MCO to POR: DME vs Taxi

[daybreaker]

We used to book with MEARS to/from the airport, but their prices went up substantially since our last trip.

I was just wondering what most people here would do... My wife doesnt like DME because she likes keeping our luggage with us, but I read in another thread here that you can bring your luggage with you onto DME if you really want to.

So my only concern is- how long does it really take, once you leave baggage claim, to get from MCO to your resort? I figure you will be waiting for a bus, but then also making the rounds to various resorts- potentially several resorts- before you get to yours.

So is the 45-75 min estimate on Disney's FAQ accurate? And how expensive is a Taxi from MCO to POR? It might be worth it to book the taxi to go directly to the resort, rather than waiting around for DME.

 

[Jestocost]

The best estimate for DME is 60-90 minutes from plane to resort IF you use the luggage transfer service. If you get your own bags, add at least another 20 minutes to that time. If you want to use DME and get your own bags just leave off the yellow tags they send with your DME packet and go to the carousel.

Taking a cab will get you to the resort about 60-90 minutes from when you get off of the plane depending on how long you have to wait for bags and other factors. It also will cost you $45 or more for the trip.

 

[skiingfast]

I find the Disney estimate is ok. But if you have to wait at the DME check in add some time. If you have to wait for the bus to fill up because it was slow at check in, add some time. Still it's a fair estimate if things run smoothly. The difference in the min and max of the estimate accurately reflect if your resort is the first or third stop.

If DW doesn't like checking the bags then use the yellow tags on everyone elses. With a little planning her current reasoning will be illogical.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes you can bring your luggage via DME! If you don't put the yellow luggage tags on your checked bags you can claim them from the baggage carosel and bring them to the DME check in. The driver will stow them under the bus and then retreive them at your resort. However -this adds time to the trip as you have to wait on the bags!

I have used DME many times and never had a trip more than 80 minutes from landing to resort. My average trip is 70 minutes and my last two were 60 minutes which was quicker than my most recent town car trip (stayed at the Dolphin, no DME).

Most DME routes have no more than 3 resort stops and its luck of the draw as to which stop you will be.

Alternatetly I would not pay for a cab, if you want to skip DME then I would look into a towncar. We use Tiffany but there are quite a few good ones authorized to service MCO. This way you have a guaranteed ride at a guaranteed price, personal service and most offer a free grocery stop with a r/t booking.

I must point out though that IMHO the luggage delivery feature of DME is one of the best perks. In over 2 dozen trips we have never had a problem having our bags delivered in a timely manner.

ETA - even when it seemed that we waited "forever" in line or on the bus when I checked the actual time from landing to resort it was fairly quick. IMHO as the solo adult traveling with kids using DME and the luggage delivery makes things much quicker and easier

 

[kaytieeldr]

Would you mind just asking your wife why she trusts the airline to transport your luggage several hundred miles, entirely out of her sight and control, but doesn't trust Magical Express to transport it 25 miles from the airport to your resort room despite GPS tracking and each bag/tag being scanned a minimum of five times between the plane and the room?

 

[goofy4tink]

Have to agree with kaytieeldr on this one. This is a hugely bigger chance that the airlines will misdirect your luggage than DME. But, that's your choice. Can you bring your checked bags to the bus with you? Yes, you can. Be prepared to tip the driver for this though. As soon as that driver touches a bag, a tip is expected. And then when you get to your resort, you will again be expected to tip for room delivery of your bags.
When you use DME to transfer your baggage, they take care of all tips.

If you decide to bring your checked bags with you, to the bus, do not tag them with the yellow DME tags. Now...the timing is going to be different for different airlines. If you are flying in on an airline that has gates on Side A of the airport, you will take the tram from the gate (level 3) and then go down to level 2 to baggage claim on Side A. Get your bags (could be up to 20+ mins), then go back up to level 3, Side A and cross over the main area of the terminal. Head to Side B, then go down to level 1, where you will find DME checkin. Normally, it takes an average of 70 mins from gate to resort. BUT..if you are arriving on Side A, and decide to get your own bags, you can safely add another 30 mins to that time.
If you arrive on Side B, just get off the tram, head to Side B, go down to level 2, get your bags from baggage claim, and continue down to level 1 and DME. If arriving on Side B, it will add about 20 mins to your time.

Up to you. If you decide on a cab, it will cost about $50...from what I've been told.