do you recommend DME?

[tink70]

Usually we hire happy limo but in the interest of saving money I would like to use the disney magical express.
I was worried about time, do you have to wait a long time for a bus?
Also is it a free for all, I know how people can be pushy and I would hate being left at the curb, if you know what I mean.
We are going at the end of June so I know that is a busy time.
Thanks in advance

 

[TheWog]

People report 60-90 minutes from the time you walk off the plane to the time you are in line checking in at your resort. Waiting is like at the parks. If you walk up and your bus is there and loading you don't have to wait long. If it is just arriving and you need to wait for other passengers you may wait on the bus up to 20 minutes. It is hard to say specifically. It is pretty orderly and there are CMs there to manage it. If you are arriving after 10:00 p.m. you will need to gather your own luggage otherwise let them do it for you.

 

[Tozzie]

Usually we hire happy limo but in the interest of saving money I would like to use the disney magical express.
I was worried about time, do you have to wait a long time for a bus?
Also is it a free for all, I know how people can be pushy and I would hate being left at the curb, if you know what I mean.
We are going at the end of June so I know that is a busy time.
Thanks in advance

Used it for the 7th or 8th time last week, 1 hour and 5 minutes from plane to resort. It is not a free for all and you are led to a line and taken from the line and escorted by a CM to the bus. It is very orderly.

I was actually in my room when the luggage came and my luggage came one hour and ten minutes after I checked in. Can't beat the luggage service.

 

[Bernini98]

I will say it really depends on the resort location.

I have used it many times and it seems like the value resorts take the longest (closer to 90 minutes) and sometimes you have to wait for a bus or two. It's just there are more people taking advantage of the service and IMO are less likely to rent a car or limo if at the value level.


The villas and luxury seem to be quicker, Epcot resorts seem faster. 50-60 minutes.


But heck, I have spent more time waiting in the GD Budget rental car line!...they should have kiosks

 

[goofy4tink]

I have used it to BW, BC, Pop. I like DME. It isn't the quickest way from MCO to the resorts, but it does a good job. My times have been in the area of 70 mins average. Most have been under that time...only one time was longer.
Here's the deal...
you get off the plane, walk to the tram area (about 5 mins)

tram to main terminal (about 5 mins total)

you arrive on level 3, so need to head to Side B, level 1..ground transportation. This takes about 10 mins tops..never taken me longer.

Either wait in the DME checkin line or head right to the bus line if directed by DME personel....about 1-10 mins, depending on which scenario.

Bus line..you will be directed to a line for your resort. When your bus gets there, you will be directed to it. A line forms...one by one...get onto the bus.

Head to the resort....anywhere from 30-45 mins.

There are a lot of variables. But 70 mins is a good time to figure on. When I go to POP, it's usually the first stop. BW is usually number 2. Routes do change, nothing is etched in stone.

 

[dburg30]

Why yes, yes I do...

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes, yes, I do as well.

 

[tink70]

There are a lot of variables. But 70 mins is a good time to figure on. When I go to POP, it's usually the first stop. BW is usually number 2. Routes do change, nothing is etched in stone.

Thanks for the detailed breakdown. When I think about it, by the time we get our luggage and get to the van, it is almost the same time.
Although it will feel different leaving the airport with no luggage, but nice when it just shows up. Especially since this is a girls only trip and my DH wont be there to help!

Thanks everyone!

 

[treehugnmama]

i used in in sept to go to cbr and in feb to go to okw I waited under 10 minutes for both trips and I was the first or second stop both times....We love it and will use it again in March. It was not a free for all at all. very organized

 

[wezee]

We use it every time. Love DME and no hassle with our luggage.

 

[maj42169]

We love the DME, we always consider that bus ride as the start of our Magical Experience of the Disney vacation!

 

[scard192]

We used DME for our trip in September and loved it. Arrived on a Sunday afternoon, went to the DME area, were directed into line and boarded the bus within 2-3 minutes. Bus departed for ASSp within 5 minutes of when we got on.

Day before departure details of return to MCO were on our door in the the morning. Departure day boarding passes and checked luggage tags were on the door. Dropped the bags off; waited a few minutes as the guests ahead of us had over weight bags and had issues. Bus left the resort on time and we made one stop on the way (CSR). We arrived in plenty of time for our flight.

Magical Express is great, will use it again for sure!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

DH and I take advantage of travel award programs for free car rentals so I must admit I am not completely objective here.

We have found we are happier as "independent travelers". We avoid the WDW bus system whenever possible and thereby avoid absoltuely any stress associated with it.

It takes no time to get to the resort and the BEST thing.....we skipped standing in line.

We are not fans of DME.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Never have and probably never will use ME or the Disney buses, overall its just too much wasted time waiting around IMO, there is a price for convenience.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yep, there is a cost for convenience...and if you don't mind paying it, great.
The shortest time I have had, from plane to resort, was 45 mins. That was the one time I had carryon bags only, and used a car service. The longest time was 90 mins..used DME to POP, but we were the last of three stops, with a ton of luggage to be unloaded at the first two stops. Most DME trips took about an hour. Towncar trips took about the same, but I had my luggage with me. Having to go to baggage claim adds about 15 mins to your time.

 

[dburg30]

My longest was about 2 hours, the other 3 were right in line with around the 70 min. CSR, POP, SSR all around 70-80 minutes. Last mid Nov (before T-giving) our CSR took almost 2 hours. We just hit everything wrong.. We did stop for a quick bathroom break, but nothing else. I did have to wait about 15 minutes in line for checkin at DME, and we must have just missed the previous bus. It didnt SEEM like it took that long, but we landed around 11 am IIRC and when I looked at it was almost 1pm when we got to CSR I was shocked. I wasnt mad or upset, just suprised because it just didnt seem like we had to wait that long for anything.. Just one of 'dem things...