Arriving at 8:30 PM-ME or Limo?

[babylisa4]

We are five adults with a week's worth of luggage each arriving in June on a Sunday evening at 8:30. Should we use Magical Express to Saratoga Springs or get a Limo? If its more a question of efficiency is a Limo better or are they the same? I like the idea of being on the bus- its kind of part of the experience and we have a newbie with us but if it is really going to be 3 hours or a risk of being the next morning for luggage I may want to go with a limo. (I know it costs $$) Anyone with recent experience? Also, we've always had a car before- when you get dropped at Saratoga Springs do they take you to your condo ina golf cart or what?

 

[iluveeyore]

ME shouldn't take 3 hours - we usually arrive and check in for ME and board the bus - might have taken an hour from the time we land until we were on our way (included restroom stops). About 45 min drive to WDW. We always pack what we need in our carry-on if we think our luggage might be delayed (pj's, bathing suits, change of clothes). You could always pick up your luggage and have them load it on the bus with you - should only take an extra 20 min or so to wait for luggage (you'll have to do this for a limo anyhow).
When you arrive at SSR and check-in, bell services will take you and your luggage to your section on an extended golf cart.
I think ME is all part of the experience and it's free!!! We used to pay for the Mears shuttle, so it's extra money for a dinner out, or extra souvies!!!
Have a great trip!

 

[goofy4tink]

The longest it has taken me, in 4 rides with DME, has been 85-90 minutes. Most of the time it has been closer to 65-70 mins.
Okay, let's list out the pros and cons of each...
Towncar....
1. you'll have to get either a stretch limo or an SUV since 5 adults are not going to fit in a regular towncar
2. you will have to wait for your luggage at baggage claim..could be 10 mins, could be 25, no way of telling.
3. it will cost you
4.you will go directly to your resort
5.you don't have to share with anyone but your friends.
6. you will be able to stop at a grocery store on the way

DME....
1. you do have to share with others
2. you will have to wait a few hours for your bags..most likely you'll have them by11:00
3.it's free
4. only take about 70 mins to resort from deplaning
5. no schlepping your bags
6. if you need groceries, you can use wegoshop.com, or gardengrocer.com..either one will buy what you need, then deliver it to your resort, for a small delivery fee, usually under $15.

So.....what would I do? I would book DME. I would have everyone in the group pack a carrryon bag with nightime essentials...pj's, toothbrush/paste, hairbrush, clean undies, maybe a change of clothes. And don't forget to have all you travel documents with you, as well as park passes, reservation paperwork. This way, if your bags do get delayed you can hit the sack and not worry.
But, I know this is a very personal preference....different people have different needs. You will have to decide what is most important to you.

 

[clkelley]

I agree with the previous posters. To me 8:30 is not late, especially not with all adults. For our trip next week, we have an 9:10 CDT departure time with an 11:50 EDT arrival time. We prefer to work a full day, then travel after work. Driving to Nashville is the only way we can do this, so that's why the late flight.

 

[CleveRocks]

I think the "3 hours" the OP was referring to was the time it might take for her luggage to be delivered to her resort room ... I don't think she was saying she feared it would take her party 3 hours to get to SSR via DME.

If that lag bothers you, pick up the luggage yourself, schlep it to the DME bus, then ride the bus for free. Problem solved.

Since I always pack a carry-on for the first 24 hours anyway, I didn't care if our luggage didn't even show up until the following NIGHT. We landed around 10 p.m., arrived at our resort around 11 p.m., and got a call at 1:16 a.m. that our luggage was ready to be delivered. I forgot to request that it be held 'til morning.

Keep in mind that the 3 hour window is 3 hours from your arrival at the resort, not 3 hours from the time your plane lands.