Question about Mears

[nicholas]

Normally I just have a friend pick me up from the airport, but as I will have four travel companions with me this time, I am not going to ask a friend to escort four strangers around with me this time around, and it's been about ten years since I used Mears, so my memory is hazy.

I remember when we used Mears last time, we checked in at the counter once we had claimed our luggage, and then we had to wait about an hour for our shuttle to pick us up and take us to our resort. Is this still the case? Is the wait still that long?

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey Nicholas, You still have all the particulars down!!!! The wait can vary though from immediately ( rarely though) to a half hour wait. One time we had gotten picked up in a pretty decent amount of time, but the guy went by some out of the way route it took an hour and a half to get to Disney. Also the cost of Mears these days is up to $29.00 per person( adult), so with the four of you, you might be better off getting a towncar service like Quicksilver or Tiffany or one of them. More direct for you and cheaper besides!!! Have a great time!! Belle

 

[nicholas]

Do those services have a shorter wait? And one problem with our schedule is the three of us coming from NYC will arrive at about 10am. The two coming from Arkansas won't arrive til about 12:30. So that's why we were going to just take Mears as each of our flights got in and then meet up once we were all there. But even if those towncar services are cheaper for the three of us to take, that would be a help.

 

[raven]

Be sure to get a reservation! Depending on what time you get into the airport, the counter may be closed. If you have a reservation, you will be sure to get a ride. It's well worth the $29 and probably the cheapest.

I didn't have a reservation in May when I went down but I wish I had. My plane was late arriving and I got to the ticket counter at 12:10 AM. The counter closed at Midnight. So I thought I would wait for a Mears van to pull up and get me. Well they never came. So a guy from another shuttle service saw me sitting there and asked where I was going. After I told him, he said "Hop in. I'll take you." So I did. After getting to Pop Century well after 1AM, I turned to the driver and said "How much do I owe you?" That's when he said "How much do you got?" He wanted to charge me $40 for a one-way trip. Mears only charges $29 for a round trip! So I refused to pay that much and only gave him $20. He wasn't happy but I didn't care. That was a rip-off. I then opened the van door and told the other passengers inside that he would try to scam them.

Just be aware of other companies and their credibility. Mears is the best!

 

[wannabeBelle]

For the three of you it may be about even!!! Mears is good and pretty reliable I must say, but I have heard good stories about the towncar services as well. My friend , Sam and his lady used them the last time they camme in and had no problem. Also remember thet own car is for your party exclusively so there arent any other people and no other stops. I know Pam from Kingdom Konsultant booked them but I am not sure which service they used. The liked it as there was almost no wait (they wait for you by the baggage area in the airport when your plane lands) plus they got a half hour grocery stop at a local store so they were able to stock up on a few items at a much cheaper price than on property. Ill see if I can find out which service it was although I think it was Quicksilver Towncars. Belle

 

[wolf29]

Nicholas, why don't three of you rent a small car? You can return it on property the following day. It would be cheaper and maybe more convenient for the first night if you want to go somewhere like PI or Downtown. If you go that route, there are counters for some companies IN the terminal (Alamo & National for sure). It is much quicker that way.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I would say that the towncar idea would be good as long as you don't mind waiting for the people from the later flight. It will cost you about the same, and you can also arrange a quick grocery stop to pick up some things (like drinks to save some money in the park). If you just want to go ahead though and meet the people later then I guess Mears would be the better option. But I think that all the advantages of the towncar beat out that small thing from Mears.

 

[swimmom]

We have started using the towncar services. For 3 the price is about the same. The last time we used Mears we were the first pick-up of about 5 on our return to the airport. The van was overloaded with people and luggage to the point of being unsafe & uncomfortable.

The towncar drivers meet you at the elevator at baggage claim, take your luggage to a waiting car and you are off in comfort directly to your resort. I will only use the towncars from now on even if it's just two of us!

 

[june0802]

We used mears once on our honeymoon and that was the last! We waited for over an hour. Last two trips we used yourride dot net. Awesome service! Will use again for sure!

HTH

 

[doc_holiday3500]

My wife and I are going in Sept. what town car service do you guys suggest we use?

 

[Homer78]

We usually use Tiffany Town Car. You can rent a town car, a van or a limo.

www.tiffanytowncars.com

 

[Erika]

My wife and I are going in Sept. what town car service do you guys suggest we use?

