Town car or Mears for us?

[cadburysmom]

I will be traveling to WDW with my DS9 in early June and staying at CSR. I'm not planning to rent a car and will be relying on Disney transportation to and from the parks. My question is, with only two of us, should we use the Mears shuttle to get to and from the airport or should we use a town car service? I haven't found much info about Mears but what I have found has been quite negative and with few specifics so I'm wondering what the negatives are with using Mears.

Thanks in advance!

Mom from NC

 

[taxi_man696]

Negatives, as with any pre-arranged transportation is will they actually be there when I need them?

Easy solution-forget both and take a cab. As opposed to what FLTours says in their ads they ARE NOT CHEAPER THAN A TAXI.

A cab will cost approx. 45-50 each way and are always staged at the airport and ALL disney properties.

If you do not arrange in advance with a driver you will most likely get a Yellow cab from MCO to WDW and a Checker cab from WDW to MCO. Both are operated by the same company--MEARS TRANSPORTATION.

Do some checking into web sites and PM a cabbie to see what kind of rates you can get for RT pre-arranged transportation. You may find a GREAT DEAL!!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I cannot comment on the taxis from the airport, but I can advise you NOT to waste your time and money on Mears. They are nothing more than cattle cars. You will spend more time waiting and taking side trips to other hotels. It can take a LONG time to get to your hotel.
We used them on our first family trip in 1997 and never again. We have had great towncar service over the last few years. This is the only sane way to go. A quiet and relaxing drive directly to your Disney hotel (unless you want a grocery stop). The driver helps you with your bags. Entirely different atmosphere from Mears.

 

[TLinden16]

I always take a towncar now, even when I'm travelling by myself. It's nice to be in a private car instead of a bus with a lot of people that has to make multiple stops.

Most towncar companies offer grocery stops, so you can grab water and snacks to save some money.

FL Tours is a sponser of this site, and although I have not used them (but will be next month), I have heard lots of good things about them.

I have used Tiffany Towncar serval times, and have had luck with them.

Karen

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

The biggest negative I've found with Mears is that it takes quite some time before the bus/van headed to your resort actually arrives. We were very anxious to get our vacation started, but ended up waiting almost an hour in the aiport just waiting for the right van. We were packed into the van with strangers, which is what I expected but it was weird for my kids to be so squished with people they didn't know. They don't have carseats, which probably isn't an issue for you. The van stopped at various resorts before arriving at our resort. And coming home, they require that you leave 4 hours before your flight.

This past trip, we used Legacy Towncar. We had two carseats to use. The driver was waiting when we landed. We had our own car to spread out in. We got a grocery stop.

I don't think I'll ever go back to Mear......just because the towncar was much more convenient for our family!!

 

[crisi]

Mears:

Pros - relatively cheap for two people. Shuttles run pretty much constantly. Often "included" in packages (which can make it just plain easy).

Cons - if you are the last stop, it can take a LONG time to get from the airport to your hotel. You'll be in a big van with strangers.

Towncar:

Pros - cheap for three or four people (vans for five or more are pricey, but I still think cheaper than Mears). Get someone standing at baggage claim with a sign with your name on it (put the kids name on it - very cool). Personalized service. Most will offer a "free" grocery stop. You'll know EXACTLY what the charge to the resort and the airport will be (sans tip - but you will know that as well). Towncars tend to be pretty nice (shiny black Lincoln with leather seats) although they do get a lot of use, so they may be a little "worn." The driver will handle your

Cons - sometimes towncars screw up and they will occationally leave you stranded.

Taxis:

Pros: Always there, at the airport and the resorts. No preplanning involved - you get in a cab and go direct to your destination. You can get a van at the same rates as a regular cab.

Cons: About the same (I think a little more expensive) than a towncar (unless you are looking at a minivan) - however, the pricing is variable - if the driver takes the long way or gets stuck in traffic your $40 fare could be $50 or $60. And a grocery stop will cost you a lot while the meter runs on a wait fee.

Public Bus:

Pros: CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP

Cons: It may take you two hours to get to Disney, and then you'll need to get to your resort. Not good at all if you have lots of luggage and/or small kids.

 

[tjmw2727]

I travel to WDW alone with my two dds - 7 and 9 now and for me Mears isn't even an option any more. I will take a towncar every time!

Cost - Mears $29.00 adult and $21.00 child, plus tip - so its only $50.00 r/t definately the cheaper option. Taxi - $40 to $60 each way plus tip and for us the one trip we needed a taxi from CR to MCO it was $56.00 definately not cost effective. Town Car - we use Tiffany but FL Tours was great to my sil, $90 round trip plus tip.

