Magical Express or town Car?

[tomandrobin]

Oh, you took the real thing. Town Car service is not as expensive as an actualy limo. A limo would be fun. We actual use a town car service but request an SUV. So they sent out a Suburban.....new one. Fit us all then some and had the seats for the kids ready to go. If you don't mind me asking how much is a real limo??

Brownie

For five of us, and 8 pieces of luggage, $300 give or take.

 

[goofy4tink]

So ME will collect your bags at the baggage claim and ship them to your room. What happens of your bags don't make it on your plane? Doesn't it make filing a claim for lost baggage a bit difficult? I only ask because in the last coupe of years we have had an inordinate amount of "lost" bags.

I'll answer you first.....ME tagged bags are taken off the plane and put in a seperate area as soon as they come off that plane. They are then sorted by resort area, and put on the appropriate truck for resort delivery. Once at the resort, it is up to Bell Services to get the bags to each room. When you checkin at the DME Welcome desk, you will be asked how many bags there are in your parties group. If there is an issue with your bags, DME will track them for you. Of course, you most likely won't know if there is an issue for a few hours.

As for DME vs a towncar service...I have used both, as well as Mears. Never will I use Mears again...awful, awful. Okay..moving on. I have used several different towncar companies, and they were all good. The price was about $100-115, plus tip, r/t, for 3 of us, but could have fit 4 comfortably. Timing? Well, the one time I had only carryon bags, it took me about 45 mins from deplaning to POP Century. When I had checked bags to claim, it took me about an hour to hour 10 mins to get from the plane to my resort.
With DME it has taken me from 50-85 mins...depending on which stop I was. The one time it took the 85 mins was when I was at POP, and AKL was the first stop (usually POP is the first stop, with CSR being number two). And add to that the huge number of people who had claimed their luggage and brought it to the bus with them, adding time at each of those first two stops....this is what accounts for the 85 mins. It most likely would have been closer to 75 mins if there hadn't been a luggage delay at the two stops before mine.
Yes, you do have to wait up to three hours after checking in at the resort for your bags. But, I always, always, always pack anything I'm going to need for the first half day of my stay..anywhere, not just WDW. If your bags go to St. Louis and you are headed for WDW, well, it's gonna be awhile before your bags get to you, no fault of DME. Then, when you get to your resort, you can checkin, perhaps be able to get into your room, maybe go for a swim (put that swim suit in the carryon!!) or grab a bite to eat. Then head to the parks. That's what I routinely do...and when I return to my room later in the day, the bags have 'magically' appeared.

I just can't justify spending over $100 to have a car all to myself anymore. I enjoy the excitement filled bus. IF I want groceries, I use a grocery delivery service...I spend about $25 extra (delivery charge plus tip) and don't have to wander around a strange grocery store...the groceries are delivered right to my room. But, others have other ways of doing things on vacation. Not saying my way is the 'right' way.

 

[jpeka65844]

We've used Tiffany Towncar on all 3 of our previous trips and they've been wonderful every single time. We've heard horror stories about how long it takes bags from ME and to get dropped off at your resort. We want to get off the plane, get right to our vacation, not hang out in a hotel/sit on a bus for another 2-3 hours!

Also, remember that ME isn't "free" It's a service that is a result of increasing prices at the resort. I figure if I don't use it, I reserve the right to complain about high prices.

And does it make anyone else totally sad to see a full ME bus coming ON to property when you're LEAVING property to go home??? I'm a little jealous their vacation is beginning and mine is ending! Also, on our last trip, we were waiting for our ADR at Kona at the Poly and witnessed a group getting on a bus that was on the Land/Sea Package. I just wanted to jump on the bus with them!!!!

 

[kgc07]

We used ME for our trip last July and will use it again for our trip in May. In July we had no problems and were happy with the service to Grand Floridian and the return service. We may end up renting a car for our 2009 trip, not because of bad service, but because we may do a little off site exploring.

 

[LIFERBABE]

OTOH... our kids will often arrive on other days than us... and they take ME to get to the condos rather than having us drive out to the airport to pick them up.

/Jim

I forgot about this! ME worked great for our Family Reunion. We had all different departure times leaving and everyone was able to catch ME back to the airport.

