DME, but go to a park?

[BrightScouter]

OK,

We have always driven down, so I have never used DME before. I know that I get off the plane and go to the dme desk. You then get in line for your hotel. We plan to get to a park as quickly as possible. AK is where we are headed. Is it ok to get on a bus headed for the closest resort to what park you want to go to, in this case, AKL? Then when you get there, hop on the AK bus?

Thanks!

 

[twinklebug]

I'm going to assume you have no bags with you for this option as the driver will not check your bags at your resort for you. (Don't confuse this with the DME delivery option, which would still take place if needed, but you won't find your bags delivered to your room if you havn't checked in.)

You'll be assigned a certain bus for your trip to your resort. I doubt you can change buses if another has more desirable stops.

However, working within the confines of the bus you're delt, I see no reason why you wouldn't be allowed to get off at another stop your bus is making. As the driver what stops he's making & their order and make your decision from there. Just be sure you let your driver know this is your intent in advance so he's not looking for you later on.

My opinion: Head to the hotel just to check in, this way you'll have your keys and your bags will be delivered to your room and be waiting for you even if you return at midnight. I've never had check in take more than 15 min between waiting in line and the paperwork.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Is it ok to get on a bus headed for the closest resort to what park you want to go to, in this case, AKL? Then when you get there, hop on the AK bus?

DME will take you to the resort where you have your reservation.

You should check in at your resort right away so that your bags can be delivered to your room. You can then hop onto a WDW bus to DAK. You don't even have to go to your room first, although, if your room is ready, you'll probably want to see your room and leave your carry-on bags there.

Going to AKL instead of your own resort would probably not be any faster. DME coaches to AKL tend to make two other stops before getting to AKL. And the WDW bus service from AKL to DAK is no more frequent than from other resorts to DAK.

 

[BrightScouter]

Well, we were hoping to fly down with only checked baggage, and a carry on for a couple of us that we intended to take to the parks. Such as a camera bag and maybe one shoulder bag. So, I think the luggage is ok.

Interesting that they assign you to a bus. If they do, I like the idea of asking the driver about getting off at an early, possibly closer stop.

We only have 2 full days in the parks and 2 partial days. Since we are going down for some of the December meets, I wanted as much park time as possible.

Thanks!

 

[brentalex]

I believe that you need to go to the hotel where your reservation is. And if your tickets are part of a package, you need to check in to get the tickets.
However, since buses make multiple stops and if you don't need to check in to get your tickets, I assume that if the first stop is at a hotel close to the AK, there is nothing to stop you from getting off the ME bus. Not sure what happens with your luggage if it arrives at your resort and you have never checked i

 

[goofy4tink]

The driver will scan your voucher..which will have your resort listed on it. You are expected to get on the bus that is going to your resort. But....if you stop at a different resort, one that will put you closer to your preferred destination, then you are free to get off there.
I'm not sure how that will work for you though. Most resorts are grouped together based on location. So, if you're going to AK, and you aren't on a bus that is headed to POP or AKL, it really isn't going to make much difference.
You may be better off just springing for a car service to get you to AK faster.
Otherwise, you're pretty much stuck with the route you're assigned.

 

[twinklebug]

You may be better off just springing for a car service to get you to AK faster.
Otherwise, you're pretty much stuck with the route you're assigned.

I thought I read you need to be signed onto a bus to use the luggage service.

 

[cigar95]

Another consideration is that even getting off at a resort that is physically closer to AK, you may arrive just after the AK bus has departed, rather than a resort a little farther away that might have an AK bus pulling up in just the next few minutes. So there's a possible 20 minute swing in either direction that you can't plan for.

It's little random stuff that will make the difference. Smart planning can only control so much. My sense is that going to your resort just gives you more options.

 

[BrightScouter]

Yeah, I had read you had to actually use the bus service for your luggage to get the ride.

Well, that may just change things slightly. We probably can't get into AK early enough to make it to any of the meets, no matter how we try to do it. So, maybe we will just go to the resort after all and go to a different park that night.

But thanks for all the replies!

 

[goofy4tink]

I thought I read you need to be signed onto a bus to use the luggage service.

Yeah, I had read you had to actually use the bus service for your luggage to get the ride.

Well, that may just change things slightly. We probably can't get into AK early enough to make it to any of the meets, no matter how we try to do it. So, maybe we will just go to the resort after all and go to a different park that night.

But thanks for all the replies!

There is a sticky here, at the top of the page, that outlines using DME for luggage service while not riding the bus. It should clear up any misconceptins.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2015788