Airport to resort - towncar service?

[disneyfan61]

We definately had a positive experience. At no point did we have to wait in line for DME - And when we got on the bus we were there less than 5 minutes - The bus was comfortable, they showed short "movies" that the kids liked, and we didn't go to any other resort - we went straight to POP? Now that was the one and only trip w/ DME - but I can't imagine paying $100 for something that good that is free?

When you hire a towncar do you have to deal w/ your own luggage? If you do you must have to wait around for that?

We like having our luggage with us. We also like the grocery stop. I think even while we stopped for groceries we still beat everyone else to Pop because there
was NO line at check in when we got there. I think it is worth the $$. Just MHO.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

We used Sunray last week, and once again, they were great--on time, polite, courteous, etc.

It may depend on timing, but when we got to the baggage claim area, the DME queue was packed. Waiting in line after being on a plane for 2.5 hours isn't something I'd want to do, so using a car service was well worth it. When we got to our resort, I overheard a number of unhappy guests who had apparently been there for hours and their luggage had not yet arrived. When we were checking out, same thing as at MCO--LONG lines waiting to drop off their luggage for DME.

I think you get what you pay for. We prefer the convenience and hands on service that we get from Sunray, but YMMV.

 

[hunnypotmama]

I was looking into this also, so glad someone else asked the question! I was researching rates online and it looks like they rank in this order (all quotes are roundtrip from MCO to the Poly):

FL Tours $134
Mears $130
Tiffany $110
Carrier $95
Sunray $90

And the only one that DOES NOT do a free grocery stop is Mears.

 

[CleveRocks]

We like having our luggage with us. We also like the grocery stop. I think even while we stopped for groceries we still beat everyone else to Pop because there
was NO line at check in when we got there. I think it is worth the $$. Just MHO.

I would hire a car service if I wanted personalized service and a private (non-shared) ride. For instance, a romantic getaway with just my wife and me would positively scream car service. But if all I was looking for was quick transportation to my WDW resort for us and the kids, I wouldn't choose a car service over DME (unless I had NO checked luggage and didn't want to make a grocery stop -- without the need to wait at baggage claim and with no grocery stop, I'll bet a car service would beat DME every time).

Disneyfan61, I'm happy for you that you were happy with your experience.

But your comment "we still beat everyone to Pop" I think might be a conclusion not necessarily supported by your observations. You have no way of knowing that a DME bus with some people headed for Pop didn't beat you there. DME and car service times (minus grocery stop) will usually tend to be about the same, so if you made a grocery stop, that would have been one very unusually delayed DME bus if it still made it there after you.

Also, keep in mind that if a full bus (~50 people?) stops at 3 resorts, that's an average of about 16 people per resort per bus. That 16 people could be 4 parties of 4. Four or 5 parties checking in would hardly cause a lingering jam-up at the front desk. So, don't get me wrong, I really am happy that you had a positive experience, but it's just not a sure thing that because you had an empty lobby at check-in it means that you arrived there before anyone from your flight who used DME.

Also, just my 2 cents, but the several comments I read that said something like "DME wasn't bad but it just wasn't for me" are, to me, very fair comment and criticism -- someone who actually used the service and didn't hate it but prefers a different way to travel. That's all good and well and is good for others to know.

But what I DO tend to have a problem with is people who haven't used DME spreading some sort of negative urban legend that DME doesn't work well for the overwhelming majority of people who have actually used it. If DME wasn't good, it would still be set to go away in October of this year, but it's been so successful and popular with guests and Disney suits alike that it's been extended through the end of 2011.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Has anyone recently used a good, dependable towncar service to get from MCO to WDW resort?
The Disney bus and luggage service has been getting some not-so-good comments here.

There are many good reasons to take a livery service (towncar, limo, or SUV) — personal service that operates on your schedule, nonstop (except for the optional grocery stop) from the airport to your resort, and, of course, the grocery stop itself.

However, I'm curious what "not-so-good comments" about Disney's Magical Express you're referring to. Complaints about Magical Express are primarily from people who didn't bother bringing carry-on bags with things they'll need right away, and who waited in their rooms for several hours for their luggage to appear — which means they didn't bother to read the booklet in the Magical Express packet.

Most people who use Magical Express love the service. They bypass baggage claim entirely. They get free transportation to their resort on a deluxe motorcoach. After they check in at their resort, they change into something from their carry-on, and go to a theme park, pool, or restaurant. While they're out, their bags "magically appear" in their room, with Disney paying the inbound bellman gratuity.

