Mears Connect Review
Mears Connect offers shuttle bus service between Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World resorts plus select off-site hotels. In this transportation review, we’ll share our experience with the paid replacement for Magical Express, offer comparisons to alternatives, and more.
Let’s start with a quick recap. Walt Disney World’s free shuttle service between MCO and the company’s resorts, Disney’s Magical Express, has now ended. Guests now need to find their own ground transportation from the airport to their hotel, and we cover the range of options in our Guide to Airport Transportation for Walt Disney World. There is no one-size-fits-all perfect solution–it depends on your party size, budget, and other factors.
Mears Connect is one such option. It’s attractive to many Walt Disney World visitors because it’s actually by the same company that operated Disney’s Magical Express. In fact, Mears Connect literally uses the exact same drivers and buses, just minus the Disney-branded wraps. Some of the buses look very similar to the old ‘ocean-liner’ DME buses, with only Disney logos and characters removed…
Mears Connect promises fast and convenient airport transportation service in high occupancy vehicles, limited wait times to board a bus, comfortable seating, an arrival souvenir, limited stops to your hotel, and more. (At present, luggage handling is not offered, but Mears hopes to add this in the future.)
The biggest selling point of Mears Connect is their claim that it’s the same reliable, safe service guests have been using for decades to Walt Disney World area hotels. Again, since this is largely a rebranded Disney’s Magical Express, the allure of that is strong. This Mears Connect review will take a look at whether the airport shuttle delivered on those promises.
We’ll begin with the booking process, which is simple and straightforward. From start to finish, it took only a few minutes to make and receive confirmation of my reservation. I was able to book online on incredibly short notice, and the booking engine autofilled my details after entering my airline and flight number.
This is notable because Mears Connect’s direct competitor, Sunshine Flyer, requires 4 days’ notice when making reservations. This probably won’t matter to most Walt Disney World planning obsessives, but for those of us who procrastinate, it can be a problem. There’s even walk-up availability for the ultimate foot-draggers. (On a totally unrelated note, unfortunately we will not have a Sunshine Flyer review until the next time we have a need to return from the airport.)
Mears Connect has two options: Standard and Express. The latter is direct service to your resort and back to the airport, as the guaranteed first stop. Express is not necessarily a private service; it may be shared. Given that, booking Mears Connect Express makes no sense whatsoever, as Mears has a number of competitors that specialize in actual private service. I don’t see the point of reviewing Mears Connect Express, nor do I want to pay the premium for it in a world where Uber exists, so I booked Mears Connect Standard.
The Standard level of service is a shared ride service on high-occupancy Mears Connect vehicle, which costs $16 for adults and $13.50 for children for a one-way trip or $32 for adults and $27 for children for round trips. This is the regular multi-stop shuttle bus option.
Approximately 24 hours before my flight, I received a boarding pass for the bus with a QR code via email from Mears Connect. Upon landing at MCO, I received a text message reminder with a link to my boarding pass and arrival instructions. Now, you might think it’s overkill to send this boarding pass twice. That’s fair.
Somehow, I still made my way over to the Mears Connect boarding area on autopilot and presented my MagicBand like a doofus. Old habits die hard, I guess. As I fumbled to find the QR code, the Mears Connect desk attendant found my reservation in the system, handed me a pair of sunglasses (the free arrival gift), and sent me on my way to the loading zone.
It was a late flight, and at this point, there were maybe 4 other people in the entire Mears Connect loading area. Earlier in the year, I had seen photos of long lines to check-in and board the buses; that absolutely was not my experience. This isn’t to say you won’t encounter a long line–it really depends upon demand, and the influx of arrivals versus how quickly Mears can process guests and dispatch buses.
In any case, guests quickly filled in behind me and in other lanes. Within 10 minutes, the bus started boarding. It took another 15 minutes of waiting for a few more stragglers to show up, and even then, my Mears Connect bus was only around 20% full when we departed.
Upon departure, the bus driver announced that there would be 5 stops: Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Gaylord Palms Resort.
That final, off-site hotel actually is a stone’s throw from Bonnet Creek and Pop Century, so it was actually a pretty efficient itinerary. I’m not sure if that was a matter of planning, or simply luck that the passengers weren’t dispersed over a larger geographic area on property and off.
I assume someone must be the first stop when taking these shared shuttle services from the airport, but it’s never us. In years of using Disney’s Magical Express, I’d reckon that we were the last or second-to-last stop approximately 90% of the time. Maybe somewhere out there, our Wario and Waluigi counterparts are boasting on their blog about always being first.
True to form, my destination was the last stop on this Mears Connect route. In this case, that was actually my preference, as this was for the sake of review. Timing everything from the moment I was checked in until I exited the Mears Connect bus, the whole process took 1 hour, 25 minutes and 50 seconds.
