Mears experiences…

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Hi all,

Our last two vacations we used Sunshine Flyer and had good experiences, however our last vacation they picked us up over three hours early for our flight. I know it’s better to be early, but we felt it was a little too much. We were thinking of trying out Mears for our August vacation. How many hours early do they normally pick you up for MCO (US) flight? For those who have used both have you been happy with Mears?

Thank you!

 

[Leigh L]

Hi all,

Our last two vacations we used Sunshine Flyer and had good experiences, however our last vacation they picked us up over three hours early for our flight. I know it’s better to be early, but we felt it was a little too much. We were thinking of trying out Mears for our August vacation. How many hours early do they normally pick you up for MCO (US) flight? For those who have used both have you been happy with Mears?

Thank you!

In September we used Sunshine Flyer for the way in and Mears going home.

Mears picked us up pretty early, but it was otherwise a good experience. However, we also knew we would be the first picked up to go to MCO since on Shades of Green property (due to rules with military IDs). With that being said, there was only GF and Poly being picked up by a smaller van along with us, and we all got to MCO fairly early.

(I have read of people supplying the bus companies with different times, but personally, I'm too anxious to try that .)

We also used Mears with Universal on another trip. Again, early, but no problems whatsoever.

Edited to add...since Sunshine Flyer was new, I was hesitant to book them because I felt their booking process for choosing a return time was confusing on their website, so we went with what we knew. Timewise, it was probably a little over three hours early like your last experience.

 

[Dug720]

It may be "too early" until you hit a back up due to a wreck, lines to check in baggage, and lines at TSA. And yes, even PreCheck gets backed up at MCO - largely I think because they are still randomly giving people a "trial flight" of PreCheck and they have no clue so still start trying to take everything out and off. And until there's an issue with the MCO monorail and they are having to use shuttle busses to get people across.

Odds of all of them happening are slim, but one or two? Definitely possible.

I get that park tickets are expensive and we all want to maximize our time, but I'd always rather err on the side of being at the airport early and having time to sit and read or whatever than being late and having to run through the airport (and be "those people" trying to push their way through security screaming that they're going to miss their flight).

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Thank you. They picked us up at 11:00am and our flight was after 3:00pm. I just thought it was a little too early. Does Mears work fairly the same?

 

[MinnieMSue]

when I booked mears for this summer they indicated my return will be about 3 hours before my flight so I think both companies are using the better safe than sorry policy

 

[sponica]

Thank you. They picked us up at 11:00am and our flight was after 3:00pm. I just thought it was a little too early. Does Mears work fairly the same?

Both of them operate on a 3ish hour timeline, but so did the Magical Express. I imagine if you're the first pick up, you might even be more than 3 hours.

 

[Miffy]

Thank you. They picked us up at 11:00am and our flight was after 3:00pm. I just thought it was a little too early. Does Mears work fairly the same?

Yes, they do. And, in fact, many town car services also do, even if you're informed of this only that morning.

The only way to leave for sure at a later time is to get a taxi or rideshare when you're ready to leave.

BTW, I've been using Mears Connect and have been very happy with their service.

 

[georgina]

I have never used these services, but I am a bit confused. If they pick you up too early, can you not just tell them you have a flight an hour later than your actual flight? Do they demand proof of your flight time?

 

[Miffy]

I have never used these services, but I am a bit confused. If they pick you up too early, can you not just tell them you have a flight an hour later than your actual flight? Do they demand proof of your flight time?

When you book, you tell Mears your flight number and time. They don't demand proof--well, they didn't for me--but it's a good idea to tell them your actual flight because they'll know if it's delayed, for example.

Remember that things happen--there's traffic or an accident or backup for some reason. Or things could be screwed up at the airport itself. The TSA line can be epic at MCO. A couple of trips ago I didn't realize that my TSA Precheck status wasn't listed on my boarding pass--the regular line was huge--and I had to go back to the airline desk to get the correct boarding pass. That took a while and was unexpected.

I also realized that trip that I didn't like getting to the airport so close to departure. I don't love getting there super early, either, but it's better than having to race to the gate--especially at Terminal C. And all of this is better than getting a rideshare driver who's new and doesn't know where they're going. The Mears drivers know what's what.

 

[Anthony1971]

Can also depend on time of year and how busy TSA is. The last thing they want is people missing their flights. I fully know what is like sitting at MCO for 3 hours... We always plan on eating at the airport at food court and if somehow we get their later by the gate although this has never happened with bus transfer.

 

[miksicnarf]

I've used Mears many times, no complaints. Never much of a wait at MCO upon arrival. We stay at OKW or SSR and we're usually the first, sometimes second drop-off. Pick up for departure is 3 hours before flight. As has been mentioned, you can "fudge" your flight time if you want a later pick up but you do so at your own risk.

 

[georgina]

When you book, you tell Mears your flight number and time. They don't demand proof--well, they didn't for me--but it's a good idea to tell them your actual flight because they'll know if it's delayed, for example.

Remember that things happen--there's traffic or an accident or backup for some reason. Or things could be screwed up at the airport itself. The TSA line can be epic at MCO. A couple of trips ago I didn't realize that my TSA Precheck status wasn't listed on my boarding pass--the regular line was huge--and I had to go back to the airline desk to get the correct boarding pass. That took a while and was unexpected.

I also realized that trip that I didn't like getting to the airport so close to departure. I don't love getting there super early, either, but it's better than having to race to the gate--especially at Terminal C. And all of this is better than getting a rideshare driver who's new and doesn't know where they're going. The Mears drivers know what's what.

