ME is it for everyone?

[MDNH4]

I know ME is a polarizing topic: either you are for it or against it (or at least it seems that way)

I am relatively new to this board and am impressed with the level of knowledge and insight people share here. Hopefully, this post measures up. I just got back from WDW and we were there with another couple that visits at least 4 times a year. I elected not to participate in ME due to what is important to me and my family. I didn't want to get there and not KNOW when, where, and how I would get to my room. Would my luggage be there, etc. Therefore I elected to use a towncar service. I think it boils down to what each of us is comfortable with.

Our friends, on the other hand, elected to use ME and had a relatively good experience with it. There were some hiccups and some minor inconveniences (ie. stop order changes, lack of information) that have been referenced elsewhere on this board. When we got home, I asked if they would do it again they said yes if it's free but no if they had to pay for it. The one thing they hated was leaving 3 hours prior to their flight.

IMO the bottom line is this: if you want certainty and control don't use it. If you don't mind going with the flow and maybe being a bit inconvenienced go for it and use ME. As with everything, Disney WILL get this running smoothly and it will ultimately be a success.

 

[Lewisc]

I know ME is a polarizing topic: either you are for it or against it (or at least it seems that way)

Not really, most guests share your opinion. ME is free but some people are willing to pay extra for the personal service of a towncar or the flexibility of a rental car.

The "polarizing" threads have been around the issue of tipping the ME driver and if a guest can use ME to transfer their luggage but take a towncar or rental car. Given the luggage delays with ME that question doesn't come up as much as it did before ME started.

 

[safetymom]

Leaving 3 hours before a flight shouldn't be an issue. With the larger crowds at the airport now many times you need the extra time to check in and get through security.

I would rather be sitting at the gate with time to spare than miss the flight or be worrying if I was going to make it.

 

[shatzjsl]

I agree with safetymom. We are renting a car but still plan on being at MCO at least 2 1/2 hours early. You never know when something will happen that will cause a delay.

If I were traveling alone I would probably use ME. If I didn't have to take my niece to the airport a day early I would hire a towncar. Just depends on the situation.

 

[CleveRocks]

The one thing they hated was leaving 3 hours prior to their flight.

I wasn't happy with the idea of being picked up 2 hours and 45 minutes ahead of my scheduled flight departure time. Boy am I glad that was the pickup time!!!

6:45 p.m. flight on a Saturday. The DME bus came to CBR empty, left three-quarters full, and didn;t make any stops on our way to MCO. We didn't have much wait time at the ticket counter (a skycap ushered us to the front), but security took a long time, and then there was the matter of eating dinner at the airport. I know, I know, not an appetizing proposition, but with 2 kids there wasn't much choice due to the timing of our flight. It would have been be different if we were coming from home, but after a week of WDW it's not like we were easily able to pack something for the kids to eat at the gate.

Anyway, we waited in very long food lines, ate, then went to our gate. They had already started the pre-boarding, so we made it just in time. If we had been picked up 2 hours and 30 minutes before our flight, we wouldn't have been able to have the almost-normal dinner that we had.

-- Eric

 

[cranbiz]

MCO is rebounding well from post 9/11. The security lines, though efficient, have been long. I left there Friday morning, arrived at the security line at 6:45am and waited almost 45 minutes. I had a 8:20 flight, so I had no problem, but if I had not got there early, I would have been sweating.

It has been this way for a while, I would always get to MCO 2 hours early.

 

[CuteKatCar]

Any time we've used a towncar we *have* sat at a gate with time to spare - and we didn't leave 3 hours before our flight. That is the one aspect of DME that is bugging me. I just may use them for the way there, but use a towncar for the ride back to the airport.

Anna