Magical Exprees or Town Car Service?

[tweetie]

Could you please advise in the best way to go. I know the Towncar service and how it works but I am not sure about Magical Express and what happens with your luggage and how long it takes to get to your resort and do they offer a stop at the store?

Thanks.

 

[Bob P]

Your luggage will be delivered to your resort room by ME. They do not offer a grocery stop. In general, it will take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to get to your resort using ME.

Towncar service is usually a lot faster, and offers the flexibility of a grocery stop. Of course, it is not free, and you do have to collect your own bags from the baggage claim area.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Towncar service is usually a lot faster, and offers the flexibility of a grocery stop. Of course, it is not free, and you do have to collect your own bags from the baggage claim area.

I don't agree that a "Towncar service is usually a lot faster." A towncar service can be faster. DME can be faster. If a towncar has an edge, it's a small edge.

Both options require some waiting at the airport. With a towncar service, you need wait for your luggage at baggage claim; then you wait for the driver to retrieve the sedan from parking. With DME, you wait to check in; then you wait to board the motorcoach and for the motorcoach to be dispatched.

If your timing with DME is good, you could be on the road while other passengers on your flight are still waiting at baggage claim. Disney does a good job dispatching motorcoaches based on actual need, rather than on a rigid schedule. But there's also the possibility that you just missed a motorcoach to your resort, as well as the possibility that your motorcoach could stop at one or two other resorts before your resort (or supposedly at three other resorts, although this seems very rare).

The big advantages of a towncar are personal service, timing that does not have to take other guests into consideration, the option of a grocery stop, and a nonstop ride from the airport to your resort (except for the optional grocery stop).

The big advantages of DME are the luggage service (you check your luggage at your home airport and it "magically" appears in your room a few hours after you check in), comfortable seating regardless of the number of people in your party — and, of course, that's it free.

As an alternative to grocery stop, there are grocery delivery services such as GardenGrocer, WeGoShop, and Goodings.

Also, see this recent thread on the same subject: ME bus or towncar?

 

[CleveRocks]

I'll save you a lot of reading and just tell you I agree with every word Horace Horsecollar just posted.

 

[tweetie]

Thanks for the advice...How do I find out about grocery delivery at the resorts?

 

[CleveRocks]

www.goodings.com
Gooding's is a local supermarket that also offers delivery. $10 flat rate fee, $50 minimum. Their website has a limited selection, but they deliver anything they stock on their shelves (except they don't deliver alcohol). To me, the very BEST thing about Gooding's is that they deliver to Bell Services, not directly to you. This means that you don't need to schedule the time of your delivery, and you don't need to be present for your delivery. Bell Services will call you when they get it. If you're in, they'll bring it to you. If you're not in, they'll store it for you and even keep the cold stuff cold (Gooding's separately bags and labels the cold stuff). The biggest knock on Gooding's is that they are, reportedly, the most expensive grocery store in the area. I used Gooding's last May and will be using them again in November.

www.WeGoSHop.com
www.Gardengrocer.com
These are stand-alone delivery services that will shop for you wherever you want them to. They CAN deliver alcohol. I'm not familiar with the pricing policies and/or minimum orders. I'm pretty sure you must be present for your delivery (and thus have to wait around for it rather than be out doing whatever it is you came to WDW to do!).

As far as what I've read on DISboards, I've NEVER read a negative review from a dissatisfied customer from ANY of the above 3 companies. Each seems to have its own fans and loyal customers.

Grocery delivery is a wonderful complement to DME. A towncar service with a grocery stop is not the only way to have money-saving and convenient groceries in your resort room. Plus, a 30-minute grocery stop in a towncar slows you down from getting to your resort!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Thanks for the advice...How do I find out about grocery delivery at the resorts?

GardenGrocer — http://www.GardenGrocer.com/

A DISboards sponsor. Form-based interface.​

WeGoShop — http://www.WeGoShop.com/

Freeform interface. You send an e-mail or a fax with what you want, and they buy it for you at the grocery chain of your choice. You can specify brand names and exact sizes ("Kellogg's Corn Flakes Cereal, 18 oz"), or you can be general ("medium box of corn flakes"). You pay the actual cash register receipt price plus a reasonable shopping/delivery service charge.​

Goodings — http://www.Goodings.com/

Provided by the pricey Orlando-area grocer. Form-based interface.​

These three services have all received overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Visit the websites for information about how to schedule deliver, policy regarding alcohol, and how payment works.

