DME vs. Car

[jenjen212]

I will be there Aug 1-6, bringing two cousins of mine that have never been to WDW. Arriving on a Sunday around 830am via JetBlue, staying at the Contemporary Resort.

Besides the added benefits it offers, I booked DME thinking that this would help add to the "Magic" for them.

However, for our return flight on a Friday at 745pm, I was thinking that it might be better to call a car to bring us back to MCO. We might want to hit DTD to purchase any items that we forgot to buy, but then again maybe we might get massages that morning before we leave. We should have everything done before 430pm, in time before the buses for DME. But, on a Friday at that time of the day, just wondering if it is better to call a car.

Thoughts? Anyone also do this??

 

[WildGrits]

I think I would just do my check in to Jet Blue in the morning so then go off and shop.

That way you only have to worry about your selves and your packages.

If you think you will be shopping more than you carry on board, I think I would spend them money on having the packages shipped instead of on a cab.

 

[skiingfast]

It's a good question since DME might want you to get on a bus at 5 using up a lot of time. But it is nice to use the resort airline checkin. Then your bags are out of your hands. I'd do you shopping a day before so you can pack it and not have to carry it on. Personally I wouldn't want to bother with a rental or calling a shuttle company.

 

[jenjen212]

I was worried that between catching the bus to DTD from CR, shopping & lunch, then waiting to catch the bus back to CR from DTD, we might be cutting it close on time in being back at the resort to catch the DME bus.

THen, getting to MCO on a Friday during what would be rush hour...

all just makes me nervous to make sure that we will be to the airport on time. I have heard that some ppl called a taxi/car company to take them instead of returning using DME.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, think about it. If you're concerned about rush hour and Magical Express will pick you three hours prior to your departure, what advantage do you think there would be to using a car service instead?

The car service would likely use the same route as the bus, so would likely run into the same traffic the bus would. It appears you want the car service in case you need to leave the resort later than DME would leave - but if you're concerned about rush hour traffic on a Friday evening, does it really make a lot of sense to allow yourself less time to get back to the airport?

Based on my own experience, I'd strongly advise shopping earlier in the week. You could find yourself with last minute items that you're ultimately not allowed to carry onto the plane if you wait and shop on your departure day, or items that are too bulky or exceed your carry-on size limits. If you're going to take the above advice and have all last-day purchases shipped home, that's a different story. You'll pay for shipping, of course, but no sales tax

You could make your last day a 'pamper' day - the massages you mentioned, maybe other spa treatments, a leisurely lunch or even tea at the Grand Floridian, and still make it back to CR in plenty of time for your DME departure. But where you're concerned about rush hour, leaving later via a car service doesn't seem like a reasonable solution.

 

[skiingfast]

I was worried that between catching the bus to DTD from CR, shopping & lunch, then waiting to catch the bus back to CR from DTD, we might be cutting it close on time in being back at the resort to catch the DME bus.

THen, getting to MCO on a Friday during what would be rush hour...

all just makes me nervous to make sure that we will be to the airport on time. I have heard that some ppl called a taxi/car company to take them instead of returning using DME.

So I think your idea is leave CR to DTD and take a taxi from DTD to MCO saving the travel time back to CR to catch ME.

Doesn't sound like a bad idea since time on the Disney buses to from DTD can be a lot. You may save an hour doing this, but will have to bring your carry ons to DTD with you.

But still I would go to DTD on a different day, spend the last day at a park or having tea in the GF with the girls. Plus since they are older nieces they may like to goto Raglan road for dinner one night that could be your DTD day.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes, DME will require you to be back at the CR, ready to board the bus, about 3 hrs (give or take 15 mins either way) before your flight time.
If you decide that you want to leave right from DTD, then a cab is going to be your best shot. But...don't wait too late...be sure to leave WDW no later than 2-2 1/2 hrs before flight time.

But...do you really want to lug your carryon bags with you, to DTD, and then pay about $50+ in order to save about 90 mins?? I would just leave DTD no later than 3:00..that way, you'll be back at the CR in plenty of time...even if it takes you an hour to do so. You would be back by 4pm....plenty of time to get your bags out of storage and then repack anything you may have purchased but not shipped home.

 

[disneyagain]

check you bags with RAC and head on the bus to DTD. Then depending on what you buy, either have it shipped back to your home or carry it on the plane. I would take a cab back to CR, then hop the DME to MCO.