Disney's Magical Express or. towncar services to POFQ

[naosam]

We're flying in from Montreal in June for a trip to WDW, and haven't made our ground transportation arrangements yet. We'll be arriving at ~11:29 a.m. Florida time, and will be anxious to get to our hotel (POFQ) and settled. In doing the research on the options (including looking at prior posts on this site), it appears our best options are either the DME or a towncar. The advantage of DME is it is free (except for tips). The advantage of the town car would seem to be less walking in the airport (sounds like the driver meets you in baggage claim, rather than having to check in at a desk), you're not waiting at the airport for anyone other than you before you take off, and no stops at other hotels, meaning it should be faster. Wich one should I take.



Am I missing anything?

 

[Edd]

You are in a hurry to get there? Car service is the fastest way out of the airport. You might wait 10 - 15 minutes for your luggage but the vehicle is directly below on the first floor parked ready to load and get going. If you come in on Southwest and pick up your luggage you will walk close to a mile before you get to the Magical Express Welcome desk. No stops, uless you want some extra groceries, and you are at your resort fairly fast. Most times to the resorts, without a grocery stop, run about 30 to 40 minutes after you pick up your luggage.

If you have the extra $100.00 in your budget for round trip transportation. luxury vehicles, live driver and car seats and boosters for the protection of your smaller kids. Car service is the way to go.

 

[TheWog]

We just used a car service and had a great experience.

 

[jimmiej]

I too am debating this issue with myself. We've done both. I'm leaning towards the towncar for the quicker service.

 

[popgfd]

We haven't used the limo since ME started up but when we did use limos, we usually had to wait 15 or so minutes for it to show up at baggage claim. They wait outside the airport and generally don't believe you when you say you don't have baggage [we ship UPS a week before arrival date].

that is the only exception to the limo being faster and better but i'm in the camp that feels the niceties of the limo is not offset by the cost/$100 plus tip

Pop

 

[CleveRocks]

All 3 of my DME experiences have taken about the same amount of time as a car service. From walking off the airplane to being dropped-off at my resort, my times (in order) have been 63 minutes, 56 minutes and 57 minutes.

These times compare with the times Edd reported for a car service. Figure 5 minutes from airplane exit to baggage claim, then 10-15 minute wait for luggage, then 30-40 minutes to the resort, so that's 45-60 minutes. My times of 63, 56 and 57 minutes are right in there. At the upper-end of that range, yes, but they're right in there with the car service option.

I suggest you choose your ground transportation on the level of service you want (combined with how much you are willing to pay for it). If you want personalized service and a private ride, a good car service will be worth every penny to you. But if you're just looking for a ride that gets you there in a timely manner, you don't mind riding with other people, and it doesn't matter to you that the driver won't be focusing on serving just your family, then DME is a good fit for you.

At home, by the way, I always use a car service to get from home to the airport (and then back to home at the end of the vacation) ... I have no free option at home for airport transfers, and my car service's Lincoln Navigator is much more comfortable than those airplane seats!

 

[goofy4tink]

You are in a hurry to get there? Car service is the fastest way out of the airport. You might wait 10 - 15 minutes for your luggage but the vehicle is directly below on the first floor parked ready to load and get going. If you come in on Southwest and pick up your luggage you will walk close to a mile before you get to the Magical Express Welcome desk. No stops, uless you want some extra groceries, and you are at your resort fairly fast. Most times to the resorts, without a grocery stop, run about 30 to 40 minutes after you pick up your luggage.

If you have the extra $100.00 in your budget for round trip transportation. luxury vehicles, live driver and car seats and boosters for the protection of your smaller kids. Car service is the way to go.

Edd....why would they have to lug their bags to Side B if they arrive on Side A with SW?? Why not just tag the bags and let DME handle them. Then they just walk to Side B and go down to level 1, after arriving on level 3. But, having said that.....here are my experiences to date...

DME....from plane to resort-average of 70 mins, shortest being 55 mins, longest being almost 90 mins. Most times have been closer to 70 mins.

Towncar....carryon only, 45 mins

Towncar....checked bags, about 60 mins, give or take. Most drivers have been waiting for me right at baggage claim. One driver had to be searched for..added close to 10 mins to our time.

Mears shuttle....carryon only, 75 mins.


