Airport to Resort not using ME

[Belleandtinker]

What are some options for quick travel from orlando airport to the poly? Mears, FL Tours, etc. We are NOT using the ME going to WDW, but will use it leaving.

The waiting in the bus kills my DH's patience, and I have to agree. When we get there, we want to be there.

I don't want a shared ride and am not sure what is cheaper car or taxi. Any experience/information would be helpful.

 

[seashoreCM]

Generally a car service is a little cheaper. And the rate is fixed, not increased by waiting in traffic.

But you have to reserve a car service in advance compared with just walking up to the taxi line or taxi stand.

 

[skelooch]

If you and your DH don't want to wait for the ME bus you are probably a good candidate for renting a car. You will be waiting for buses, boats or monorail even more once you get to your resort, unless you are not leaving your resort for your entire stay.

Staying at the Poly will help a little with it's easy access to the MK and other monorail resorts but other than that if you don't like waiting plan on taking a lot of cabs.

 

[brernick]

Spend some time and look at some of the great limo services from and to the airport.

Prices are fare, and saves time.

 

[Belleandtinker]

Thanks! I'm going to price a local car services and post them later.

We don't want a car for 12 days we just want to be at our resort faster than the ME can get us there.

Everytime we are on the ME, my husband loses his patience, my son wants to know how much longer and I'm just ready. The money is worth it.

We'll use the ME leaving because everyone is so tired they don't care they just want to sit.

 

[BDL]

I'm not sure if they still have these at MCO, but the last couple of times, we were able to catch a ride with a town car service that without any reservation. It was quick, comfortable and as a previous poster said, has a set rate. Plus, if you want to maximize your last day and/or skip the ME bus, you can make an arrangement with the driver to take you back to the airport.

But like I said, that's if they still have them.

 

[Susiesnowflake]

I've used FLTours for one way service, but it was for the return to the airport. I wanted that extra time at the resort. To me, the money was worth it. I also liked being dropped off right at my airline's curbside check-in area. I've used FLTours about 3 times and had very positive experiences. Pleasant and prompt drivers and clean and comfortable cars. I'd used them again.

 

[Best Aunt]

We love Tiffany Towncar. They will do a grocery store stop. Last time we asked to go to CVS instead of a grocery store so we could pick up stuff we couldn't fit in our little ziploc bag. The CVS had bottled water and snacks. It worked out well for us.

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks! I'm going to price a local car services and post them later.

We don't want a car for 12 days we just want to be at our resort faster than the ME can get us there.

Everytime we are on the ME, my husband loses his patience, my son wants to know how much longer and I'm just ready. The money is worth it.

We'll use the ME leaving because everyone is so tired they don't care they just want to sit.

If your going to do a towncar then I would just do a round trip - its not double the one way and most will do a free 30 minute grocery stop on the way to the resort if you wish. We pick up water, soda, snacks, fruit and breakfast foods. It is nice to have what you like right in the room and saves $$ esp if your not on a dining plan.

You will also save about 30/40 minutes on the return trip by using the town car.

I have had great service from Tiffany Town car - but there are several good ones.

 

[goofy4tink]

I post this every so often, in the interests of giving out 'average' wait times....
These are my wait time experiences, with various modes of transport...

1. DME.....with checked baggage.....55-85 mins, average 70 mins.
2. Towncar service.....checked baggage.....55-70 mins
3. Towncar service...carryon bag only.....45/50 mins
4. Mears shuttle...carryon only.....75 mins

Most of my DME times have hovered right around 60 mins, but that one time of 85 did happen...so my average goes to about 70 mins.
I have never used a car service but not gone to baggage claim to get checked bags...sending them with DME. But, I would imagine that would be the same time as a car service with carryon only.

 

[Belleandtinker]

Love this data!

It's very helpful.

 

[Belleandtinker]

I post this every so often, in the interests of giving out 'average' wait times....
These are my wait time experiences, with various modes of transport...

1. DME.....with checked baggage.....55-85 mins, average 70 mins.
2. Towncar service.....checked baggage.....55-70 mins
3. Towncar service...carryon bag only.....45/50 mins
4. Mears shuttle...carryon only.....75 mins

Most of my DME times have hovered right around 60 mins, but that one time of 85 did happen...so my average goes to about 70 mins.
I have never used a car service but not gone to baggage claim to get checked bags...sending them with DME. But, I would imagine that would be the same time as a car service with carryon only.

When you state "checked baggage" on #2 - is that via ME or you got your own luggage? So you and your stuff went seperately?

 

[CleveRocks]

As long as your plane lands before 10 p.m., I suggest it's a bad assumption to assume DME will take longer than a car service.

Yes, DME is a shared ride so it may make multiple stops, and yes, you will likely have to wait to get on the bus and/or wait for the bus to get rolling.

But with DME, you skip the wait at baggage claim. With a car service, you're going to be cooling your heels at baggage claim, and that waiting time just about cancels out the DME waiting time.

I exactly timed each of my 3 DME trips. The times from airplane exit to resort drop-off were 57 minutes, 59 minutes and 63 minutes.

