Bear with me, but where the heck is ME at the airport?

[Edd]

Even a caveman can find the DME at MCO!!

 

[Missytara]

The issue is going to be that SW arrives, and has baggage claim, on Side A of MCO, and DME is located on Side B.

Silly me! That's right!

 

[pat fan]

Even a caveman can find the DME at MCO!!

See, that doesn't apply to me 'cause I'm not a CAVEMAN!!!

 

[SnackyStacky]

I've never had to worry about a rental car AND DME on the same trip, so this may not work - but couldn't everybody go to B side, level 1? OP and DH get rental car from desk, and then everybody splits? Those who need DME proceed to the far left for DME, and those that need the van can just go out to the garage?

I didn't think the rental companies cared which side you picked up from - but I could be totally off base on that.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've never had to worry about a rental car AND DME on the same trip, so this may not work - but couldn't everybody go to B side, level 1? OP and DH get rental car from desk, and then everybody splits? Those who need DME proceed to the far left for DME, and those that need the van can just go out to the garage?

I didn't think the rental companies cared which side you picked up from - but I could be totally off base on that.

Absolutely. BUT....they have to go to baggage claim, which is going to be on Side A, and they aren't going to want to lug the bags back up to level 3 and then cross over to Side B and go down to level 1 with the bags.
Much easier to just leave the parents relaxing in the main lobby and head down to baggage claim on Side A, get the bags and then go down to level 1 and rent the car, load the bags and kiss 'em goodbye..and see you at the resort, then return to the main terminal and head down to level 1, Side B for DME.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Absolutely. BUT....they have to go to baggage claim, which is going to be on Side A, and they aren't going to want to lug the bags back up to level 3 and then cross over to Side B and go down to level 1 with the bags.
Much easier to just leave the parents relaxing in the main lobby and head down to baggage claim on Side A, get the bags and then go down to level 1 and rent the car, load the bags and kiss 'em goodbye..and see you at the resort, then return to the main terminal and head down to level 1, Side B for DME.

Me, personally, I'd prefer to get a couple of SmartCartes and keep the family together as long as possible.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Respectfully, pat fan, if you can release control of your luggage to Magical Express as millions of Walt Disney World Guests before you have done with complete success, you will make this entire procedure astronomically easier on yourself.

Pack whatever you will need in carry-on luggage. That would include travel documents (generally one person can manage the travel documents for the entire party), any valuables - electronics, etc. - with which you may be traveling, medications, and whatever items will be needed for the first 24 hours at the destination, including each traveler's 3-1-1 bag.

Let Magical Express get your luggage and deliver it directly to your rooms. Skip the Side A baggage claim level/instructions entirely. From the tram, head directly to the Side B elevators and down to level one. Have the rest of the family wait for you or go check in at the Welcome Center, while you and DH complete the car rental paperwork.

Trust us.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Respectfully, pat fan, if you can release control of your luggage to Magical Express as millions of Walt Disney World Guests before you have done with complete success, you will make this entire procedure astronomically easier on yourself.

Pack whatever you will need in carry-on luggage. That would include travel documents (generally one person can manage the travel documents for the entire party), any valuables - electronics, etc. - with which you may be traveling, medications, and whatever items will be needed for the first 24 hours at the destination, including each traveler's 3-1-1 bag.

Let Magical Express get your luggage and deliver it directly to your rooms. Skip the Side A baggage claim level/instructions entirely. From the tram, head directly to the Side B elevators and down to level one. Have the rest of the family wait for you or go check in at the Welcome Center, while you and DH complete the car rental paperwork.

Trust us.

As a type-A, OCD (which is a VERY conservative description) person, I understand where you're coming from, pat fan. I rent a car because I can't stand not being in control of my transportation. And I ALWAYS get my own bags.

That being said, in a situation like yours, it would be a difficult decision for me to make, but I would do exactly what kaytieeldr said. What you're trying to do requires a TON of running around. You're setting yourself up for some BIG headaches, and that's not a fun way to start a trip to Disney.

And to ease your concern about the luggage, if the airlines lose it - Disney will begin the process of finding it with the airlines FOR you. Personally, I would rather NOT know the luggage was lost and that Disney was on it before I even had to concern myself with it.

 

[goofy4tink]

Respectfully, pat fan, if you can release control of your luggage to Magical Express as millions of Walt Disney World Guests before you have done with complete success, you will make this entire procedure astronomically easier on yourself.

Pack whatever you will need in carry-on luggage. That would include travel documents (generally one person can manage the travel documents for the entire party), any valuables - electronics, etc. - with which you may be traveling, medications, and whatever items will be needed for the first 24 hours at the destination, including each traveler's 3-1-1 bag.

Let Magical Express get your luggage and deliver it directly to your rooms. Skip the Side A baggage claim level/instructions entirely. From the tram, head directly to the Side B elevators and down to level one. Have the rest of the family wait for you or go check in at the Welcome Center, while you and DH complete the car rental paperwork.

