Magical Express vs Car Ride?

[kelleykuc]

We're arriving in Orlando on Saturday around lunch time and have made arrangements to take the Magical Express to get to OKW. My parents are already in Orlando and can pick us up if that would be quicker. Does anyone have any input on if it would be faster to get our own luggage and get picked up or let Disney deal with the luggage and take the DME? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[Missytara]

I would post your question over on the Transportation board.

That being said, being picked up is a bit easier than trying to lug all your baggage halfway across the airport to pick up a rental car as opposed to just proceeding to ME without your luggage.

If someone is picking you up, it may be a bit faster, but only by 5 - 10 minutes. You still have to pick up your luggage and drag it out to the pick-up area anyway, which would be on the lower level, where the rental cars and ME are located as well.

 

[fitgirl36]

My opinion is it will be roughly the same amount of time since you will have to retrieve your luggage. I'd let Disney handle getting your bags to your room and then your parents won't have to make the trip either. Besides you'll miss the welcome video on the bus!! Great way to start a Disney vacation!!

 

[disneychic2]

It think it would be better to take ME and let them do the heavy lifting! You can have your parents meet you at your resort. Our experience with ME is that we are usually to our resort in about an hour from arrival at MCO. I don't think it would save that much time and it would safe your parents the tolls and the stress of driving to MCO.

 

[browneyedgrl4282]

It will be easier to use Magical express, they deal with your luggage! You will have to deal with your luggage if you don't use it so it will probably just as long!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Boarding the Magical Express is the official start to my vacation!!! I love the welcome video and it gets me so excited for what's to come! yes, I guess getting picked up might be a little quicker...but why???

 

[bumbershoot]

I've chosen to rent a car each time. Picking up luggage has been a breeze; the bags have been on the carousel by the time we get there (we don't rush, by the way...what's the point of rushing just to wait?). We bought roller bags specifically for disney trips, and it's not difficult, nor is it halfway through the airport, to take our bags out to the rental car area. Since being picked up would be even closer than the rental car area, I'd just go with that.

SO much more fun to be greeted by happy loving parents than by a coach bus.

Now, if they aren't happy and loving, then don't do it. Then again, if they aren't happy and loving parents, why are you vacationing with them?

 

[minnie mum]

I'd go with ME for a couple of reasons. The thing I hate most about flying (OK, since I really hate the hassle of going thru security- the thing I hate second-most) is getting to my destination and then standing around with my thumb in my ear waiting for the bags to arrive at the carrousel and then schlepping them out of the terminal.

And I'd rather save my folks the hassle and expense of driving out to MCO and back.

I agree with the PPs who recommend letting ME do all the work and meet the parents at your resort when you check in. Have a great trip!

 

[rachellm]

Personally I think it would be much faster to get picked up. Depending on timing, the wait for ME can be substantial. On our last trip we waited 30 minutes in the airport before (winding through never ending lines) and than more time to get the bus loaded. The trip before that was about the same ... maybe longer actually (I don't remember!)

Whereas picking up luggage yourself adds minutes. Plus I like having my luggage immediatly!