My experience...arrived in MCO at 11:50 a.m. We were on the bus (DME) at 12:15. On the road at 12:30. Arrived at BCV at 1ish, were sitting by the pool at 1:15, in our room at 2:30, our luggage arrived at 3ish. We always pack a carry-on with bathing suits and anything we might need for the first hrs at WDW...even if we don't do DME. I hate having to rummage through my 'checked' luggage to get something. And usually it has already been given to Bell Services, so I have to have them go and find it. This coming trip, next Friday, I won't be getting my luggage tags from DME since I booked this trip just a week ahead of time! But I'll be doing just carry-on for my dd and myself anyway, so it shouldn't be an issue.
As far as taking your carry-on stuff with you....exactly how much carry-on can I bring onto the bus with me? I took my tote bag last month and didn't think to look and see what size bags others were taking on with them. Do most people just hand over their carry-on bags..the type with wheels, to the bus driver to stow underneath? I'm using two small duffle type bags.