Also, I have never waited over 90 minutes for our luggage when using ME and rarely are there more than 3 stops.

 

[FLYNZ4]

I honestly do not understand the issue of "waiting for your bags" with ME. You do not have to wait... they bags will be in your room eventually. Just pack a bit of clothes in your carry-on.

OTOH... if you do NOT use ME... then you have to wait for your bags at the carousel. Hence, less waiting with ME.

I wish I could use ME just for my bags... and use a rental car for the people... but I understand that Disney frowns on this. We actually did that once... but part of the family took ME, and some of us picked up the rental car. All of the bags went via ME.

Does anyone know if I order ME... but none of us get on the bus (rent a car instead)... if they will still deliver the luggage to our rooms? Would it help if I check in at the ME desk... but then skip the bus ride?

/Jim

 

[ransom]

I honestly do not understand the issue of "waiting for your bags" with ME. You do not have to wait... they bags will be in your room eventually. Just pack a bit of clothes in your carry-on.

OTOH... if you do NOT use ME... then you have to wait for your bags at the carousel. Hence, less waiting with ME.

Well, I don't know about anyone else, but for me, I can't really relax until I've unpacked my suitcase. I'd hate it if the suitcase arrived at 3 AM or something and I had to waste part of my first full day unpacking.

But that's probably just me. And DW, of course.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

Well, I don't know about anyone else, but for me, I can't really relax until I've unpacked my suitcase. I'd hate it if the suitcase arrived at 3 AM or something and I had to waste part of my first full day unpacking.

But that's probably just me. And DW, of course.

I've never received my bags any longer than about an hour after I've been admitted into my room. And I've used ME about 5 times so far....

 

[ransom]

I've never received my bags any longer than about an hour after I've been admitted into my room. And I've used ME about 5 times so far....

I've never used DME, but I've heard horror stories. It'd be great to know that 99% of the time you get them within an hour or something like that.

 

[DBorges]

Thisa is one and only reason to get a rent a car besides you have freedom..

GO NE PATRIOTS

For five of us, and 8 pieces of luggage, $300 give or take.

 

[AKV707]

Well, thanks to everyone for all of the responses! DW and I have decided that we are going to go with ME for the next trip. It makes sense for us. The money we will save will go toward getting an Owner's Locker. I figure that we can ship some things down to put in the locker, and between that and our carry ons, we won't need our bags right away.

Feel free to keep the discussion going!

 

[LIFERBABE]

Well, thanks to everyone for all of the responses! DW and I have decided that we are going to go with ME for the next trip. It makes sense for us. The money we will save will go toward getting an Owner's Locker. I figure that we can ship some things down to put in the locker, and between that and our carry ons, we won't need our bags right away.

Feel free to keep the discussion going!

I think this is a brilliant ideal!!

Ownerslocker is the gift that keeps on giving. I would much rather have it than a ride in a limo or a grocery stop!

I have been extremely pleased with the service and we have used it 4 times in the last year.

 

[problemchild718]

We have used ME many times and only once waited more than 10 min to leave MCO. We have never had any problems or delays and enjoy our luggage being delivered to our room-oh yeah and its free, so we have an extra $100 to spend on something fun at WDW!

 

[beachblanket]

IMHO, the "trick" to insuring that using DME doesn't slow down the start of your vacation is to plan your arrival for as early a time as possible and to skip using the DME luggage tags (instead picking up your luggage on arrival and taking it down to the DMW arrival center).

The latter opens at 6am, and busses are already right outside waiting to depart. Between that time and about 7:30 arriving traffic is very low, so anyone showng up and checking in tends to get put on a bus and on their way very quickly (they don't wait to fill them). Those lower loads -- as well as the fact your bags are with you on the bus -- result in a faster trip (due to fewer and shorter resort stops) and having your luggage on arrival.

Another great benefit is the fact you get to check in very early, which not only means no lines but more importantly raises the likelihood of getting your requests (even if the villa isn't ready, who cares - check your bags with the bell desk and go off to a park for the day).

Now, I realize some may be thinking "oh, please...that early an arrival isn't possible given the flights we use." I have two words in response: airport hotel. Ergo, take a mid day flight (often cheaper than earlier or later ones) and arrive in Orlando in the late afternoon or early evening the day before your check in day at Disney. Get a nice rest, and early the next morning back to the airport!!!

