Can this be right?

[Lizziejane]

We arrive on a Sunday in January, and will leave 8 days later. I'm just pricing out car rentals and am stunned at the cost of renting from MCO. As we're 5 adults, we need a minimum of a standard SUV or a minivan. The SUV is coming up at about $550 for 8 days, vs. $700 for a minivan.

However, I wondered what would happen to the price if we took ME to the BWV, then picked up a rental from the Dolphin the day after arrival. The prices drop to $260 for a 7-day rental on the SUV, and $350 for the minivan. This includes dropping it off at MCO.

It's pretty much a no-brainer, really. EXCEPT, I will have to break the news to hubby that he has to get on a bus! It will be a shock to his system - he hasn't been on one in 35 years! LOL So... I think I understand about the luggage tags, and the bags (hopefully) showing up in our room about 3 hours after we land... but I'm a little confused about everything else.

Specifically, I don't understand the whole "check in" thing at MCO. Some posters report having to wait in a ridiculously long line to check-in with ME, while others say they had a voucher so they got to go straight to the bus line. How do I get a voucher?

Also, when we arrive at MCO, where do we go for ME?

Our flight is scheduled to land at 5 pm. Can anyone tell me (or give me an educated guess!) about what kind of wait we might be looking at? I realize of course there's no way to know for sure, but my feeling is that 5 pm may be less busy than say, 11 am?

How long on the bus to get to BWV?

And generally speaking, if all goes well and ME is running efficiently, could I say that taking ME gets us to the resort quicker than having to sort out a rental? Can you tell that I really have to "sell" this to hubby?!

Thanks!

 

[tkldisney]

Yes, right now rental car prices are really high. Just keep watching for codes and coupons. www.mousesavers.com has a good list.
DME picks you up on the lower level (where rental cars are) There are people there with signs to direct you. After you pick up your luggage go down to level one and walk past rental car companies counters and DME is there.

We always rent a car and have never used DME. (see the line & buses when walking to garage) Sometimes you will have to wait for bus to arrive. I have seen the line of people waiting. You don't have to wait for your luggage, since Disney gets it for you, but normally we wait about 15-20 min for luggage. We use National so we walk right to the garage and just get in car and drive. Then it's about 30 min drive to resort. The buses stop at multiple resorts so not sure what order it is for BWV. I would say using DME will take at least 90 min. IF you do rent, using a company within the terminal is much easier/quicker than having to use shuttle to get your car.

 

[seashoreCM]

Check back at the car rental booking sites every few days. Rates keep changing.

If you get all of your Magical Express materials in the mail punctually and without errors, the vouchers will be included for everyone.

In case of discrepancies or irregularities, new vouchers are created/printed at the welcoming area desk (which you wanted not to stop at).