[JungleJay]

Does anyone have any experience using the Mears Shuttle Service? I remember seeing their van quite a bit and their prices seem comparable when I consider that kids 3 and under are free with them and it appears they charge per person. Any recommendation between them and Quicksilver? I am just looking for a one-way trip from the airport to our hotel in LBV.

[Dana]

I used them in 1997 and again in 2000. I waited for what seems like forever for my bus/van to get to my resort. Cheap, yes, but a hassle to me. I would rather pay the extra few bucks and have someone waiting to take me right to the resort. I have heard that their service has improved greatly, but have no first hand exp[erience with it. I would go with the town car regardless. It's a flat rate and includes a grocery stop (free).

[BDavis932]

Welcome to Disney Central!!!!

We used them in 1997 once only because we didn't know any better. We got on a shuttle van with about 12 other people (think sardines!!) with a sleepy wiggly 2 year old and our resort was the LAST to be dropped off. It took an extra hour and a half to get to our resort...I think Quicksilver is $45 one way and that to me sounds well worth it! Especially with the 30 minute grocery stop. With a little one, I always tend to forget to pack something or diapers, etc. take up way too much room. That way you can wait to buy some things once you arrive in Orlando.

[timsha]

We have used them in the past. The van is not always dedicated to your resort, so you may have to stop 2 or 3 times to get to your destination. You may have to also wait for a shuttle to take you to your resort.... we waited 45 minutes one trip...... for the extra money, rent a town car to take you, it is faster and more convienient.

P.S., welcome to DC!!!

[karliebug]

We've used them twice, now we always rent a car. You have to wait, travel to other resorts (once in an unairconditioned van), and on the way back we had to leave our resort very early and then sit at the airport for 3 hours before our flight. I have read such good things here about Quicksilver that if I were not going to rent I would most definitely give them a try.

[tragic312]

i had an unpleasant experience with mears during our first trip. well, i can't really say it was unpleasant; it was my impatienceness (if there is such a word) that made the experience unpleasant. we bought tickets for the mears bus and waited over an hour for the bus to come. other mears buses came and went but we had to wait for our pager to go off when our bus finally arrived. they also told rob that on the day we were set to leave, mears wanted a 4 hour waiting window. i don't know if it was just us or if they do that overall.

[crystalrp]

We did not like using Mears at all! There is nowhere to sit while you wait for your van/bus, you are out in the heat, we waited for close to an hour for them to get enough people to make it worth it to them to go to WL. We saw lots of people arrive after us but get taken before us which seemed very frustrating! When they finally got around to calling our number, we felt like we had won the lottery! Lots of wasted time when you are anxious to get to your resort. Used Tiffany Towncar this past time, and LOVED it! Will always use a towncar service from now on!

[ARIEL]

hi junglejay,
My DH and I have been to florida many times now and find out something new everytime but each time, one thing has remained the same and that is we always use MEARS shuttle service when we need to step off Disney.
Once, we simply called MEARS for a cab and a small yellow car turned up and charged a small fortune to take us to seaworld. We were put off using them again until we got talking to a chap who said to use their Shuttle service. This is much cheaper, about $12 pp round trip and they give you a chitty to call for your return trip.
The only downfall of this is if your in a real hurry, as you may not be the only collection/drop off. You may be the 1st one on the bus but then stop at 2 or 3 other hotels on route to collect other persons.
Fortunately we have never been to ' in a rush ' and so this has never really bothered us.

I like them and will use them again but everyone is different

[JungleJay]

Thanks for everyone's input. It definitely does not sound like Mears is the way for us to go. I'd like to get right from point A to point B. I have done a little more research and it looks like renting a car is definitely the best value. For only $39 (including taxes) I can get my whole family directly to the hotel. And, as luck would have it, our hotel (Doubletree Suites at WDW Resort) has a rental car drop off, which makes it that much more convenient to drop off our one night rental. For those who are not staying at the Doubletree, they offer the same bus service as the WDW resorts, so you can easily drop off your car then get free bus service back to your resort.

Thanks again for your input!

[Curtis]

We are getting a TownCar from Mears, as part of the package we got off disney.com, so I am hoping some of the problems mentioned here, with waiting will be less of a problem, since the car will be there just for us.

[quicksilver]

Originally Posted by JungleJay

Thanks for everyone's input. It definitely does not sound like Mears is the way for us to go. I'd like to get right from point A to point B. I have done a little more research and it looks like renting a car is definitely the best value. For only $39 (including taxes) I can get my whole family directly to the hotel. And, as luck would have it, our hotel (Doubletree Suites at WDW Resort) has a rental car drop off, which makes it that much more convenient to drop off our one night rental. For those who are not staying at the Doubletree, they offer the same bus service as the WDW resorts, so you can easily drop off your car then get free bus service back to your resort.

Thanks again for your input!

Hi JungleJay,

It does seem better paying only $39.00 and dropping your rental at the Hotel, but don't forget all the time it might take you to get your vehicle, then you must return it with a full tank so you will have to stop for gas at LBV (or pay whatever they charge for their gas). You will have $2.00 for tolls, no help with your bags, and etc...
This might add up to about $49.00. For just $6.00 more you will have a driver, a nice towncar, help with bags, and the advantage of not getting lost...

Regards to all,

Gregory Nicolas.

[MerlinMatt]

Leave it to Gregory to post a completely un-biased post.

But he's absolutely right.

Jay, picture this:

We packed only carry-on baggage and landed around 9:05. Our driver (Gregory) was waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs. He grabbed two bags and led us quickly to his car and he whisked us away. We were out of the airport by 9:25 and pulled up to All-Star Sports at exactly 10am. We were at Epcot Center just before 11am.

There's NO WAY you'd be able to have that kind of timing with a rental. You'd easily lose 30 minutes at the airport waiting for a transport bus (and they rarely help you with your luggage) and then having to sign contracts. Then it's another lost 15 minutes to drop it off.

Gregory is right. It's worth the extra $6.

[quicksilver]

Originally Posted by MerlinMatt

Leave it to Gregory to post a completely un-biased post.

[disneyguy]

I would NEVER use Mears again. Our driver barely knew how to speak English, and so you can imagine his driving skills. If you end up being the last stop, which we were, it is usually about 1.5 hours to get from the airport to your resort. We used Tiffany's and were much happier than with Mears, but would use Quicksilver next time since Tiffany's really messed up our reservation.

[Curtis]

You guys really aren't giving me hope, for my experience I am about to have with Mears...lol. I wonder if it's possible for me to contact Disney, cancel the transportation part of my package, and then contact Quicksilver or Tiffany, and get a towncar from them. Anyone know if that's possible?