 

[dallasdisneymommy]

The latter opens at 6am, and busses are already right outside waiting to depart. Between that time and about 7:30 arriving traffic is very low, so anyone showng up and checking in tends to get put on a bus and on their way very quickly (they don't wait to fill them). Those lower loads -- as well as the fact your bags are with you on the bus -- result in a faster trip (due to fewer and shorter resort stops) and having your luggage on arrival.

Actually, we found that they do wait to fill the buses sometimes -- we arrived at MCO late one night, skipped through the check-in line and hopped right on an empty bus, thinking "this is awesome!" -- then proceeded to sit on the bus for at least a half an hour, probably more, waiting for more passengers. I was sitting on the bus with my two exhausted kids, looking at all the town cars picking up their passengers and whisking away, and I thought "why didn't I just spend the extra $100?" When we finally left, we were the very last stop on our route and it was insanely late and we were all cranky.

Other than this debacle, we have found ME to be a pretty good experience. I like not having to hassle with the luggage, and the buses are fun for my kids -- they love the movie and it gets them right in the Disney spirit. We've never had a problem with our luggage being inordinately late or lost.

However...and this is becoming a big however...the older I get, the less patience I have for waiting -- and I am becoming wary of having to wait in line to check in to ME, wait in line to get on a bus for ME, and wait at all the stops until we get to our resort. I want to get to our resort and get there fast! I find that my enthusiasm gets dampened somewhat by riding ME, and that's just a personal thing for me.

Next trip I think we are going to rent a car and give that a try...we will be staying at AKV and since it's so far away from everything, we are thinking that having our own transportation might make things less frustrating. Who knows? We might come running back to ME for our 2009 trip!

 

[debbiedoo]

I have used ME on 3 trips. I have not had any issues. I have had the luggage delivered and picked up my own. Never had that long of a wait for the ME bus either. Once I am off the place, go to Starbucks, then either go get my luggage, or have them deliver(depends on arrrival time here).

Not having a car does not bother me, pack some snacks, eat at Disney and have a great time! When the whole family is coming, I place an order with gardengrocer

 

[Candace]

I absolutely love checking my luggage in Memphis and not having to fool with it again until I see it in my resort room! Even when friends go with me and I rent a car, I just tag my luggage as one of their two pieces, get the rental car and meet my friends at the resort. That way, no one has to hassle with luggage, and we get our car. I think it's a great "free" service. If you want groceries, just order them from one of the companies mentioned here.

 

[llmurphy17]

For us, ME works well.

1.) You can't beat "FREE."
2.) I (personally) LOVE not having to get any bags at all and they appear in your room (albeit several hours) later. But arriving at 10am and not getting a room until 4pm (as DVC has been doing) means you wouldn't have complete access until then anyway. Unless you choose to not store at Bell Services.
3.) IMO, it's pretty quick. All 4 times I've used it I've been AT my resort within 1 hour and 30 minutes from the time my plane disembarked. At the latest.
4.) I think it's actually more "disney" now with the CM waving the Mickey hand and the WDW video they show.

Different Strokes!

I agree with this poster. With three young kids not to worry about the bags is great. We never had a problem with them.

 

[llmurphy17]

Well, thanks to everyone for all of the responses! DW and I have decided that we are going to go with ME for the next trip. It makes sense for us. The money we will save will go toward getting an Owner's Locker. I figure that we can ship some things down to put in the locker, and between that and our carry ons, we won't need our bags right away.

Feel free to keep the discussion going!

ot- you'll be very happy with your owner's locker. They provide very friendly and reliable service.

 

[JFrey4240]

We always used a town car service and then decided to give ME a try. We have found that it's pretty good overall and we love being able to skip waiting for our bags. Only one time was slow and that was because we were the last stop. So keep telling yourself, "I'm saving a $100 bucks, I'm saving a $100 bucks, I'm saving a $100 bucks" and before you know it, you'll be at your resort. On a side note, we had one driver that had the wackiest personality. He played all this 80's music with very strange edits and when we went under the WDW entrance did this odd cheer. We were laughing so hard because it was the wierdest thing ever.