Mears VS Taxi VS Town Car to RPR

[LMichelleee]

Hello everyone! I am in need of some major help in figuring out how we should get from the airport to our hotel (RPR @ Universal). There are a couple options for us, 2 adults, and we have no idea what to do. Our choices are Mears ($60 round trip), town car ($119 round trip) or taxi ($90ish round trip). With Mears, would we be riding with other guests and making a lot of stops? Our flight comes in around 11 am and we plan on going to Universal that day. I like the idea of the town car because of the grocery stop but it is twice as much as Mears! Then there is the taxi option... I know it can be pretty expensive and our last taxi experience from the airport to Universal was a nightmare. Since we are staying onsite and would have to pay $17/night for parking, a rental car is out of the question. Any advice, stories of your experience and recommendations are very welcome! Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

When I took the Mears shuttle over to WDW, stayed at the Dolphin, we made about 4 stops prior to my stop, and one of them was the Swan...so only three stops prior to WDW. It took about 90 mins total. So I would imagine that the shuttle to RPR would be about the same.
Of course, if you use a towncar service, it's going to take you about 70 or so mins to get there if you make a grocery stop. I would use Mears and have a grocery delivery service bring what you want/need to the resort...they charge about $15 delivery fee, in addition to food costs. Then again, now you're only about $20 less than the towncar service.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm not sure the Mears Shuttle between parks works as a luggage transport service; I think it's just passengers. That would leave only taxi or town car.

 

[it's kelly]

We used Mears as a 'shuttle' from AKL to Universal last week. The ride there was fine. We were picked up in a van and stopped at Seaworld then Universal. We were the last picked up and made it within 25-30 minutes.

The return trip was a nightmare and I wouldn't do it again. We were the first picked up at Universal on a motor coach bus then off to Seaworld. We must of stopped at about 7 or 8 resorts before being dropped off. It took over 2 hours.

 

[ToddyLu]

DH doesn't like the idea of ME, so we only use towncars round trip. We have only used Tiffany and we will stick with them. The drivers are friendly, talkative (if you talk back) respectful and helpful. They meet us in baggage claim, help with luggage...we are then taken right out to the car, and wisked away to Publix close to AKV. They are always on time and the cars are clean with no smokey smells or anything. One late arrival the driver took us to the Hess station for a few groceries since Publix was closed and Goodings was more expensive...I thought that was helpful.

This trip will be Me, DH and MIL in a towncar to resort. They pick up BIL the next day and bring him in....then will all leave a week later, back to MCO in a van.

 

[ToddyLu]

I have my grocery list on my Iphone and the trip takes about an hour from pick up.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm not sure the Mears Shuttle between parks works as a luggage transport service; I think it's just passengers. That would leave only taxi or town car.

Hey...silly head. I do believe she is talking about getting from MCO to Royal Pacific Resort!!! So luggage will be fine. It would be the same as taking Mears to the Dolphin....and we all know that worked just fine for me!!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Hey...silly head. I do believe she is talking about getting from MCO to Royal Pacific Resort!!! So luggage will be fine. It would be the same as taking Mears to the Dolphin....and we all know that worked just fine for me!!!!

I am deeply hurt by being called sillyhead - however well-deserved - and wish to know what will happen if I report this post as offensive to.... well, this board's Moderator.

 

[goofy4tink]

I am deeply hurt by being called sillyhead - however well-deserved - and wish to know what will happen if I report this post as offensive to.... well, this board's Moderator.

Hmmmm, maybe the moderator will ban the offending person???? Maybe hand out some infraction points???

 

[LMichelleee]

Wow! Thanks for all the great responses!

Then again, now you're only about $20 less than the towncar service.

I was thinking the same thing! I'm really glad I asked, I almost booked with Mears and now I know for sure the town car is the way to go! One nice, flat fee and no worries about getting stuck in traffic and watching the price sneak up on a taxi! Thanks Toddylu, I will look into Tiffany! Also, great idea having a shopping list ready! Now I need to figure out which grocery store is near and what I need, and quickly!

Thanks again everyone!

 

[John21601]

We are looking at using a town car too. I was wondering how much y'all tip the driver normally. And do you tip more if you swing by the grocery store.

 

[goofy4tink]

We are looking at using a town car too. I was wondering how much y'all tip the driver normally. And do you tip more if you swing by the grocery store.

I always tip about 10% each way. I don't want to take the chance that I might have two different drivers for each way. So, rather than tip at 20% once, I split it up each way.