Had I been the first stop, it would’ve taken just under an hour. This is more or less consistent with our rides aboard Disney’s Magical Express, which is wholly unsurprising. The drive from the airport still takes the same amount of time, as do the stops between each resort.
The wildcards are going to be the waits to board buses, depart, and number of stops. Those are variables for which no single review can account, and even if they could, you’d have no way of knowing what your experience would be before arrival. It could take 45 minutes on the absolute low end, or 2 hours on the high end. Perhaps even longer during peak season with long lines for buses–but even that should be offset by demand necessitating a more frequent bus dispatch interval.
This is the tough thing about reviewing the Sunshine Flyer, Mears Connect, or even Disney’s Magical Express before them. You could luck into a flawless experience where you timed everything perfectly, were dropped off first, and the whole process only took 45 minutes. Conversely, your timing could be terrible and it could take 2 hours.
Two guests could arrive literally 10 minutes apart but have polar opposite reviews–one just barely making the bus to their destination and the other just barely missing it. One might write effusive praise online about the shuttle service, the other a rant about poor service and delays. Both would be equally true, with mere minutes separating the great from the awful.
From my perspective, this makes a time-based review of Mears Connect virtually pointless. While it took me a slightly above-average amount of time, your experience could vary widely from this. The most important thing to know is the range of these fluctuations, and that they are entirely possible and equally unpredictable.
You might luck into a 45 minute total transit time, and that’s great. But you need to be prepared and willing to wait 2 hours, as that’s also in the realm of possibilities. If not, Mears Connect is not for you. (Same goes for Sunshine Flyer.)
This was only a one-way trip aboard Mears Connect. We did not (and will not) test the resort to airport return service because, frankly, the lead times are absurd. You are picked up from your hotel a minimum of 3 hours prior to your flight (at least 4 hours for international flights), with actual pick-up times often being more like 3.5-4 hours for domestic departures.
In fairness, this is nothing new. Disney’s Magical Express did the exact same thing, and it was in large part driven by the unpredictability of security wait times at MCO. We have Global Entry and seldom check bags, so we’re usually leaving for the airport less than 2 hours before our flight’s departure.
On the service side, Mears Connect was practically perfect. Everyone at the airport was courteous and helpful, and the driver tried to liven up the bus ride with a fun and upbeat attitude. No issues or complaints whatsoever–they did as good of a job as possible.
But–and I’m sure many of you saw this coming and know where it’s going next–it’s simply not the same as Disney’s Magical Express. How could it be?
Even with offering the same shuttle service at a foundational level, Mears Connect simply does not have that inarticulable Disney quality to it. This was easily foreseeable and is unsurprising, but it nevertheless bears emphasizing.
Disney’s Magical Express had a lot of flaws. It was beloved despite those, and many visitors were easily able to ‘paper over’ the problems in their minds because, true to the name, it was a magical way to start their vacation. Being greeted by Mickey Mouse in his captain’s hat, a memorable and quotable video on board, and various little Disney touches all made it easier to overlook what was otherwise an inefficient method of airport transportation.
It wasn’t that Disney’s Magical Express was good, it was that it was Disney. A way to be immersed in the experience from the moment you landed in Orlando, all the while building anticipation aboard the bus and ultimately exiting at your themed resort. It was exciting, fun, and distinctly Disney–even while being operated by Mears. It was a bittersweet end to the trip, but one that already began planting the seeds for your next visit.
Now all of that is gone. The shuttle service must stand on its own, without its weakness veiled by the ‘magical’ veneer. Mears Connect is fundamentally the exact same shuttle, but, fairly or unfairly, it will be perceived differently by guests. Those same long waits and that inefficiency that existed before suddenly might be less tolerable.
Ultimately, that’s where we stand with Mears Connect. For better or worse, the objective experience is nearly identical to what Disney’s Magical Express offered for the last two years (after eliminating luggage handling). Whether it’s right for you is a personal question, and hopefully one you can answer in light of the above information about waits, service, and cost.
Personally, Mears Connect is not something that we would use if visiting Walt Disney World for fun. (We only did this for the sake of reviewing it.) With just the two of us, the cost of the shuttle typically beats Uber or Lyft by a slim margin–but not when allocating even the minimum value to our time, which is probably a fair assessment of its worth. Were we a larger party, it would almost certainly make financial sense to opt for something different. Then again, there’s also value in predictability, convenience, and using an established service–so I get the appeal there.