So...it depends on what type service you want. You can use DME, have them take care of your luggage (being sure to pack what you will need for up to 8 hrs in your carryon bags), and use a grocery delivery service.
Or...pay the fee (about $100 plus tip) and get a towncar, have your bags with you at all times and get to your resort faster, with a quick grocery stop. If you add that grocery stop, it will add time to your overall trip time though.

I have done it both ways. My upcoming trip in August, I'm at the Dolphin so can't use DME.I have a car service booked, but no grocery stop (no place to put those groceries at the Dolphin before moving to BWV). I have used DME many times in the past, with great success. But there are times that it won't work for me, or times I just want to get to WDW with as little waiting around as possible.
The past few times I've used DME, it has taken me longer to get to my resort than I had hoped for. I don't want to stand around, waiting for a bus to come for 15 or 20 mins, then sit on that bus for another 15 or 20 mins waiting for the bus to fill up. It just aggravates me lately. But overall, it is a great service.

 

[RMulieri]

Have used both, and honestly will never use DME again. Not that there wa anything wrong with it. But I loved the Towncar service. I figure I am on vacation and will be waiting in lines soon enough, so I budget the extra money for the towncar splurge. I love the convenience of a towncar, not to mention the grocery stop to stock the villa kitchen. Nothing was better this last trip then coming off the escalator, having our driver meet us, grab our bags and have us in the car, and off to the BC in less than 40 mins...We passed the DME line on the way out and it was wrapped thru all the ropes.

 

[Edd]

Di,

That is the only way to go, tagging the luggage, but as you see there are a lot of people who do not like the idea. I don't know why! After 2200h than the passengers have to pick up their own luggage and that is a bummer.

That is really when the car service becomes a great service because the distance from carousel to car is not more than 100 feet for car service and if you fly in on SW, Jet Blue is about 100 feet closer, you will be walking close to a mile (approx. 4500 feet, 3rd floor down to 2nd floor baggage, pick up baggage, back up to third floor, to the other end of the building, cross over to A side and than down to the first floor. I walked that, also paced it off, about a month ago and it took me 15 minutes to get from SW baggage to DME Welcome Center. Now add a few kids and traveling all day with 3 - 6 pieces of luggage. By the way SW carries the biggest percentage of Disney passengers, so I can never figure out why Disney moved completely to the B side other than B side was bigger. They should have utulized both sides.

Now that the car service parks on the inside of the terminal, right below where they put the bags from SW on the carousel. The walk for passengers is no more than 100 feet at the most. That plus someone else (driver) helping with luggage can make a big difference after 2200h.

 

[goofy4tink]

Have to tell you Edd...if I had to get my own luggage, at 2200h (aka 10pm), I would sure be using a towncar service. No way would I be lugging my bags around that airport. The ability to say goodby to my bags at my home airport and not have to retrieve them is the big reason I use DME. Take that away from me and I may as well just pay for a towncar service.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Ever since DME began we have used it. Maybe we've been lucky but it takes about the same amount of time as the Towncar used to take.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Bumping!

 

[naosam]

We're flying in from Montreal in June for a trip to WDW, and haven't made our ground transportation arrangements yet. We'll be arriving at ~11:29 a.m. Florida time, and will be anxious to get to our hotel (POFQ) and settled. In doing the research on the options (including looking at prior posts on this site), it appears our best options are either the DME or a towncar. The advantage of DME is it is free (except for tips). The advantage of the town car would seem to be less walking in the airport (sounds like the driver meets you in baggage claim, rather than having to check in at a desk), you're not waiting at the airport for anyone other than you before you take off, and no stops at other hotels, meaning it should be faster. Wich one should I take.



Am I missing anything?

But still don't know. I'll be there June Sunday 21

 

[Edd]

The car service driver meets you at the escalator you come down to go to baggage or at the baggage carousel. You all get introduced, get your luggage and he will lead you downstairs, one floor down and back behind the rental car counters where his car will be sitting ready to load. The only waiting you do is waiting for your luggage to appear on the carousels. That usually runs 5 -15 minutes depending on the number of planes that have landed. Rarely does it go over 15 minutes except for weather or Disney picking up the wrong trailer and taking it to their distribution area. That did happen to me once. We waited about 45 minutes for the passengers luggage. It is less than 5 minute walk and maybe 200 feet of actual walking. He will load you, set you in his vehicle and than you will be on your way.