As far as I know, all three services can deliver to bell services, if that's your preference. But if you're staying at a DVC resort such as OKW or SSR, I think it's more convenient to get delivery directly to your villa.

The only service that I've used personally is WeGoShop, and that was when the Orlando/WDW operation was run by former owners. I was happy with the service, even though they ran about 45 minutes later than what we had agreed upon. I'm going to use WeGoShop again for our next WDW trip. I still have the list I sent last time, so I only need to edit it. I like the idea of paying grocery store prices plus a fee, not some sort of inflated Web prices plus a fee.

There are also companies the ship groceries, such as NetGrocer ( http://shop.netgrocer.com/ ).

Another option is to pack non-fragile groceries in checked luggage, to carry on glass items (such as a wine bottles), and to buy milk and other perishables at WDW. The gift shops at the five DVC resorts all have have convenience food sections.

 

[Edd]

From personal experience a bag of groceries from Goodings will cost you approximately 30% to 40% higher than a bag at the Publix in Williamsburg or the Walmart close to Disney. They are high because they are just off the Disney property. So I am saying if you bought $100.00 worth of groceries it would have cost you about $75.00 at Publix and $60.00 at the Walamart. Without a doubt I think they are the highest priced grocery store in the Orlando area.

Someone come up with a shopping list of ten basic items and I will personally visit and price them in the three stores and we can see how close I am to being right, based on those items suggested. Than maybe you can match them with the prices for the online stores and compare.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The biggest knock on Gooding's is that they are, reportedly, the most expensive grocery store in the area.

And even with that (likely deserved) reputation, a delivery from Goodings is STILL less expensive than a town car with a grocery stop:
Goodings delivery charge $20 + Goodings order $50 = $70
Town car $100 + mandatory 20% 'tip' + grocery shopping $50 = $170 (even if you just stop at a Circle-K and get a gallon of water and a case of soda, that's $100 + $20 + $10 = $130)

 

[Edd]

The stop for groceries in a towncar is FREE. It is exactly like the ME which is free. Without the ME vehicle your ride to Disney would not be free. Without a towncar, Actually a town car is not the best to pick up groceries due to the lack of room. or other transportation vehicle you would not be able to pick up groceries other than what you were able to find at Disney and online. Personally I prefer to buy my own groceries at my own store. There a plenty of items I don't think about until I eyeball them. I am sure it is that way with many other families looking for groceries. Does the delivery vehicles for Goodings or the onlines have refrigerated vehicles?

The passengers who ride in the car service industry have their reasons for not riding ME. Disney will not win them over!! They are seeking the extra service the Disney busses cannot provide. Groceries stops to pick up brew, drink and snacks is a big benefit those passengers are willing to pay for. They have the extra $$$ to do that. I am in that group and would pay the extra money for the service of a car service company.

I have the list which is suggested by LewisC and will take care of it in the next few days. I hope.

 

[Lewisc]

For the reasons you cite some posters would rather take DME to their resort and then rent a car for one day. That gives them plenty of space for their groceries, allows for visits to multiple stores and without the 20-30 minutes allocated for a grocery stop. Other than DVC guests, do many guests buy much more than snacks and some breakfast food?

Edd--I'm curious--for basic stuff is the Hess mini-mart much more expensive than a place like Publix? For basic stuff is Goodings much more expensive than just buying the items in your WDW resort? I don't really care if you check my exact items but you asked for a list.

Bell services will store groceries, in a refrigerator and freezer as required.

The stop for groceries in a towncar is FREE. It is exactly like the ME which is free. Without the ME vehicle your ride to Disney would not be free. Without a towncar, Actually a town car is not the best to pick up groceries due to the lack of room. or other transportation vehicle you would not be able to pick up groceries other than what you were able to find at Disney and online. Personally I prefer to buy my own groceries at my own store. There a plenty of items I don't think about until I eyeball them. I am sure it is that way with many other families looking for groceries. Does the delivery vehicles for Goodings or the onlines have refrigerated vehicles?

