Average wait using ME from MCO to resort

[chewbacca]

Does anyone have any idea what the average wait times are from going from the airport to their resort using magical express? We are staying at Saratoga Springs and my DH think it may take too long to get to the resort.

TIA!

 

[MareSINY]

We used ME last week for the first time and were super impressed with them! When we got off the plane we went to the main terminal (via the monorail) and went downstairs where the rental car companies are located. ME has a big area you can't miss, we checked in there and went over to the nice woman with the big Mickey hands who directed us to the line we needed for the Contemporary. By the time we walked to the front of the line we were being greeted by a nice man wearing those same big Mickey hands who led us right outside to our bus. Within 5 minutes of boarding the bus we were on our way! Much quicker than any time we have rented a car.

Now, going back to the airport at the end of our trip was another story. We had a 7:30pm flight, so we were told that our bus would leave at 4:25. What we didn't realize was that we'd stop at the WL, Poly, and GF before heading to the airport. By the time we got to the airport and checked in for our flight we were starting to panick about getting the kids some food before boarding the plane. We ended up making it no problem, but we did feel more stress than we're used to. So we made a mental note that next time we'll request to leave an hour earlier than what they give us as our departure time!

 

[Stitch1404]

I had an absolutely horrible experience with ME, but I used it on the very first day it was operating. All of our luggage was lost and we didn't receive any of it until the last day of our trip which made things extremely difficult. Although Disney did try to make amends (they gave us a ton of free clothes!)I am trying to decide whether to use it for our Jan trip

 

[westcliffemom]

We were impressed also, but I think it could be a matter of right place, right time. We walked up, checked in with no wait, walked over to the lines, there was no line- were escorted to the bus immediately. We sat in the bus for less than 10 minutes and were on our way. We were checked in at the POP (even with a room change) and were on our way to EPCOT within 1 1/2 hours.

If you got there just after a bus left, or had a bus that stopped at a couple of resorts first, I think it would take you longer.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

I just e-mailed my TA at Du with this question last night. She said the average is about an hour from MCO to resort.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

We had a poor experience traveling from MCO to Pop in July, but a great experiene returning to the airport from WL. Based on our experience, I would not advise using ME late at night. We flew into Orlando right around 11 pm. The downstairs area was empty when we arrived. As we waited, the lines for the various resorts grew and grew. We watched people who had arrived much later than us get loaded onto buses long before we were. Ugh! On our return trip in the evening, we were the only guests on the bus. A sidenote: there were no videos, songs, etc. on either of our trips. BORING!!!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

I just e-mailed my TA at Du with this question last night. She said the average is about an hour from MCO to resort.

It took about 30 minutes for us to go directly from WL to MCO. Of course, it took quite a bit longer with the 3 previous stops on our way to POP.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

We rode ME to SSR this past weekend. We lucked out and were able to get on a bus loading for immediate departure. SSR was the first stop of four scheduled for the bus: SSR, OKW, POR, WL. It took less than 30 min to get from the airport to the resort. Fabulous experience.

Checking in at SSR, on the other hand, was stinky. We arrived around 10:15 pm and nobody could help us to our room. We were left to schlep our little one in his stroller, and our two carry-on bags across creation to get to our room.

 

[maryliz]

We used ME to POP in Aug. Checked in at the desk ... no wait. We were put immediately on a bus that departed about 5 minutes later,and POP was the first stop. We were at the resort in 30 minutes. 15 minutes to check-in, room was ready. Went to the food court for lunch, and when we returned 30 minutes later, our luggage was waiting in our room.

We almost always drive down, but DH and I are flying for a weekend in December. Can't wait to use ME again. It was faster than the town car we used back in January. Not to mention the great price for me

MaryLiz

 

[lovesdumbo]

We had a poor (but not horrific) experience with ME in Aug to ASMo. We arrived on a Sunday-the same day as a cruise departure day and the place was a ZOO. First we missed the ME folks when we arrived and ended up in B instead of A or A instead of B...the ME tags do say where to go. Then when we did find them on the first floor there were HUNDREDS of people trying to check in. We checked in but the communication was so poor we misunderstood where to go next. We waited a while (can't remember 15 to 30 minutes) before boarding the bus. We traveled with only carry on but the bus driver wouldn't put or rolling bags under the bus-I think she didn't want to have to handle them. She also didn't play the video. She also didn't announce the resorts as she made the stops. I would say it took 1 1/2 hours from the plane landing to our arriving at the resort. Return was better but they couldn't have dropped us off much farther from the Southwest check in.

All in all I would use them again but when I travel with my DH, who does NOT travel well, in Oct I will be using a town car.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I know my experience is unusual, but from the time I entered the terminal (okay, fine, in a wheelchair pushed by a Skycap) until I got off the bus at Pop was either 58 or 59 minutes. I was the last Guest to board the bus before it left the airport, and after Pop it was going to the All Stars.
Return trip to the airport, also no problem - the bus picked up only at Pop and got us to the airport two, no three, no two hours before my flight left. No confusion on my part and no problem with DME - the airline kept changing the flight time

 

[goofy4tink]

I've used DME twice now..once with using just carry-on bags and once with checked baggage. Worked wonderfully both times. First time, when I checked my bags, I was at MCO at 11:55 a.m., on the bus at 12:15, at BCV and checking in at 1:00, at the pool at 1:30 and into our room at 2:30 (very early for DVC villas) and had our luggage at 3:00!!
When we had just our carry-on, it was pretty much the same. It took about an hour and 15 mins from touchdown to our checking in.
Love this service and I'll be using it again in 55 days (or so).

 

[Grammy]

I have heard not to use it late at night but does anyone have any early morning experience? Our flight arrives in Orlando at 8:20 am. I will definitely be using ME on the way back to the airport but am debating using a town car from the airport to the resort. We will have been up early to get on the flight down there and travelling with DD, DSIL and our 2 grandsons (3 & 6) and I don't want to have to wait around a lot because it is not a busy time for arrivals and have the kids getting antsy and fussy because they are tired. We didn't have a great selection of flight times, it was either very early or very late.

 

[sixcats]

We landed around 8:30 am this past Saturday. There was no wait at the counter for ME. We waited <10 minutes for a bus and took off within 5 minutes of boarding. The ME people said that early morning is the best time to use the service. We were very happy with it.

 

[soccerchick]

We used it this past week. We arrived on 9/28 and the check-in took maybe 10 minutes tops and then we waited for 1/2 an hour to board a bus to POP. That was the only stop and the ride was quick (20 minutes maybe). No video on the way there though. Other resorts did seem to get buses more regulary than POP did (ex. 2 buses for AKL before 1 for POP). Total time from check in to POP was about 1 hour 15 minutes. Of course, then you arrive and all the people are racing to check-in. I didn't race and it was another 30 minutes to check-in.

The ride back was much better. More buses, more often at POP and they take you to the two concourses. We were dropped off at the second stop, so total of about 40 minutes door to door.

We flew Independence, so we checked our own bags.

 

[Grammy]

We landed around 8:30 am this past Saturday. There was no wait at the counter for ME. We waited <10 minutes for a bus and took off within 5 minutes of boarding. The ME people said that early morning is the best time to use the service. We were very happy with it.

Thank you, Debbie! That makes me feel better. I don't mind spending the $ for a van or limo for us if it is going to make the trip easier but if early am is the best time, then I'll just save it and put that $ towards a nice meal or more "stuff" for the kids.