How many DVC folks have used or always use DME?

[edk35]

OH Denise!

We've NEVER rented a car in FL.

We ALWAYS use DME and for the most part are very satisfied with it.

You ALWAYS think about it then ALWAYS cop out.

Just TRY it already so you can see how much money you can save!!

I am spoiled by BOB. I love being picked up, love the grocery store stop and love knowing we are there pretty quickly. However... I didn't mind the grocery store delivery last summer either. SO....hmmmm what will I do, what will I do. It would save me about 130 bucks using DME.

 

[kikiq]

Oh, give it try.
We always use it. The one time we did rent a car, it was after we arrived and i had reserved a car from the MK car place to use one day when my DD checked in at her CP. My DH says that he's on vacation which means no car driving. And he also says that if you are going to stress about time, then you're not on vacation.

 

[lugnut33]

Just used it last week. We arrived at 11:30am and were to our resort at around 12:30. Good service if you ask me.

Going back to the airport you have to leave about an hour earlier than you would with a car or taxi, but that shouldn't be a big deal.

Next August I'm pretty sure I'll rent a car though for going to and from the parks.

 

[mouseaider]

We always use it too ! Great service..... fast and efficient !

And we will be using it for our January trip too !

See you there maybe !

 

[edk35]

If we fly we use it. The last time we got a rental car was on our honeymoon 22 years ago.

Usually we drive but a few years ago when only 4 of us were going we priced flying and it was cheaper to fly the 4 of us than it was to drive and add hotels. My husband prefers driving - he doesn't like the hassle of dealing with airports. I think any hassle at an airport is ok since it still gets me there in a few hours instead of a couple days. Although sometimes getting there so quickly is a shock to the system....getting on a plane where it's 32 deg and getting off where it's 80 instead of driving and getting warmer as we go.

But the questions wasn't drive or fly - it was do you use Magical Express. Yes, we use it, and yes that is one of the hassles my husband complains about. But it's free, and it gets us there, so I let him grumble and just ignore him.

Maybe he should reply so I can find out what he grumbles about. Does he think it takes too long?

 

[patsal]

Use it to get from the airport to the resort and resort back to airport. I do rent a car but save money by getting it and returning it to the Dolphin. Sometimes, like next week...I will use it to get to the resort, but not back to the airport as I do not want to leave 3 hours before my lfight!

 

[FindTheMickeys]

Have been using DME for the last 6 years and absolutely love it!! We do rent a car on the first day there to go to the grocery, but that is it. And that is after we are in our room. Call Alamo and they come and pick us up to go get the car. I am very comfortable to let Disney do the driving and the bus ride and the corny video just sets the stage for the wonderful time we're going to have once we get to the resort. I think our turn around time is about 60-90 minutes. Land at 1, at the resort and checked into our room by no later than 2:30. That is very acceptable to me. I am on vacation, I have NO TIMETABLE!!!!

I say give it a shot, you'll be happy that you did!!

 

[peabody58]

Just received our ME tags/pass in the mail today. It's the official start of our vacation. The wait for ME at MCO is no different than waiting for a rental. We treat the ME trip as part of the Disney experience, and really enjoy a relaxing start to our vacation.

 

[cricketjamest]

We also always use it. The help isn't always the friendliest. It can or does take some time to get to your resort. But it's reliable and free and we would rather use the private transportation cost on something else.

 

[Ms. WDW]

I use it all the time and love it! Been using it since it began!

 

[OurDogCisco]

We have always used. I love, love the fact that you can check your luggage at the resorts. It makes me feel so free. Also, it was a lifesaver when our kids were younger and we were dealing with the stroller, the carseat, etc... We also love not having to drive on our vacation. We use grocery delivery service too. Sometimes the waits are annoying. Also, having to leave the resort 3 hours before your departure time is annoying as well. It would be nice if they had a pick-up at TTC intead of your result. This way you could do MK without rushing back to your resort to meet your bus.

 

[permavac]

We always use it if we fly. Do you sometimes you have to wait a bit for the bus to fill up before they'll head to the resorts - yes. Do they sometimes fill the bus with individuals from multiple resorts so that you might have one or two "stops" before you get to your resort - yes. For the return trip to the airport does it take you back about an hour earlier than you might have left on your own - yes. If you can handle these things then you probably won't find the trip egregious. For us - we actually look forward to the bus ride - it really feels like the start of vacation when we line up at the Magical Express depot.

Now, missing out on your grocery trip is another matter. We struggle with that every trip - ever since the first time we drove down and were able to bring our own groceries and sundries. I run the numbers on getting a grocery delivery, versus renting a car, versus checking bags and then I remember that we will probably never touch the stuff we get delivered since we love to eat out at Disney It's just DH and I though so we wouldn't get much to begin with. If you buy a lot of stuff for the room on your grocery stop you might really miss it.

Good luck on your decision!

Terri

 

[JEThompson99]

I have always used it if I fly. When I go to Disney World, I pretty much stay there and never leave until it's time to return home, so DME is a great thing! It's great for me to check my bags before flying to WDW and not see them until they "magically" arrive in my room. And since it is free, I see no reason not to take it!

 

[The Rivers' Rats]

We used it last June and it was great. We had a little bit of a wait at the airport, and weren't the first (or even fifth) resort to be dropped off, but it wasn't too bad of a time waister. Actually, it was kind of nice for the kids to have the anticipation build up as they were waiting to get to AKV for our stay.

I'll definitely use it again, however, we will likely also rent a car mid trip for exploring places outside of WDW.

 

[bwvBound]

Yet another, "We use it all the time."

 

[AKLFan3]

We always fly and enjoy the service as well. I have noticed recently that the buses are more full than they used to be in previous years. But we always seem to arrive at a time where we don't need to wait in the queue line to board the bus for very long either. I think it runs very smoothly and is stress free.

 

[downontheBW]

We've used it exclusively ever since it started. Before that we'd rent a car and let it sit in the resort parking lot without touching it other than to drive once to Blizzard Beach. We did do the Town Car thing once that was nice but DME is "free" so can't complain.

Friends of ours can't handle the wait as they're always in commando-mode. We have a slower pace and like to relax - we're on vacation, for cryin' out loud.

Also, it gets the Disney feeling started sooner - right at the airport!

 

[TLinden16]

I almost always use Magical Express. I have found it to be quite efficient, and it's wonderful not to have to stand at baggage claim waiting for my luggage come. It seems like I am at my resort between 60 and 70 minutes after my flight lands (and that time includes stopping at the rest room, and walking to ME after I get off the plane).

 

[edk35]

We always use it - but now we make sure we bring our luggage with us instead of having them get it from the airline to disney. We learned our lesson when we checked in one time at 11:30 pm and one piece of our luggage arrived at 2:30 am, another at 2:50 am, another at 3:30 am and the final piece at 4:00 am. Of course that was an issue not only with the bus but with the hotel.

That is what I worry about...STUFF LIKE THAT. UGH

 

[bobbiwoz]

That sort of thing won't happen now because if you arrive at MCO after a certain time(maybe 10 or 10:30PM), you have to get your own luggage, ME doesn't move luggage at night any more.