Experience with ME

[Coloradomom]

We just returned from WDW last night. We stayed at Saratoga Springs which we loved. This was our second time using ME(first time was in Oct).

Our flight was a red eye that arrived at 5:30 AM. How nice to have an ME bus waiting for us.A few other families got in who were going to Wilderness Lodge and then Grand Floridian, but SSR was the first stop.(lucky us!). Nice ride and we were checking in by 6:20 AM. We had a room right away and went to eat breakfast,shower, etc. Though in no rush,when our luggage had not arrived in 3 hours I called Bell Services.Sure enough they had it but the nice CM there said they usually wait when people come in so early because they are resting. Our luggage was there in 10 minutes!

We were using a participating airline (Ted) so went down that morning to check our baggage and get boarding passes. All went well and we arrived back at 11:15 for our 11:30 ME pickup. No bus at 11:30. Then a ME bus stopped but says he is not our bus, one is coming.Now we are not in a big hurry since we have a 2:30 flight and boarding passes,but about 12:00 I ask DH to check with Bell Services.Sure enough the 11:30 bus was missing. So they called which took a while.Finally a bus showed up about 12:20 and off we went.Apparently the other bus had filled with the wrong passengers and just "skipped" SSR since it was full, and did not tell anyone.

This is interesting because last time we took ME we had an early flight from POR at 8:30 AM and went to check in at 5AM and no one was there.When someone did arrive there was a party in front of us with 12 pieces of luggage and by the time our ME bus got there at 5:30 AM we had no choice but to take our luggage, and check in at MCO.

We still will do ME, but when we go to meet the bus we will check with Bell Services immediately even if it is only 5 mins late. If we'd not been using a participating airline and checked in already I would have been nervous about getting to MCO at 1 for a 2:30 flight (especially with the long security check in lines!)
Overall though we will use it again and everyone was very nice and helpful along the way.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Thank you for the report. We're taking our first trip "home" to SSR later this month. We've used ME for other resorts without any problems, but recently I've heard of problems with guests returning to MCO that stayed in SSR. Hopefully this gets straightened out soon.
I loved hearing that SSR had a room ready for you when you arrived so early. I'm hoping we can be that lucky!

 

[TAKitty]

Thanks for the post. It seems that even after this long, ME still has a couple of kinks in the system. At least you made it to the plane on time.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Nothing is ever going to be flawless.

Every so often, one of the attractions will encounter a challenge, and go down. Doesn't mean its any less of a great attraction.

 

[Esmerelda]

Correct me if I'm wrong here....we have an outbound flight from MCO at 7am...so we would be picked up at 4am?? Is this correct?

I know the airport desks do not even open until 5am or after...I have been there numerous times and NO one was around..... If this is the case...I will make arrangements for a town car to pick us up.

Esmerelda

 

[seashoreCM]

for our 11:30 ME pickup. No bus at 11:30. Then a ME bus stopped but says he is not our bus, one is coming.Now we are not in a big hurry since we have a 2:30 flight and boarding passes,but about 12:00 I ask DH to check with Bell Services.Sure enough the 11:30 bus was missing. So they called which took a while.Finally a bus showed up about 12:20 and off we went.Apparently the other bus had filled with the wrong passengers and just "skipped" SSR since it was full, and did not tell anyone.

This is interesting because last time we took ME we had an early flight from POR at 8:30 AM and went to check in at 5AM and no one was there.When someone did arrive there was a party in front of us with 12 pieces of luggage and by the time our ME bus got there at 5:30 AM we had no choice but to take our luggage, and check in at MCO.

We still will do ME, but when we go to meet the bus we will check with Bell Services immediately even if it is only 5 mins late. If we'd not been using a participating airline and checked in already I would have been nervous about getting to MCO at 1 for a 2:30 flight y.

Yes, very important: If your ME bus back to the airport does not arrive on time, you should have the resort manager do what he as to do to get you on your way within 20 minutes (30 min. from when you realize the bus is not on time). Yes he can fix just about any kink or flaw here.

"There are no 'participating airlines' for homebound flights before 8 AM." The baggage check stand at the resort is not open early enough. Everyone brings baggage to the ME buses.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Correct me if I'm wrong here....we have an outbound flight from MCO at 7am...so we would be picked up at 4am?? Is this correct?

I know the airport desks do not even open until 5am or after...I have been there numerous times and NO one was around..... If this is the case...I will make arrangements for a town car to pick us up.

Esmerelda

Depending on your resort, it could be between 4:00-4:25. This is because the bus might have to make other stops, and you never know what kind of random traffic or accident you might encounter on the way. DME is designed to get you to the airport 2hrs prior to your flight (5am).