magical express worth it?

[Forever Disney Young]

We are going to Disney over spring break and trying to decide whether to use magical express or get a towncar. I know it's free, but we went on a Disney cruise over spring break a couple years ago and walk past an ENORMOUS line for magical express. I'm sure it took those people forever to get to their resorts. Not sure if that time of year will be so busy that it might be better to get a towncar. Any thoughts?

 

[disneyfaninaz]

It takes an average of 70 minutes to get from MCO to your resort, and they take your luggage for you. If you used a towncar, you would have to wait for your luggage and then get drivin to your resort. I say it's a wash as far as how long it would take.

The lines at DME move pretty fast, as they keep moving busses in and our as needed. It also depends what time of day you arrive on how busy it will be. We have arrived on a Friday night and not had to wait longer than 5 minutes in line and another 5-10 minutes on the bus before we were off.

 

[Alesia]

You would be very surprised how quickly the line moves.

When we were there for spring break the DME line was really, really long. It was actually longer than the queue. I only stood there for about 10 minutes. Our total time, from the minute we stepped off the plane to the minute we walked into the lobby at Pop, was 72 minutes. That also included a bathroom stop in the airport.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Well remember if you take a towncar you will have to claim your luggage at the airport plus pay to get to Disney plus tip the driver. If your room is not available you will have to store your luggage with bell services and tip them as well.
It worth it to just take ME let them deal with claiming your luggage and ride the bus to WDW.
I'd rather save the money and use it on my vacation than to waste it on something I could have gotten for free.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

^^^^ I totally agree..we use to rent a car for all our vacations before the rental rates skyrocketed....we have used disney magical express for 3 trips over the last year and have loved it..

 

[Bobo912]

We are going to Disney over spring break and trying to decide whether to use magical express or get a towncar. I know it's free, but we went on a Disney cruise over spring break a couple years ago and walk past an ENORMOUS line for magical express. I'm sure it took those people forever to get to their resorts. Not sure if that time of year will be so busy that it might be better to get a towncar. Any thoughts?

What month are you going to WDW? I've used DME lots of times and never had to stand in line for more than 2 or 3 minutes. I have had to sit on the bus for about 10 minutes waiting for other people to board. We've been to WDW in Jan, Feb, May, Oct, Nov and Dec (week before Christmas), but we've avoided the really crowded times of the year. I love DME and will always use it.

Edit: Sorry I see you said Spring Break. Doh!

 

[Edd]

If you are going when everyone else is going there will be definite delays traveling DME. The 70 minutes average, you notice average time, time applies when the traffic to Disney is normal. There are times and days when it is not normal, but I don't think anyone can predict them. If you want a guaranteed time you would be better off utilizing other means of transportation when you know everyone else is visiting WDW.

 

[goofy4tink]

And again I say.....crowds of people checking in at DME don't always make for a long wait time!! I checked in in early Dec, the same time a massive amount of guests, some PopWarner families, were checking in...Sat, early afternoon!! That line was monstrous...back to the car rental counters. BUT...it took only 15 mins to get through the line!! All spaces were manned by CMs. If people had no need to be in the line (had vouchers in hand, etc.) they tend to get sent right to the bus lines by a CM before you get to the actual counter que.
That entire trip took about 80-85 mins..not so bad when you consider how many people there were.

You can take DME, free, and figure on an average of 70-80 mins...if it's busy. Or you can book a car service, for around $100, plus tip, and figure on it taking about 60 mins...from MCO to WDW. Completely up to you. It's all about what works best for you and your family.

I am not promoting one or the other.....just trying to be sure that all the correct info gets out there.

 

[dburg30]

And I would think at busy times that towncar services could book up / be delayed also?

 

[Forever Disney Young]

Thanks everybody! I think we will stick with Magical Express.