I was just curious since the OP seemed to want less time at the airport. I use Uber or Lyft if I don't have a rental, always the drivers have found the airport. I have flown many times out of MCO (several times a year) and have never had a super long precheck line. I do get there extra early because I have access to the Club lounge and like to hang out there for the free food and drink, occasionally on Friday afternoon they have a waiting list. And my SW flights are on the other shuttle line from the lounge so I have to take 2 shuttles from there to get to my gate.

I am considering trying Mears to get from the airport to my hotel my next trip, but I think I will still rideshare back to MCO.

 

[Miffy]

I was just curious since the OP seemed to want less time at the airport. I use Uber or Lyft if I don't have a rental, always the drivers have found the airport. I have flown many times out of MCO (several times a year) and have never had a super long precheck line. I do get there extra early because I have access to the Club lounge and like to hang out there for the free food and drink, occasionally on Friday afternoon they have a waiting list. And my SW flights are on the other shuttle line from the lounge so I have to take 2 shuttles from there to get to my gate.

I am considering trying Mears to get from the airport to my hotel my next trip, but I think I will still rideshare back to MCO.

To clarify: I meant that the non-Precheck line can be long. The Precheck line is always fine. But I don't know if the OP has Precheck.

I had a rideshare driver miss the exit for the airport recently. It turned out okay but I was a bit concerned while it was happening. I've also had a rideshare driver who took me to the DAK parking lot instead of to AKL once--and expected me to tell him how to get to AKL--so I remain somewhat wary, particularly since there's sometimes a language barrier.

 

[LRdismom]

I just used Sunshine Flyer for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and my pick up time was approx 3 hours before my flight. I've experienced the same with Mears. I prefer Mears because the check in process is more streamlined and I found them easier to deal with. 4 hours before the flight is too early to get picked up in my opinion. I wonder if that was a mistake on their part.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I've read a few times lately about people getting picked up 4 hours early for Sunshine Flyers and I'm wondering if it's somewhat common?

I also wonder if Mears is a bit more reliable with the 3-hour pick up (instead of longer) since they've been doing this a lot longer.

 

[Miffy]

I've read a few times lately about people getting picked up 4 hours early for Sunshine Flyers and I'm wondering if it's somewhat common?

I also wonder if Mears is a bit more reliable with the 3-hour pick up (instead of longer) since they've been doing this a lot longer.

I have zero experience with SF, but here's my take on the early-pickup issue. It depends on where you're staying. Mears (and I suspect SF as well) has a route they follow. If you're at the beginning of the route, you're going to be picked up earlier than the people at the end.

I was staying at AKL and Mears picked me up quite early for my return flight. But it stopped at several other resorts before leaving the property, so the people at the end of the line--AoA and Pop--weren't at the airport as early as I was. I have no idea if this is the route Mears always takes or if SF does the same thing. Just a thought.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Good point. I wonder if there is a set route and if so, I'd be curious to see what it looks like. We'll be staying at SSR on our trip next year and I'm not sure what we're going to do for transportation yet.

 

[sponica]

Good point. I wonder if there is a set route and if so, I'd be curious to see what it looks like. We'll be staying at SSR on our trip next year and I'm not sure what we're going to do for transportation yet.

I'm sure the route depends on the bookings to a degree, but based on geography, I would expect SSR to be one of the first ones off, last ones on.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

We just had a terrible experience with Mears and I will not use them ever again. I was a repeat customer and was planning to use them on our next trip, but not now. We were there waiting 15 minutes prior to pick-up time, but the bus was 20 minutes late (I even called after 10 minutes to make sure everything was okay - they said they were behind schedule but everything was fine). Bus finally pulled up, and then LEFT WITHOUT US within literally, 2 minutes. I'm not exaggerating. I called Mears immediately and the rep just kept telling me that "if the driver doesn't see you they mark you as a no show and leave." We didn't even have the time to pick up our bags and gather our children before they were just..... GONE. There was no solution offered, the rep didn't say the bus would come back, or they would send someone else, or even apologize. Just kept repeating that the driver marked us as a no show, so they left. I started to get heated and the girl put me on hold without even saying "please hold." I didn't even KNOW I was on hold. And then she just left me there until I realized she wasn't coming back. I hung up, called again, just to be put on endless hold again until we started panicking that we were going to miss our flight. We had to arrange for, and pay for, alternative transportation and are still in the process of getting our money refunded.

 

[Leigh L]

We just had a terrible experience with Mears and I will not use them ever again. I was a repeat customer and was planning to use them on our next trip, but not now. We were there waiting 15 minutes prior to pick-up time, but the bus was 20 minutes late (I even called after 10 minutes to make sure everything was okay - they said they were behind schedule but everything was fine). Bus finally pulled up, and then LEFT WITHOUT US within literally, 2 minutes. I'm not exaggerating. I called Mears immediately and the rep just kept telling me that "if the driver doesn't see you they mark you as a no show and leave." We didn't even have the time to pick up our bags and gather our children before they were just..... GONE. There was no solution offered, the rep didn't say the bus would come back, or they would send someone else, or even apologize. Just kept repeating that the driver marked us as a no show, so they left. I started to get heated and the girl put me on hold without even saying "please hold." I didn't even KNOW I was on hold. And then she just left me there until I realized she wasn't coming back. I hung up, called again, just to be put on endless hold again until we started panicking that we were going to miss our flight. We had to arrange for, and pay for, alternative transportation and are still in the process of getting our money refunded.

That's just awful. I'm sorry that happened to your family. That must have been so stressful.