If you talk to a car service that wants you to come down stairs and meet the driver and car behind the rental counters tell him to jam it. Pick a car service that will meet you at the escalator or the carousel. There is no other way convenient for strangers who have not used the car service pick-up procedure before. If someone, a visitor, tells you a different procedure ask them as to the last time they visited Orlando. More than likely it was before 10/2008. That is the date this procedure for car service went into effect.

DME, you have to walk to the Disney Welcome center and for SW and Jet Blue passengers, if you pick up luggage, that means a walk of about 4300 feet. A mile is 5100 feet. You can reach DME much faster, the walk is cut significantly, if you let Disney transer your luggage. Yes, Disney stops usually at only three resorts in the day time and the bus is full. Night time or less full passengers usually get an extra stop or two depending on the passenger count. There is also waiting involved in the bus transfers.

No waiting around for car service unless you picked a sorry company. There are some around who try to cut corners to save money.

 

[naosam]

The car service driver meets you at the escalator you come down to go to baggage or at the baggage carousel. You all get introduced, get your luggage and he will lead you downstairs, one floor down and back behind the rental car counters where his car will be sitting ready to load. The only waiting you do is waiting for your luggage to appear on the carousels. That usually runs 5 -15 minutes depending on the number of planes that have landed. Rarely does it go over 15 minutes except for weather or Disney picking up the wrong trailer and taking it to their distribution area. That did happen to me once. We waited about 45 minutes for the passengers luggage. It is less than 5 minute walk and maybe 200 feet of actual walking. He will load you, set you in his vehicle and than you will be on your way.

If you talk to a car service that wants you to come down stairs and meet the driver and car behind the rental counters tell him to jam it. Pick a car service that will meet you at the escalator or the carousel. There is no other way convenient for strangers who have not used the car service pick-up procedure before. If someone, a visitor, tells you a different procedure ask them as to the last time they visited Orlando. More than likely it was before 10/2008. That is the date this procedure for car service went into effect.

DME, you have to walk to the Disney Welcome center and for SW and Jet Blue passengers, if you pick up luggage, that means a walk of about 4300 feet. A mile is 5100 feet. You can reach DME much faster, the walk is cut significantly, if you let Disney transer your luggage. Yes, Disney stops usually at only three resorts in the day time and the bus is full. Night time or less full passengers usually get an extra stop or two depending on the passenger count. There is also waiting involved in the bus transfers.

No waiting around for car service unless you picked a sorry company. There are some around who try to cut corners to save money.

So wich(town car) one his good ?

 

[Edd]

They are both good. One has several good advantages over the other. DME is free and car service costs money. Disney takes a little more time and involves some amount of waiting and car service, if you have the right company, there is no waiting. Car service does grocery stops and has baby seats for the smaller kids and DME does not. You are scheduled 3 hours beofre your flight with DME and 2 hours before your flight with car service. Car service has live drivers tending to your every need while you are with them. DME is less personal.

That question has to be your choice and you have to make that decision by reading the sites, talking to the companies and taking the advice of those who have used car service before and let you know on the boards.

 

[beenthere2]

We reserved a towncar service. Our luggage was already going around the carousel when we arrived in the claim area. So we departed the airport in only few minutes. It was a very comfortable ride with no hassles.

 

[TheWog]

So wich(town car) one his good ?

Happy Limo did a great job for us.

www.happylimo.com

 

[4rkdz]

We just got back and we used Wheels to Wings. They were great. We chose them because they are recommended by TGM and because we had 7 in our party 4 adults and 3 kids (8,7,7). The driver was waiting at the bottom of the escalator and got us help with our luggage. We had a stretch limo which was very comforatble. On the way back they substituted a stretch Hummer which the boys loved. We loved the convenience and comfort of the towncar.
Our previous 2 trips we used DME. We had no problems with lines and were on the bus to our hotel in a short period of time. Unfortunately we were the 4th and final stop both times which is not the best when you have 3 very anxious young children waiting to get to Disney. Our departure was delayed our first trip because the driver was asleep in the parking lot waiting for our 5am departure. Then they pick you up about 3 hours prior to your flight.
The towncar took 1 1/2 hrs from the door of the Contemporary to the gate of the plane. Also the towncar driver got the bellman for our luggage.
We plan to do the towncar from now on.