before going on a three day DCL cruise AND we have the DDP for our group. A friend is joining us just for the cruise portion and is flying down the night before. We were just going to have her stay with us that night...yes, on the sly...because of the DDP we would have to buy four days worth of DDP if she was 'official' if only for one night (I'm told). So, since she isn't on the reservation, I'm assuming I can't book ME for her.

If I have to go to the expense of adding her on and paying $155 for another DDP...well a town car would be cheaper than that I guess. (The resort price is not affected by the number of people in the room BTW...hence my willingness to just have her crash there for one night 'unofficially'.)

She is also checking on cruise day flights, but that just makes me nervous in the wintertime when flights can so easily be delayed/cancelled.

Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

You have two options...

1 - I've seen the Mears Shuttle transport walk-ups before... but still, no guarantee that they will be able to, due to the contract with Disney.

2 - A Taxi will generally be cheaper than a town car

 

[tjmw2727]

I am not an expert but here is what I would do in your case.

I would book DME for everyone officially on the reservation. Then your friend can book through Mears to SSR on the day of travel but not in advance. When she arrives at MCO she should head to Mears and pay for transportation to SSR. She will end up on the DME bus anwyay and she will have to bring her bags along with her.

TJ

 

[goofy4tink]

To the best of my knowledge, Mears isn't allowed to provide 'reservations' for those heading to WDW resorts. Yes, you can walk up to the Mears counter and pay for a ride, but you can't book it in advance. So...book DME for everyone on the room reservation/DDP. Then, have your friend just walk up to the Mears counter and book a ride. She will probably end up on a DME bus anyway.

 

[ibouncetoo]

I am not an expert but here is what I would do in your case.

I would book DME for everyone officially on the reservation. Then your friend can book through Mears to SSR on the day of travel but not in advance. When she arrives at MCO she should head to Mears and pay for transportation to SSR. She will end up on the DME bus anwyay and she will have to bring her bags along with her.

TJ

To the best of my knowledge, Mears isn't allowed to provide 'reservations' for those heading to WDW resorts. Yes, you can walk up to the Mears counter and pay for a ride, but you can't book it in advance. So...book DME for everyone on the room reservation/DDP. Then, have your friend just walk up to the Mears counter and book a ride. She will probably end up on a DME bus anyway.

Thanks. Do you know what the cost is (one way)? And where the Mears counter is?

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks. Do you know what the cost is (one way)? And where the Mears counter is?

I don't remember exactly where the Mears Counters are but I did find them easily. Its $19.00 one way and $31.00 r/t from the airport to the Dolphin which is in WDW property so that would be a good estimate.

They do have a website where you could find out more details.
TJ

 

[ibouncetoo]

Thanks. $20 ish is a good range.

The web site will not give you anything on WDW resorts...they direct you to use ME.

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks. $20 ish is a good range.

The web site will not give you anything on WDW resorts...they direct you to use ME.

Right but you can estimate by putting in a DTD resort (Doubletree or Grosvenor) as they would be close to SSR. You can also find out the Mears desk locations and other details that may be helpfuld.

TJ

 

[localdriver]

There is Mears desk right next to the DME counter.

 

[Edd]

You can book a car service on line and generally you can get a better price than a taxi picked up at either airport. Seriously, independent car services usually charge less because the price of their vehicle comes out a lot less than a driver using the taxi companies to transport you. Overhead in one car service vehicle is about 1/2 that a taxi driver pays. So if you are looking to save money go on line and price out an independent car service.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Thanks everybody!

 

[goofy4tink]

You can book a car service on line and generally you can get a better price than a taxi picked up at either airport. Seriously, independent car services usually charge less because the price of their vehicle comes out a lot less than a driver using the taxi companies to transport you. Overhead in one car service vehicle is about 1/2 that a taxi driver pays. So if you are looking to save money go on line and price out an independent car service.

If there were 3 or more people traveling from MCO to WDW, then I would agree...3 x $20= $60 which would be the cost of a car service. But, if there is just one person, as is the case here, the Mears shuttle bus is really the way to go.
If I weren't taking DME, I would be using a car service. But, it's a waste for one person to spend $60 for a car service rather than $20 for the Mear shuttle bus, which in all probability would end up being the DME bus.