Magical Express or Rent Towncar

[lucincia]

If using ME, how long typically to go from the Orlando International to Wilderness Lodge?

On the return trip, they said ME leaves 3 hours before flight time.

Now, if we decide to rent towncar, how long is the trip to and from the airport?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[TaraPA]

We've done both. Previously we always used Tiffany Town Car Service (appx. $85 RT from MCO to WDW) but this year since ME was free, we used that. ME went very smoothly for us - no lines at all - we were at AKL within an hour of landing at MCO. The same was true with Tiffany, because you had to wait for your bags, and then wait for the driver to bring the towncar around. As far as the return trip on your day of departure - 3 hours seems like an eternity - but MCO was very crowded when we arrived & we needed all of that time to check in, go through security, grab a snack & board. I don't know about other town car services but Tiffany picked us up at least 2, if not 2 1/2 hours prior to our flight. So you're not gaining a huge amount of time, in my opinion, by using a town car service.

 

[goofy4tink]

DME has routinely delivered me to my resort on average about 70 minutes after deplaning. Sometimes it was 60 mins, once it was 90, but that time I was the last of three stops.
With a towncar, it would probably be about 45 mins, possibly more depending on how long it takes your luggage to make it to you. I have waited about 10 mins as well as close to 30 mins. I can't seem to figure out the rhyme or reason to it.
As far as the return times to the airport, the towncars will pick you up about 2-2 1/2 hrs before your departure time. It's only about 30-40 mins less than the DME bus. You really do need to have that two hour window at MCO...there's just no telling how security is going to be at any given moment.
MCO is about 30 mins from the resorts...some are a bit further, while some are a bit less, but that seems to be a pretty good average.

 

[CleveRocks]

Since time-wise it's all roughly the same, choose DME or a car service based upon the level of service you want and how much you are willing to pay for it.

If privacy and personalized service are important to you, then a car service is worth any reasonable price.

If privacy and personalized service aren't that important and the word FREE is meaningful to you, then DME is a great alternative.

I love DME, because I love the idea of a convenient efficient service that's free. Used it twice, worked just as advertised and even better both times. A private ride isn't really important to me, but I appreciate that it's quite important to some others.

 

[lucincia]

I am only wondering about time to get to the park and then to the airport a week later. But from the sound of things, doesn't look like towncar service will be any faster. At best, get to the park an hour earlier than ME.

I am not sure if $70+ is worth an hour earlier arrival. I mean, with $70, that's like two bottles of water at the park!

Looks like we'll stick with ME plan.