Is the ME still magical for DVC members?

[StinkyPete&Jessie]

We have enjoyed the simplicity of the magical express on previous trips but the past several years the experience has left a bad taste in our mouths. On three consecutive trips we waited about an hour and 15 minutes from the time we got assigned to a line till we finally boarded the bus at the airport. Due to stops at other resorts it took another hour and a half before we set foot at our resort (AKL, PORS, and AKL). On all of our other trips we normally went straight through the line onto a bus or waited no longer than 30 minutes. On our last trip we decided to try a limo. We paid a little over a hundred round trip not including tip. Other than having to wait for our luggage at the airport it was a positive experience. We don’t plan to get a rental car because it would only get used to and from the airport. Also, we don’t need to stop anywhere on the way to the resort (groceries). We are new to DVC and our home resort is BLT. Does anyone have some experiences they can share or offer some advice about transportation to and from the airport?

 

[disneynutz]

Waiting is what happens at WDW. Your choices are either wait and use their free transportation or pay and maybe get to where you're going a little faster.

Bill

 

[Disneywedding2010]

I've used ME twice (last December and a few weeks ago). I've never waited more then 15 minutes for a bus. The ride to my resort took around 30 - 40 minutes. It may depend on the time of year that you are using it as well that would make for the long wait times. However, like Bill said part of Disney is waiting whether its for a bus or a ride.

 

[smidgy]

ME is as magical for DVC members as it is for any other disney resort guests. while DVC memebers get many perks and discounts, avoiding lines at the airport and/or the parks is not one of them!

 

[LIFERBABE]

It's still magical for me!! I dont mind waiting as long as someone else is driving.
If you are not feeling the magic, you definitely wont like it for BLT. BLT is the last stop for ME. CSR, VWL, GF and then BLT. First to be picked up on the return trip also.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Honestly, we've had nothing but positive experiences with ME. In order to keep the service free, I do think Disney tries to squeeze every efficiency out of the process as possible (e.g., as many people as possible on a bus, going to as many resorts as necessary per trip). Last time we took it, it stopped at several resorts before dropping us off. On the way back, we were the first picked up, but we stopped to pick up at several resorts.

I guess because we never rent a car, we are kind of used to the inefficiencies of the bussing system, and they don't really bother us. As long as it's free, I'll put up with the extra hassle. However, if they ever start charging, I may opt to rent a car (which you know they don't want so they can keep you on property) or take a taxi. That's obviously the path of least resistance.

 

[docusmc1]

What time did your plane arrive in MCO if it was later at night that may be the reason for waiting. We always us ME and never had a wait then again our flights usually arrive between 8am and noon.

 

[ems_mom]

I believe it depends on the time of year. Less busy times, ME is great. Around the holidays, its terrible.

 

[helenk]

I've used ME with almost all of my trips since ME started. We have arrived during the week, Saturdays, late, early etc. Nearly every trip we average 70 minutes from the time we land to the time we arrive at our resort. The longest was 90 minutes.
Your experiences are not the norm. Here's hoping you have better luck in the future.

 

[KiminChicago]

It's definitely still magical for us too! We really feel like our vacation officially begins once we get on the bus -- no matter how many times we've seen it, we still watch the video and so we don't really even notice how long the trip is. And it can be fun to stop at the other resorts, especially since we haven't been to all of them yet. I guess I'm a glass half full kind of person, I'm just glad I'm not doing the driving!

 

[disneydenisel]

On our last trip we decided to try a limo. We paid a little over a hundred round trip not including tip. Other than having to wait for our luggage at the airport it was a positive experience.

Just curious who you used for $100+ RT? That sounds pretty good. We used a limo once and had a stop at the grocery store. I liked that, but we have used ME all the other times. The kids LOVE the bus and even though the video is the same old, same old, we did notice some subtle changes and edits this time around (2010). We will use ME again this year. In November 2010, we were put on the bus right away and it left maybe 5 minutes later? We usually arrive very late at night due to being from the West Coast, so the bus was nearly empty. It made a couple of stops but we were just so happy to be at WDW, we didn't care. We grab our own bags so they are with us when we get to the BCV.

Bummer about your long wait. Sounds like the limo is the way to go! We do the limo to and from the airport when we are at home.

 

[nolanboys]

We've always just walked on a bus and although we've not always been the first resort dropped pff, I really enjoy getting a peek at the other resorts.

 

[Wedgeh]

I've always been very happy with the ME service, however all of my trips have been at relatively quiet times of year, which could make the difference.

 

[kid-at-heart]

For us ME is one of the best perks provided by Disney. I love not having to plan for, pay for, etc. transportation to and from the resorts and the best part of the perk is, once I drop off my luggage I am no longer responsible for it until it shows up in either my room or my home airport. We tend to travel off season or at slow times of the day so maybe that is why we have never waited more than a few minutes for a bus. The experience might be different this summer when we visit.

Kate

 

[OhioDVC]

I've always had reasonable wait times for ME. Mostly between 5-15 minutes with the longest 30 minutes.

 

[Corinne]

We have used ME since it began. I often joke it is neither Magical or Express, but, the price is right! Seriously, there have been issues along the way, but we do still appreciate the perk.

 

[Starr W.]

I just plan on longer travel times when taking DME and staying at BLT or VWL and that's on both the inbound and outbound.


We had a late flight in on our BLT stay, so we took a limo from the airport and DME'ed it back to MCO.

 

[nu2dvc]

I concur that although wait times can get to be a bit much, overall it is great that it is free and it is kind of the start to our Disney Magic. I also don't mind the stops at other resorts, as it's fun to take a peak, even though I've seen 'em all at this point.

I was curious if Liferbabe or someone else here knows the Epcot resort line-up....i.e: the order of stops on that ME loop.

TIA!

Happy Travels...

 

[DVCAmy]

We've never had to wait more than 30 minutes to get on a bus for ME and always just find it easier. Especially not having to lug all our bags with the kids.

Still magical for us.

Amy

 

[Starr W.]

I concur that although wait times can get to be a bit much, overall it is great that it is free and it is kind of the start to our Disney Magic. I also don't mind the stops at other resorts, as it's fun to take a peak, even though I've seen 'em all at this point.

I was curious if Liferbabe or someone else here knows the Epcot resort line-up....i.e: the order of stops on that ME loop.

TIA!

Happy Travels...

We've stayed at BWV/BCV and took the DME. CBR, BWV, YC, BC

On the way back to the airport we were picked up at BCV/BWV and head straight to the airport.