Dme

[luvmylittleboy2003]

Would love feedback on the Disney Magical Express - we are traveling in Nov. (Husband, 4 year old son and myself) and would love to know if you would/would not use DME. I thought it would be nice not to hazzle w/the bags, but, yet I'm a little worried they may get lost. Any feedback would be great. Thanks...

 

[pl'smama]

Would love feedback on the Disney Magical Express - we are traveling in Nov. (Husband, 4 year old son and myself) and would love to know if you would/would not use DME. I thought it would be nice not to hazzle w/the bags, but, yet I'm a little worried they may get lost. Any feedback would be great. Thanks...

The ME had it's good and bad points. We used it last year, in December and it was great not to have to deal with the bags. It was our DD, 3.5. first time flying and we had a couple of carry ons, plus her stroller to deal with so it was good not to have the other bags. The wait for a bus was a bit longer than expected and you have to stand in line. That was not the best, but during the busy season I am sure the line would be much worse. We probably waited about twenty minutes for the bus, which is nothing ,I know. Just try to entertain an over excited child in line!! But, all in all the wait was okay.

The bus ride was fine. There are tv's to watch a promo video on the way there and Disney movies on your return to the airport. It is air conditioned and you can relax about the drive. We did not need a car as we stayed in the resort the whole time and used the shuttles and boats.

The one draw back is the delivery of your luggage to the room. It took a good three hours. Not so bad if you pack your swim suit in your carry one, along with whatever personal items you might need. Then it is not a problem. We got to the resort about 2:45 and our luggage was in our room when we returned from dinner at 6pmish. So, just make sure you have your swim stuff, unless you plan to head to a park once you get there.

I would use the ME again for sure. Have a wonderful time!!

Suz

 

[tjmw2727]

I have used DME three times now and I think its a great service esp for the price: ) The airlines are more likely to loose your luggage than DME so be sure and put luggage tags on the inside and outside as well as the DME luggage delivery tags. One nice thing is that if your bags don't show up with your flight DME will take care of finding them for you through the airlines.

I always bring a carryon with essentials for 24 hours in case the airline looses my bags as well as items I will need for the pool while waiting for the bags from DME.

On my most recent trip - Easter vacation 07 we arrived at MCO at 9:10am and went to the ME check in area. The line looked very long but my dh took the kids to the waiting area where they had a drink, colored and watched videos. I waited the line but it only took about 10 minutes tops. We then were directed into a bus line and boarded the bus immediately. We were at POFQ and checked in by 10:30 am. We hit the pool and returned to the room about 2ish to find our bags in the room.

The return trip was just as smooth. I flew SWA so I had to bring my bags on the bus but the driver was helpful and courteous in putting them under the bus.

There are several stickey threads and lots of other information on DME here on the dis at the transportation board as well.

TJ

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

We normally rent a car, but we have used DME also-this April in fact. It was okay, but we get out of the airport a lot faster when we are renting a car. We had to wait in line and then we sat on the bus for a bit too before we finally left.

Normally when we get to our resort we like to change (usually into shorts) and then go hit one of the parks because we are arriving in Orlando about 9am. When we used DME, our bags were not available for hours afterwards-had we known this, we would have planned accordingly. Needless to say we were a bit hot, but thankfully it was only Spring!

Overall, it is a nice set up. When we are trying to squeeze out one more trip to the mouse in a year, we economize by nixing our rental car and just using Disney's transport. We will use it again I'm sure, but this time we'll definitely have a change of clothes in our carry on bags!

 

[disneynut14]

We used it in fall 2006 and it was great. There was practically no wait for the bus. It went right to our resort (Cont). Since it was first thing in the morning we couldn't get to our room yet. So we left our carryon with the concierge and hit the park. When we went to our room later that evening, their were our bags. Including our golf clubs. Everything worked out great!

 

[Desnik]

We have used DME about 4 times already and we love it. However, we all have 1 carryon each, 4 bags all together and I do not check any bags. My bags are with me at all times and we have our luggage with us as we check into the resort. All the times we have used DME, our room has been ready at check in and we didn't have to worry about waiting for our luggage. It works out great for us. I don't mind having to deal with the bags and it is no hassel at all. I love not having to drive to our resort or having to pay for transportation to get there! The drivers have always been wonderful and the kids love the bus! They love watching the video and the ride goes by fast. The driver stores our bags and stroller under the bus and we always give them a tip. The times we have used it in Nov there was literally no wait to get on a bus from the airport. When we just used it in April, there was about a 20 min. wait, which still isn't bad. This past trip we checked one bag on the way home and everything went smoothly.

 

[Suzanna1973]

We took a family of 10 in June of '05 and used DME and we LOVED IT!!!

We took carryons that had a days worth of clothing. Our luggage was waiting for us when we got back from the park.

Highly recommend!

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

Thanks for the tips... we are using DME the first week in June for the first time and I'm excited about not having to spend the $$$ on a rental car (or having to drive all week, lol) but also a bit nervous that something will go wrong with luggage! I will make sure to pack essentials in our carry-ons.

Does anyone know about what a "Participating Airline" means? We are flying Delta - are there special benefits or anything? Hmmm. Thanks!

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks for the tips... we are using DME the first week in June for the first time and I'm excited about not having to spend the $$$ on a rental car (or having to drive all week, lol) but also a bit nervous that something will go wrong with luggage! I will make sure to pack essentials in our carry-ons.

Does anyone know about what a "Participating Airline" means? We are flying Delta - are there special benefits or anything? Hmmm. Thanks!

Participating airline only applies to your return to MCO. If you are flying a participating airline you can check your bags and get your boarding passes at the resort. Then hop on the ME bus and see your bags again at your home airport.

Here are more of the details from the Transportation Board:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=944813

TJ

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

We used DME on our trip last August. I packed bathing suits in everyone's carryons and also, clothing to wear out to dinner that night.

The only problem was the other stuff that I could not carry on due to airline restrictions. Sunscreen, for example. We were going to the pool -- it was August in Florida and my sunscreen was in my suitcase. I didn't want to shell out the big bucks of something I was going to get in a few hours anyway. We simply asked a nice family at the pool if we could borrow some of their sunscreen. They said yes -- since they understood DME and we were fine.

Also, some of our bags arrived to the room before the rest. So I had some of my cosmetics but not everything for that first dinner out.

I would use it again though.