Scheduling MEARS morning pick up

[Doctor 10]

We arrive Tuesday afternoon @ French Quarter. Plan Wednesday for IOA/UO day. Thought we could call MEARS upon arrival at hotel day before but unsure what time they should stop over to make it before possible 845am opening. PS Would the hotel concierge abe able to call for us? Someone mentioned that they could arrange one.

Live in the present judging no one by his or her past nor expecting less for his or her future.-alm

 

[macraven]

We arrive Tuesday afternoon @ French Quarter. Plan Wednesday for IOA/UO day. Thought we could call MEARS upon arrival at hotel day before but unsure what time they should stop over to make it before possible 845am opening. PS Would the hotel concierge abe able to call for us? Someone mentioned that they could arrange one.

i do stay at the motherland resorts prior to relocating to the darkside resorts on my vacations.

in every motherland resort, there is a concierge desk.

you need to go there to book your Mears shuttle.
you need to do this the night before the day you are booking.
and, you pay for it at this time.


sometimes the shuttles go to more than one hotel for morning pick ups.
the CM's would have the pick up schedule for their hotel, where you are staying.


Or, you can call Mears now and set up your transportation, or at least get the info that they have at the time.

i know some people that booked the Mears shuttle at the concierge lobby desk.

none of my friends booked their shuttles in advance by calling Mears.
but call them if you want more info in advance.

 

[Metro West]

Since you are asking about services at a Disney resort, I'm going to move this to the Transportation board.

 

[goofy4tink]

You can call Mears now and set up your pickup time. You can even pay for it with a credit card now and not worry about it then. You tell them when you want to be at the park and they will give you appropriate times for departure.
The bus may very well make other stops along the way...all depends on where along the route your particular resort is.
Figure on it taking 45 mins to get to US/IoA from WDW resorts. Could be less depending on number of stops.

 

[Jadeey]

When I used Mears in 2010 I called them myself and it was a real pain because I waited on hold, had to call by a certain time etc. I've had friends who got the concierge desk to do it instead and apparently it's far easier so I'd go with that option.

When I used them I asked at the time which pick-up time to use to get to US by opening. Concierge can probably answer that for you too.

 

[Doctor 10]

When I used Mears in 2010 I called them myself and it was a real pain because I waited on hold, had to call by a certain time etc. I've had friends who got the concierge desk to do it instead and apparently it's far easier so I'd go with that option.

When I used them I asked at the time which pick-up time to use to get to US by opening. Concierge can probably answer that for you too.

Thanks. Day is getting closer so opting for concierge service
Two Mickey ears up

Live in the present judging no one by his or her past nor expecting less for his or her future.-alm

 

[Doctor 10]

Just spoke to my concierge & she said they have a taxi service. Was asking them ti make arrangements ahead to call MEARS but they pushed their taxi service. Which is the better deal?

Live in the present judging no one by his or her past nor expecting less for his or her future.-alm

 

[macraven]

the Mears shuttle bus is $19 rt per person.


the taxi would cost probably $35-40 one way plus gratuity.



if it is only 2 in your group, Mears shuttle bus would be cheaper but less direct to the park.

(i forget the number of peeps in your group)

 

[GenGen22]

When I used mears in Dec 2011 I looked on the mears website & it turned out too be cheaper to book the shuttle. They have a fare calculator. I actually called them before I left for orlando & asked how to book it & they said to call the night before and make the reservation & I did & everything went well.

 

[Doctor 10]

KEEP IN MIND THIS IS FOR UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Live in the present judging no one by his or her past nor expecting less for his or her future.-alm

 

[MinnieLee]

We have used Mears many times to get to the "darksides" (US/IOA or SW) and never had a problem. We called the night before and paid for it when we got on the shuttle in the morning. Calling the night before or when we wanted to leave the park was not a problem for us. Concierge can also make arrangements for you.