The passengers who ride in the car service industry have their reasons for not riding ME. Disney will not win them over!! They are seeking the extra service the Disney busses cannot provide. Groceries stops to pick up brew, drink and snacks is a big benefit those passengers are willing to pay for. They have the extra $$$ to do that. I am in that group and would pay the extra money for the service of a car service company.

I have the list which is suggested by LewisC and will take care of it in the next few days. I hope.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've used netgrocer.com and wegoshop.com. Yes, both charge a delivery fee, but it's lot less than what I would pay for a towncar. I have priced out what I want to order at the store here where I live, and then compared it to what I'm paying for the service to buy. It has come out pretty close. I don't specify a particular store, but do ask for the less expensive stores. I also have never ordered over $100...usually water, bread, snacks, cereal..nothing major. Some of the delivery services will also buy 'adult beverages'. I love being able to specify exactly what I want, not have to waste time buying it in Orlando, and having it delivered to me....it's well worth the small delivery charge.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The stop for groceries in a towncar is FREE. It is exactly like the ME which is free.

A town car with a grocery stop is not "free".
The town car RIDE costs the Guest, say, $100 round trip (based on a check of several websites, average price).
The DME RIDE costs the Guest $0* round trip (based on DME providing free transportation to Guests staying in Disney resorts).
Free grocery stop is an added benefit of the town car transportation.
Free luggage handling/delivery is an added benefit of DME.
But a FREE stop during a ride for which one PAYS $100 (plus tip, plus sometimes tolls, plus MK parking lot admission if one's destination is one of those properties) is in NO way like the FREE transportation provided by DME.

*Originally typoed as $2

 

[Edd]

Look, you don't have to get groceries if you take a car service. Most people take a car service because they do not want to put up with other families, other kids, riding to different resorts and listening to crying babies and happy kids on the bus. They want their privacy. They want to ride in more luxury equipped cars and they want drivers who talk and give them suggestions on how to get around the area. Some people, and this may seem strange, like the personal conversation of a driver who has been around for a while. Some passengers like a driver sitting at their resort when they walk out to head home. These people are on vacation and do not want to use public transportation (DME) because they use public transportation throughout the year at home. People pay for that privilege and have no problems doing that.

There are many families who are going to Disney for a vacation with their family. Many wives are happy to have their husbands and all their kids to themselves. The husband likewise. So to travel in a bus, after 2 - 5 hours aboard an airplane, for another 30 to 60 minutes is not on their agenda. Traveling in a private vehicle, in many cases makes sense. Vehicles will take you to the resort and drop you off.

If you would like the driver will stop by a grocery store and you can pick up some extra items, including brew, that you would like to have in the room to fix for yourself. There are families who value the time spent in a grocery store picking out items they will consume later. Some companies may charge an extra charge for that service. Taxi cabs leave their meter on and it runs at approximately $24.00 per hour. Actually don't ask a taxi driver to do a store stop, he will charge you for it. A car service will wait with your luggage in his vehicle and will not charge you for that stop. The grocery stop is actually free.

As I read through these posting I noticed that quite a few of the posters that make themselves known frequently have not ridden the DME, but prefer to use the car service industry.

 

[goofy4tink]

