Mears vs Uber/Lyft for Airport transfer

[LAS321]

We have previously us Mears for our transfer from MCO to and from Disney. While we've never had an issue, I've been reading many negative reviews recently about problems people are having with no-show buses and long waits to get to the resorts. I know using Uber or Lyft might be more expensive, but is it worth it? We'll only be staying for 5 days and have an early arriving flight so we can make the most of the time we have. I'm curious about what other people's experiences have been and what the approximate cost would be. We are 2 adults, 2 carryon suitcases and one larger suitcase Our flight will be arriving around 9:00 AM. Any information would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I too had considered Uber/Lyft for my trip last week but ultimately decided to give Mears Connect another try after a not great experience in December 2022.
I landed at 8:30am.
I did not have to wait very long for the bus to leave the airport. I did find that the bus seemed to be taking their sweet time driving and I was the 3rd resort dropped off. All that said I arrived at my resort at 10am.
The way back went much more smoothly than the previous time I had used it. Our flight was at 9:15am. Our pick up time was 6am (be there waiting by 5:45am). They ended up arriving around 5:50am. We had 2 more stops. The driver told us the pick ups were at 6:10am and 6:20am. We arrived to both several minutes before the scheduled time and everyone was standing waiting ready to hop on.
We arrived at MCO at 6:58am. The driver definitely was not messing around and drove swiftly and safely.

Sorry that I don't have info for you about Uber/Lyft but thought you may like to hear a very recent review of Mears from someone that had an early arrving flight.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I pay up for Uber Comfort or Lyft Comfort instead of the normal one for longer drives because they have more experienced drivers. It has improved my quality of drivers and is my choice of transport for solo travel or traveling with friends.

I won’t even consider Mears now. I tried it one evening early Dec, it was almost 2.5hrs to my hotel, stop 5 of 6. Just to save myself $20-$30. If time matters skip Mears.

 

[Mousetopia]

We have previously us Mears for our transfer from MCO to and from Disney. While we've never had an issue, I've been reading many negative reviews recently about problems people are having with no-show buses and long waits to get to the resorts. I know using Uber or Lyft might be more expensive, but is it worth it? We'll only be staying for 5 days and have an early arriving flight so we can make the most of the time we have. I'm curious about what other people's experiences have been and what the approximate cost would be. We are 2 adults, 2 carryon suitcases and one larger suitcase Our flight will be arriving around 9:00 AM. Any information would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!

What is an extra hour plus of time in the parks worth to you? For me its gold! so uber or lyft for me, even if surge pricing. No contest

 

[jeankeri]

used Mears last week. Waited maybe 20 minutes for bus at MCO and were third stop after Poly & GF. Took maybe 1 hour to arrive at our resort from airport. Our pick up was much like the one above- 5:50 pick up time for a 9:15 flight. We were last pick up so at MCO by 7. Would absolutely book again.

 

[4leobeans]

Starting to think about getting to the resort from the airport.

It looks to me, like for a family of 5 (no car seats), Mears would cost more…
Maybe it includes the return too though?

The last time we were at Disney, they still had the magical express

 

[mjl1993]

We went as a couple and never had issues on DME, used Mears once and almost missed our flight home after waiting 90 minutes for our pickup at Poly. 100% taking uber for our 2025 trip!

 

[Miffy]

Edited version:

Just recently back from a trip to WDW. I ended up taking Mears both ways and everything was fine. At MCO Terminal C I waited maybe 10 minutes for my bus to AKL. The bus dropped people off at several other resorts before AKL, but even so, the entire trip was maybe an hour.

But, OP, time is important to you. So I'd take a rideshare at least to the resort, since you'll certainly get there sooner than you would with Mears.

For the ride back, it's up to you. Mears will pick you up probably an hour earlier than a rideshare would, so that's something to consider.

 

[njcoach24]

I love getting to hotel as quick as possible and uber/lyft checks that box. Also, an extra hour at the hotel on the way back and not having to sit at the airport any longer than I need to is why I prefer uber/lyft.

When it was Magical Express, used that every time. Free and it was a cute way to start and end the vacation in a bus that looked like the rides. Also, they played Disney cartoons and my little guy loved it. And having the bags waiting for you, what a gift.

This is something Disney really needs to consider bringing back. It set it apart and made the Disney bubble more robust.

 

[_19disnA]

If planning any other side trips, rental car would also be an option. The cost of those online taxis quickly adds up if you want to go shopping or perhaps eat off-site from Disney. Having a rental car means you can go when/where you want with no waiting/extra stops or need for advance planning.

 

[gottalovepluto]

It looks to me, like for a family of 5 (no car seats), Mears would cost more…
Maybe it includes the return too though?

