Help me decide!

[MissMichelle]

OK, in terms of $$, that can be scratched (even though I don't want to pay $200+ for RT transfer).

I am set to go DME with myself, mom and the 2 kids (My stepdaughter now can't go )

Anyway even tho I am 7 days out I am looking into taking towncar/limo service.

Please help me decide---I want to surprise them, and I think they'll be so excited when I say we are not going on DME (I'll have the DME tags on and all but will go get my own luggage last minute).

I mentioned it to my mom and she went with "Why spend the $$, why get our own luggage" etc...But I guess even though many love DME, I just want that lil something extra to splurge on and not stress over crowded shuttles, extra drop-offs, luggage not with us etc....

So, who would you go with last minute? Good rates (I checked All Ears and Mousesavers and they BOTH say Happy Limo), great service, anything you can think of?

Thanks in advance! 7 DAYS TO GOOOOO!!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOO

I should edit to add, I am checking out the FL Tours website as we speak, but want real time input

 

[poohs4me]

I have never used DME...YET. We have always used Tiffany towncar and have been quite happy with them. Punctual, nice and we love seeing our name when we come down the stairs. It is kind of a luxury. I will miss the grocery store stop and that might be a little more then a luxury especially with two kids. You might be able to save a little on breakfast and snacks to make the difference seem bareable.

However, I am looking forward to not dealing with my luggage at MCO and that was the whole reason I signed us up for DME. We are flying one of the participating airlines as well, so we can checkin at the hotel.

 

[MissMichelle]

I have never used DME...YET. We have always used Tiffany towncar and have been quite happy with them. Punctual, nice and we love seeing our name when we come down the stairs. It is kind of a luxury. I will miss the grocery store stop and that might be a little more then a luxury especially with two kids. You might be able to save a little on breakfast and snacks to make the difference seem bareable.

However, I am looking forward to not dealing with my luggage at MCO and that was the whole reason I signed us up for DME. We are flying one of the participating airlines as well, so we can checkin at the hotel.

I am reading through tons of posts on the main forum and I am thinking for this trip I may just stick it out and go with DME...It does seem fairly practical and I guess since it is vacation I won't stress over it...A lil extra wait is ok if it means FREE and not dealing with luggage (even though we have a hotel change and need to get a cab/deal with transfer then).

 

[tikkipoo]

I was there in October and, to me, the luggage aspect was well worth it. It was so nice not to have to worry with that part. And there were only three of us! So, I'd certainly use it if I had two kids! Hope you have a great time!

 

[goofy4tink]

I have only gotten to my resort with a towncar faster than using DME once. That was when I had only carry-on bags with me. Otherwise, it has been about the same time frame. By the time you get your bags claimed and the driver goes to bring the car around, it's about a 30 minute wait. So, you are still taking about an hour to get to your resort.
I have used DME several times now, and I have had about a 5 min. wait in the DME check-in line, then it's a very quick check-in process, then off to the bus line..another 5 minute or so wait, then 5 mins wait on the bus...off to the resort. I have never taken more than 65-70 minutes from deplaning to resort check-in using DME.

Now, if you decide to use a towncar, be sure to not put those yellow luggage tags on your bags! If you put them on, they will be pulled from the plane, directly to the transfer area for DME. YOu will never see them in baggage claim. And they won't go to the resort until someone checks in with DME bus.

 

[lovesdumbo]

even though we have a hotel change and need to get a cab/deal with transfer then.

Disney will transfer your bags. Just call Bell Services from your first resort and they will transfer them to your new resort. You can go to a park and then take Disney transport to your new hotel.

I would stick with DME. Just make sure you go to the A side. I had read this in the package DME sent but in the excitment forgot and went to B.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[maine_jennifer]

Well here's my experience. I've used Sunray Transportation and they've been great... $90 round trip, free grocery stop/car seats, always on time, always friendly and safe drivers. They'll help you with your luggage, then bell services at your hotel will deliver it to your room. If you're going from one Disney resort to another, bell services will transfer your luggage for you. In October I landed at 10:30 am. Even with waiting to pick up my luggage, I was in my room at Pop and unpacking at 11:30 am. Plus on your return, you'll have an extra hour to play with as DME picks you up 3 hours before your flight and with a town car it's usually only 2 hours. While it's only an hour, sometimes it makes a difference. If you want some personalized service, I'd go with a town car. If you can handle the wait and the possibility of stopping at other resorts first go with DME.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've been hearing/seeing some great reviews for Sunray!!! Nice to see that there are other towncar services out there providing some great trips. I'll have to keep them in mind for the future!!!

 

[canwegosoon]

Did you consider renting a car from Mco to TTC(or Swan/dolphin) on each flight day? It should be less than a car service(+tip). Also then you can do your grocery stop when you want/where you want. You can also drive over to which ever park you are planning on going to in the am and drop off the car.

I have used HL and ***********...both have been fine. Good luck what ever you decide

 

[joanchris]

If you have the DME tags on your luggage my understanding is that the luggage will NOT be on the baggage carousel for you to get, I thought that they got it before it went to the carousel, so you cannot get your own bags, if you want to pick up your own bags and bring them with you onto DME you can but you need to just not put the DME tags on them. That would eliminate the worry if you're concerned about not having it.
We took it in Oct, it was fine, 2 stops before our hotel, went quickly, and we had a carry on luggage that had what we needed for the rest of that day in it. We arrived in Orlando around 1130 am, checked into our hotel (the room was ready!) and left for Epcot, and Ohana. The luggage was in the room when we returned around 730 pm.
If you've got plenty of change to spare, go for private transport, but if not use the money on something special while at WDW, a special lunch, souveniers, etc.