Arrived at 3 a.m. and DME had closed....

[Selket]

Our flight got delayed and delayed again leaving Washington Dulles last week flying to Orlando due to some thunderstorms. We ended up being switched to a different flight that didn't leave until after midnight and it was about 2:45 a.m. when we got inside the airport at Orlando. We didn't quite know what to do - all the DME folks had left and the airport was practically deserted. I found a phone number in my package from DME and called it and thankfully got someone on the phone. She told me to find a mears shuttle (which was also labeled "yellow Cab" - guess they are all owned by Mears?). She called Mears and got an authorization sent through and we were on our way. We checked in to CSR about 3:45 am and got to bed by 4:30 am - ugh! LOL!

Anyway - perhaps it has been posted on the board a million times what to do if your flight is majorly delayed and so forth. In hindsight I should have tried to call DME when I found out about the delay and switched flight but it was a very very hectic switch after a long day and we have 2 young kids.

So would DME have waited for us had they known we were coming in at 3 am or would I have been told just to find a van like we did?

Anyway - no major problems going either way!

 

[DebbieB]

Probably the same thing would have happened. It would be cheaper for them to pay for a cab than pay for a bus driver and other staff in the middle of the night. What happened with your luggage, when did they deliver it?

 

[Selket]

We had 2 suitcases tagged for DME and they had put them in an office at the airport - near the luggage carousel I think. DH went to find the suitcases and the cab driver was nice enough to wait with me and the kids in the van. DH found someone who showed him where our cases were and he was able to take them and bring them down to the van. I guess if we hadn't picked them up that DME would have brought them to the resort sometime the next morning. We did pack a suitcase with enough to get us through the following day but it was nice to have everything and not worry about it.

I guess I would not recommend flying down without bringing everything you need for a day - whatever that is - in a carry-on suitcase.

 

[Furnacefighter]

The vacation you save will be your own. Great thinking Selket! Question, what did the other folks on the plane do?

 

[Selket]

The folks from the plane picked up their luggage and scattered. We did go to the DME counter which was closed - I didn't see anyone else looking for it. Perhaps we were the only ones on the plane planning to use DME? Or maybe any others knew to go find their own van. Seemed like the woman I talked to at DME was the only one there at that time of night (at least I was able to call back and get her again). She didn't mention trying to pick up other DME passengers to ride with us.

I was actually amazed at how smoothly it went under the circumstances. The van driver told us that he thought sometimes folks just walked out and caught shuttles without calling DME and paid out of pocket and then got reimbursed by WDW. I'm glad I didn't have to seek reimbursement - whew!

 

[Danthesand]

Does anyone know how early the DME check-in desk at the "welcome center" at MCO opens? We will be arriving there around 6:45am on a Tuesday in August (assume they'll be open then, but want to confirm).

 

[Furnacefighter]

We're arriving in Orlando after 10 PM. If we find ourselves alone in the airport like you experienced we will follow your lead. Thanks for sharing.

 

[disney funseeker]

Yes, thanks for sharing that information. We might have to follow your advice since we arrive after midnight (if everything is on time).