Going solo (May 2008)/how to get to WDW

[debbiepump]

Dumb question, I know.........been to WDW a zillion times, never solo-not a biggie for me to do that-just wondering how other solos get from the airport to their resort? Do you use Magical Express? Rent a car? How bad is magical express? For me to fly from Seattle, it's an all day experience and the last thing I want is to wait forever for my luggage and to be on a bus with 1,000's of screaming kids.

Thanks

 

[NewYorkRedNeck]

I used Magical Express and it worked fine for me.. I waited maybe 30 mins after landing till being driven to my resort.

 

[kirbydog48]

You can pick up your checked luggage yourself and bring it onto the bus, just don't put the ME tags on. That way you don't have to stress about when is your luggage going to arrive.

 

[Donald is #1]

I've done both: I used ME in October '06 (partially solo) and I rented a car in May '07 (solo). For me, I will probably lean towards renting a car if I can get a good rate. ME worked fine. I just like the freedom of having a car even if I don't use it.

 

[dauser]

I have always rented a car during my solo trips. I like to drive myself to the parks during the day, but use Disney transportation at night so that I can enjoy a few adult beverages without any worries.

I like to do my souvenir shopping at Downtown Disney on my last day. It makes more sense for me to drive from my resort to DTD and then to the airport, rather than taking Disney transport to DTD and then back to my resort to use DME to the airport.

If you rent, I would advise that you go with one of the companies with on-site pick-up at the airport rather than taking a shuttle to pick-up your car. Not a huge timesaver, but it is more convenient.

I admit that I am curious about the DME experience, but am a creature of habit and have always enjoyed having my own car.

Rick

 

[jjpenguin]

I don't drive so have used ME both times on my solo trips.

No problems at all and later in the day there the chances of screaming kids are a lot smaller. The only time we had an incident was on the way back once.

 

[dahirsh]

I used Mears back in '99, a towncar twice after that and ME (but I wasn't solo) last summer. Planning on using ME again next month.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Magical Express I used it for the 1st time last Oct and will be using it again this Oct. It was , well pure Magic no problems loved the feeling of being treated special that much sooner in the trip, I swear by it and will always use it when I don't drive down during the summer months. I fly from NY, the only difference this time is I will be using SW (South West) which is one of those airlines that I believe is still not on the "official" Disney list so I can't checkin and get a boarding pass early from the luggage area. I'm hoping to go over to a friends' house the day before & use her computer to do that

 

[fakereadhed]

I fly from NY, the only difference this time is I will be using SW (South West) which is one of those airlines that I believe is still not on the "official" Disney list so I can't checkin and get a boarding pass early from the luggage area. I'm hoping to go over to a friends' house the day before & use her computer to do that

I figured that since they pick up so early, with all the xtra time at MCO there would be plenty of time to get a boarding pass at the airport. Is it a hassle?

 

[spiceycat]

magical express lately - before then rented a car.

 

[StageTek]

I did my first trip (solo) this month. And I, too, flew in from the west coast so it was an all day experience for me. I used DME and it was great. "1000's of screaming kids" is so subjective. Yes, there were kids on the bus and some of them were pretty squirmy and one or two were tired so there was some crying.

It didn't bother me, but I know some single adults really hate the sounds of tired or excited kids. If that's a bit of a priority for you, maybe a rental car would be better.

Using DME was easy and fast. Since it was early September around 5:30 PM, there were very few people there - I walked right on the bus feeling a little silly making my way through the winding queue all alone, found a nice seat and waited about 20 minutes while others boarded. Was in the lobby at about 6:30. I checked in quickly, found my room, put away a few things and then took a bus to Downtown Disney. I had a drink (a great, surprisingly strong Margarita) and then a fish and chips meal. I left around 10:30PM and when I got back to my room my luggage was there.

Very nice, very convient. I didn't miss not having a rental car at all.

 

[ahoff]

I have always rented a car. I get a compact so it is not much of a cost. I rarely use it during the stay, unless I am going to another resort. Son loves to have one meal at the Pepper Market. We usually stay at BW so can walk to two parks, and the bus for the others. I would bever drive to MK anyway, the bus is so much more convenient,dropping you off near to the gate. I do not like that ME brings you back to the airport so early, I have been going to a park the last day and have been leaving about an hour befor the flight. No checked baggage and I get the boarding pass the day before (SW)

 

[Dolce27]

I used ME and loved it - except for the waiting part for my bus which really wasn't that long but it seemed to take forever just because I'm impatient. In reality it was only a 15 - 20 minute wait.

I packed what I wanted for the parks in my carry-on (which was the back-pack that I used for the parks) so as soon I got to my resort and checked in I went to the room, took out the stuff from my carry-on that I didn't want to take to the parks, and was at the bus stop waiting for the MK bus within a couple of hours after landing in the Orlando airport.

My luggage was waiting for me when I arrived back at my room that night after leaving the park.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I figured that since they pick up so early, with all the xtra time at MCO there would be plenty of time to get a boarding pass at the airport. Is it a hassle?

No probably not a hassle at all, just me a constant worrier and control freak...thanks for reminding me to relax, since I'm a solo traveler it really shouldn't be a problem at all

 

[Disney Anna]

I've always rented a car.

I like the freedom of having my own vehicle. Plus, I'm a very impatient person and it just kills me to wait for busses. I've always got good deals on rental cars, esp'y when solo bc I can rent a compact, so the cost is negligible.

I just really like to be in control of my own schedule. I can leave when I want, especially on the last day when I know you have to line up pretty early with ME to get back to airport on time.

I think the big benefit of ME would not having to drive yourself to and fro from resort if you are uncomfortable driving in an unfamiliar area. At this point, I've made so may trips from MCO to WDW I'm very comfortable with the route.

 

[jordancej]

I'm all for the ME. Going solo, i dont want to have to figure out how to get to WDW, and plus i use WDW Transportation to all the parks, so the rented car would just sit there the whole time. I just really like the convenience to disney tranportation plus for me going solo it just takes the worry out of the trip!