Late Arrival MDE vs Car Service

[BoatDriver]

Good Afternoon All,

We’re headed back down to the World in early May, and for the first time in years, we’re considering a car service instead of Magical Express.

Due to JetBlue doing away with our normal morning flight, we’ve decided to come in the night before and grab a cheaper room on property. We’ll now be arriving around 8:30pm.

Our kids are 4 and 6, so that’s already a little late for them. Add the delay in bag delivery, and it’s possible we may not see bags until almost midnight. I don’t want to deal with that knock on the door waking up two over-tired kids and grumpy parents.

In addition, over the last few visits in the last 18-months or so, we’ve consistently waited over 30-45 minutes to board the bus and/or leave MCO. That, coupled with the multiple stops has had us at the resort around 90 minutes after arriving at the MDE check-in.

So, that leaves us with a few options:

1. Just suck it up and deal with the delays and late bag delivery. (I’ve pretty much dismissed this out of hand)

2. Forget about the yellow luggage tags, get our bags from baggage claim, and put it on the bus with us. (Doable, but makes for a much later check-in and bed time for the kids)

3. Tag the bags with the yellow tags, take DME, and leave a request with Bell Services to hold our bags until the next morning for transfer to Wilderness Lodge. (Should I fear a mix-up and lost bags?)

4. Get our bags from claim and have a car service waiting on us so we can just head straight to the hotel and not worry about DME delays. (Leaning this way but open to suggestions/past experiences)

Any thoughts would be appreciated. This change in plans has thrown us off our usual routine.

 

[kaytieeldr]

1. Always, always, always, always pack your carry on luggage with everything you will need for the first 24 hours at your destination. You, specifically, will then ask Bell Services NOT to deliver your checked luggage. In the morning, you can go see them to arrange just transferring your luggage to the next resort.

2. Don't agree you would arrive at the resort much later. Somewhat later, sure, but plenty of time for sleep.

3. See 1.

4. Up to you.

5. You could spend that first night at the Hyatt or a nearby property with free airport transportation.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Definitely option 3. With two little kids, not having to deal with baggage claim is priceless. Stopping at baggage claim and then getting the car service will maybe save you a half hour as opposed to skipping baggage claim and going to DME.

Skipping baggage claim is worth getting to the resort a half hour later. And it saves money.

Edited: I put the wrong option number initially

 

[sponica]

I've done option 3. It's not a big deal. I was able to call for the bags when I woke up the next AM and they were delivered within 15 minutes.

I figured the inflated cost of my reservation includes that free service, I'm going to use it.

ETA: I didn't realize you were moving hotels. But still I'd have bell services hold them until the morning and then transfer them to WL.

 

[AngiTN]

In addition, over the last few visits in the last 18-months or so, we’ve consistently waited over 30-45 minutes to board the bus and/or leave MCO. That, coupled with the multiple stops has had us at the resort around 90 minutes after arriving at the MDE check-in.(Leaning this way but open to suggestions/past experiences)

Any thoughts would be appreciated. This change in plans has thrown us off our usual routine.

First, maybe you don't realize but 90 min from landing is completely normal/avg time to Resort. Avg with getting your own bags and a private ride is 60 min. It's 30 min to Disney, period. Can't shorten that part. Bag claim can be anywhere from 15 min to who knows. Add in 10 or so min to get to the car and load and there you go, 60 min-ish. So you're looking at saving maybe 30 min

I'd opt for #3 (and do often) If you are willing to risk checking them on your flight, you shouldn't feel worried about bell services. They are excellent at bag storage and loose bags way less than an airline does.
We do exactly what you are suggesting frequently, stay at a Value, then move. They've never had issue with holding all ME bags and then transferring the lot, them and our carry on, the next day.

 

[ClapYourHands]

Will you be traveling with your own carseats/boosters? I think one of the perks of DME is not having to worry about that aspect. If you go with a car service, make sure you check on the availability of seats for kids. Also factor the cost of seat rental, as some town car services charge extra for them.

I agree with @AngiTN in that you're not saving all THAT much time with a car service if you have little kids and checked bags. Is it worth $75-100 to save 30 minutes? We all have different priorities, so maybe it is to you.

Also, I think the first night kids tend to be pretty keyed up with excitement, so the late night might not phase them the way it would at the end of the trip. You all can always sleep in a bit in the morning, and you'll still make it to the parks earlier than you would if you took an early flight down the next day.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you have the money, do #4. I'm a fan of a car service when flying in late-ish. You grab your bags, know you will be on your way, and know you will be the first stop.

I've taken DME many times later at night. I've had good trips and I've had not so great trips. I've had one really bad trip that was 2 1/2 hours from landing to standing at resort check in. Now if I have room in my budget I book a towncar.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm not sure what kind of prices you're getting for your first night, but have you considered an airport area hotel for the first night? Then you get your bags, hop on their shuttle, spend the night, then shuttle back to the airport to get on DME. You'd be able to get to bed earlier and might save some money.

 

[BoatDriver]

Thanks all. I wasn’t intending to start another “how long is the Magical Express travel time” thread. I should have known better.

After looking at all the options and evaluating costs, I just went ahead and added another night at Wilderness Lodge. It’s a little more money, but it makes things easier all around. Now we can just have bell services hold the bags until the next morning, and I’ll hope the wait to board the bus and get going isn’t as awful as it’s been the last few trips.

 

[AngiTN]

Thanks all. I wasn’t intending to start another “how long is the Magical Express travel time” thread. I should have known better.

After looking at all the options and evaluating costs, I just went ahead and added another night at Wilderness Lodge. It’s a little more money, but it makes things easier all around. Now we can just have bell services hold the bags until the next morning, and I’ll hope the wait to board the bus and get going isn’t as awful as it’s been the last few trips.

It's really impossible to discuss the pros/cons of private car vs ME without talking about travel time.
Sounds like you found a great solution. Sometimes the cheapest isn't always the best. We probably go 50/50 when flying in at night. Adding on to main reservation or going the Value route. Lots of factors determine which works best.

 

[BoatDriver]

I agree. The travel time was much the basis of the whole dilemma. I just wasn’t looking to repeat the argument of MDE wait times. It’s been done to death.

Frankly, we wouldn’t have even considered private transport two years ago. MDE was always timely and convenient. In the last 18-months or so, however, that hasn’t been our experience. I’ve seen other changes with MDE in that time period as well, but those are another discussion entirely.

I think this solution made the most sense in the long run. The kids see MDE as part of the vacation. They look forward to “the Mickey Bus” as much as anything. I was probably on my way to being penny-wise and pound-foolish with the other options.

 

[wishuponastar1984]

I would change your first night reservation to the Hyatt at the airport. If you factor in what you would have paid for the hotel plus what you were willing to pay for a car service it likely be a wash money wise. You get a nicer more spacious room than what you would have at a Value. Have a bag for the night that you carry on. One parent goes directly to the hotel with kids and gets them ready for bed where the other parent goes to baggage claim to collect luggage.