Magical Express and a toddler

[CaraBoo]

I have always used a town car for transfers between the airport and Walt Disney World hotels...especially last year when we brought our 15month old son. I didn't want an entire day of travel to make him too cranky to be confined to a seat on on the ME and ruin everyone else's trip also. We are making another visit in September and are planning on using the ME...I have never been on the ME and I am hoping for advice as to how long the trip actually is...we're staying at the Poly...and is it too much to ask a rambunctious 2 year old to behave for the drive? We will be arriving before 9 AM and I am wondering if this is a busy time to arrive?

Advice is greatly appreciated!!

 

[Missytara]

You can expect to arrive at your resort approximately 70 - 90 minutes after you deboard the plane.

The actual ride itself is less than a half hour, depending on what stop you are in the order.

 

[sharonmickey]

ME plays a video on the tvs in the bus on the trip. It will help to entertain your son.

 

[goofy4tink]

Really, the actual drive isn't much longer than the one in a towncar. I have been on plenty of DME buses with really young kids. The ones that were the biggest 'pains' were the ones who were preteens...so very cool (if only in their own minds!!!).

The entire proceedure will take about 70 mins...could be less, could be more. Figure on about 15 mins from gate to DME checkin area. Then, anywhere from 0-20 mins in the bus line. Most likely closer to 10 mins. Onto the bus and 0-20 mins wait. Usually, the shorter you wait time in line gives you longer wait times on the bus. It averages out though.
Then, 25-30 mins to the first resort stop...then maybe 10 mins to the next stop (but could be much less depending on which resorts we're talking about).
And the video is really cute...especially for the little ones. It features Mickey and friends, going to WDW and checking in. Keeps the kids amused.

In all reality...with a car service, you have to wait for your baggage...a deal breaker for me with really young kids. So, with checked luggage, figure on at least an hour total.....10-12 mins to baggage claim, 15 mins at baggage claim, 5 mins to car, then 25-30 mins to the resort.

 

[sam_gordon]

Isn't your son confined to a seat in the towncar? Surely he's strapped into a carseat there. As has been mentioned, they play a video that will take up some of the time. How are you planning on controlling the "rambunctious" 2yo on the plane if you're worried about a 30-45 minute bus ride?

 

[Minniemouse07]

We've never had any issues on DME w/ the kids (ds started riding it at 2yo). They see it all as part of getting to WDW so there is a lot of excitement!

 

[CaraBoo]

Thanks for all the info! I'm sure we will be ok...especially if there is a video! It's one thing to keep a child calm in a car seat or buckled in on the airplane but another thing entirely on a bus without seatbelts.

I'll miss the grocery stop but saving the $120 bucks on the car will be worth it!

I appreciate your help!

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks for all the info! I'm sure we will be ok...especially if there is a video! It's one thing to keep a child calm in a car seat or buckled in on the airplane but another thing entirely on a bus without seatbelts.

I'll miss the grocery stop but saving the $120 bucks on the car will be worth it!

I appreciate your help!

Use a grocery service...they charge about $12-15 delivery charge. They, they deliver right to your resort...nice way to save some time. If your room isn't ready when the groceries arrive, or you're not in your room to receive them, Bell Services will store them for you.

I love watching the youngsters on the DME bus. They are so excited. If a parent sits by the window, the youngster can sit/stand on their lap and watch out the window. They love doing that....they can see all the WDW signage along the way.

 

[dunbarfamily]

We've done it both ways with our little people. I like the bus because it helps put you even more in the Disney mood, but it can take a while. I've had it take about 70 minutes from hitting the desk to arriving at resort and I've had it take an hour and a half.

Towncars whisk you away and you're at Disney quicker, in our experiences. It isn't free though, as you know. I've actually timed it (I'm a bit crazy, as I also occasionaly time how long it takes from when I order until my food is brought out!!) from the time I disembark the plane until I'm standing in my hotel room at WDW and the least amount of time was around 40 minutes and that includes luggage claim, which you skip on ME. Of course, it was very very late at night, but still. I like the grocery stop, but I always end up leaving food behind because I buy too much. One could reason I might even save money by buying only what we need at a higher price at Disney than buying more things we end up not using at a cheaper price.

I'm sure ME will entertain your little one well and he'll be just fine if that's how you end up going. Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip!