Are we missing any of the "magic" taking rental car over DME

[BC Disney Lover]

Sorry, did more reading and found all my answers.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

What is "magical" about riding any bus?

 

[Uncleromulus]

Exactly!!!

 

[Lewisc]

Assume you arrive in the morning. Go over to baggage claim. Wait for luggage. Schlep it over to the rental car garage. Drive to your resort. Tip a bellhop to get the bags out of your car. Check in. Have bags put into storage. Tip. Go to a park. Get back at dinner time. Go to your room. Call bell services. Wait in the room for your luggage.

Use DME. Go to your resort. Go to a park. Your luggage "magically" appears in your room while you're enjoying a theme park, pool time or even lunch at a resort. That part of DME is magical.

Is a bus magical? Not really. It's comfortable. Shows a video. Nice enough. Certainly something that can be missed.

 

[PSUGuy]

You're missing precious park time using DME, probably hitting resorts other than your own going in, being forced to board the bus at least 3 hrs before your flight on the flip. We're usually Tiffany Towncar folks, we got a great Dollar rate this time.

Bill From PA

 

[eliza61]

Unless I'm on a tour bus with Kenny Chesney, a bus is a bus, is a bus. lol

 

[sympatico]

Assume you arrive in the morning. Go over to baggage claim. Wait for luggage. Schlep it over to the rental car garage. Drive to your resort. Tip a bellhop to get the bags out of your car. Check in. Have bags put into storage. Tip. Go to a park. Get back at dinner time. Go to your room. Call bell services. Wait in the room for your luggage.

Use DME. Go to your resort. Go to a park. Your luggage "magically" appears in your room while you're enjoying a theme park, pool time or even lunch at a resort. That part of DME is magical.

Is a bus magical? Not really. It's comfortable. Shows a video. Nice enough. Certainly something that can be missed.

You can always leave your bags in your car while you go to the park and then take them in yourself when you get back to the resort.

 

[LilRonGal]

Probably not, but I like to take the bus anyway because it's fun and a chance for me to sit back and relax, or talk to the other passengers, or just work myself up into a frenzy of excitement!

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay...I've posted it before, but will post it again.
My various times using various modes of transport to WDW (some may be off a bit due to failing memory but it's close enough)...gate to resort.

1. DME..times from 50-90 mins. Average has been running about 70 mins. Only one time has it been longer than 75 mins.

2. Mears shuttle bus...carryon only, 80 mins.

3. Towncar...carryon on, about 50 mins.

4. Towncar...checked bags, about 70 mins.

5. Towncar...checked bags and a grocery stop....90 mins

6. picked up by son....55 mins.

So, it's pretty similar. A car service will cut some time off if you don't have checked bags. Me??? While I love the towncar service's, I just can't see spending an addlt $140 for a private ride. Yes, you get a grocery stop if you want. But if I go into a grocery store, I'm gonna buy stuff I don't really need..happens every time.
So...I ride DME and save myself the $140 or so (fare plus tips), and use gardengrocer.com or wegoshop.com for any groceries I need. Or just head to the Hess station if at BW. Yes, there is a delivery charge of about $12-15 with the grocery services, but they deliver to your room if you're in it, otherwise to Bell Services.

Is the DME ride 'magical'?? Well, depends on your definition of 'magical'. It saves me money that I can spend on a nice meal at WDW. My bags go to my room rather than into Bell Services and paying a tip, or two. I get to relax for a bit and destress from my flight down. I listen to the kids on the bus getting all excited. My child is now 17...we don't often get to hear those sqeals of delight anymore!!!

But, everyone has a different idea. Doesn't mean any one way is the ONLY way to go, or that any other way is the WRONG way.

 

[LSchrow]

What is "magical" about riding any bus?

it's mostly the luggage shlepping, time wasted (we found the waits there unreasonably long), and airport driving parts of renting a car at the airport that annoys us.
we take DME, then rent a car at the dolphin - quick and easy (staying at the BWVs).

so much less stressful and a nice start to our vacation

 

[bumbershoot]

Our experience from December, our first trip, NOT using DME meant that we got a fabulous Dodge Nitro (National's Emerald Aisle...I'd rented a mid-size and got the Nitro, excellent), we got to explore, get a feel for the area. When we got to the resort, we were there and done, no waiting. In the next days, we got to get out and head to the SUPERTarget for needed supplies, we went to outside restaurants (Olive Garden was typical OG, but the servers were great), Sweet Tomatoes is very tasty), we got to see how things relate to each other.

We now know the area a bit better than if we'd just taken the bus. I like that!


I can see where taking DME back to the airport, and using RAC, would be good, but no one was willing to take the car back the day before.

 

[Brian Noble]

My various times using various modes of transport to WDW

One thing I've noticed...now that most airlines are charging for luggage, checked bags appear *very* quickly at baggage claim. I used to be able to grab a bite in the food court in the middle of MCO before getting my bags. Now, if I do that, by the time I get down to baggage claim my bag is just about the last one on the carousel. My theory: there are fewer bags, so it is easier for airport staff to keep tabs on them.