For us the extra $ for the town car is well worth it for the following reasons. Driver meets us at baggage claim, helps with luggage and takes us (and only us) to the resort. For no additional cost they will take you for a grocery stop on the way. We stock up on breakfast items, drinks and snacks as well as pb&j fixings and fruit. We probably save enough of breakfast and snacks to justify the additional cost. Again on the return trip just meet the driver at the resort and your off to the airport.

We used Mears twice and both times we got our baggage, waited in a long line to buy the tickets, checked in with another person outside and waitied about 45 mintues for the bus to our resort. We stopped at 4 other resorts on the way and it took forever. No help with luggage at either point but they did expect a tip! On the return trip we were again lined up and got another tour of several resorts on the way back to the airport.

TJ

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> No help with luggage and they expect a tip?

I'd tip based on my overall experience and satisfaction, on an absolute scale.

One disadvantage of reserved town cars is that a flight delay can mess things up. I haven't tried it but I think you can find town cars or flat rate taxis when you get to the airport with no reservation.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
>>> No help with luggage and they expect a tip?

I'd tip based on my overall experience and satisfaction, on an absolute scale.

One disadvantage of reserved town cars is that a flight delay can mess things up. I haven't tried it but I think you can find town cars or flat rate taxis when you get to the airport with no reservation.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Actually the town car companies have a very good idea about flight delays - they monitor them pretty closely. I have used TTC 2 to 4 times a year and they are always aware of delays and even early arrivals and have met me on time, every time. We once had a delay in logan and when I called to let them know they were already aware of it!

The other advantage of a town car is the "round trip" discount, grocery stop and pre arragned return to the airport.

TJ

 

[clkelley]

My decision on whether to use Mears or a Towncar is based on the following:

How many folks in my party - 3 or more Towncar, just me and hubby, towncar - he likes the grocery stop for Beer, must have beer, and at a minimum of $8 for a six pack at WDW vs. $15 a case at grocery store, well the difference is easy!

If it is just me, or me and a friend, then I will base my decision to use Mears on the following:

What time of day am I arriving and/or leaving. I want to optimize my time at WDW.

Arrival day - late at night - just going to the resort, then Mears.
Arrival day - mid day or morning, want to go to parks that day - towncar.

Departure day - early morning, not worried about parks that day, then Mears
Departure day - late afternoon or evening, then towncar. Towncars pick up 2 hours before flight. Mears picks up 3-4 hours before flight.

Another option you might want to check into is a 24-hour rental car each way through National. You can pick it up at the airport and drop it off at the Dolphin or Car Care Center. Then the day before or day of your departure, you can pick one up at the Dolphin or Car Care Center, and drop it off at the airport. Sometimes they have great deals on that option.

Hope this helps,

Carol

 

[Noelle]

tjmw2727 - You've been pleased with Tiffany's? I'd really like to get your feedback or anyone who's used Tiffany's.

We've always taken Mears and been happy. But primarily because we didn't know there was any other option. But the last time we went, it took FOREVER for us to get to our resort. We even had to go to hotels that weren't in WDW!!!! We were staying at POR. The driver made 5 stops before us! Now, normally I would careless. We've been to WDW a number of times before. But then for our pick-up to the airport, it was 3.5 hours before flight time because of Xmas!

This summer we have an early flight - 7:00 a.m. I don't want to have to be at the bus stop at 4:00 a.m.! That extra hour of sleep is REALLY important to me.

Thanks!

 

[dina7]

The previous posts have done a thorough job of pointing out all the negatives of using Mears. We actually used a Town car service for the first time on our last trip-Nov. 2003 and we were pleasantly surprised. Extremely convenient and great service. The one we used was Tiffany Town Car. They have a website tiffanytowncar.com and it has a coupon you can print out and give to the driver. I think it was for $5 off a round trip. Good luck.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes - I am loyal to TTC but I have read great reviews of Fl Tours as well. Tiffany was the town car company recommended many years ago, they are great so I see no reason to try anyone else!!

Tiffany has always met us on time at the airport, drive courteous and the drivers have been polite and friendly. I love the grocery stop and IIRC they allow you 30 minutes. They will give you a good idea as to when you should be picked up for the return since they are familiar with the airport and can tell you what your best option is. IE- crowded monday morning vs tuesday afternoon departure. Our most recent trip was Feb 04 and before that Nov 03 and they were great both times so my experience is recent.

I did speak with Deb who handles most of the reservations and she was having trouble with the website. I am not sure what the issue was but she apologized and is trying to correct it.

We are lucky in that we travel to WDW 2 to 5 times a year and unless dh comes along and we rent a car TTC is the company for us.

HTH

TJ

 

[clkelley]

We LOVE Tiffany Town Car!!

Great Service!!!


Carol

 

[cadburysmom]

Thank you so much for your valuable input!