So my advice to you is don't choose a car service just because of time. However, if the private ride and the personalized service is important to you, then you should definitely book the car service.

Given the choice between taxi and car service, I ALWAYS choose car service. It's about the same price as a taxi, but you get a MUCH higher level of service and a nicer and cleaner vehicle.

 

[goofy4tink]

When you state "checked baggage" on #2 - is that via ME or you got your own luggage? So you and your stuff went seperately?

#2 is using a car service, so I have to get my own luggage. If I'm paying to get to my resort, you can bet I'm getting my luggage as well. I will only go without my luggage if I am not paying to get to the resort. Yes, it's nice to not have to lug it around, but it's nice to have it with you when you check in as well.

So, I only tag my bags with the DME tags and let them take care of the checked bags if I am riding the bus to the resort. That addtl time, with a car service, is the addtl time spent at baggage claim. Otherwise, using a car service is, without a doubt, the quickest way..but only if you don't have checked bags to get. If I have only carryon bags with me, I can get from my gate to my resort in well under an hour...usually about 45 mins.

 

[Belleandtinker]

The time in the car/on the bus isn't my families problem. My DH (and really all of us) can't stand waiting for the bus to actually leave. The last two times we used the ME from the airport, we waited to 60+ minutes for the bus to leave. We are NOT exaggerating. Both times, I was ready to get off and catch a cab.

As for the luggage, we have never used the ME for luggage. We always get our luggage and take it to the ME. I really don't like the idea of not seeing my luggage for hours. And the thought of it being lost and not really knowing for hours would not be good for us.

We are probably going to use a car service.

 

[Jestocost]

The time in the car/on the bus isn't my families problem. My DH (and really all of us) can't stand waiting for the bus to actually leave. The last two times we used the ME from the airport, we waited to 60+ minutes for the bus to leave. We are NOT exaggerating. Both times, I was ready to get off and catch a cab.

As for the luggage, we have never used the ME for luggage. We always get our luggage and take it to the ME. I really don't like the idea of not seeing my luggage for hours. And the thought of it being lost and not really knowing for hours would not be good for us.

We are probably going to use a car service.

Well, your experiences were outside the norm and collecting your own bags adds to the time it takes for DME to get you to your resort. Outside the norm experience can cut every way, as we once waited nearly two hours for our bags to come off of the baggage carousel in one extreme situation. Doesn't really matter, however, you have to do what you are comfortable doing and should not be questioned about that.

If you are going to collect your bags regardless you will save some time--20-30 minutes--using a car service vs. taking DME.

 

[tjmw2727]

The time in the car/on the bus isn't my families problem. My DH (and really all of us) can't stand waiting for the bus to actually leave. The last two times we used the ME from the airport, we waited to 60+ minutes for the bus to leave. We are NOT exaggerating. Both times, I was ready to get off and catch a cab.

As for the luggage, we have never used the ME for luggage. We always get our luggage and take it to the ME. I really don't like the idea of not seeing my luggage for hours. And the thought of it being lost and not really knowing for hours would not be good for us.

We are probably going to use a car service.

Wow - I don't blame you !

I have used DME 3/4 times a year since it started and never waited more than 10/15 minutes for the bus to leave. Although it sometimes feels like longer

I actually love DME and IMHO the luggage delivery is one of the best parts. For me traveling as the solo adult with 2 kids it is so nice to skip bag claim and head to the DME bus. We hit a park or the pool and our bags are always waiting when we return. Another plus IMHO is if your bags are lost by the airline the DME does all the work to locate them so your not stuck at the airport filling out claims and waiting.

However in your case I would probably be leary as well and like I said in a PP if your using a car service you may as well do the r/t for the discount and the grocery stop.

Have a good trip!

 

[goofy4tink]

The time in the car/on the bus isn't my families problem. My DH (and really all of us) can't stand waiting for the bus to actually leave. The last two times we used the ME from the airport, we waited to 60+ minutes for the bus to leave. We are NOT exaggerating. Both times, I was ready to get off and catch a cab.

As for the luggage, we have never used the ME for luggage. We always get our luggage and take it to the ME. I really don't like the idea of not seeing my luggage for hours. And the thought of it being lost and not really knowing for hours would not be good for us.

We are probably going to use a car service.

That is completely unacceptable. I would have said something while there, at WDW, and then sent off a letter to Disney/Mears to let them know that you won't be using DME in the future and the reason why. They really want you on that bus, not in a rental car or a car service.
I will say that 60 min waits are very uncommon. The longest I have been on a bus, waiting to leave, is 25 mins. And I did indeed say something to the driver. They aren't supposed to be waiting around that long. I said...'Wow, I didn't think we were supposed to be left sitting here, waiting on the bus, past 20 mins. I wasn't among the first to board this bus and I've been sitting for 25 mins now...can't imagine how long others have been waiting. This is so not 'magical'.' Well, the bus left about 2 mins later. I'm sure it wasn't my saying something, but perhaps it jogged the driver a bit. He had been just standing out there, shooting the breeze with other drivers. If that bus isn't full enough yet, well, that's not my problem. Disney has stated their expectations...and they weren't met on that trip.