Late Arrival ME vs. Car Service

[Missyma919]

We have always used ME and been happy with it... However this yr we are flying in at 1110 pm! Which means a LONG day and then having to get our luggage (flying Southwest) then head back to level 3 and over to the other side.. walk down to ME desk and wait... I'm really nervous about this. Would this be a case where a towncar would be worth it? OR should we just stick with ME?


Staying at POFQ...

If we use a town car service... Can we use ME for the ride back to the airport??

Help!

 

[gmeh1]

We have always used ME and been happy with it... However this yr we are flying in at 1110 pm! Which means a LONG day and then having to get our luggage (flying Southwest) then head back to level 3 and over to the other side.. walk down to ME desk and wait... I'm really nervous about this. Would this be a case where a towncar would be worth it? OR should we just stick with ME?


Staying at POFQ...

If we use a town car service... Can we use ME for the ride back to the airport??

Help!

I would use ME. I am sure you will be exhausted, but, there are elevators very close to baggage check in. Take it to the 3 rd. floor, walk across the food court.....look for the signs for B side, grab an elevator to the ground floor and zip on down to ME. Why waste money on a limo? JMHO

 

[Alesia]

If we use a town car service... Can we use ME for the ride back to the airport??

Yes, you can use ME for one way only.

As far as whether a town car is worth it, it wouldn't be for us. It likely won't save you much time.

 

[goofy4tink]

It will save you time and effort. As you already realize, you're going to have to get to the main terminal, go down to baggage claim, Side A, get your bags, go back up to level 3, cross over to Side B, go down to level 1 and get the DME bus. Or, you can just go to level 2 on Side A, get your bags, be met by a driver, and head down to level 1 (Side A) and get into the car and drive away. Could save you as little as 20 mins or as much as 45 mins...depending on possible wait times for the DME bus.
At that time of night, I would book a car service. And then, book DME for the return...that is entirely doable!! Just depends on whether or not you think spending about $60 is worth it.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would take ME. Why spend $60-$70 all so you won't have to walk as much. You are going to be a Disney and do a lot of walking anyway so why worry about how much walking you will do at the airport. Once you get to your resort you will more than likely go to bed right away. After being cooped up on a plane I would welcome the chance to strech my legs.

 

[Lewisc]

SW baggage claim is in the opposite corner from the DME desk. DME guests have to go back to level 3, schlep their bags to the opposite corner of MCO, go down to level 1 then wait for a DME bus. That late at night there is a good chance you'll either be waiting longer then normal or will find you bus making extra stops.

A car service will get you more then halfway to your resort in the length of time it takes to get to the DME desk.

I'd spring for a car service or consider staying in an airport hotel the first night.

I don't agree with some of the PP. I'd rather get to bed an hour earlier.

 

[goofy4tink]

SW baggage claim is in the opposite corner from the DME desk. DME guests have to go back to level 3, schlep their bags to the opposite corner of MCO, go down to level 1 then wait for a DME bus. That late at night there is a good chance you'll either be waiting longer then normal or will find you bus making extra stops.

A car service will get you more then halfway to your resort in the length of time it takes to get to the DME desk.

I'd spring for a car service or consider staying in an airport hotel the first night.

I don't agree with some of the PP. I'd rather get to bed an hour earlier.

Well, sort of on the opposite corner. I usually just head straight across and go down to Level 1 right there. I fly in on either JB or SW, so arrive on Side A each time. I hate traveling all the way down to the other end of the terminal on Level 3..way too many people. So, I just walk straight across, take the escalator down to Level2 and then the elevator and walk down to DME with fewer people around.

 

[ftballfan7]

Does Southwest not allow for your bags to be automatically transported to your resort by Disney? We are going in a couple months and are planning on using ME. We usually rent a car, but are planning on skipping it this time.

 

[maxiesmom]

This is the one case in which I would say definately use a car service.

I have used Magical Express many times. And the one really bad trip was when we landed at MCO at 11pm. Keep in mind this was when they were still collecting luggage after 10pm too. We did not make it to our resort's check in desk until 1am. First we got on the bus, and then we waited. And waited some more. Then, after finally starting the rounds of resort drop offs, we were the fourth stop. We went to Coronado Springs, AKL, All Star Sports, then finally the All Star Music.

My youngest niece, who is a fairly well seasoned traveler and around 7 at the time, was a basket case by the time we checked in. And she had a very bad night that night. Suffice it to say, we definately did not make it to the parks for opening that day.

I think if we ever fly in that late again, I am for sure going to spring for a towncar service. They help you with your luggage, get you situated, and you are on your way! No waiting and not multiple stops.

 

[Alesia]

Does Southwest not allow for your bags to be automatically transported to your resort by Disney? We are going in a couple months and are planning on using ME. We usually rent a car, but are planning on skipping it this time.

ME will automatically deliver your bags regardless of what airline you are on as long as you arrive before 10:00 pm. If you arrive after 10:00, you will have to get your own bags.

 

[goofy4tink]

Does Southwest not allow for your bags to be automatically transported to your resort by Disney? We are going in a couple months and are planning on using ME. We usually rent a car, but are planning on skipping it this time.

Yes, they do. In fact, every airline allows you to tag your bags, for MCO arrival, with the DME tags. That isn't the issue.
The issue is that the OP is arriving at 11pm....DME is no longer handling checked baggage after 10pm. If your flight arrives after 10pm, you have to get it yourself, and bring it to the bus with you. Or, if you decide to tag the bags anyway, they will be held at the airport until the next morning, and brought to your resort then.
So, if the OP is arriving on SW, and decides to use DME at 11pm, they will have to go down to level 2 on Side A, get their bags, then go back up to level 3, cross over to the other side of the airport, and go down to level 1, Side B, to get to DME. That's a long walk at the end of the day, with a ton of luggage.
If it were me, I would get my luggage and get into a towncar for the trip to my resort.

 

[Missyma919]

OP here... thx for everyones input. I decided to use Edd and have a car ready to pick us up. It will put us to the hotel much quicker and it just seems easier in this case.
Thanks for all the advice!
Milissa

 

[goofy4tink]

OP here... thx for everyones input. I decided to use Edd and have a car ready to pick us up. It will put us to the hotel much quicker and it just seems easier in this case.
Thanks for all the advice!
Milissa

Good idea. Tell him Di says hi!!!