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

[pat fan]

I went there once before, but I am uber directionally challenged and can't remember. Anywhere near where the rental car place is?

I just found out that the discount I used on our rental is only good if I am there, not just my DH, but I was planning on taking everyone else but the luggage mules on ME. Are they fairly close together? Or worlds apart?
Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

Depends on your airline. DME is located on level 1, of Side B of MCO. If your airline arrives on Side B, then you just get off the plane, take the tram to the main terminal area, then go to Side B..there are bright neon signs overhead. You arrive on level 3. When collecting luggage, you will need to go down the escalators to level 2 and head to baggage claim and get your bags. Then, take the elevator down to level 1 and walk down to the DME counter.
But..if your flight arrives on Side A, you have to take the tram from the gate area to the main terminal (same as before), but then, staying on Side A, go down to level 2, to Side A baggage claim and get your bags. Then, back up to level 3 and the main area of the terminal, and cross over (through a big lobby type area) to Side B...then go all the way down to level 1 and DME.
It's kind of a pain to get baggage from Side A if you are taking DME.

Now...I'm not sure that is your question though. If you are only looking for info as to where the rental car places are, then yes, they are usually right there, on the same level as DME is. I believe they are also located on Side A as well. I'm not sure if all the rental car companies are inside MCO though...some may require a shuttle ride.

 

[pat fan]

OUCH!! You gave me a headache!

We are flying SW and are renting from Dollar, which is in the airport. I am just looking for how much trecking I will have to do to go to the rental counter for DH and DS and then back to ME with 5 people, 2 in wheelchairs.

and I don't mean anything bad by the headache comment. Your info is AWESOME! To me, if it's more than go straight and take a left, I'm lost!

 

[seashoreCM]

The rental car companies have counters on both the A side and the B side, and on-site rental companies have garages on both the A side and the B side, although I am not sure what order they are arranged.

When you get off the tram and exit security, it's like coming onto a football field from a goal post. From the point of view of Southwest, the A side is like the grandstand on the right. The DME area is all the way downfield, like the opposite (left grandstand) and far corner 10 yard line.

After fetching baggage you might as well come right back up to level 3 "the field" and go across and down the other (B) side to level 1. Now you get to go past all the car rental agencies all in a row to find Dollar since you have to go "downfield" all the way anyway to get to DME.

If you took the elevator down at the B side, the DME is to your left as you step out although you would have to look to the right (or ask someone) to be sure you did not miss Dollar.

Distances are greater than for a real football field. The cavernous Hyatt hotel atrium where Southwest and some other airlines exit security corresponds to just out to the 20 yard line, not the entire field.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Take an ibuprofin. Take another one. Sit.

Okay, feel better? Great.

Step one: SKIP BAGGAGE CLAIM. You know this. All your luggage will be tagged; DME Cast Members will pull it behind the scenes and deliver it to your resort room. This is why most of you are using Magical Express, right? Relax.

Okay, the Welcome Center is on Side B, Level One at Orlando International Airport. If your plane lands on Side B, great. Take the tram to the main terminal, get outside the secure area, and find the elevators. Go down to level one. If your plane lands on Side A, once you exit the secure area, walk across the terminal - past the Hyatt - to Side B and find the elevators. Take one down to level one.

The DME Welcome Center is to your far left when you stand with your back to the outside. The car rental counters are more in the middle. Have everyone wait either near the elevator or outside the Dollar line - whichever is more convenient - while you rent the car. Then your DH and DS can head off to the car, and the rest of you can head over to the Welcome Center.

 

[goofy4tink]

Sorry.....didn't mean to give more info than was needed. Got carried away.
If you only need to get to DME to get some on the bus, but still need to get to Dollar to rent a car, it's easy. Get off the plane, take the tram to the main terminal. Stay to the left. Head to Side B, go down to level 1.Go right. Walk to the Dollar counter, whilst the others head all the way down to the DME counter.
No need to head to baggage claim since DME will take your tagged bags to the resort for you.

 

[seashoreCM]

This is a job for Superman (or Ultrawoman in the Lois and Clark TV series), with X-ray vision and going to let DME handle the luggage.

As you exit security after taking the tram from Southwest's gates actually all gates 60 to 129, look slightly to the left and very slightly down. You will see the DME welcoming area way off in the distance.

Or look somewhat to the left and slightly down. You will see the row of rental car counters through the floor.

Would it be too much for me to ask that, after I told you that, you have to figure out how to get there? (Hint, start by taking a sharp left after exiting security out into the open.)

 

[goofy4tink]

This is a job for Superman (or Ultrawoman in the Lois and Clark TV series), with X-ray vision and going to let DME handle the luggage.

As you exit security after taking the tram from Southwest's gates, look slightly to the left and very slightly down. You will see the DME welcoming area way off in the distance.

Or look somewhat to the left and slightly down. You will see the row of rental car counters through the floor.

Would it be too much for me to ask that, after I told you that, you have to figure out how to get there? (Hint, start by taking a sharp left.)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but since you arrive on level 3, and DME (and the car rentals) are located on level 1, how the heck to you get off the tram and look slightly to the left and very slightly down and be able to see DME's welcome area? No one has xray vision......that is not very helpful.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Would it be too much for me to ask that, after I told you that, you have to figure out how to get there? (Hint, start by taking a sharp left.)

Yes, it would be too much to ask. The OP is asking for help, not riddles.

