ME or FREE Private Transfer

[bgsnmky]

I am in a dilema and no matter how I work out the pros and cons...they are even...so I figure my trusty Disboarders can help out!

9 of us - teenagers up to grandparents.
half of the people have used ME before and half have not.
(adding this info as the "cute factor").

I have an opportunity for FREE private 10 passenger van transportation to Kidani Village. or of course we can take the ME.

I will for sure use the Private transfer back to the airport as we can check our luggage at the hotel and the private transfer wno't make us go back to the airport as early.

Here is my list of pros and cons in trying to decide:

Magical Express
Pro's
- no hassle with checked luggage
- VERY cute and Disneyish
- others on bus --- Cute factor kids all excited etc

Con
- MAY (but not sure) have to wait on others before leaving
- MAY have other stops before Kidani
- others on bus ---- mabye not so cute

Private Transfer
Pro's
- straight to resort
- leave when we are ready

Con
- NO cute factor
- hassel of checked luggage
- need to WAIT for luggage

so...anyone's thoughts!!

Does anyone know if the ME to AKL is a first stop, only stop, or last stop on a ME route?

It has been so long since I have collected luggage at the MCO aiport..does anyone remember if it takes forever to get it. Example at DFW I can be in the luggage area for 15 to 20 minutes until the luggage comes.

 

[pumba]

We took ME once and was three stops before our resort.......going back to MCO was delayed 45 minutes and if we had not checked our bags we would of missed our flight....

we have used two different town car services. One time we used a van for ten people from Florida Tours. We were a large group and it worked out fantastic......Usually we just do a town car from Florida Tours and feel very special...
Love the feel of a man in a suit with our name on a big card at the bottom of the escalator to the luggage claim

We had our luggage and we were out of there in twenty minutes after we landed......so not bad at all

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

I usually use ME, although I haven't yet taken it to AKL so I can't help you there.

I can tell you that on our last trip, we rented a car at the airport and so had to get our own luggage. It seemed to me that by the time we stopped for the restroom, rode the monorail back to the main terminal and then walk to the luggage area, the luggage was just starting to come out. Now, you may need to wait several minutes for your luggage to make it onto the belt, but I thought that part was relatively quick.

 

[tjmw2727]

I like DME and use it a few times a year. Sometimes there is a wait at the airport and sometimes a stop before yours. My average trip is 70 minutes from checking in at DME to checking in at the Resort.

However a free van will probably be faster even after waiting at bag claim and definately more comfortable for the grandparents. I find MCO fairly quik to deliver the checked bags to the carosel.

Or, if a couple adults and some of the kids want to "volunteer" to ride DME then you could send all the bags through via the DME and use the luggage delivery. This way the rest of the party, especially the grandparents can take the private van.

If you use DME luggage delivery make sure everyone realizes it can take up to 3 hours after resort check in to get the bags. Just pack your carryon accordingly and your all set. We have never actually been in the room when the luggage arrived so I really don't know how long ours has taken.

 

[budbeerlady]

We have taken it to AKL, it did stop at Pop first back then. We have done both and Dd loves the movie on ME. It is cute and lets them see Disney property with the added musical flair! For the 1st trip I would take ME there but NOT back.

 

[bgsnmky]

This is why I love this board...keep em coming!

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

This past February, we decided to take ME since our flight wasn't arriving to Orlando until almost midnight.
We had to stop at POP, CBR and CS before arriving at AKL! We were SO exhausted when we got to AKL that we could barely move.
I would never have thought that ME would be so busy at midnight on a weeknight in Feb.
I was disappointed, and I will always use a private transfer again. Plus, I like getting the free grocery stop on the way to the resort.

Just a vent....I believe we should've been dropped off FIRST since we paid for a DELUXE resort.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I like the "split party" suggestion. Some people take Magical Express, so ALL luggage can be tagged and 'magically' delivered to your rooms. Note that if the DME riders are in only one or two of the rooms, the luggage will all be delivered to those rooms and will need to be sorted by you all later. Everybody else can use the private transportation on the way to Kidani.

 

[bgsnmky]

This is a great idea...BUT I know my parents (the grandparents) would not like that -- they l ike being all togehter!!

