Is the ME still magical for DVC members?

[Tamar]

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...

When we've taken DME to BWV it stops at Carribean Beach before dropping us off and after picking us up.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I figure if you want something for free, you are going to have to sometimes wait a bit. You just have to weigh if the wait is too much of an inconvenience or worth not spending money on your own to get to the resort. I other words....I wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth!

That being said, we always rent a car because we like to have control. It sounds to me like you are coming to that point as well.

 

[HayGan]

Overall we have had very good experiences with ME. We have never had to wait more than 10 minutes to get on the bus. We have had waits in excess of 45 minutes while sitting on the bus while the wait to fill it to maximum capacity (which we understand!) I rather like the fact that I am getting something "free" from Disney!

We enjoy both the coming & going videos. In fact our kids keep commenting that we need one for the trips when we drive as well

 

[Starr W.]

I figure if you want something for free, you are going to have to sometimes wait a bit. You just have to weigh if the wait is too much of an inconvenience or worth not spending money on your own to get to the resort. I other words....I wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth!

That being said, we always rent a car because we like to have control. It sounds to me like you are coming to that point as well.

We are getting to that point, we usually take a later flight home and with a car we can loaded it up, head to a park for a few rides and lunch before heading to the airport.

But I've not really had any issues with DME, even during our Thanksgiving trips.

 

[mouseaider]

We've NEVER had a bad ME experience.

We've used it about 6 times and never had to wait more than maybe 30 minutes to board the bus and get rolling.

We've traveled to WDW in April, May, December and January and it didn't matter.... just as fast. We travel to and from WDW during mid week and that might make a difference.

We try to arrive in Orlando around noon so that might make a difference too.

As far as we are concerned, we'd never waste the $$ for a town car. We'd use that money for a nice dinner some where.

I hope your next trip is magical.

 

[dsneygirl]

Longest wait we had was last Aug and 20min to board the bus. Then it was another 10-15 while we waited for it to fill up. (this is one of the slowest weeks of the year at WDW).

Last trip in Feb we waited about 5min maybe.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

We started using MDE a few years ago when my son started college in fort myers he and his girlfriend meet us at WDW so we have their car to use. We usually stay at BWV and from getting off the plane to the resort it's taken anywhere from 45 min to 90 minutes. We love going right to the resort and not having to pick up our bags

 

[ajf1007]

For me, it's where the magic begins! We always take the ME and its where I start to get all giddy, bouncing in my seat and revert back to a kid. We have thought about renting a car but as others have posted, it seems silly since it's only used to and from the airport. We've never had unusually long waits or any bad experiences using the ME.

 

[OrthoDad]

We have had great experiences with ME every time we have gone.

We have 2 children in wheelchairs, so it is such a blessing to be able to have easy disabled transport directly from the airport.

Sure, at busy times, we've had to wait a little while....but never so much that it was negative.

And, the ability to start getting "Disney-fied" on the bus, it is great!

 

[bnk1120]

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!

Same thing for us!

 

[utahkennedys]

I wouldn't say we've had issues when we use ME but we still always rent a car. Sometimes DH and the kids take ME with the luggage (love not touching it until I see it in my room!) and then I go get the car, check in at the resort, and about that time the ME bus pulls up. This time we decided to skip ME since we may not even check a bag. I get great deals on rental cars so this time with all taxes and fees under $200 for 10 days. I feel "trapped" without a car and we also enjoy resort restaurants which are a real pain on the Disney internal bus system. I also don't like how early they make you leave on the return trip to the airport as we are trying to squeeze every last vacation minute at the pool out!!!

 

[TagsMissy]

We love this service and have never waited more than 10-15 minutes to depart but we also have never arrived at a really busy time with long lines, 2 times we walked straight onto the bus and 1 time we waited about 5 minutes to be escourted to the bus but then once on we left rather quickly. I know that I count us lucky to just have good timing, I am certain we'll eventually encounter longer waits but I'll also need to take responsibility for arriving at a very busy time seasonally or even within the day.

 

[xipetotec]

We've been members since 2002 and have used ME since it started. We love it and it's part of the experience for us. We've met some fun cast members while waiting at the airport, and have never had to way more than 20 minutes or so. Being on the bus, getting the Disney themed TV on the way, and seeing the gate from the bus. having our luggage delivered. All these make it a great thing.

In fact, we just went to DL and missed the ME on the way ...

 

[CarpeDisney]

The family still loves the ME.

We've never experienced any significant wait times, even when travelling during Christmas week.

The thing that keeps it so magical for me and DW is that it's the first thing that gets our daughters excited and makes them realize they've finally arrived at WDW.

 

[jade1]

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.

Same. Driving and taxis are not a start to the vacation in comparison.

Its the best.

 

[poggs]

The ME itself is fine. Its the waiting 4 hours for the luggage to turn up thats the killer!

Its hire car for me every time from now on.

Dont mind getting the ME back to the airport though....

 

[WDWDad]

So sorry to the OP for not having a pleasant ME experience. We have always had good experiences. Although I do hate having to get ready so extra early on the way back to the airport.

We have always caught a bus within 10-15 minutes. Two weeks ago we caught ME on a Thursday morning. The bus left the airport with only 7 of us on it. I was suprised they didn't wait until they had more people. Not especially efficient, but felt like great service for us.

 

[LIFERBABE]

At first I did not like the 3 hour lead time of ME, but I find it is very much needed at MCO.

It's early by 30 minutes max. You cant leave 2.5 hrs or less and make it in time. The traffic, security lines are long, and lots of families and packages to get through and there are frequent security sweeps of the trams that we have been caught by.

So with ME, Im there, no car to refuel or drop off and as I am always Zone 1 boarding, we start boarding approx 45-50 minutes before take off.

I find when we drive and leave WDW 2.5 hr before our flight, we are rushing and frantic.

 

[disneychic]

I really have never waited more than maybe 20 minutes. That being said, even if I had to wait a lot longer, it's still FREE! I'd rather save the $$ I would have spent on a towncar or rental car and use it AT WDW! There are plenty of other ways to spend that $$

We LOVE DME and will be using it as long as Disney offers it!

 

[jade1]

The ME itself is fine. Its the waiting 4 hours for the luggage to turn up thats the killer!
....

Are you talking about when you put on the yellow tags on the bags at home-then they show up in you room later? We find that as one of the best things-no going and waiting for bags at baggage claim-just head to the ME bus and on to WDW with no bags. Once we check in we head to a park-the room will be ready later and the bags will be there.

Same with check out day. Send the bags home in the am, get our boarding passes and hit a park until its time to board ME-no bags again to lug around until we get back home.