We've used Tiffany twice (requested the same driver, Sid, the second time) and we were really happy with them. But I have heard a lot of good things about Yourride as well.

Nicholas, if there are 5 of you a towncar service will save you a lot of money.

 

[Lilo]

For the three of you it may be about even!!! Mears is good and pretty reliable I must say, but I have heard good stories about the towncar services as well. Belle

Belle how could you. Remember how they messed us up when we went down there at Thanksgiving. The short story is they told us to meet them at a certain time. Well the guy showed up early and split. I called Mears on my cell while I was at the Beach Club and they told me that Bus number so-and-so would be there to pick us up. I told them that that bus had been there and left way before the scheduled time. They argued with me and then called the bus. Sure enough the bus driver was on his way to the airport way before his scheduled departure. They said o.k. they would send another van. They did -- for someone else. By the time a van came for us we had 15 minutes to spare to get our plane. No way MEARS !!!!!! :fork:

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Town Car is the way to go

I would second Belle and Erika about the town car. Cost will be about the same for Mears and three people, plus you will have the car waiting both to and from without some of the hassles you can get with the vans.

Sometimes its even worth it for just two, and then no hassle!

 

[mkt]

Just say no to Mears. Step away from the shuttle.

Use our site sponsor Quicksilver for transportation or rent a car.

Hell, I'll pick you up at MCO... just to save you from Mears.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hi there again, Sorry Lilo I did forget!!! The mind must be going again!!! As I said I havent had any problems with Mears, but if you are concerned about the time factor, go with a town car. As previously mentioned most towncar services are about the same as Mears ( excluding tip) They generally tend to run about $90 round trip, less hassle, less aggravation and more park time!!! And isnt that what it is really about?? Belle

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I only send my clients to Quick Silver. I used to send them to Yourride when Rabbit owned it, but since he sold the business, it's gone downhill. Quick Silver will meet you at the bottom of the escalator at baggage pick up. They take you right to your hotel and will give you a free 30 minute grocery stop. Depending on the hotel you are staying at the cost will vary. Here is the link http://www.quicksilver-tours.com/ They are very reliable and the cars are clean. They are a very dependable. I highly recommend them.

Pam

 

[raven]

I only send my clients to Quick Silver. I used to send them to Yourride when Rabbit owned it, but since he sold the business, it's gone downhill. Quick Silver will meet you at the bottom of the escalator at baggage pick up.

Whoa! $50?!!! That's a lot of money for a ONE-WAY trip. Mears is a ROUND TRIP for only $29. Quick Silver might be clean and curtious but we are already spending $$$ just going to WDW. Unless the $50 includes ALL people in your group, then it would be worth it.

 

[Erika]

Whoa! $50?!!! That's a lot of money for a ONE-WAY trip. Mears is a ROUND TRIP for only $29. Quick Silver might be clean and curtious but we are already spending $$$ just going to WDW. Unless the $50 includes ALL people in your group, then it would be worth it.

It does

 

[Nansafan]

That's the benefit of the towncar service. Mears charges $29 per person. The towncar is a flat rate. We've used yourride twice and they were great. We will be using Quicksilver this July based on Pam's review and others I've read. We were diehard Mears riders until a trip in October 2002 when we boarded the shuttle which took off quickly enough. Then it stopped at every terminal before it started to WDW property. There were only our family and 2 others on it. After stopping at the first family's resort, driver started for the next stop, ours at Coronado Springs. The driver drove around WDW property for almost an hour before we suspected she was lost. My brother moved up front to talk to her and ended up giving her directions to the resort. We never found out if the other family reached their resort. With Mears, it took over 3 hours of driving to get to the resort. We've never used them since. Since we're always traveling with 5 plus people, the towncars/van is cheaper as well. $29 x 5 = $116.00 whereas Quicksilve for a private van is $114.50 round trip from MCO to the Contemporary. It is also the coolest thing as you come down the escalator to see a guy with holding a sign with your name on it. They have already scoped out the luggage carousel, they help you grab your bags and then help carry them to the vehicle of choice. Checking in at your resort in 1 1/2 to 2 hours after touchdown is great (even quicker if you only have carry on luggage and don't have to wait at the luggage carousel).