DME and Towncar? Will this work?

[Nanu57v]

I really like the whole, check bags at airport and have them magically appear at hotel, but we had a bad experience with Mears last time. Can I take advantage of the free baggage handling, but get my own ride to the hotel via a towncar?

 

[DizParks]

Sorry but you can't do that, if you want your luggage to "Magically Appear" then you have to get on the DME bus.

 

[safetymom]

No it is not a luggage handling service. It is designed to transport you and your luggage to the resort upon the DME bus.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The answers are correct for inbound travel.

When your WDW stay is over, you can use Remote Airline Check-in (as long as you're on a participating airline), even if you're not taking the DME coach. You can check your luggage at your resort lobby. The next time you see your luggage will be at the baggage claim for your arriving flight at your home airport.

 

[Nanu57v]

Is there info on the web anywhere that details all this? That's too bad about the luggage handling. I don't know how we are going to handle the stroller, carseat, and the luggage, but we had to wait 2 hours for Mears last time (from arrival at MCO to arrival at our hotel.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Is there info on the web anywhere that details all this? That's too bad about the luggage handling. I don't know how we are going to handle the stroller, carseat, and the luggage, but we had to wait 2 hours for Mears last time (from arrival at MCO to arrival at our hotel.

Keep in mind that the old Mears service served far fewer guests and operated far less frequently. Also, it was designed and run by Mears, which had different business objectives than Disney. Disney's Magical Express is designed and paid for by Disney. Mears only operates the motorcoaches on behalf of Disney. One of Disney's prime business objectives is to get you to Walt Disney World quickly. Disney wants to make a good first impression and for you to start spending your money at WDW quickly.

DME uses a fleet of new motorcoaches, which are dispatched based on actual demand. DME does not wait for motorcoaches to fill up. And DME does not have fixed routes. The whole idea is to get you out of the airport quickly -- often while other passengers on your flight are still waiting at baggage claim.

This FAQ, although written for meeting attendees, provides excellent details about DME: http://disneymeetings.disney.go.com/dwm/services/detail?name=DMEAttendeesFAQDetailPage

Also, this article has pictures of how DME works: http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mm051004ww