DME - not impressed

[UConnJack]

Just used DME for the first time, and while a little more relaxing, I found it a complete waste of time. The time we saved in not picking up a rental car and getting our baggage was off-set by being the third stop for drop off at out resort (AKL). It was a late arriving flight and hoped it would get us to bed earlier, but it did not.

On the way back, we were the first to be picked up out of three resorts and spent an hour and a half driving around WDW and picking up people. Time that would have been better served at the parks or even lounging around at the resort.

Don't get me wrong, for a free service, its great, just not for me. Not handling our luggage was nice, but I don't find it a particular hassle to get my luggage myself and rent a car (both of which is easy at MCO), or check-in and drop-off on the way back. We each take one kid while one deals with luggage and the other deals with the rental car. I guess I just like being in control of my own destiny.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree, it is more a money saver than a time saver. But for those people like me who have no sense of direction, it is great! I would never be able to rent a car and get to my hotel in a timely manner, so having a free ride is wonderful.

 

[seashoreCM]

and spent an hour and a half driving around WDW and picking up people.

Red flag! Red flag! If it took that long to leave property, the first folks would miss their flights if there was the slightest glitch in the security line or wherever.

Aside from that, everthing as described appears to be within tolerances.

It is true that with a rental car, you can leave for the airport (been there done that) directly from a park, saving the trip and trip planning back to your resort.

The primary reasons I have rented cars were, (1) I often stay offsite the first night in case I volunteer for a bump and the next flight is the next day, (2) I often go offsite for dinner, and (3) I can be changed for the water park upon entrance and not have to rent a locker.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[PlutosFriend]

Don't get me wrong, for a free service, its great, just not for me. Not handling our luggage was nice, but I don't find it a particular hassle to get my luggage myself and rent a car (both of which is easy at MCO), or check-in and drop-off on the way back. We each take one kid while one deals with luggage and the other deals with the rental car. I guess I just like being in control of my own destiny.

I am with ya! We always rent a car. I can't imagine not having my own set of wheels. I am not a very patient person

 

[goofy4tink]

That's what is so terrific about WDW.....there is something for everyone. There is no way my dh, who drives huge numbers of miles during the week, would want to rent a car at WDW. Now, you would never catch him on public transit at home, but at WDW, he loves it. So, DME works for us.
I have never been more than 90 minutes getting from my plane to my resort. That one time was when we were the last of three stops. But considering that the time I had only carry-on bags, and I was being met by a towncar service, it took me almost an hour to get to my resort, I guess the 70 min average I have had with DME isn't so bad!!
There are going to be those that love DME, those that will only use a towncar service, and those who prefer to rent a car....no one is right or wrong. It's all about preference.

 

[UConnJack]

Red flag! Red flag! If it took that long to leave property, the first folks would miss their flights if there was the slightest glitch in the security line or wherever.

We got there about 1hr 15min before our flight, so we had plenty of time to check in and get through security. I just figured we'd be able to enjoy a relaxing dinner at the airport before the flight considering we left the resort 3hrs and 15 min before our flight.

That's what is so terrific about WDW.....there is something for everyone. There is no way my dh, who drives huge numbers of miles during the week, would want to rent a car at WDW. Now, you would never catch him on public transit at home, but at WDW, he loves it. So, DME works for us.

Even though I like to rent a car, I always use the WDW bus/boat/monorail system once there. Even with occasional waits, WDW transportation seems to take the same or less time than driving to the parks, especially MK and when you figure in parking time. I am just impatient geting to WDW, once there I'm pretty calm. I just like to have a car in case I need/want it. Being DVC members we get groceries, being a golfer I like to golf off-site sometimes, and it is easier to resort hop for meals with your own car.

Again, great for a free service and I can see why some love it. I could just personally take it or leave it.

 

[bavaria]

Thanks Jack - you made my decision for me. I was considering taking DME with an evening arrival this week, and then renting a car.

I rent a car and schlep my bag every week, so doing it on vacation is no big issue.

I appreciate the honest feedback - your reasons why you didn't prefer DME would be my reasons as well.

I'm keeping the car rental....

 

[CleveRocks]

Thanks Jack - you made my decision for me. I was considering taking DME with an evening arrival this week, and then renting a car.

I rent a car and schlep my bag every week, so doing it on vacation is no big issue.