Sometimes — especially when an airline sends the luggage on a later flight — it takes many hours for the bags to "magically appear."

Again, use a livery service if you prefer. But the reason for doing so shouldn't be the occasional complaints from Magical Express users who didn't bother to read the packet.

Here's an example of a complaint — post #6 from this complaint thread:

Just back and another not so Magical experience with this service.

Over 5 hr wait for luggage - so no pictures for dinner because our camera was in the luggage. Went to Aloha dinner with sweaty clothes and long pants and baseball caps because we had nothing to change into. The worst part was Nobody seemed to care. When we said over and over that they told us 2-3 hours they said that is the best guess not a guarantee. I paid a lot of money to stay conceirge so needless to say I was not happy about the bags but I let it go and we had a great time.

The ability to check the bags was a huge plus but having to drive around for over a half hour to pick up others before heading back to the airport with a driver that was not so magical.

I will be renting a car next time. It seems like most all Disney Transportation is horrible.

 

[goofy4tink]

Do the drivers meet you in Baggage Claim and help w/baggage or are they waiting curbside? Does it really save time? Do they have car seats for kids?

It would be nice to have luggage immediately vs. whenever ME gets it to resort.

Yes, the drivers should be waiting for you in baggage claim area, usually at the bottom of the escalator as you come down to the claim area. They will help you out with your bags, tell you the spot to wait in, they will then go and retrieve the care, and drive around to where they left you.
Car seats...you should request them if you need them.
Save time....not always. The only time I have gotten to my on-site resort faster with a towncar service, than the 70 minutes with DME, was the one time I had only carryon bags with me. That time it took me 50 minutes to get to the ASMusic. Otherwise, I had to wait about 20 mins for my bags to appear at baggage claim carousel, then another wait of 5 mins or so, sometimes more, while the driver went for the car. Then, about 30 minutes for the ride.
When I have used DME, and I have used them 3 times now, it has taken me between 65 and 80 minutes each time from deplaning to resort checkin. Sure, my luggage doesn't get there with me...but for a savings of about $125, I can live with it. I have also done a grocery delivery several times now and that has worked well. Usually the charge is about $15 plus the cost of my groceries.
Now....everyone has to make the choice of what works best for them. I have used both DME and a towncar (FL Tours, Tiffany Towncar) and I'll be using DME in Oct and a towncar in Dec. My needs tend to change on different trips. You each have to decide what works for you...there are pluses and minuses to both.

 

[GrumpyC.Hook]

nevermind for some reason they won't let me ask my question. I'll find a different board to ask on.

 

[Magic2000]

We have not tried Disney's Magical Express yet, and on our next trip, we're staying at the Swan, so we aren't eligible. We do usually use a towncar service because we like going directly to our hotel and then directly back to the airport.

I am very interested in the "Swan's car service". Should I call the hotel directly to see if this service is still available? I also see where Tiffany Towncar has gotten a lot of good reviews lately - anyone have a website where I can contact them?

Thanks!!! And have a great trip!!!!

 

[Edd]

The airport permitted drivers will meet you on the baggage claim floor with a sign and your name on it. Of course, they will help you with your luggage and lead you downstairs to their vehicles. If you request a carseat they have one for you. Rest assured you child is much safer strapped in a carseat than sitting on your lap. If you want to stop for groceries or brew, just ask. Every driver has a bunch of stories to tell or tips to pass along to you. Normally if a passenger is met curbside it is because the driver has taken that passenger out of the airport before. This normally doesn't happen with new passengers. The transportation for individual families is the fast and most efficient way to get to the resorts and, bar none, the fastest way to return. It is not the cheapest.

The DME is free and that makes a big difference to a lot of people. If Disney put a price on that service, it would not carry the number of people they carry today. It is a big help to the airport because it moves a huge number of passengers out of the airport much more efficiently than the Mears shuttle or Beeline shuttle were able to do. However it is still bus service and can't compare to the amenities you can receive through private car service.

 

[maryisme]

We just used Southern Elegance and we had timely (they were always waiting for us), courteous and affordable service. I would highly recommend them.

Mary

 

[peaches]

We used Sunray Transportation (the first time) on our last trip this past April and the service was great! Price was super, Bob B was a great driver and instead of a towncar we had a Suburban with tons of room for our little family(DM and DS pack alot), also free stop was included. Used Magical Express once an that will be the only time. I do not want to get started on that subject