DME or Private Transfer?

[The Mooresketeers]

We are flying in to MCO and arrive around 6pm. We are coming from California so it will have been a very long day and we are travelling with a 3.5 year old. I would like to get to our resort, Art of Animation, as quickly and easily as possible. I am having a hard time deciding how to get there.

DME: pros - free, no need to stop at luggage carousel. cons - from what I've read it can take quite a while, can't use car seat

Private transfer: pros - faster, can use car seat (we are bringing our own so no additional rental cost there.) cons - have to wrestle with luggage, additional cost

We are also coming in on a week night, so there is traffic to consider. Any suggestions or recommendations?

 

[msp2mco]

We were at the parks not long ago. MY DD and friend took DME about 7 PM on a Thursday night and had almost no wait and stopped at one resort before getting to POR. The next night, my DH and DBIL took DME about 7 PM to AKL and it took almost 2 hours--waited at airport for bus to fill and stopped about 4 times before getting to AKL. They didn't check their bags through DME because they didn't want them delivered to the room at midnight. My DH said next time he would take a cab.

 

[NJlauren]

Can you sign up for DME have them take your luggage and then take a car there and then take DME on the way back?

I'm pretty sure you can do that.... But not 100%

 

[sam_gordon]

Can you sign up for DME have them take your luggage and then take a car there and then take DME on the way back?

I'm pretty sure you can do that.... But not 100%

Read this thread... http://www.disboards.com/threads/dme-luggage-only-dont-want-to-ride-the-bus.2015788/

Bottom line, yes you can, but you're incurring risk by doing so.

 

[NJlauren]

Read this thread... http://www.disboards.com/threads/dme-luggage-only-dont-want-to-ride-the-bus.2015788/

Bottom line, yes you can, but you're incurring risk by doing so.

Thank you! I knew someone would know better then me!!

 

[The Mooresketeers]

We were at the parks not long ago. MY DD and friend took DME about 7 PM on a Thursday night and had almost no wait and stopped at one resort before getting to POR. The next night, my DH and DBIL took DME about 7 PM to AKL and it took almost 2 hours--waited at airport for bus to fill and stopped about 4 times before getting to AKL. They didn't check their bags through DME because they didn't want them delivered to the room at midnight. My DH said next time he would take a cab.

The two hour transfer is exactly what I want to avoid We are staying at Art of Animation and I believe that hotel is the first stop on that loop. That leaves waiting at the airport for the bus to fill up. We are a party of 6 so we will fill up 10% by ourselves

The idea of sending the luggage with DME and taking the cab is VERY tempting.... I did read the thread and I'm not sure I want to risk it, but tempted!

 

[goofy4tink]

The average time, gate to resort, is running at about 70 mins. With a car service or cab, it's going to be about 45 mins with no luggage, 60 with checked bags.
2 hrs is unusual.
I'm not sure why not being able to use a car seat on DME is a big deal. You can't use it on Disney buses once you get to WDW.

But, if you're going to be concerned and worry, then peace of mind will be worth the money you spend on a car service.

 

[Meliechick]

Last trip we did DME one way and private transfer on the way back to the airport. We typically do private transfer both ways but decided to try to save a few $. We regretted that decision quickly. We had to wait for the bus to fill and then it was so loud. We got used to beating the DME to the hotel so we usually had a short line at check in. This time we ended up in a long check in line because everyone got off of the bus at the same time. When you use private transfer they meet you at the luggage carousel and assist you with your luggage. Their cars/vans are parked very close and in a covered area so if there is inclement weather it doesn't effect you and they keep the vehicle cool. We also like the "free" grocery stop. We have used FL Tours, who is a sponsor on DIS, and how've been very happy with the service we received. We will be using them both ways on our next trip.

 

[The Mooresketeers]

The average time, gate to resort, is running at about 70 mins. With a car service or cab, it's going to be about 45 mins with no luggage, 60 with checked bags.
2 hrs is unusual.
I'm not sure why not being able to use a car seat on DME is a big deal. You can't use it on Disney buses once you get to WDW.

But, if you're going to be concerned and worry, then peace of mind will be worth the money you spend on a car service.

I know I can't use them on the Disney buses. We are also going on a cruise right after and I know I won't be able to use it on the tour buses. It's not a deal-breaker if I can't use the seat, but, I always consider it a plus. Anytime I can keep him a little safer, I'm happy to do so Of course, I'm also one of those people that believe school buses should have seat belts...

Last trip we did DME one way and private transfer on the way back to the airport. We typically do private transfer both ways but decided to try to save a few $. We regretted that decision quickly. We had to wait for the bus to fill and then it was so loud. We got used to beating the DME to the hotel so we usually had a short line at check in. This time we ended up in a long check in line because everyone got off of the bus at the same time. When you use private transfer they meet you at the luggage carousel and assist you with your luggage. Their cars/vans are parked very close and in a covered area so if there is inclement weather it doesn't effect you and they keep the vehicle cool. We also like the "free" grocery stop. We have used FL Tours, who is a sponsor on DIS, and how've been very happy with the service we received. We will be using them both ways on our next trip.

Thank you Meliechick, that is exactly what I needed to hear! So helpful to hear from someone who has done both! I hadn't even considered the rush to the check in desk, so that really helps cement the deal for me. I will check out FL Tours. Our travel agent had recommended Happy Limo so I'll do a price comparison. We were already planning to use a private transfer from AoA to the port and then back to the airport, so we will just bundle this leg in too.