I like the "split party" suggestion. Some people take Magical Express, so ALL luggage can be tagged and 'magically' delivered to your rooms. Note that if the DME riders are in only one or two of the rooms, the luggage will all be delivered to those rooms and will need to be sorted by you all later. Everybody else can use the private transportation on the way to Kidani.

 

[WildGrits]

Boy that is a toughy.

I only used ME once and really did like it. There is something to be said about having the magic start right at the airport. I really enjoyed it.

But

A huge con for me was arriving at CBR to check in. Our bus only went to CBR. The wait to check in with Lord knows how many other families really, really, really stunk. I have never in the past waited so long to check in.

In the past we drove and will do so again this August. A plus when it comes to driving is that you can make a quick stop and pick up some provisions on the way, AKA beer.

I never could see what the big deal was when it came to waiting for your luggage at the airport. I don't understand why people rush to get those front of the plane seats or the stampede to get off the plane. We usually just wait out the other folks and by the time we get to the luggage carousel our stuff is taking it's little joy ride.

I guess if I was staying at Kandani Village and the van would stop at Publix for you, that would be my option.

 

[winterman]

I will for sure use the Private transfer back to the airport as we can check our luggage at the hotel and the private transfer wno't make us go back to the airport as early.


It has been so long since I have collected luggage at the MCO aiport..does anyone remember if it takes forever to get it. Example at DFW I can be in the luggage area for 15 to 20 minutes until the luggage comes.

Be careful about cutting it too close on your return to the airport. The security lines can be awful.

We never had a problem collecting luggage at MCO. I don't recall ever waiting more than 10 or 15 minutes after we get down to the luggage area.

 

[goofy4tink]

AKL..both Kidani and Jambo House...are usually combined with CSR and POP. POP has been the first stop the majority of the time. I did have one trip, to POP, when AKL (but it was only Jambo at that time) was the first stop, then CSR and then finally POP.
It should take an average of 70 mins from gate to resort. But...in your case that is going to be different. You have a large group which is always harder to manage. There will be some that 'have' to get something to eat before heading to DME..there will be some who 'have' to make that restroom stop, and then there is always going to be that one person who didn't have to 'go' then, but does have to 'go' about 8 mins later!!!
It should take about 15 mins for bags to come along at baggage claim, but again...you have a large party, which is going to mean a possibly longer wait. You will probably run into Murphy's law here...someone's bags will be the first down....then, there will be a long wait until that last person's bags come along..most likely the last bags arriving at baggage claim.

If it were me...I would tag the checked bags with DME yellow tags and let DME take care of baggage delivery If there are some things that you really want to have early on, then you can pack some carryon bags with what you'll need, or just leave one checked bag untagged and go and get it. I would then have a few in the group ride the bus, while the others used the free van. I know the grandparents want to have everyone together, but..sometimes we don't get what we 'want'. Now, if they are paying for the trip then I guess you have to do it their way. But, it would be so much easier to have a few in the group ride the bus and then let DME handle the bags rather than everyone standing around, waiting for bags at baggage claim, then lugging them to the van.

And yes, before anyone 'goes there'...there are some people that tag their bags in any case and then don't ride the bus. They make a DME reservation with no intention of using it for themselves, but just for their bags. It has been done successfully. And that's all that is going to be said about that practice here. End of that discussion.


Also, when it's time to return to MCO, be sure you leave enough time. Do NOT cut it too closely. MCO suggests arriving there about 2 hrs before flight departure. With that many in the group, you will most likely need some addtl time. Don't plan on leaving your resort 90 mins before your flight. There is a reason DME picks up 3 hrs before flight time...they get you to MCO just about 2 hrs before hand,,,maybe a few minutes earlier than that.

 

[bgsnmky]

As of now the return transfer is picking us up at 9 for an 11:30 flight..so I am thinking it should be enough time and we shoudl be checking our luggage in at the resort.!

 

[Alexander]

I personally hate DME, and all of WDW transportation in general!

However, with such a large group and I'm sure large amount of luggage, it might be nice for you to just get on the bus and have your luggage delivered. It really is a seamless process.

(I hate DME and WDW transportation because I hate waiting, and I hate not having control.)

 

[goofy4tink]

As of now the return transfer is picking us up at 9 for an 11:30 flight..so I am thinking it should be enough time and we shoudl be checking our luggage in at the resort.!

