ME bus schedule

[nmanning19]

I would assume that they run continously? There seems to be a lot of postings that they take a long time to get to your hotel. Can you give me any tips, thanks.

 

[dacky041208]

They do run somewhat continuously. After you check in, you'll be put in line for a bus, then load a bus, and I think I read they try to make it so that no one waits more than 20 minutes once they are on the bus (last year we only waited about 5) before it leaves. I don't think they will send busses often if they only have a handful of passengers in each one. What can take a while afterwards, each bus might go to 3 or 4 resorts, so if you happen to be the 4th stop on that trip, it might take a while. Even so, I think most people get to their resort between 70-90 minutes after deplaning, which I don't think is bad at all.

 

[kaytieeldr]

"A lot" is relative. Millions of people - including hundreds, if not thousands, of DISers - have used Magical Express since its inception over four years ago with no issues about timing.

The seventy to ninety minutes stated by the above poster starts from when Guests get off the plane, not from when the bus leaves the airport. EXTREMELY reasonable, especially for free/no added cost transportation.

 

[goofy4tink]

Your time will vary...here's how it could breakdown...
10-20 mins from plane to DME checkin (depending on pace and bathroom stops)
5-20 mins at DME counter (depends on crowd, time usually less than 10 mins)
0-20 mins in bus line
0-25 mins on bus (depends on where you are in line and how many on bus already)
30-50 mins to resort (depends on which resort stop you are..1, 2, or 3)

My average time has been 70 mins, from deplaning to resort. Most times have been around an hour but one was closer to 90 mins. Times seem to be a bit longer lately due to fewer buses and/or buses waiting to get more guests on board.

 

[VAN]

Agree with goofy4tink's assessment. I'd just plan on 2 hrs from exiting the aircraft to getting your room key. I certainly wouldn't have an ADR too close to your scheduled arrival ... your plane could be delayed, you could end up with a lengthy DME experience, etc. Keep in mind that even if you had a town car waiting, you'd have to wait for baggage and then it is at least a 30 min drive from MCO to a WDW resort. Using DME may only add 30 min or less to your trip unless you just had carry-on.

Anyway, its one of the perks of staying at a WDW resort.

I've used it 3 times ... yeah, it can be frustrating waiting in line and then waiting on the bus again, but you eventually get there. It's better than being at work. LOL!

We rented a car in March, but used DME to get to the resort; we saved money by renting from one of the WDW locations (airport rental was $65 more!!). Disney also handled our luggage, so that also was a big plus.

Anyway, just plan on it taking awhile and if you get there sooner than expected, you'll be ahead of the game.

 

[Alesia]

I would assume that they run continously? There seems to be a lot of postings that they take a long time to get to your hotel. Can you give me any tips, thanks.

I think that a lot of the problem is that people have unrealistic expectations. They think that if the plane lands at noon, their vacation starts at noon.

They don't take into account that WDW is not right next door to the airport. It's about a 40 minute drive. It also takes some time just to get through the airport. A cab or a car service will not generally be much faster than ME.

 

[ParrotBill]

Agree... you hear about a few defects but thousands of people a day go through. We've used it a dozen times and once we had a 30 minute wait before our bus left the airport... that was the only slight delay and still not bad.
All other times our bus left within 20 minutes of checking in to the bus area.

During slower times they will aggregate more resorts onto 1 bus. At busier times your bus may go to only 2 resorts.