I appreciate the honest feedback - your reasons why you didn't prefer DME would be my reasons as well.

I'm keeping the car rental....

Allow me to share a different experience. My flight arrived at MCO around 10:00 p.m. on a Saturday night 2 months ago. We used DME, and arrived at POFQ 56 minutes after we walked off the aircraft. I can't imagine I would have gotten there any quicker by waiting at baggage claim and waiting for the car service driver to retrieve the vehicle.

The first time I used DME, it was 63 minutes aircraft to CBR.

 

[UConnJack]

Allow me to share a different experience. My flight arrived at MCO around 10:00 p.m. on a Saturday night 2 months ago. We used DME, and arrived at POFQ 56 minutes after we walked off the aircraft. I can't imagine I would have gotten there any quicker by waiting at baggage claim and waiting for the car service driver to retrieve the vehicle.

The first time I used DME, it was 63 minutes aircraft to CBR.

True, if you are the first to be dropped off (or the last picked up), it should be fast and easy. If not, there is no time benefit. Since the poster above was going to get a car anyway once in WDW, it would make sense for her to get it from the airport rather than roll the dice.

Again, that said, if you aren't planning on getting a car anyway, and would prefer to leave baggage handling to someone else while possibly sacrificing some time, DME is a great service.

 

[bavaria]

yeah, but I'm just not a bus person unless I can snag a front seat. My bags are usually one of the first down due to priority tags, and with my Emerald Aisle I can be at a hotel within an hour too.

I'd rather do that than risk tootling around on a bus.

I know what irks me, and there is too much involved in the DME equation which MAY irk me.

But as goofy4tink says, to each his/her own!

 

[goofy4tink]

We'll see about this renting a car at MCO and driving to WDW business!!! I've never done it before, but have to this weekend. In fact, we are arriving on Thursday evening, being picked up by a towncar (we're at the Swan), then I have to get back to MCO to pick up my dd in order to take her to my ds's wedding. So, it was actually cheaper for me to have the towncar take us back to the airport and rent a car there. I had to cancel the rental I had at the Dolphin. So, I pick her up, get the rental and hopefully am able to find my way back through WDW to get to Tampa. Soooo......for those of you who may be stuck behind some crazy woman at MCO on Sat, be patient, I'm trying my best to not get in anyone's way or to get lost! Of course, on the other hand, I may find I really like this whole renting a car thing!!!! Dear God....I hope I can find my way out of there without causing an uproar!!

 

[bavaria]

oh my, goofy4tink - you aren't going to be in the line ahead of me on Saturday are you???!!!

Don't expect me to sprinkle you with pixie dust ok - remember, there is none in transportation?

 

[MrsNick]

Truth be told, I'm a rent a car kind o' gal myself (and DH certainly likes having a car), but we will be using DME for the first time next month.

This is a budget trip for some much needed R&R (cheap air, DVC studio on points not cash, no extra OOP for park tix, and buying DDP so I know exactly what our meals will cost). We plan to spend most of our time at the resort trip relaxing by the pool with a fruity drink or two , not storming the parks, lol.

We just sold our 1 BR condo and bought a 2BR townhouse that needs a lot of work (read $$$$). So, I cut expenses where it was reasonable and possible to do so. I just couldn't justify the added expense for a rental car on this particular trip since there was free transportation available.

But, we had a rough year, really need a break, had DVC points banked from last year that must be used and the airfare was priced right. So, I was NOT about to let something like the price of a rental car stand between me and

Maybe next trip I'll be able to splurge on the rental car as we did the last few times.

 

[Luv'sTink]

yeah, but I'm just not a bus person unless I can snag a front seat. My bags are usually one of the first down due to priority tags, and with my Emerald Aisle I can be at a hotel within an hour too.

I'd rather do that than risk tootling around on a bus.

I know what irks me, and there is too much involved in the DME equation which MAY irk me.

But as goofy4tink says, to each his/her own!

What are priority tags? How do you get them?

 

[bavaria]

Priority tags are for airline elite members - I am Star Alliance elite ie Air Canada superElite, United 1k, etc

Basically you need to fly quite a few miles in a year (I average 100,000+) to get the tags.

Not that they always work. But on Monday I arrived home, 5th off the flight, used my Nexus card to zip through customs, and my bags were just coming down first off the carousel. When it works, it really works.