How long of a ride from MCO to DW hotel via DME?

[JeninTN]

If this is already discussed someplace, please direct me there. We are going to be in DWD just 48 hours on this trip, so I need to maximize our fun time. I am wondering if I should rent a car instead of the Disney transportation. We will be in a hurry to get checked in and get to the park and I was not sure if the DME bus stops at several locations or how that really works time wise. If it is going to take 2 hours to get to the hotel w/ DME vs. 30 in a rental car, it would be worth it to me to get a rental. Suggestions please.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

IMHO, if I were going for that short a time, I would definitely rent a car. DME is fantastic, but I have found to prepare for 90 - 120 minutes from wheels touching down at MCO to being at the resort. There could be multiple stops before your resort and, in addition, you may have a lengthy wait for the bus to even leave MCO.

As much as I am a DME advocate, if I were going for a short trip, and wanted to maximize time, I would rent a car vs using DME.

 

[Lewisc]

A rental car won't save you much time going from MCO to WDW. It might even take longer.

A rental car will make it possible for you to leave for MCO at a location other then your resort. A meal at a different resort. From DTD. From a theme park. That could save you 2 hours.

A rental car will save time if you want to park hop, go to DTD or to a resort for a meal.

A rental car might save you time. Might be worth it. Just not for the reason you asked about.

 

[JeninTN]

Thank you sooooo much!!! I really appreciate you answering. I sort of excepted that DME was in no rush to leave the airport like I would be.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Just to add one point of clarification, if you rent a car, make sure you rent one from one that does NOT require you to shuttle or, as LewisC mentioned, you might lose time.

Hertz is one I can think of that has a shuttle, vs walking to the car. National and Alamo both have cars you can walk to once you land.

 

[Lewisc]

Thank you sooooo much!!! I really appreciate you answering. I sort of excepted that DME was in no rush to leave the airport like I would be.

DME averages about 70 minutes from landing to arrival at your resort. The time you spend waiting for your luggage (if you check bags) and getting your car can take the same 10-20 minutes you might be waiting for the DME bus to leave.

The real time savings are on your return and during your trip.

What time is your return flight? What will you be doing before your flight? Are you planning on spending all day in one theme park? Will you be park hopping? Having meals in different resorts?

The time savings going from MCO to WDW are likely to be insignificant. It's the rest of your trip (and return) where you might save time.

 

[JeninTN]

A rental car won't save you much time going from MCO to WDW. It might even take longer.

.

Do you just mean the time you take standing in line to get a car?

 

[Lewisc]

Time waiting for checked luggage. Time to get your car is a variable. It's short if you rent with National and go directly to a car. It's longer if you book a car through PL and can't use any of trhe "quick rent" programs. Longer still if PL gives you Hertz and you wind up taking a shuttle (I don't know if Hertz has moved yet).

Without checked luggage you might save 15-20 minutes renting a car.

You have the right idea but are looking at the wrong part of your trip. Depending on what you're doing a car might save you a lot of time during your trip and on your return to MCO.

 

[clkelley]

Do you just mean the time you take standing in line to get a car?

Well first you have to go to baggage claim and wait on your bags, then you have to lug your bags to the rental car counter and wait in line for your car. Then you have to go find your car, load it up, then finally you are on your way. That could take as long as 45 minutes.

Whereas with DME, you skip baggage claim, go directly downstairs and you COULD be on a bus and on your way within 10 minutes. (It could take longer, but with a rental car it WILL take longer).

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Actually, I'm beating my head for not suggesting this first: you might want to look at a towncar service for this short a trip also. They will meet you at your luggage and save time both to WDW and from WDW.

 

[JeninTN]

Without checked luggage you might save 15-20 minutes renting a car.

Which gives me an idea. We will only be there two nights, so I may be able to easily fit two days worth of shorts and t-shirts in a carry on bag (two carry on bags actually since DS can take one too) and throw our basic needs like toothpaste/toothbrush, deod. ,etc in my purse. hmmmmm

 

[Lewisc]

A lot depends on where you're staying and what you're doing.

You're staying at one of the EPCOT resorts and spending your time at EPCOT and DHS. You won't be using a rental car and can easily walk back to your resort to catch your return DME bus.

You're staying at a Value Resort. You want to have breakfast at Kona, AK during the day then EPCOTfor the night. A rental car makes sense.

Are you on a budget? Take a car service between WDW-MCO and taxis during your trip.

 

[Huff]

DME stops depends on what resort you are staying at. POP for instance has no stops before reaching POP.

I have made it from plane to my resort in one hour while other times its been closer to 1 hour 45 minutes because of waiting for a DME bus or long check in line at DME counter.

But I've also had to wait substantial times to rent a car. Just depends on time of day and crowds.

When I've rented a car I found it did not save me time to park hop. Taking a tram across the parking lot, driving to another park, waiting to go through the parking toll booths, riding tram to gate etc. sometimes took longer than the bus.

So it really depends on which resort you are staying at and which park you want to go to first.

 

[IlovePiglet]

I would just like to clarify one thing regarding the order of stops on DME, it is totally up to the driver. There is no "guaranteed" first stop (with the exception of the Grand Floridian).
I personally like the idea of the carryons and the towncar but that's just my two cents.

 

[peimikes]

Last Sept it took 45min from touch down till we were at POP.