Magical Express there and a Car Service back?

[AllieV]

We could swing the car service from the airport, though it's always nice to have the extra cash. I booked both ways on ME and have my luggage tags. I kind of like the idea of taking it from the airport with all the buildup and excitement. On the return, though, we have an early flight and I'd really like to just go straight there, which only a car can.

Round trip car service is around $105-110. One-way return trip is $65, so it's almost worth it to just get both ways if we're going to do one.

We are there for 9 days at DVC villas. Two adults, one 5yr old. Flying in early in the a.m. for about 3 hrs, arriving around 11:30 am. Plans are to hit the pool up on arrival and maybe eat.

Is the ME experience worth the hassle of waiting for a bus, waiting for luggage later, etc? Any opinions would be appreciated.

p.s. we're getting groceries delivered, so no grocery stop needed.

 

[goofy4tink]

Only you can decide what your time is worth. I love not having to get my own bags at MCO!! Here are some of my times (as best as I can remember them now!!) using various modes of transport...
DME...(using luggage delivery service)...from 60-85 mins, most times about 70 mins from gate to resort. Bags arrive within about 3 hrs of resort checkin.

Car service...carryon only....45 mins gate to resort.

Car service...checked bags....60 mins gate to resort, with a stop for bags at baggage claim.

For my return to MCO? I have used a car service, and while they want to pick me up 2 hrs prior to flight time, I always ask for 2.5 hrs prior. With DME, that could be 2 3/4 hrs, or 3 1/4 hrs prior to flight time. So, using a car service will get you about 30 mins addtl time but no more.
If leaving prior to 9am, you might want to use a car service in order to get a bit more sleep.

I find that once I get to MCO, I look forward to heading down to the DME area. It gets my stay off to a good start. I have never had long waits. The one thing you need to remember to do is...pack your carryon bags with anything you may need to start your vacation. I pack a change of clothes, a swim suit in the warm months, toiltetries (3.4oz sizes)...all just in case my bags get delayed. Doesn't happen often but it can. And it's better to be prepared.

 

[ItsNotMuchofaTail]

I don't know when I will return to WDW, but I would seriously consider taking ME to the resort and hiring a car to get back to the airport. We had a very rough time with ME getting us to the airport, and if our flight wasn't delayed, we might have missed it (I did not know our flight was delayed, when we were at the resort with wifi it still said on time). I was fairly panic stricken on the bus, and it sucked the remaining magic right out of me. While I know my experience was unusual, I would prefer not to repeat it.

But using ME to get to the resort was so easy, and quick enough for me. I think we landed around 11:15 a.m. and arrived at POR at 12:45? On a Saturday morning, when all resorts had lines, I thought it was pretty good.

 

[AllieV]

Thanks. Another quick question. If you are getting off the bus with EVERYONE, is it a long line to check in? We're staying at the Bay Lake Villas. Last time we took a car, the driver gave our name at the gate to get in and when I walked into the resort, someone walked up to me with a key and envelope, no waiting in line at all.

After an exhaustive search, I found a round trip towncar for $85 or one-way for $45, so it seems more worth it to take the one-way now than it was before. Though that may be a bait-and-switch price.

 

[maxiesmom]

Know that if you do book a town car for the return trip to the airport, it will only gain you around 30 minutes of extra time. Only you can decide if the extra money spent is worth it.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Is the ME experience worth the hassle of waiting for a bus, waiting for luggage later, etc? Any opinions would be appreciated.

Waiting for luggage comes into play when you use a car service. You have to go to baggage claim and wait for your bags. It can take up to a half hour -- or longer if the baggage handlers are backed up after an afternoon thunderstorm.

With Disney's Magical Express, there is no waiting for bags. You go straight from your arrival gate to the DME departure area. You could be boarding a DME motorcoach while other passengers on your flight are still waiting for their bags at baggage claim. Your bags will be left in your room while you're out having fun.

That being said, DME is a shared service. You could board a DME motorcoach right away or you could wait in line 20 minutes or more before boarding. You could be the first stop or you could make a couple of other stops before your resort. You might get a "best case" DME experience. You might get a "worst case" DME experience. Chances are your experience will be somewhere in the middle.

When looking at car service pricing, factor in the cost of tips. Also be wary of an unknown car service that feels the need to undercut the established car services.