Mears is priced each way

 

[gottalovepluto]

If planning any other side trips, rental car would also be an option. The cost of those online taxis quickly adds up if you want to go shopping or perhaps eat off-site from Disney. Having a rental car means you can go when/where you want with no waiting/extra stops or need for advance planning.

And, if you don’t want the car the whole trip can always one way rental if you rent from an outfit that allows drops at Disney car care center. Do your own grocery run and get a free shuttle from the car drop off to anywhere on property.

 

[beccasmom]

We used and loved DME from its inception. It worked very well for us and we loved not having to haul our luggage. We miss it for sure. It was free, but we would have paid for it!

Now we use a car service chiefly because DH has had hip and knee replacement surgery and having to shimmy into the backseat of a van (they don’t always use buses on early airport pickups) is not the way to begin (or end!) our vacations. It’s an extra expense, but it works better for us.

We might otherwise use Lyft or Uber, but renting a car would also be something we’d consider (and have done a few times in the past). I’d rather not drive, but DH doesn’t mind it.

 

[jeankeri]

On our trip earlier this month our Mears driver was very chatty. Said that the total number of Mears drivers assigned to WDW is now about 20.The rest are driving the Universal Resort shuttle. Very similar to DME (themed with cartoons, etc) except no luggage delivery and they do charge a fee. I would very much like to see DME return, even with a fee.Terminal C at MCO was not overwhelming with luggage, but not sure I would like dealing with it in terminals A or B.

 

[Lost boy]

We just returned from a stay from 9/25 to 9/30, used the Mears bus both to and from, the pickup at the airport was awful, we waited in line at terminal B for an hour with dozens of other families, not a single bus showed up for any resorts. At just over an hour, they started to put together groups going to the same resort and boarding us on the short busses. We ended up on a short bus, ten people total, to SSR. The return to MCO was better, we were the first pickup, but we went to three resorts after that. The people at the last pickup said the bus was 25minutes later than their reserved time. We had 90 minutes at MCO before our departing flight.

 

[HappyAsALark]

I pay up for Uber Comfort or Lyft Comfort instead of the normal one for longer drives because they have more experienced drivers. It has improved my quality of drivers and is my choice of transport for solo travel or traveling with friends.

I won’t even consider Mears now. I tried it one evening early Dec, it was almost 2.5hrs to my hotel, stop 5 of 6. Just to save myself $20-$30. If time matters skip Mears.

It looks like Mears is $16 per adult, each way.
I just checked my Uber receipts from May. Both of these were Uber X trips.
MCO-Swan on May 24 was 37.90 (Which included a $9 tip)
Swan-MCO on May 27 was 31.90 (Which included an $8 tip)
Both trips were easy to book, arrived quickly and had pleasant drivers with clean cars.

I always check both apps to see which one is cheaper or offering a promo at that moment.

Check your credit cards for deals or memberships for Lyft and Uber. Your friends who have either app can also share promo codes with you for discounts.

I would rather pay a few dollars and go straight to my hotel.

Also, I believe you can walk up and book Mears (I am sure someone will let us know if one cannot walk up and book). You could check the apps and if it feels like too much $ then you could go downstairs and book Mears and be on your way.

Have a great trip!

 

[Miffy]

It looks like Mears is $16 per adult, each way.
I just checked my Uber receipts from May. Both of these were Uber X trips.
MCO-Swan on May 24 was 37.90 (Which included a $9 tip)
Swan-MCO on May 27 was 31.90 (Which included an $8 tip)
Both trips were easy to book, arrived quickly and had pleasant drivers with clean cars.

I always check both apps to see which one is cheaper or offering a promo at that moment.

Check your credit cards for deals or memberships for Lyft and Uber. Your friends who have either app can also share promo codes with you for discounts.

I would rather pay a few dollars and go straight to my hotel.

Also, I believe you can walk up and book Mears (I am sure someone will let us know if one cannot walk up and book). You could check the apps and if it feels like too much $ then you could go downstairs and book Mears and be on your way.

Have a great trip!

Yes, you can walk up and book Mears. No need for a reservation. I've done this several times when the Uber/Lyft prices were crazy high, which seems to be all the time lately for me, arriving at Terminal C.

 

[jtopp]

The two of us used Lyft on our last trip. One way on Lyft was the same as a round trip on Mears. Even with the additional cost, we will continue to use them, as they do not waste time. From MCO, we had a 5 minute wait, as opposed to 20 minutes for Mears. We were taken directly to our resort, not having to stop along the way at other resorts. We had a comfortable ride alone in a minivan, not a bus with others, and were delivered right to our room, not a resort lobby. On return to MCO, we did not have to be picked up 3 hours before flight time. Using TSA precheck, we have minimal wait in the airport, and can get to our gate closer to departure time. It doesn't sound like much, but having the control of our transportation is worth the additional cost.