What I will never understand is the discontinuation of Disney’s Magical Express. As we’ve been saying since Walt Disney World announced the end of DME, we maintain that this is an incredibly shortsighted and guest-unfriendly decision that will have unforeseen negative long-term consequences for Walt Disney World once pent-up demand fizzles out. It’s impossible to put a dollar-value on that feeling of being immersed in the Disney ‘magic’ from the moment of arrival to departure, and the impact of its loss–on brand affinity & goodwill, guest satisfaction, and likelihood of returning–is equally incalculable. Mears Connect might offer the same service for a fee, but there’s still a world of difference.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of Mears Connect? Have you already used Mears Connect? If so, what were your wait times and overall impression of the offering? Will you use Mears Connect, or is it too expensive for shared transportation? Will you opt for Mears Connect over Sunshine Flyer, Uber, Lyft, or renting a car? Thoughts on pricing, efficiency, or anything else? What do you think about Walt Disney World ending Disney’s Magical Express? Other thoughts on this? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Mears Connect appears to add a Privilege Fee Recovery Charge (PFRC) for reservations (both Standard and Express)… is anyone familiar with what this extra charge is for?
I’ve used Mears Connect three times this year and had good experiences each time. One important thing to know is that currently there is a separate check-in and departure area if you are coming into the new Terminal C (e.g.,flying JetBlue) at MCO. I didn’t realize this on my most recent trip – it was probably on my Mears boarding pass – but upon asking someone official how to get to Terminal B for Mears, I was directed to the Mears counter, which is on the first floor of Terminal C. There were very few people waiting. Originally we were told it would be about 20 minutes for a coach, but after about 15 minutes, a Mears employee told us they were going to send us in a taxi. She took us up to the second floor, where we waited about 10 minutes and yes, were put in a Mears cab and driven directly to our resort. We were not charged extra for this. I don’t imagine this happens too often!
The return trip was on a standard coach.
I was looking to book the sunshine Flyer, but, being in the UK seems to be an issue with them as they needed my mobile number verified by a code via SMS, which never came despite several attempts. I emailed them and the reply was to tell me to phone their US number, which is stupidly expensive, I had no responses to my next email to them three days ago. So it looks like it will be the Mears Connect because at least I can actually book it.
Our experience with Mears was ok going from airport to hotel. Not so great going from our Disney hotel to MCO. After waiting for 15min. and a phone call to customer service we opted to call an Uber. Our driver was wonderful! We tracked the Mears shuttle and it was 30 min. late getting to our hotel! The airport was mobbed at 4:30am. Thank goodness we didn’t wait!
Does Mears Connect show Disney cartoons during the bus trip? To me this would be the only reason to still book.
We had a poor experience with Mears. Our ride from MCO to the resort was fine, although difficult to find at MCO. On our ride back, the bus left the resort without us. Our reservation time was at 7:10 AM – we were on the ramp at the hotel to the bus at exactly 7:10 AM and the bus pulled out. When I contacted Mears they said reservation time and departure time are the same thing. Their poor wording caused us to miss the bus and unnecessary stress to get back to MCO. We were able to get a taxi and passed the bus on the way to the airport.
Mears connect did great on the delivery to the hotel but the pick up was one heck of a hot mess!! Out driver was 30min late and there was still another stop to make. Making it to the airport with not enough time to get through security and having to make a run for it with 4 humans under 8 was less that desired. The driver was less then understanding as was the customer service team. This was not the greatest way to bring a close to a first family trip.
After years staying at Disney resorts, we used a VRBO last December, and we don’t regret it one bit. It actually was so much nicer to have our own transportation at the end of the day instead of waiting in those huge lines to get crammed onto a smelly bus. No masks required either! We were worried it would take away the magic to not be on campus at night, but it was actually so much better. With higher prices and all these add on things, it just doesn’t make any sense to stay on Disney property. We got our fill of resort exploration by eating at Animal Kingdom Lodge one night. Going to the parks on our own schedule was actually preferred. In the past, we’ve had more than our fair share extended waits at Disney resort bus stations. When we go back, our future plans are to stay off campus. With the perks gone, what is the point? (The extra magic hours were also pretty sparse during our last visit, so that was also missed!)
We used the magical express until April of 2021 , we were going to but the line was literally from the check in backed up all the way to the other side of the concourse, asked someone half way they said they’d already been in line for an hour,,,,, so I went out to the Mears attendant and asked for a taxi for 4 adults and 2 teenagers, asked what the cost would be was told approximately $55 -60 to go to Arts of Animation got the mini van there in 6 minutes and we were at the resort a total of 1 hour and 15 minutes from the time we touched down ,,, my point is this , 16 dollars each for the Mears connect X 6 adults is $ 96 , or Mears taxi for approximately 60 with no waiting,, guess you can figure out our ground transportation
I completely agree about not understanding the decision to discontinue the Magical Express. It kept us in Disney’s bubble on 3 out of 4 trips to WDW. And the one trip we did that included a trip to Universal, we returned to Disney for a couple more nights after our Universal stay to get reimmersed in the magic & use the Magical Express to head out again. It seems silly, but that service made us do exactly what Disney intended. Now it is not the only factor having us almost skip WDW entirely on our next trip to Florida, but it plays a big part, along with all the nickel & diming, charging for Genie+, etc, etc. Taking a break. 🙁
My wife and I did Magical Express this past October and Mears this past February. The service was exactly the same. In one word, Perfect.