Trust us.

That's what I would do as well. DME isn't going to lose your luggage. Pack some carryon bags with anything you will need for the first 6 or so hours of your stay. Your bags will get to your room just fine.
Otherwise, you are making a massive headache for yourself. But, that's your choice. We can only give suggestions.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Man, this has been a great week for me. I rocked in my stand-up comedy debut; I got a big bonus check at work (I think; I need to go online and check my pay stub); and two Moderators whose opinions I deeply respect agree with me!

 

[seashoreCM]

The car lots are across the street from the terminal building so those of you who are manning the luggage might prefer to all jump into the car while those still in the terminal report to the DME area.

Car lots are duplicated on both sides of the terminal. If there are no cars for your agency in the garage after you get your paperwork then you can hustle back into the terminal and up and over to the other side to see if there are any cars remaining there.

In the actual terminal building, Level 1 sticks out a little from Level 2 which sticks out a little from Level 3 as shown below. Much like the Contemporary Resort tower that is wider at the bottom.

I'll have to double check on my next visit but I'll almost swear that when you take any of the escalators down to level 2, you will see stairways or escalators going down to level 1 not too far away.

Extend the diagonal red lines out past the edges of the diagram to get the overall "X" shape of the airport complex complete with gate (airside; satellite) buildings as is sometimes described.

 

[pat fan]

Thanks again everyone!

So if I understand correctly, the car rental and DME are fairly close and it's the luggage pick-up that was making this plan difficult? If so, I will seriously consider letting DME getting our luggage. We'll see

 

[SnackyStacky]

Thanks again everyone!

So if I understand correctly, the car rental and DME are fairly close and it's the luggage pick-up that was making this plan difficult? If so, I will seriously consider letting DME getting our luggage. We'll see

Exactly.

There's 2 sides to the main terminal. A side, and B side.

Level 3 is the atrium. Level 2 is baggage claim. Level 1 is ground transportation.

You can ONLY the cross from A side to B side on Level 3. You CANNOT cross from A side to B side on Level 1 or 2.

Your flight will arrive on A side. You must get your luggage on the A side of the terminal.

Magical Express is ONLY on the B side of the terminal.

Rental car agency desks are both on A and B side.

I don't know if that makes it easier or harder to understand, but because DME and rental car agency desks are BOTH on B side, if you let DME take care of your luggage, you can skip dealing with Level 1 and 2 on the A side COMPLETELY. You can cross right over to B side when you get off the monorail, go down to Level 1, check in for the rental car, and then just go to the DME desk.

 

[pat fan]

Thanks! Now if only I can harness my inner control freakishness, I'll be all set

Seriously, that does sound like the way to go. Thanks Disr's!

 

[goofy4tink]

Man, this has been a great week for me. I rocked in my stand-up comedy debut; I got a big bonus check at work (I think; I need to go online and check my pay stub); and two Moderators whose opinions I deeply respect agree with me!

Life just doesn't get any better! You had best quit while you're ahead. Stand up comedy??? Oh man.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The car lots are across the street from the terminal building so those of you who are manning the luggage might prefer to all jump into the car while those still in the terminal report to the DME area.

That doesn't fit with the OP's plans. She has to accompany her husband to Side A baggage claim, then back up to level 3, then across to Side B, then down to level one, then to the car rental counter, then he'll go to the car and she'll go to the Welcome Center - all this with a parade of family members and airport assistance. There are more efficient methods.

Car lots are duplicated on both sides of the terminal. If there are no cars for your agency in the garage after you get your paperwork then you can hustle back into the terminal and up and over to the other side to see if there are any cars remaining there.

I feel almost equally safe speaking for other entirely anonymous - i.e. NOBODY asked me to do this - posters as I do in being the SOLE person to ask... please stop 'highlighting' text in cyan? It's difficult, at best, for many people to see; difficult text is more frequently ignored than read.

Thank you for your consideration.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Life just doesn't get any better! You had best quit while you're ahead. Stand up comedy??? Oh man.

And I was GOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!! Have you ever heard of or seen Paul D'Angelo? Used to be a DA many, many years ago but gave it up for professional stand-up? He was the featured performer, and HE said I was good! People who didn't know me said I was the best amateur performer! I would have invited more people from the DIS, but I know not too many live close enough to come on a weeknight, and the one that I know does, I think doesn't drive?

 

[SnackyStacky]

Man, this has been a great week for me. I rocked in my stand-up comedy debut; I got a big bonus check at work (I think; I need to go online and check my pay stub); and two Moderators whose opinions I deeply respect agree with me!

Wait - you mean me?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Wait - you mean me?

You and goofy4tink - yes

 

[SnackyStacky]

You and goofy4tink - yes

Well, whaddaya know! I've always respected your opinion!

No longer a mod though.