 

[pat fan]

And we DO need to go to luggae. I am a control freak and don't want them losing my luggage, so we are having the car people pick it up

 

[goofy4tink]

And we DO need to go to luggae. I am a control freak and don't want them losing my luggage, so we are having the car people pick it up

Okay..can you give me an idea as to how you are working this? Who is riding DME, who is in a rental car??
DME seldom misdirects luggage. You should always pack a carryon with anything you may need for the start of your stay. Airlines tend to misdirect luggage a lot. I always allow DME to take care of my luggage and have had only one issue..and that wasn't a DME issue, it was a POP Century issue.

In any case...I ask for the particulars in order to give you correct info. I'm just a bit confused at this point.

 

[disneyfanfamily]

Well...I am not the smartest girl when it comes to airports. But me and my 3 kids did fine last year finding ME. In fact, I just decided that it's not a big deal, and I would find an airport employee and ask for directions if needed. I never needed to. If I remember correctly, there were cast members holding ME signs. I just followed the signs. You will do fine. If I can find it, ANYONE can!

 

[Missytara]

I have to say that every year I get lost going to ME.

The first few years, there was a CM with a sign on level three, who pointed you to the escalator to level two. On level 2, I wandered up and down, looking for the escalator.

I went back up to level 3, and she again motioned me down to level 2 and pointed in the direction. I looked high and low, and never did find it.

I remembered Katie saying to take the elevator and that's what I have done the past few years. To this day, I have never been able to find the escalator that goes from level 2 to level 1.

So trust me the PP who said you can look from level 3 down to level 1 and see the ME desk is not correct.

 

[pat fan]

In any case...I ask for the particulars in order to give you correct info. I'm just a bit confused at this point.

Here we go....DH and DS get the luggage and rental van while I,DS,DSis,DMom &DDad go to ME. No way can all of us fit in the van with 7 peoples luggage. Not gonna happen. That is why the majority of us take ME. We need the van as my parents both have wheelchairs and I hate to inconvenience everyone else on WDW transportation for 2 chairs. Disney is AWESOME about it, other folks, not so much.

We have DS and DH get the luggage 'cause, well, I'm a control feak. Can't help that either, just a fact of life. I might be able to let it go, but we still need the dang rental, so they might as well just get the luggage while they're there, right?

It worked like a charm last trip, only this time the discount on the rental is my BJ's card and DH can't be on it (through my work) so I have to be there to check out the rental. Then I need to schlepp the rest of us back to ME. I know ME can't be that hard to find (I found it last time) but I didn't have to go to the rental pace first before. Are you confused now? Hope not! It really all does work out, I'm just a crazy planner and like to hav everything down pat in my head before we go, and I know you can't plan on everything, but I do try!

 

[Missytara]

Sounds like it would be easiest to grab the baggage on level 1 or 2, depending on where it is. Go down to level 1 and have everyone stay in a common area between ME and the car rental place.

Take the luggage and whoever is driving the van, plus you to sign in, and then go back to the common area where family is waiting and proceed to ME.

Or you can point them in the direction of ME on level 1; there are lots of chairs and tables there for waiting. Especially, if mom or dad needs to rest at that point.

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay then...that did help. So..you arrive on SW, which means your luggage will be on Side A, level 2. When you get off the tram, get your parents and anyone else that needs to, situated in a nice, cozy spot to sit and relax until you get back. Then, you, dh and ds head down to level 2 baggage claim, get the bags, and then go down to level 1 and get the rental car. They can get the bags, and head to the rental car. You will be able to show your card and do what needs to be done in order to secure the car. Then, once they're all set, you go back up to the main terminal, level 3, collect the nicely relaxed DME group and head over to Side B and go right down to level 1 and DME.
At least, that's what I would do.

 

[goofy4tink]

Sounds like it would be easiest to grab the baggage on level 1 or 2, depending on where it is. Go down to level 1 and have everyone stay in a common area between ME and the car rental place.

Take the luggage and whoever is driving the van, plus you to sign in, and then go back to the common area where family is waiting and proceed to ME.

Or you can point them in the direction of ME on level 1; there are lots of chairs and tables there for waiting. Especially, if mom or dad needs to rest at that point.

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.

 

[pat fan]

THANKS!!!

Although I'm thinking it's almost worth the $50 to get DH his own membership

 

[kaytieeldr]

Can your parents get themselves around in the wheelchairs? Or will family members be pushing the chairs? Or will you be getting assistance from airport employees?

If the latter:
Group A (other son, sister, mom, dad, one or two redcaps or other designated airport employees) proceed across terminal to Side B, down elevator to level one, over to DME Welcome Center, tip airport employee(s) , check in for entire party, wait comfortably for pat fan to arrive.

Group B (pat fan, husband, son) proceed to baggage claim on Side A, wait for luggage, pull luggage, go down to level one, get in correct car rental line, complete all documents. DH and DS take luggage across street to garage (may want to invest in luggage carrier rental ) to van, load van, stop at booth, proceed to Walt Disney World. Meanwhile, pat fan heads back up to level three, across terminal to Side B, down escalator to level one, heads toward Welcome Center, meets up with rest of family. Now that they're together and ready to go, they get in line for their resort and follow DME procedures.

The above also works if pat fan's son and sister will be pushing the wheelchairs, or if her parents can manage on their own.

---

Hey, pat fan - I bet you never thought such a simple question was going to result in so many more questions, and so many posts!

 

[pat fan]

Hey, pat fan - I bet you never thought such a simple question was going to result in so many more questions, and so many posts!

You're right! But the info is great! Sorry to say, I don't think your plan would work, because said Pat Fan can't find her way out of a paper bag and would NEVER get from here to there on her own.