DME...not so much

[leanne2255]

First time we have ever used DME to our resort and will probably be the last. Can anyone provide some insight as to why the line is SO long at the check-in counter. We got in what we thought was a long line and it moved very quickly past what I thought was the check-in desk. However, when we reached a point where I thought we were getting closer, there was another VERY long line snaking around to what I guess were other DME check in locations.

For some reason, I thought if you had you vouchers, you just boarded the bus and off you go, but found out that was not the case.

The whole thing seemed kinda insane to me, so we got out of line and rented a car for the day instead, and dropped off the following day at the Dolphin hotel. We will do that from now on.

The return to MCO was very prompt and hassle free. Anyone know why this is such a crazy process from MCO?

 

[Anal Annie]

When we went in August we had vouchers and they waived us right past the desk & straight into the wait line for BCV. No problem. We'd just missed a bus tho so we waited in that line for about 20 min. or so for the next bus.

 

[Lora]

First time we have ever used DME to our resort and will probably be the last. Can anyone provide some insight as to why the line is SO long at the check-in counter. We got in what we thought was a long line and it moved very quickly past what I thought was the check-in desk. However, when we reached a point where I thought we were getting closer, there was another VERY long line snaking around to what I guess were other DME check in locations.

For some reason, I thought if you had you vouchers, you just boarded the bus and off you go, but found out that was not the case.

The whole thing seemed kinda insane to me, so we got out of line and rented a car for the day instead, and dropped off the following day at the Dolphin hotel. We will do that from now on.

The return to MCO was very prompt and hassle free. Anyone know why this is such a crazy process from MCO?

Whenever we've done DME, there's a long check in desk (similar to the airline ticket counters). It's on the same level as the exit to the buses. I only remember hitting a long line there once. Then, when you finish there, they send you over to the bus lines. If you saw lots of people there, it's possible that they were waiting for a different bus than yours because each resort grouping is roped off separately. Did you get that far? --where they were going to send you to the right roped off line? I'm assuming that sometimes because of flight arrival times, the lines can swell, but we've never had to wait long enough that I've considered getting a cab.

 

[twinklebug]

Wow, I've never hit that. In fact the "new" process as another poster said, providing you have your booklet and all info is correct, to bypass the desk and proceed directly to the bus line.

Now, waiting on the bus for it to fill up - that's an issue I have had. An hour wait to depart is inexcusable.

What day did you go to use ME from MCO to your resort?

 

[spiceycat]

though this was where they allowed your luggage to be send to your resort?

so if you are going straight to the bus - then all the luggage is being send. there was a time to get the luggage delivered you had to ride the bus.

maybe this has changed?

 

[DVC Mike]

Wow, I've never had to wait in line! I've just gone straight to the bus and hopped on. The only wait was for the bus to leave.

 

[dizneefamily5]

Wow, I've never had to wait in line! I've just gone straight to the bus and hopped on. The only wait was for the bus to leave.

We used DME twice this summer - once in June and once in August and this was our experience both times - walked right on! We swear by it!

 

[castleri]

As someone said it may have been the time of day you arrived. We have only had to wait any length of time once and that was partly because we were the only ones going to SSR that trip on the bus they put us on. Even then I think we were the first ones off. Total time from arrival to SSR was about 1 hr and 15 min. I would be interested to know what time you got in. My children will be arriving at 10:40 am and I am wondering if this will be an especially busy time. We will be meeting them at OKW since we do not have room for all of them in the car at once so can't go pick them up. I almost think the busy times might be better as there are probably buses filling up and departing more often than when they wait to try to fill one up. We had just the opposit experience the last time we rented a car and that was that we ended up taking over 3 hours from arrival to our resort at Disney because the car rental line was through all the ropes and out into the waiting area and then they only had one booth open to get out of the airport. I now only rent cars at the Dolphin or the Regal Sun Resort.

 

[cogero]

the only time i ever had a line there is because everyone in a party went to the counter instead of just sending one person.