As pp, we did have to take a taxi from SW back to BC and it was $50.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have used Mears 3 times to get from WDW to US/IoA..has worked out just fine each time.
Is is probably 'better' to use a cab...much quicker and it's only you. BUT...it will be much more expensive. The shuttle is about $19-20 pp, r/t. IF it's just two of you, the shuttle will be cheaper. But if there are three of you, it might be better to take the cab.
It's up to you..the Mears shuttle works just fine, but it's a shuttle bus and will make other stops both ways.

 

[Doctor 10]

Went with hotel taxi service available 24 hrs a day. Worked out best for us

Live in the present judging no one by his or her past nor expecting less for his or her future.-alm

 

[Disneylover99]

Went with hotel taxi service available 24 hrs a day. Worked out best for us

This seems easy
I was thinking about booking Swan or Dolphin.
Roundtrip Mears will cost $122 for 2 adults and 2 kids and a cab will cost about $65 one way.
I guess it would be easiest and quickest to just get a cab there and back, or am I missing something.

 

[dmunsil]

This seems easy
I was thinking about booking Swan or Dolphin.
Roundtrip Mears will cost $122 for 2 adults and 2 kids and a cab will cost about $65 one way.
I guess it would be easiest and quickest to just get a cab there and back, or am I missing something.

It is definitely easiest and quickest to take a cab, and for four people it's kind of a wash cost-wise relative to the Mears shuttle. Given the choice between those two, I'd pick the cab. Huge increase in convenience and time efficiency for very little price difference.

The cheapest option for Universal is usually a rental car if you have two or more people. It depends on daily rates, but it's pretty easy to get a car for $50/day or less, and there is an Alamo rental desk in the Dolphin. Check MouseSavers for rental deals. Add $15 for parking (heck, spring for $20 preferred parking) and you're still in good shape. It's a very easy drive. Head north on I-4 until you see signs saying "Universal Studios this exit". Follow the signs to parking.

Don

 

[Disneylover99]

It is definitely easiest and quickest to take a cab, and for four people it's kind of a wash cost-wise relative to the Mears shuttle. Given the choice between those two, I'd pick the cab. Huge increase in convenience and time efficiency for very little price difference.

The cheapest option for Universal is usually a rental car if you have two or more people. It depends on daily rates, but it's pretty easy to get a car for $50/day or less, and there is an Alamo rental desk in the Dolphin. Check MouseSavers for rental deals. Add $15 for parking (heck, spring for $20 preferred parking) and you're still in good shape. It's a very easy drive. Head north on I-4 until you see signs saying "Universal Studios this exit". Follow the signs to parking.

Don

Thanks Don for the very helpful information!

 

[Doctor 10]

Ended up about 34 one way for cab to Universal. Saved us on what cohls have been for MEARS. Plus we weren't tied to a scheduled time for pick up. More flexibility that way. It was funny when we asked ro have a cab flagged down to us when we said we were going to Universal. I said "Yes we'ere going to the Darkside" to which the guy laughed xD

Live in the present judging no one by his or her past nor expecting less for his or her future.-alm

 

[ah10is]

We have the 1 day 2 parks ticket with transportation provided by Mears so the cost of transportation from Disney to Universal is already paid for. How early can I call Mears to book our pick up time from our resort and can I also book what time they pick us up at the parks to return to our resort at the same time? Does any one have experience with this?

thank you!

 

[goofy4tink]

We have the 1 day 2 parks ticket with transportation provided by Mears so the cost of transportation from Disney to Universal is already paid for. How early can I call Mears to book our pick up time from our resort and can I also book what time they pick us up at the parks to return to our resort at the same time? Does any one have experience with this?

thank you!

Easy....you can just call them the day before. Set up the time you want to be picked up for your ride to US/IoA. I actually set up my time when I made the original reservation. I wanted to be at US/IoA before park opening, so they picked me up at 7:30...got to the park in enough time to get checked into our hotel and then over to the gates about 15 mins before the park opened.
Then, you can either make your pickup reservation right then, or wait until about 3 hrs before you want to leave US/IoA....call Mears and they will give you a time to be at the bus stop.