I'm assuming that's a.m., not p.m. So..with that in mind, your bags have to be completely checked, boarding passes in hand, no later than 8:30. Everything has to be accomplished no less than 3 hrs before flight time. And, that's a very busy time of day for RAC...especially with so many people to get done. I would make sure that you are down at the RAC area by 7:45 at the latest. You could get there and be able to go right up to the counter. BUT....you may get there and find 20 people ahead of you!!! That would make it almost impossible to get your baggage business done in time.

 

[clkelley]

My recent experiences with the baggage carousel at MCO would have me most definitely taking DME when I can.

I was traveling to Orlando for work quite a bit earlier this year. On three of the four landings I had, my luggage didn't make the transfer in Atlanta and was brought in on the next flight (about 40 minutes later).

In all cases, I waited 15 minutes after getting to the carousel for the luggage to start rolling. By the time I realized my luggage wasn't in that bunch, it was 45 minutes after my flight landed. So then I waited an additional 20 minutes for the luggage from the next flight to arrive, claimed my bags, went to the rental car, etc.

If I had been visiting Disney and using DME, I would have been to the resort by the time my luggage got to the airport and enjoying my day. The DME luggage folks would have snagged it when it arrived and delivered it to the resort. No actions required on my part and no waste of my day.

So consider this, especially if you have a plane change somewhere, sitting around the airport with 9 folks for almost an hour because your luggage didn't make the transfer when you could be on the bus enjoying your day.

 

[bgsnmky]

Love your little camper.....

We don't have a change plane so we should be ok with that.

My recent experiences with the baggage carousel at MCO would have me most definitely taking DME when I can.

I was traveling to Orlando for work quite a bit earlier this year. On three of the four landings I had, my luggage didn't make the transfer in Atlanta and was brought in on the next flight (about 40 minutes later).

In all cases, I waited 15 minutes after getting to the carousel for the luggage to start rolling. By the time I realized my luggage wasn't in that bunch, it was 45 minutes after my flight landed. So then I waited an additional 20 minutes for the luggage from the next flight to arrive, claimed my bags, went to the rental car, etc.

If I had been visiting Disney and using DME, I would have been to the resort by the time my luggage got to the airport and enjoying my day. The DME luggage folks would have snagged it when it arrived and delivered it to the resort. No actions required on my part and no waste of my day.

So consider this, especially if you have a plane change somewhere, sitting around the airport with 9 folks for almost an hour because your luggage didn't make the transfer when you could be on the bus enjoying your day.

 

[sbrotherton]

The deciding factor for me would be your arrival time at MCO. If you are arriving during the day and plan to hit the parks before you can get into your room, I would go DME. If you are getting in later in the day or evening (any time after 5pm), I would go private transfer. I am an unpacker...must. unpack. bags. immediately. Only then does my vacation begin. Since it takes AT LEAST 3 hours for your bags to show up, when we arrive in the evening, we get our own bags and haul them. It's really not a huge deal and you don't have to wait for your stuff to arrive.

I used to love the private transfer/town car option, but you can't beat the price of DME. Had I endless supplies of cash, I'd still be doing private transfers, but as they say, "cheap is good, but free is better."

 

[bgsnmky]

WE are arriving at 10:55 am and will be hitting the parks....

and the PRIVATE transfer for us is free....otherwise I wouldn't even question it.

We were doing DME all the way, and I love it...but then someone wanted to get us Private Transfers for my parents 50th anniversary...so FREE for us....

Which is making the decision hard.

The deciding factor for me would be your arrival time at MCO. If you are arriving during the day and plan to hit the parks before you can get into your room, I would go DME. If you are getting in later in the day or evening (any time after 5pm), I would go private transfer. I am an unpacker...must. unpack. bags. immediately. Only then does my vacation begin. Since it takes AT LEAST 3 hours for your bags to show up, when we arrive in the evening, we get our own bags and haul them. It's really not a huge deal and you don't have to wait for your stuff to arrive.

I used to love the private transfer/town car option, but you can't beat the price of DME. Had I endless supplies of cash, I'd still be doing private transfers, but as they say, "cheap is good, but free is better."

 

[avw1295]

We used ME last year to AKL. We only stopped at CS before reaching AKL. Kidani Village had just opened at the time. ME stopped at Jambo before going to Kidani. We are traveling this weekend and I am debating whether or not to use ME this time because of time concerns.