What time to catch Mears before flight home

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

Our flight is at 9:10 pm. Do we HAVE to leave 4 hrs prior or is that just a recomended time. Wed like to stay at AK till 430-500 then get back by 515 tops (ASMo) eat dinner then leave by 6. That would get us to the airport by 645-700 which to me is plenty of time (~2 hrs) Will they let us do that or will they make me kill half a day.

 

[TOMMY@SWA]

The real reason they make you leave 4 hours prior is the fact that they will be making additional stops at different resorts. They do that to fill up the bus...I have done this quite a bit and it never fails, 4 hours prior....Hope that helps.

Have a great time, I will be there in May!

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

How do I go about reserving. I included it in my package for $40 prepaid. Do I need to make a reservation before I land at MCO or do I do that at the window when I get there?
Just realized this may do better on the transportation boards.

 

[MHopkins2]

If the budget allows (and you can make a change at this point), I'd remove the Mears from your package and switch to a towncar service. For ~ $100 roundtrip including tip, you don't have to worry about any of this business, and the towncar will pick you up ~ 2 1/2 hours before your return flight. Not to mention, it's a much nicer way to start your vacation - uniformed driver who greets you at baggage claim and drives you straight to your resort vs. being herded onto a bus with a zillion other people, who are possibly staying at a bunch of different resorts.

 

[Mouseteacher]

I agree with MHopkins2. Tiffany Town Car is $85 round trip plus a tip ($5 coupon on their website). It is so worth it! I did Mears for many years but never again -- towncar service is the way to go.

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

Im considering that, which is why I asked. I used a car service last time and it was great (there was 6 of us), but this time its just my DD5 and I so it only came to $40 compared to $80 for a car. Im a little conflicted. I really dont want to spend a good part of our last day in a bus or at the airport. Would you really shell out the extra $40 to save the hassle? Someone "steer" me in the right direction. (Sorry I couldnt resist!)

 

[cyndibelle]

oh my god you guys have me thinking now..we leave in three weeks ..our stuff is already paid for...can we switch now or is it too late....how much did we pay for mears to transport us..i dont even know.....where do i find out about cars to take us to our hotel....i need to know this info now..ughhhh..i am now stressing about this cause i dont wanna lose half a day just to ride from one resort to another to pick up other people..forget that..no thanks...geesh....

 

[Valentine]

Without a Doubt.. do the TOWN CAR!!! I just returned and used Florida Tours.. They were Fabulous... on time.. efficient.. friendly... clean car... just wonderful!!! They called me the day before to confirm pick-ups... such a pleasure... I have done all three ways.. Rental car.. Mears.. and Town Car.. well also have done Limo.. and honestly... Town car even beat the Limo!! Mears is the pits... sorry to say it.. but it really is... don't start your vacation that way... spend the extra $$.. you will be glad you did!!! I have a card in my luggage still for Florida Tours.. my driver was fabulous.. if you want a reco.. PM me and I will give you her name..

Kathy

 

[disneyfanatic60]

Ditto on the town car! Would never use Mears again. We sometimes spent over an hour stopping at three or four different resorts (not all on WDW property). They "tell" you what time they will pick you up and yes you do go to other resorts on the return trip. We actually had one trip we used them and we arrived to leave a little early. There was a Mears van waiting and they would not let us on it. They told us we had to wait for the van that would be sent at the time they told us! The town car only picks you up. It's very easy to use and very, very convenient. In fact, my kids enjoyed the feeling of being treated to a private driver to head to the resort.

 

[MagicPrincess]

Thank goodness I found this thread. I think we'll also get a town car. I hate being rushed on the day I'm leaving.
Thanks for posting this info!!!

 

[MagicPrincess]

couple quick questions...
Do you tip the Mears Shuttle driver?
How much- and same goes for town car driver.
ALSO- what is this I hear about a $9 entrance fee that must be paid??? Is that only with town cars and limos???
thanks!

 

[MHopkins2]

Shuttle tip - $2 pp
Towncar tip - 15% ish, paid half on arrival and half on departure (just in case you get two different drivers)

Extra fee is for Magic Kingdom resorts, because Disney makes them pay parking fees (must enter via the same road that goes to the TTC to get to the MK resorts).

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

You know what, you guys are absolutely right. What the heck was I thinking??? We dont land till 8pm and I DONT want to have to check in at 10or11 with my DD5. And I really dont want to have to give up my last day especially since we have UPHs.

Cindibelle,
I think your may be too late to change in terms of you may get charged. Isnt it 45 or 21 days out is the cut off depending on who you booked through, CRO OR WDTC (respectively)? Call and check because I totally see the light now thanks to these guys!! Mears is a mistake.
I guess you get what you pay for and Im going to pay the extra $40 to get there quickly and make the most of my last day!!
THANKS GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

Magicprincess,
The $10 fee for the MK resorts is included in the rate posted on most of the towncar services websites except Cartier which makes me believe they will charge you after the fact (hidden charge?)

Can anyone tell me why FLTOURS is so much more expensive than the others? You can get a grocery stop etc.. with the others so I dont get it.

 

[wilderness01]

******** also provides a grocery stop. The website also has a coupon for $5 off. We have been very happy with their service. The driver picked us up 2.5 hours early and we were at the airport in plenty of time. Also helped us with the bags off the belt when we arrived. Good luck.

 

[wilderness01]

I don't know why the name of the company was ****** out but it is your ride, without the space between the 2 r's.

 

[cyndibelle]

well we called disney last night and got mears cancelled....we are using tiffany towncar...it is only 75 bucks roundtrip..that is with their 5 dollar coupon off the web...and you get a grocery stop too...woo hooooo......i am so happy i found this thread and you guys made me see the light...this will make things much easier..thank you sooo much.....

 

[Terry S]

I used Mears the first few times and it is just not much fun, you have to get your own luggage, haul it out there, wait in line and then wait for a bus to get loaded on then you stop at other resorts. With a Town Car, a guy waits with a sign, helps you with your luggage and takes you to your resort only and will stop at the grocery store if you want, free of charge. It is awesome. I would highly reccommend it.

 

[clhcpaca]

I first did Tiffany a couple of years ago when I went with two other people---it was actually cheaper than Mears. The last two Septembers I have gone solo and I still do the towncar service. I like the individual attention, getting to call the shots about the time I get picked up, the grocery stop, not being squished between other people in the vehicle and the seat belts.... The last time I was talking to the driver about my wait at the CBR check-in place (forgot what it's called) and the crowd there and he even said that he could have picked me up at my room or the food court area. So, there is flexibility there. I really do prefer the towncar over Mears.

Cindy

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

wilderness01,
Same thing happened to me (*****) when I tried to post once about them. I used them last Sept and they were fine but they pulled a really crappy fast one on the moderators of these boards so they have been banned. I now have to question their integrity. For that reason and because I support these boards 100% I will never use them again.

Cindibelle,
Good to hear! I wondered about the grocery stop thing-thanks. I think Ill either go with them or Cartier. Can anyone help me break the tie??