Dme & Sw

[laurabelle]

When we are departing when using DME flying on SW, we have no checked bags, just carry ons. We will have our boarding passes printed at the front desk...so,what do we do on departure day? Do we still have to go through a line for anything at the DME desk or do we just show up for the bus? Also, since we only have to go through security and down to the gate once we get to the airport, is there any way to catch a little "later" DME bus to the airport? Do they run on a schedule from the resorts?

 

[disneyldwjr]

When we are departing when using DME flying on SW, we have no checked bags, just carry ons. We will have our boarding passes printed at the front desk...so,what do we do on departure day? Do we still have to go through a line for anything at the DME desk or do we just show up for the bus? Also, since we only have to go through security and down to the gate once we get to the airport, is there any way to catch a little "later" DME bus to the airport? Do they run on a schedule from the resorts?

Just show up at the appointed time. There is no line for the DME on return.
They have allowed for time to get through security, so, I would be very surprised if they would let you take a later bus. I would call DME and ask about a later bus.

 

[CleveRocks]

There is no such thing as a DME desk at any resort, so you don't have to wait in any line. You just sort of hang around and wait for your bus.

There is a Resort Airline Check-in desk at each resort, but it's not exactly a DME desk, in that it has NOTHING to do with the bus service. It strictly handles airline check-in (including baggage service for those flying a participating airline).


Let me give you an example. I didn't fly a participating airline. When it came time for me to leave my resort and take DME back to MCO, I didn't check in anywhere, and I still don't exactly know where the Resort Airline Check-in desk is at CBR, because it had no meaning for me. I just hung around in the lobby of the Custom House, made sure I got my luggage from Bell Services' storage in plenty of time, and when a DME bus pulled in around the right time I asked the driver to make sure it was "my" bus.

-- Eric

 

[LisaS]

As others have said, you just show up at the designated time and place and board the bus. The same is true even if you have luggage you are bringing with you on the bus that you need to check at the airport.

You can try asking DME about taking a later bus but I doubt they will let you do that. Your bus will probably stop at a few resorts prior to heading to the airport so it will take longer to get there than if you were heading directly to the airport from your resort. And, as was already mentioned, they need to allow enough time for you to get through security once you get to the airport.

If DME won't reschedule you, do NOT assume you could just "miss" your scheduled bus and get on the next one. There were some posts in the early days of DME where people reported that they tried to get on a different bus than the one they were scheduled to take and they were not allowed to board the bus. I imagine if the bus is expected to be full once all the pickups are made they couldn't take on extra people at one stop and then not have room for people waiting at the last stop.

 

[Lewisc]

The DME pickup time allows for late buses, stops at other resorts and lines at security. People who're able to check their baggage at the resort don't even get a later pickup time.

If you want an extra 30-60 minutes at WDW, more if you like to live dangerously, take a limo or taxi.

 

[laurabelle]

Thanks so much everyone for thoroughly answering all my questions!