Think twice before using Mears

[bleeps]

We just returned from 6 magical days at the beginning of April (our first Disney World experience but definitely not our last!) and the ONLY thing I would do differently next time would be NOT to use Mears Shuttle between the airport and Disney's Contemporary hotel. Next time, we will book a limo service. The main problem with Mears is that you will lose HOURS off your trip at the beginning and the end.

The check-in for the shuttle at the airport is confusing and has you waiting in two different lines. After those waits, we had to wait almost an hour for our shuttle, and THEN it stopped at several other terminals before heading to Disney. This was especially hard on our 5-year-old since it had taken us all day to fly from Boston to Orlando already -- we ALL just wanted to be at the park and had counted on being there by a certain time (just to get us through the trials and tribulations of the process of getting there).

The worst part was the trip back. We called 24 hours in advance, as instructed, and were told to be in the lobby of our hotel by no later than 10:15 a.m. to get the 10:35 shuttle, which they recommended given the time of our flight. Apparently business was slow for them that day, and without telling us they decided to combine our shuttle with the next shuttle -- so we ended up standing in our lobby for over an hour waiting (again, especially difficult given that we'd rushed our son out of the park that morning -- and we all wished we'd had that extra hour to be on our favorite rides). (We know they combined shuttles because of the number of families that appeared at 11:15 and told us they were waiting for the 11:35 shuttle, and the Disney porters confirmed for us that we had not missed ours -- that Mears said they were running "late.") Again, after this long wait, we went to MANY hotels before finally heading to the airport.

It's not that Mear's was "bad" -- the drivers were friendly, etc. But if you value your time, have a group of at least 3 people, and/or are traveling with children, I HIGHLY recommend that you take a taxi or a limo. You will be tired, frustrated, and your time will be wasted with Mears.

 

[CarolA]

I agree. I did Mears once and never again. It was just too much waiting around. You wait at the airport for them to fill up the van and they just CRAMMED people into our van. We then got a senic tour of several Disney hotels before ours. And they pick you up SO far in advance of your flight.

I think either a towncar or rental car is the way to go!

 

[puffkin]

We used Mears our first trip and it took us about 2 hours to get from baggage claim to our resort. All in all, it was a lot of waiting, but it wasn't too bad.

This last trip, we used Tiffany Towncar and it was wonderful! We were out of the airport within 10 minutes of getting our bags. We had a grocery stop and were delivered directly to our resort. Our return to the airport was just as nice. I will always use a towncar service from now on. I have heard good things about most of the different services that are mentioned on the boards.

BTW, the deciding factor on the towncar for us was when Mears told us they would pick us up at 4 pm for our 8 pm flight. What a waste of time! Mears is more economical for the two of us, but we love the towncar service.

 

[CarolMN]

IMHO, Mears is only more economical if you place little or no value on your vacation time. Once was more than enough for me. If we don't rent a car, then we arrange for a towncar/van, even if I'm the only passenger!

 

[*Fantasia*]

This is why we used FL TOURS. It took us right to our resort. The ride was very comfortable. And we even stopped for grocery store without extra charge. I am heading back to Orlando and will be using FL TOURS again.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

We also used Mears only on our first trip. We have never, and will never, use them again. I agree with all the other posts that there is way too much wasted time. Add in the mass confusion at the Mears counter and the crowds and you have a trip off to a not very pleasant start.
We have used Tiffany Town Car the last few trips and have had no problems at all. We are probably at our Disney hotel before the Mears people are leaving the airport.
Definitely worth it and gets the vacation off on the right foot.

 

[DramaTech]

Wow, I have never had the problems that so many have had with Mears. They have always gotten me out of the airport within about 15 minutes, then straight to the resort.

Just so you know, whatever time they tell you they want to pick you up for your return, you can instruct them to come get you later. They will explain that they will not be liable if you miss your flight, but as long as you figure in traffic time, you should be able to safely set your own pickup time.

 

[Muffy]

That is exactly what happened to us the one time we used Mears. It was years ago and we decided never again!