Edd, I have used towncars at least 4-5 times now. I've used Mears shuttle once, never again. I've used DME 4 times. They all have their benefits as well as disadvantages. I have yet to take more than 80 minutes from deplaning to resort checkin with DME yet..usually around 70 mins. The 80 minutes was when I was the last stop of three stops. With the towncars, it has routinely taken me about 60 minutes to get to my resort, and that has been with baggage claim area working well. The quickest time I had was a towncar with only carryon luggage...that trip was 50 minutes.
I do believe there will always be those who wish to use a towncar service. But, to say that people enjoy pleasant conversation with a knowledgable driver or like having a car sitting there waiting for them at resort checkout, is a situation that is always the case. I, myself, have had very non-communicative drivers..uttered maybe three words the whole trip. In fact, my then 10 y/o dd commented on how grouchy he was. However, we had the same driver for the return trip and he was a bit more talkative. I have had to go looking for drivers on several occasions...both at the airport and at the resort.
Not everyone has a stellar experience every single time they use a towncar. Yes, a lot do, but it's still a fact of life that there are some less than perfect experiences out there. And please, don't tell me I'm using info that is old. What else do I have to base my choices on? If I have a bad experience with a company, I'm not very likely to spend over $100 to give them a second chance...not when I have other options. So far, both of the towncar companies I have used have given me decent service. However, both gave me some bad experiences as well. That's why I can say I have used several different companies...I'll go with a new company if one has given less than good service.
If someone wants to order groceries, that's their business. Yes, it's a free service if using a towncar. But, since I'm already paying $100+ for the service, I don't think of it as a 'free' thing...more like a perk. Just like Disney transporting my luggage if I use DME.
Those using DME, or at least leaning towards using DME, shouldn't be made to feel like they are making the worst mistake of their adults lives if they choose to use DME rather than a towncar service. If they find they have made an error, then I would imagine they most likely won't use DME in the future. The reason I don't use a towncar?? Simple...I would rather have that money in my pocket, for fun meals and such, and ride a nice, comfy bus for free. I have yet to have any issue with 'others' on the bus. At least I don't have to worry about giving my seat to an elderly woman on DME!!! My seat is my seat. Maybe, at some point down the road, if we have something special to celebrate, we'll book a towncar service. But, for the present...If it's free, it's for me!!!!

 

[Edd]

Diane.

No one really cares about time. Going to Disney they are on vacation. Would you spend a ticket on a half day at the park? That is usually all that is left after the airplane ride, going through MCO and checking in. If I came in at 1700 after 4 -10 hours in the airports do you think I would want to go to the parks. Guess what it is, shorts time and a nice cold brew. The first day is a throw away for most people.

You just don't have any luck with a driver. To tell you the truth you said you had to look for a driver at MCO and the resort. Guess what, I understand why. If you had to look you picked up a gypsey driver who may not be permitted at MCO or the parks. Transportation is there for everyone. Mears shuttle for the cheap economical ride, taxi for the jump in and get there and Car service who you shedules ahead of time. If you picked up anyone else you got a gypsy driver. The same goes at the Disney resorts. Taxis are on the stands or a bellman will call one for you. You don't have to go looking in those circumstances.

Those who choose to use a car service do it because they probably feel like they owe it to themselves for the luxury. A true car service customer will never use the DME. Actually they feel they are above that.

 

[Lewisc]

DME uses luxury motor coaches, everyone gets a seat. The same guests who take a towncar because they:

they do not want to put up with other families, other kids, riding to different resorts and listening to crying babies and happy kids on the bus. They want their privacy.

won't be happy riding the Disney buses to and from the parks. Plenty of guests standing. Plenty of tired screaming kids. Those guests really should consider renting a car. I guess a cab would also work.

Look, you don't have to get groceries if you take a car service. Most people take a car service because they do not want to put up with other families, other kids, riding to different resorts and listening to crying babies and happy kids on the bus. They want their privacy. They want to ride in more luxury equipped cars and they want drivers who talk and give them suggestions on how to get around the area. Some people, and this may seem strange, like the personal conversation of a driver who has been around for a while. Some passengers like a driver sitting at their resort when they walk out to head home. These people are on vacation and do not want to use public transportation (DME) because they use public transportation throughout the year at home. People pay for that privilege and have no problems doing that.

There are many families who are going to Disney for a vacation with their family. Many wives are happy to have their husbands and all their kids to themselves. The husband likewise. So to travel in a bus, after 2 - 5 hours aboard an airplane, for another 30 to 60 minutes is not on their agenda. Traveling in a private vehicle, in many cases makes sense. Vehicles will take you to the resort and drop you off.

If you would like the driver will stop by a grocery store and you can pick up some extra items, including brew, that you would like to have in the room to fix for yourself. There are families who value the time spent in a grocery store picking out items they will consume later. Some companies may charge an extra charge for that service. Taxi cabs leave their meter on and it runs at approximately $24.00 per hour. Actually don't ask a taxi driver to do a store stop, he will charge you for it. A car service will wait with your luggage in his vehicle and will not charge you for that stop. The grocery stop is actually free.

