DME - Late Night Arrival?

[dolphingirl47]

We have DME booked to Boardwalk later this month. We arrive at MCO at 11:09 PM. I know that we have to take our baggage with us on the coach and I was planning to do this anyway. Has anybody arrived at MCO that late? Do they wait for a coach to be full or do they use smaller vehicles at night?

Corinna

[maxiesmom]

I've used Magical Express late at night one time. We arrived at 11 pm and were not checking in at our resort until 1 am. They did hold the bus until it was pretty full. We sat on it for 20 minutes, and there were already people on it when we boarded. We also were the 3rd of 4 or more stops.

I know not everyone has that experience, but I have to tell you, I won't use ME that late at night again. I'd rather get a towncar and be off to my resort.

[dolphingirl47]

Thanks, I actually expected that we would get to the resort around 1:00 AM and have planned the next day accordingly.

Corinna

[twinmom108]

Originally Posted by maxiesmom

I've used Magical Express late at night one time. We arrived at 11 pm and were not checking in at our resort until 1 am. They did hold the bus until it was pretty full. We sat on it for 20 minutes, and there were already people on it when we boarded. We also were the 3rd of 4 or more stops.

I know not everyone has that experience, but I have to tell you, I won't use ME that late at night again. I'd rather get a towncar and be off to my resort.

This was exactly our late night experience with DME as well.

[PlutoPony]

We were 4th of 5 stops a couple weeks ago, landing @ 11:45 pm. Walked into our room at 1:45 am. The hold-up seemed to be availiability of DME buses in our case. When we got in line for DME there were no buses outside and probably 75 people waiting to go to the resorts. It was a good 20+ mins before a couple buses came and at that point they quickly loaded and we were on our way. This was a very budget trip for us so springing for alternative transportation to save time (i.e. get more sleep ) wasn't a priority for us. But it's something to keep in mind if you are arriving late at night and want to get to your resort asap.

[magicaldisney]

Same experience for us with a late night arrival. It took three hours from landing to check in. We sat on the bus for 45 minutes waiting for it to fill up. We were exhausted and we won't fly in that late again.

[HHSTigerFan]

Whats a car service or a cab cost from MCO to WDW?

[maxiesmom]

Originally Posted by HHSTigerFan

Whats a car service or a cab cost from MCO to WDW?

Around $65 one way, not including tip, for a town car. Round trip should be around $120. Not cheap. But better than waiting on a bus late at night, listening to children cry. At least in my opinion it is.

[dolphingirl47]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. At least I am prepared.

Corinna

[helenk]

I's funny how ME can be so different. My experience was the opposite. I landed just after 10:00 I went and got my luggage, flying SW, so I had to then go back over the other side of the airport. I was going to the Allstar Sports, and surprisingly they did not wait for the bus to fill up.
I always keep notes when I travel solo, so here is my timeline
I landed at 10:05, I got my luggage and was at the DME line by 10:30, I was on the bus by 10:40 and the bus left at 10:50. I did not write down what other resorts were on the route but I was at the Allstar Sports by 11:30, I was checked in and in my room by 11:50

[dolphingirl47]

We arrived at WDW yesterday and I was pretty impressed. We arrived in Orlando at around 11:00 PM and where checked in just past midnight. There were 10 people on the bus and we stopped at Port Orleans Riverside, Caribbean Beach Resort and we were the last people off at the Boardwalk.

Corinna

[sam_gordon]

I'm guessing it depends how many ME is expecting to show. If those arriving at 11pm are the last ones, you shouldn't have to wait long. If they're expecting others to arrive, but not enough for another bus, you might need to wait.