We have usually boarded our bus and waited maybe 10 minutes and left. We love the service

 

[rkwier]

When we went in August we had vouchers and they waived us right past the desk & straight into the wait line for BCV. No problem. We'd just missed a bus tho so we waited in that line for about 20 min. or so for the next bus.

This was our experience as well last week. We hopped right on the bus with zero wait after being waived past the desk. Once the luggage was all loaded on the bus, off we went!

OP - I am sorry that you had a bad experience. We have always been very pleased with ME.

 

[leanne2255]

We arrived at noon on Saturday. I did see people lined up to board a bus, but when I asked the CM if I had to stand in the other line first, even though I had my vouchers, she said "yes". We also did not have any luggage to be delivered, as we both only had small carry-ons. The cast member in the long line said you needed to obtain another "special" voucher/boarding pass to board the buses, thus the requirement to wait in line.

So, I'm guessing, based on the replies that we arrived at an extremely busy time of day.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I used ME on Sunday Sept 13 and my plane landed at 11am. I had my vouchers and went straight to the red carpet area where they were scanned and I was directed to Line 2 for BLT. We were rolling less than 20 min later.

I arrived at BLT a little before 2pm. CR/BLT is the last stop on the ME circle of MK resorts. We stopped at Poly, GF, WL and then CR.

On the way back y-day it was reverse, CR/BLT first etc.

ME was hassle free and I like the new voucher system. It does take a little longer with all the MK resorts, but not enough to make me want to rent a car. I dont like to drive if I can avoid it. It was also neat to hear all the little ones reactions when we drove thru the Mickey/Minnie gate!! My kids dont react like that anymore, but I still do!

 

[Jillpie]

What, what is this, you don't have to check in anymore? When did that start? Not that it has ever been a hassle, quite the contrary, its been the easiest process ever. But you go right to the bus now, nice!

 

[rkwier]

We arrived at noon on Saturday. I did see people lined up to board a bus, but when I asked the CM if I had to stand in the other line first, even though I had my vouchers, she said "yes". We also did not have any luggage to be delivered, as we both only had small carry-ons. The cast member in the long line said you needed to obtain another "special" voucher/boarding pass to board the buses, thus the requirement to wait in line.

So, I'm guessing, based on the replies that we arrived at an extremely busy time of day.

I am wondering if the actual day was also playing a role as well as the time. Our driver said that Saturday is their busiest day.

 

[BigEeyore]

The VERY long line you saw was actually several different ques, each for different resorts. We arrived on a Saturday morning and initially panicked when we saw the crowd, but then realized it was multiple lines, and we only had about a 20 minute wait til we got on our bus and were on our way.
BTW - longest lines by far were for the value resorts, probably b/c of free dning.

 

[crisi]

We've also never had a voucher check through line - or maybe a wait of a couple of people.

We have had the wait for the bus - or the wait for the bus to leave. But never more than about 20 minutes.

 

[Brian Noble]

The thing with DME is that usually it's fine. But, every once in a while, Something Goes Wrong, and that can lead to a longer-than-expected delay.

We've used DME once on a budget trip, and it was fine. But, we do nearly always rent a car---I prefer to have one for a variety of reasons and one of them is that there is less uncertainty about when you'll get where you are going.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

On previous trips, I remember always waiting in the line at the counter to check in before heading to the buses. This past August, they had cast members with handheld scanners standing at the entrance to area where the bus lines are. If everything was correct in your book, you didn't have to go the counter, and could head straight to the bus lines.

 

[Ms. WDW]

This past June was the first time we were NOT routed to the counter. We walked directly to the roped area, someone looked at our voucher and directed us to the appropriate "line". Once the bus arrived, the voucher was scanned and one we went!!! Now, being June I expected the wait to be long, but I was very surprised when we only had maybe a 10 minute wait.

 

[TLSnell1981]

We attempted to use DME.....ONCE. The line was soooo long and there were folks sitting on the floor. The CM said the wait was around an hour.(and that was just the check-in line) . At that point, we headed start for the door and yelled TAXI!!!!

I think, they could offer to pay DH to use DME and he'd refuse.