I went to WDW May 8 - 14 of this year. DME started on May 5, and was first announced around January or so. We made our reservations in October, and at that time I'd already decided I was going to use Murray Hill for private transportation to and from WDW rather than pay for Mears. For the 6 of us (including my 5 year old son and 2.5 year old daughter), it was almost the same price, so I figured why not have a direct and private ride?
Then DME was announced, and for me, everything changed. We were on a somewhat tight budget, so the prospect of paying $120 plus tip for something we could essentially get for free seemed wasteful to me.
I loved DME and had great experiences. And remember, I used it when it was only 4 days old, when they were, as I've seen people erroneously write, "working out the kinks." It's also important for me to note that my wife is a pediatrician, and I am a therapist who works mostly with motor vehicle accident victims -- this means that we're both VERY conscious (and very knowledgable) of safety matters, and we were both fine with taking our 2 precious children on the DME buses as well as on the Disney Transport buses.
And yes, luggage takes a few hours to arrive. No big deal to me. I planned for that, and we had 24 hours worth of supplies in our carry-ons. Complete change of clothes, PJs, bathing suits, toiletries, medications, etc. You'd be surprised how little room that takes up. I ALWAYS travel that way no matter where I fly, in case the airline delays my luggage. So I didn't care that my luggage arrived at CBR 3.5 hours after we did -- when it "magically appeared" in our room, we were at the pool enjoying the beginning of our vacation. Our flight landed at 9:10 a.m., and as far as I was concerned as long as the luggage arrived by the next morning we were unaffected by how long it took for the luggage to arrive.
Another little-known perk of DME is that as soon as you check-in at the DME Welcome Center at MCO, a room is held for you at your resort if one is available. The computer sends a message to your resort's computer, and even if there is only one room left (in your category), it will be held for you. Let's say there's only one room available right now at your resort. If someone arrives at the resort in a towncar or rental car one minute after you check-in at the DME desk at the airport, that other party will be told their room is not available yet, and theoretically, when you chug in on DME 45 minutes later you will be given your room and that other party may still be waiting for the next room to become available. Nice little perk if you fly in before check-in time.
If money was no object for me, and I mean ABSOLUTELY no object, then for me it would be a no-brainer -- I'd hire a private transportation company without even giving ANY thought to DME. A private, direct ride just makes more sense. I don't think that for most people taking a towncar will save time, however. With a towncar, you have to wait for your luggage, wait for the driver to actually get the car, and then (for many people) make a grocery stop. With DME, I was at CBR 53 minutes after I fiorst got in line at the DME Welocme Center. I got a grocery delivery from Gooding's that was perfect because Gooding's delivers to Bell Services rather than to your room, so we didn't have to waste time waiting in our room for the groceries to arrive.
I hope everyone enjoys their wonderful trips to WDW, and is completely satisfied with whatever choices they make!
-- Eric
