Delayed use of ME?

[K9pal]

We are going in September, trying to decide between driving and flying. We are staying at a DVC resort and would fly into Orlando on a qualified airline. But, we have family about 2 hours away that we'd like to visit. If we fly, we would fly into Orlando, rent a car and spend 2 nights with my family. Then (on the day our reservations begin), we'd return the car at the airport and go on to WDW. My question - can we use ME to get to our resort, even if our flight was 2 days prior? Our room reservations would begin to day we want to use ME. I know we could use them to return to the airport when we leave, just not sure about getting there. Any suggestions??

 

[OKW Lover]

If you already have a car, why not just drive directly to WDW and turn the car in there? Most of the major car rental companies have no drop-off fees in Florida, so price won't be an issue. And it will save you at least one luggage transfer. Just be sure to rent from one of the several companies that has a location on or near WDW property. (Alamo/National, Avis and Dollar).

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

If we fly, we would fly into Orlando, rent a car and spend 2 nights with my family. Then (on the day our reservations begin), we'd return the car at the airport and go on to WDW. My question - can we use ME to get to our resort, even if our flight was 2 days prior?

Yes! We're doing essentially the same thing on one our future WDW vacations. I've spoken to Magical Express about it.

WDW resort guests are entitled to use Magical Express on their resort check-in date, regardless of how they arrive at the airport. However, the "magical" luggage handling is based on arrival by air. The bags are pulled before they go to baggage claim and are sorted for transport to WDW resorts on luggage trucks.

You would return your car at MCO and take your luggage to the DME Welcome Center. Your DME driver would load it into the luggage hold of the motorcoach. (A tip is appropriate when the driver unloads the luggage at the resort.)

If you are passing near WDW on your way back to the airport, you may want to stop at your resort and have your bags unloaded by bell services. (Again, a tip is appropriate.) Then, you wouldn't have drag your luggage through the airport.

You should also look into returning your car at or near WDW. Alamo and National are on Disney property. And every rental car company that you've heard of has a facility near WDW. For example, Hertz has a WDW-Kissimmee location with shuttle service to and from WDW resorts. In our case, the price would be more than $100 higher, because rental rates for "one way" rentals are usually higher — especially when compared to a good airport promotional rate or your employer's negotiated rate. However, you may find you can return the car at or near WDW for the same price as at the airport, or for a modest additional amount.

You can use DME back to the airport when your vacation is over, even if you didn't use DME at the beginning of your WDW stay.

If you're first visiting family two hours away from WDW, look into flying into an airport near them. For example, if your family is near Tampa, look into an "open jaw" itinerary arriving in Tampa and departing from Orlando. Of course, that would require a "one way" car rental. But it would be more convenient than flying into Orlando.

In the end, it's a matter of comparing the prices of various options.