Car Rental vs. Magical Express

[TXdeVille]

We've done two trips now, one as non-DVC where we flew and did ME, and one as DVC but we drove from home. We are returning next June for SWW and once again we are flying. We are staying in a 1BR and plan on utilizing the full kitchen. The grocery list request has very little to offer for AKV.....What is the best way to do my grocery shopping? Take the ME from the airport and rent a taxi? Rent a car just for the day that I need it? And how do I do that (meaning does DVC concierge help with that kind of stuff at the resort)?? Someone please help!!!

 

[bakenatj]

I have never used this service but we might try it sometime. http://gardengrocer.com/ If you grocery bill is $200.00 or more the delivery charge is free. I know what we spend a week in groceries at home so I'm sure it is cheaper to use this than to get a taxi or rent a car. Plus you don't have to waste time shopping.

 

[rkwier]

We always fly and really enjoy using the ME. We have no desire to rent a car. For groceries, we order from Garden Grocer. They have a much better selection and better prices than the resort will have. We have used them twice now and have been extremely satisfied. They will leave the groceries with Bell Services if they arrive before you do. Bell Services has a refrigerated storage area to keep things. Everything has been perfect when it arrived - even ice cream! I like that you can build a "favorites" list on their website and place your order from that. I personally prefer to select from their offerings because I am just too lazy to sit down and make a detailed list for someone else to follow. I also like that you can pay via Paypal on not charge the items. We will definitely continue to use them.

 

[GEB@okw]

I agree, a car is a waste of gas, money and time. Order from GG and enjoy your vacation. Next trip Sat, Oct 10 and GG has our food order!!

 

[Dizny Dad]

We always fly and really enjoy using the ME. . . . . .

We, too, enjoy the ME. It is the official Kick-off of the magic, where you are whisked away into The World, no cares, no driving, no traffic; leaving behind most (I said most) of the rude ones of the world that are always in a hurry and wonder why you are in theirs.

Unfortunately, the ME is also our vehicle of re-entry into the real world.

 

[DebbieB]

I always rent a car. I hate being a slave to the busses, especially at AKV where everywhere is bus. They are much more crowded with Kidani opening. We also use it to go to the grocery store and the outlets.

Case in point:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2302644

 

[lisah0711]

Subscribing because I am trying to decide what to do in December. We will be at WDW from 12/18-12/26 split stay VWL/AKV. A car for the size of our group is over $1,000! Using ME and having groceries delivered sounds pretty good to me but I am worried about the crowds, etc., making these experiences less than magical.

 

[cayman01]

Rent a car when you arrive at your resort. Enterprise will come and pick you up at the resort. You will save a bunch of money over renting at the airport!
Also, you won't be a slave to the bus system. More time playing and less time waiting for the bus

 

[5forDiz]

There are a number of car rental locations onsite at WDW - the 'official' car rental of Disney Alamo-National as well as others that are at on property hotels such as Dolphin, Hilton at Downtown Disney & some of the other Downtown Disney hotels too (Buena Vista Palace, DoubleTree) - - for these it's a simple as taking Disney transportation to Epcot or DHS and then walk or boat to Dolphin or take bus from AKV to Downtown Disney and walk over or take quick cab ride to DTD hotel that has rental agency. Check over at mousesavers dot com for great tips on how to get the best deals on rates and for more info on onsite locations.

Good luck

 

[disneynutz]

We vacation at WDW at least twice a year and sometimes more. Our bus days are over. We DME and rent from Alamo at the Dolphin, the rate there is better than at MCO.

We do our own shopping after having a couple of problems with the services.

With a car you can go where you want, when you want and even eat off site if you wish to save some money.

It's a must if you like to go from one resort to another for dinner or to see the Christmas decorations.

A couple of months ago I took the bus before we picked up the car and it took me a little over 2 hours to get from OKW to BCV with the wait time and transfer. With a car it would have been 15 minutes.

 

[stefanospops]

Thanks for saving me a thread! I was thinking the exact thing and the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of using DME and renting when I get to WDW. I am going for 9 days in March, but figure I can rent the car for 6. Pick it up the day after we get there and return it early. Plus, since I am flying Jetblue I can check in at the resort and not have to worry about luggage and such.