Sincerely,
Joe and Misty
We used Mears in February with two small children. I expected the worst, and so was pleasantly surprised. We had a couple stops each way but it wasn’t terrible. We were very late for our first shuttle due to a flight delay and the staff greeting us gave us the biggest smile and said “You’re never late to us.” It was so refreshing after a long day of travel. And both drivers were very helpful and accommodating of all our luggage and our slow pace trying to navigate with two toddlers. We were picked up 15 minutes late for our 4:30am return bus but honestly I think that had more to do with other passengers with small children also on the shuttle, than anything else. If we hadn’t been traveling with very little kids maybe there would have been better options, but from accommodating all our luggage and stroller and slow pace and kids, I can’t really imagine any other option going more smoothly.
We used Meers in late January and it went great! We had four small children and six adults. The staff was very friendly and helpful. We were dropped at our resort quickly, and the day of our departure the driver arrived on time to take everyone to the airport. We would reserve Meers again. I’m disappointed the Disney Express is not available but glad Meers is available.
We really missed the luggage pick up and transfer to the resort that Disney provided in the past! It was hard with 10 people moving luggage through the airport and trying to keep the kids together without losing them in the crowd. Disney is not helping families with children get to their resorts with ease anymore. This is one service that is really missed by many.
Had no problems on either end of our transportation a couple of weeks ago with Mears. I think we lucked out on our way back to airport from Port Orleans as they picked us up with one of the small express vans. There were only four of us on van and no other stops!
Does mirror do bus share shuttle service from Orlando international airport to the rosin inn on international drive Orlando Florida ? A good number of years back I was able to get a round trip shuttle service for about $30 I don’t know if that exists anymore
Thank you, Annmarie, Looks like I will be cancelling my reservation with sunshine flyer and booking with Mears.
I just came back from wdw. The Sunshine Flyer was awful. No signs no information. They sent a text with the bus stop number. The buses are at the exact opposite side of the airport. A very long walk. We got there and again no information. We wanted at the bus stop for 30 minutes. When the bus driver stepped out he told us we had to check-in with an employee. How were we supposed to know that! After waiting another 40 minutes they finally yelled out for us. Not convenient or friendly. The worst was going to the airport. Our time was 11 00 am. We were there at 10 30. The bus never showed. I called them left a vm no one ever called me back. No apology nothing. I called my travel agent which I never use and they got in touch with them. They finally showed at 11 45. The driver was not friendly or apologetic. He announced he had 4 more stops. Our flight was at 145 we arrived at the airport at 110! It was really bad. Since we were so late our luggage didn’t make it on the plane. Use anything else but not them!
Thank you AnnMarie. I now know not to use the Sunshine Flyer. I have read similar stories by some other people.
Just wondering about an arrival to MCO at 1:15 AM. We’ll have to retrieve our luggage. I’ve read they have 24 hours service. (I hope I read right). Any thoughts????
Yes… Mears has 24 Hr service and we just hot back. Used Meats both ways and had no issues. Very polite driver… easy to find bus when we arrived in Orlando. Our flight home was 6am… they scheduled us for 3:10 and were exactly on time. We arrived a the correct time because at 4:15am scurity was crazy!!! We had about a half an hour to spare once we settled at our gate!
We would use them again.
Julie
I’ve said it again but it bears repeating, I don’t think the C-suite execs who made the decision to end MDE fully understand how much it meant to single parents traveling with small kids or to passengers with mobility needs. My WDW vacations used to begin the moment I stepped on the plane – my fast passes and dining reservations were all booked, and I knew I would have safe and easy transportation waiting when we landed. The joy my kids got when they saw the “Mickey” bus is hard to overstate. After 4 trips to WDW, our upcoming trip is to Universal instead. Universal doesn’t offer free shuttles, but they also don’t build the cost of transport into their resorts prices, then take it away while keeping resort prices at their peak. Hoping we can discover some magic in the Wizarding World.
I agree. So disappointed in Disney pulling transportation!! I also hate the Genie + whete everyone gets in at 7am day of park visit to bok Genie rides!! None available any of our five days!!!
We have decided we will not be visiting Disney again as the 2 hr plus wait for rides is not fun for anyone.
Do the buses,only stop at 5hitels, the same 5, no matter what? Because,I can see trying to schlep luggage a long distance as,an issue,,since we plan a10 day stay. Or does the number of stops reflect the actual hotels all the passengers are staying at?
The hotel stops are passenger dependent. There’s a pretty huge list of hotels the service is willing to cover if that’s where passengers are heading.
Jackie, It was my understanding that they also have walk up service at Mears.