Advice

[Caydence3]

I called to book our vacation in Sept. The rep was asking if I would like the limo service ( sedan b/c only 3 of us) from the airport or the magic bus. She said teh magic bus can take anywhere up to 3 hours from the time you land to get to your resort while the limo you pick your luggage and be on your way and can stop the store on the way. Has anyone used the limo service? and dose the magic bus really take that long?

 

[Edd]

The DME doesn't take that long. You could hit a busy day where it takes longer. All depends on the traffice coming into WDW. Many claim the average time is 70 minutes.
You really would rather use car service. The rates on a limo are sky high. Maybe that is what you want but it is just a 30 minute ridem but no sense in spending $200.00 for a limo when you can get car service for arond $100.00 round trip.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I've never had a bad bus experience. Take the DME ... save your money for something else

 

[Tozzie]

I called to book our vacation in Sept. The rep was asking if I would like the limo service ( sedan b/c only 3 of us) from the airport or the magic bus. She said teh magic bus can take anywhere up to 3 hours from the time you land to get to your resort while the limo you pick your luggage and be on your way and can stop the store on the way. Has anyone used the limo service? and dose the magic bus really take that long?

I have used DME about 10 times, the longest it has ever taken was 80 minutes the shortest 55 minutes, generaly my trips have been between 65 and 75 minutes and that is from walking off the plane to checking in at my resort.

I am wondering if cast member, possibly reading from a computer screen confused the actual bus service with the luggage delivery which cold take up to 3 hours after you checkin at your resort.

 

[Bobo912]

I've used DME many times and it's never taken more than an hour. I can't imagine it ever taking 3 hours unless there is a traffic problem, but traffic jams affect limos too.

 

[Edd]

There are several times during the year that bus transportation to WDW takes longer than the average of 70 - 80 minutes. Heavy vacation periods usually see those times. Enough busses to cover the increased traffic usually cannot get in and out fast enough. The late evening hours are also times when the bus transportation gets longer, because the supply of busses is actually ebbing after the 10:00 pm hour. Those times are hard to predict, but they are there.

Traffic jams are no reason for the length of the ride because 417 to Disney is all highway. It is not a heavy traffic highway because it is a toll road. Any delays would originate at the airport or WDW.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've used all types of transportation from MCO to WDW...except for a cab. THey each have their positive and negative points.
If you are on a budget and don't want to spend over $100 to get to and from WDW, you can take the DME bus. If you prefer a more private and sometimes quicker experience, and don't mind paying for it, then a car service is what you want.
Be careful though. Know what you are booking. A limo is really a limo. Most people get a towncar when they say 'limo'. They are not the same thing!!

So...which should you do? Entirely up to you. I have never, not one time, had it take me more than 90 mins to get from MCO to WDW. Nlot using any method.
I did arrive, a year ago, at MCO at the same time many PopWarner families were arriving, in early Dec. This is one of the busiest times of year for DME. The line to checkin at DME was way back past the Mears counter, down to the rental car area!! Never have I seen that many people in line to check in. BUT....from the time my friend got in line, to the time we got to our resort (OKW) it was about 70 mins..it was another 15 from the plane to the DME area though.
In over 8 or so times using DME, my average has been 70 mins...from gate to resort.
With a car service, it routinely takes about 60 mins, but that includes baggage claim in the total. 15 mins to baggage claim from the gate, 15 mins at baggage claim and then 30 mins to your resort.

I don't take car service just to be able to get groceries. I will usually use a grocery delivery service if taking DME. The delivery charge is usually about $12-15, and then a tip. But, some enjoy shopping for groceries at the start of their trip. And if you have a regular resort room, there's only so much you can do as far as eating in the room.


So....as you can see...there are good points and less good points to the various services. No one service is going to be perfect for everyone, on every trip. I have different needs on various trips....so sometimes DME is going to be perfect for me. But, sometimes DME isn't an option, so I use a different type of transport. Each person has to make their own choices, based on their needs on that particular trip.,

 

[gigi1313]

traffic jams affect limos too.

just ask aerosmith and the rock 'n rollercoaster riders