Magical Express vs Minnie Van

[MudBud]

Just looking to confirm timing. I read that the timing of DME from landing time to resort (ours being Pop Century) is approx 60-90 minutes. A Minnie Van would be approx 45 minutes. We land Monday Nov 11 about 7pm.

Just debating on the wow factor for the kids vs money vs timing.

thanks!

 

[sponica]

From wheels down to resort, it's usually taken me about an hour or so on DME. Of course that time frame can change depending on if you need to wait for a gate, how fast you walk, do you need a bathroom break...

If you are taking DME, I would have luggage assistance hold the luggage until the next morning. I feel like the luggage falls into a vortex that late.

 

[kaytieeldr]

That's so subjective, nobody can really decide for you. Is 15-45 minutes worth $150 plus tip to you? If yes, Minnie Van. If not, DME.

 

[SteveH]

The other factor is free vs $150 + tip. Your other option would be something like a town car or if you want the wow factor get a Limo!

 

[JimMIA]

Personally, I would use MV for a shorter trip -- like maybe Pop to MK, where there is some real benefit, and also where you can actually let the kids look at it and enjoy. That's going to be difficult to impossible at an airport pickup.

If time is a big deal from the airport, you can Uber for $35-$50 depending on vehicle size needed. If you need more than one child seat, I'd use DME where they are not required.

 

[bakerworld]

We've had mostly good luck with ME - in 15 years, once we had an extremely slow driver and once sat MCO for almost an hour - the rest of the time ME has not been bad. It's kind of a pain when you're the last stop but that's just because we're excited. I'll take being the last drop over having a bus driver doing 40 on an inter-state highway.

 

[sponica]

We've had mostly good luck with ME - in 15 years, once we had an extremely slow driver and once sat MCO for almost an hour - the rest of the time ME has not been bad. It's kind of a pain when you're the last stop but that's just because we're excited. I'll take being the last drop over having a bus driver doing 40 on an inter-state highway.

I think you're on to something here.

 

[Cinderella94]

What is appropriate to tip if using Minnie van from the airport?

 

[MudBud]

I was more looking to confirm that the times I had were correct. I’m saving possibly 15-30 minutes for $150 plus tip. I agree it’s kinda crazy to do. And definitely agree part is that we want to be there right now!
Thanks!

 

[_19disnA]

We used Magical Express earlier this year and were very pleased with how it all worked out. Timing that others quote can be quite a variable since your bus might leave shortly after you sit down or you have to wait in line to board. Our bus only stopped at the Wilderness Lodge before arriving at our destination of the Contemporary, so it was no big deal. Some others have indicated multiple hotel stops. Magical Express is no additional charge while Minnie Van is. You didn't indicate what you plan to do with your luggage and if you intend to pick it up yourself, that will ADD time to the Minnie Van option that doesn't apply to Magical Express since you don't need to go to baggage claim and they will pick up/delivers your luggage for you.

Driving time from the airport to the hotel will be roughly the same with either form of transportation. Obviously, any type of traffic jam will impact all forms of transportation the same. Minnie Van many not be instantly there to pick you up. All of the others times such as walking through the airport will be the same regardless of what form of transportation you use.

 

[SG131]

I was more looking to confirm that the times I had were correct. I’m saving possibly 15-30 minutes for $150 plus tip. I agree it’s kinda crazy to do. And definitely agree part is that we want to be there right now!
Thanks!

Your times are about right. It's the luck of the draw. I've had times where I've walked up to ME got right on the bus and it pulled out. I also had one time where I sat at least 45 minutes, but that was early in the morning so I guess arrivals were less frequent at that time. I'm guessing arrivals on a Monday night might be a bit slow so you may have a few stops.

 

[AngiTN]

I was more looking to confirm that the times I had were correct. I’m saving possibly 15-30 minutes for $150 plus tip. I agree it’s kinda crazy to do. And definitely agree part is that we want to be there right now!
Thanks!

Yep, that's about the avg time saved by taking a Ride Share (or equivalent) and using ME.
We've taken ME often, 90 is the time almost every time. Rare for it to be shorter. I don't believe it's ever been longer.
I do opt to use Ride Share sometimes but only when I'm beat from traveling and just want to get to the resort and take away the unknowns. But I'm only saving 30 min and any frustrations I feel by not being the one in charge of the timing. Sometimes you can't put a value on that

 

[nkereina]

Ride share is a good option - will get you there a bit quicker, but you're not stuck with the hefty $150 price tag.

The rule of thumb for DME is to budget 90 minutes from landing to the time you're arriving at your resort. Like PP, I've rarely had it be shorter than that and more than half the time, its longer than that. The commute alone with no delays between the airport and WDW is 30 minutes. Add onto that time spent in line at DME, time spent waiting on the bus, traffic, construction delays, and dropping people off at resorts other than yours first, and it easily becomes a long-ish ride.

 

[seashoreCM]

I'll take being the last drop over having a bus driver doing 40 on an inter-state highway.

You can rule out drop offs at other resorts before yours by choosing an alternate form of transportation from Magical Express but for all forms you face the chance of a driver doing under 40 in a 55 plus zone.

 

[monorailsilver]

I can tell you in August 2018, we landed at 9:30am, got our bags from baggage claim with 2 other flights on the same carousel, went to DME and were at the BC by 11-11:15.