As I read through these posting I noticed that quite a few of the posters that make themselves known frequently have not ridden the DME, but prefer to use the car service industry.

 

[CleveRocks]

No one really cares about time. Going to Disney they are on vacation. Would you spend a ticket on a half day at the park? That is usually all that is left after the airplane ride, going through MCO and checking in. If I came in at 1700 after 4 -10 hours in the airports do you think I would want to go to the parks. Guess what it is, shorts time and a nice cold brew. The first day is a throw away for most people.

I guess I'm not most people. "No one really cares about time" doesn't apply to me at all. I typically schedule early-morning flights so we actually have time for a nice park day on our first day. We're not a family of commandos, but we are a family that has been looking forward to the trip for a long time and we want to get to a park ASAP. A delay of an hour, let's say, wouldn't ruin my day, but my day WOULD be a lot happier if I had that hour in a park rather than the airport or the highway.

For my morning arrivals, if DME typically took 3 hours and a car service typically took 1 hour, I'd gladly pay to get to my resort to drop off my bags rather than wait what I consider to be a long time but do it for free.

For my next trip, we had the choice of arriving at MCO around 4:00 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. We chose the later time, because it'll be so late when we arrive we'll HAVE to get to bed; we'll be up and ready for a full park day the next morning. But if we arrived at 4:00 p.m., let's say we'd be settled into our room by 6:00 p.m., we'd feel very frustrated that it would be too late to waste a park day on just a coupla hours. To us, flying to WDW but not going to a park (when one is still open) would be like flying to Idaho, going to a restaurant, and ordering carrots instead of potatoes.

 

[goofy4tink]

Sorry Edd. but I didn't use 'gypsy' drivers. I have always had a reservation... confirmation in hand. My driver was out having a smoke. Took my dh 10 minutes to find him. He was driving for a towncar company that is frequently recommended right here. Same thing for my return trip to the airport...he was parked way down by the bus stop area at BW, rather than up at the portico area. Yes, we arrived early, but after our pickup time had come and gone, dh had to, yet again, go looking.

As far as time goes...you yourself have told people that they can save time by using a towncar service. I'm just reporting my own experiences. According to most towncar people that we have heard from, their big thing is that you get to your resort faster..don't have to make all those resort stops, you don't have to waste time waiting in line for a crowded bus at the airport. I'm sorry, but you can't have it both ways....it's either about faster service to WDW, or it's about the 'luxury' of a towncar. And yes, I have used a full day's pass for only 1/2 day in the parks. I think you will find most people do exactly that. If you read these boards, you will find that people want to know how fast they are getting to their resort because they want to head out to the parks and get started. So, yes, time is a concern. Only those who tend to arrive after 6 pm seem to not care about getting to a park.

If I book a towncar, it's for the personal service I get, that 'I am the most important person here' feeling...No, I am not saying I'm all that important, but I gotta tell you that hopping in a private towncar sure does give you that feeling. But, sometimes I like the feeling of a little extra cash in my pocket more than the 'important' feeling. However, I have yet to feel 'above' those who ride DME...I have actually used towncars more often than DME..I am so NOT above anyone else. Please try not to catagorize anyone based on their transportation choices...so wrong on so many levels.

 

[Edd]

The car service ride costs $100.00 to Disney. If you want to stop for groceries there is no extra charge. So the grocery stop is free. People do not get in a car service vehicle because they are expecting a free ride or a grocery stop. They call and pay, good green cash, for a car service for transportation to Disney, because they don't want to ride the Disney ME busses. Period.

Your driver was out having a smoke and you are looking for him to take you to the parks. I don't call that a very reputable driver. He didn't pick you up on time or wasn't waiting at the door for you. Sorry you weren't dealing with the typical car service company. If it is mentioned so much on the boards than surely you won't mind letting us know the name of the company and maybe more of us will stop calling that company for service.

There are more passengers landing OIA between 1600 and 0100, than 0700 and 1559. They will get to the parks starting after 1800. Why would you blow a whole days hopper pass by going to the MK for 3 or 4 hours (less than a half a day) in the summertime?