 

[AnimalPrincess]

We just returned from our first trip using DME and the busses, we usually rent a car, and we both agreed we want to rent a car from now on! We were staying at the BWV so it was great being able to walk to to parks, and if we stay there again we might go without a car but at AKV I would totally rent! As a previous poster said you are a slave to the busses. I hated that a 10 minute drive took over 30min not including the waiting for the bus! I also found DME to be kind of annoying, we had to wait not too long but some people had to wait a very long time, plus we got a damn Mears bus, I was pisses, it did not feel as magical lol

 

[Hopefully]

We have done both and now we choose DME with a grocery delivery by wegoshop.com. I have used them 5 times and I highly recommend them.
Not having to drive is an important part of the vacation for DH.
We do not mind the wait time for Disney buses. We are on vacation and we go to WDW with the mind set that you are going to wait in lines.
I budget for a taxi for some of our resort to resort meals and it is still cheaper than renting a car. Plus we don't worry about a designated driver after dinner.
Have a great trip

 

[disneynutz]

I also found DME to be kind of annoying, we had to wait not too long but some people had to wait a very long time, plus we got a damn Mears bus, I was pisses, it did not feel as magical lol

If they are using Mears buses that means that Disney is really busy and they ran out of DME buses.

In August Disney and DME were really busy the day we arrived. Long, long lines and packed buses. According to Mears, they serviced over 25,000 Guests that day. All buses and vans were used for DME and Taxi drivers who were bus qualified were assigned buses to drive.

 

[Doug7856]

For our Thanksgiving trip, we are using Magical Express. I just reserved a car at The Dolphin (Alamo) for 24 hours. It is an intermediate size for 24 hours and the cost with taxes and fees is $47. I debated using a grocery service (we have in the past with a positive experience) and decided in the end I like to have better control over prices so we're trying the car. But then again hiring a grocery service would give us more time in the parks . . . tough decision!

 

[Starr W.]

For our Thanksgiving trip, we are using Magical Express. I just reserved a car at The Dolphin (Alamo) for 24 hours. It is an intermediate size for 24 hours and the cost with taxes and fees is $47. I debated using a grocery service (we have in the past with a positive experience) and decided in the end I like to have better control over prices so we're trying the car. But then again hiring a grocery service would give us more time in the parks . . . tough decision!

Hey Doug I thought you got the car to make the Costco run for pumpkin pie!

We'll see ya at Thanksgiving! No car for us, DME and Garden Grocer.




We've always been pleased with DME, though if you are staying at BWV or BCV you're on the bus longer. SSR stays we are either the 1st or 2nd stop(if OKW guests are on). VWL we were the first off.

 

[Doug7856]

Hey Doug I thought you got the car to make the Costco run for pumpkin pie!

Yes! Costco's pumpkin pie is the best!

 

[M&Mwish]

Over the years we have used ME and rented cars. This year, for our last two trips, we used FL Tours. They are actually the sponsor on the Transportation thread. For $109 plus tip, you get round trip service in a towncar from airport to grocery store to resort. They also pick you up on the return to airport only two hours before flight (Me picks you up 3 hours.)

The service was great. They meet you with a sign when you take the escaltor down to baggage claim. Once your luggage is up, you are on your way. You get 30 minutes in a very large supermarket. IF you have your list, you can do it!

We first tried this when ME took almost 90 minutes from signing in at airport until we got to our resort.

Try them! Cheaper than renting a car.

Michele

 

[disneynutz]

Over the years we have used ME and rented cars. This year, for our last two trips, we used FL Tours. They are actually the sponsor on the Transportation thread. For $109 plus tip, you get round trip service in a towncar from airport to grocery store to resort. They also pick you up on the return to airport only two hours before flight (Me picks you up 3 hours.)

The service was great. They meet you with a sign when you take the escaltor down to baggage claim. Once your luggage is up, you are on your way. You get 30 minutes in a very large supermarket. IF you have your list, you can do it!

We first tried this when ME took almost 90 minutes from signing in at airport until we got to our resort.

Try them! Cheaper than renting a car.

Michele

Not really, we rented from Alamo for 7 days in August for $117.00 plus we got a free upgrade to a full size.