ME versus private car

[cadale]

Am considering hiring a private car service this time when we arrive instead of ME. We don't arrive until evening and was thinking a private car would make the trip to AKV faster. What has been your experience with a private car service and who would you recommend? Is it faster than ME? Where in MCO do you meet up with the driver? Thanks for any and all info.

 

[crzy4dsny]

Yes it is faster than ME. Get your luggage and go. They will take you directly to your resort, no stopping at others. They meet you at the bottom of escalator in the baggage claim area. They will also stop at a grocery store if you pre-arrange it.

 

[maxiesmom]

Unless you are arriving after 10 pm and will have to stop and get your luggage anyway a car service won't save you a ton of time. It is usually quicker to let DME handle your bags and just hop on the bus.

The only time I would use a towncar is arriving after 10 pm. Even if you use DME you have to stop and get your checked bags at that time of night. So a towncar would be a smidge faster. But it will also cost around $70 one way.

 

[DisneyNDecember]

We used FL Tours (DIS sponsor) one year when we went to Universal Studios Hard Rock Hotel & they were GREAT !!! You get a grocery stop & it is very convenient & well priced.

I have also debated about using them for our next Disneyworld vacation because by the time you either ship food/water/drink to the resort or have it delivered, you could have easily just paid for a town car thru FL Tours & get pampered to/from your resort & airport............ I am really leaning this way for our next visit possibly.

LOVED FL Tours !!! Great service !!!!

P.S.
We have used Disney Magical Express for years, it is also great, but if you like to have water, red bulls, coconut water, & some snacks in your room, it is nice to make a quick stop to the store with FL tours. They meet you at the baggage area, they carry your luggage for you, & they get you there fast !!!

 

[goofy4tink]

I have pretty much used all types of transportation to WDW. I usually use DME. I have had times of anywhere from 50 mins to 85 mins...gate to resort. When using a car service, with checked bags, it has taken me about an hour...pretty much every time.
So, yes, you will save some timed. Not a lot but some. If I were arriving later in the day, any time after 7pm, I wouldn't use DME and would just book a car serviced. Why? I don't want to chance getting in late, after DME stops baggage handling. That's a pain. I want to get to the resort and get unpacked and settled when arriving in the evening. If I take DME, it is going to take a fair amount of time to get my bags. At that time of day, I want to relax.

If you are going to need groceries as well? Most car services will give you that free 30 min stop. They usually know the grocery store that will fit your needs.

Car service drivers usually meet you right at baggage claim. They will help you with your bags. Very nice if you don't want to struggle with them.
I have used both Tiffany Towncar and Fl Tours (a board sponsor). I never had a bad experience with TT and my most recent experience with FL Tours was a very good one!! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the board sponsor now!!

 

[cadale]

Thanks for the info! Not wanting to wait 3 hours for my luggage from DME at night was one of the reasons I was considering a car service.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks for the info! Not wanting to wait 3 hours for my luggage from DME at night was one of the reasons I was considering a car service.

I hope you know that you don't have to stay in your room waiting for ME to deliver your bags. They will put them in your room for you even if you are not there!

Also, any time you fly it is smart to have what you need for the first 24 hours in your carry-on. So you shouldn't need anything from your checked bags right away. The front desk will hold your checked bags for you until the next day if you ask. Then you call down for them when you are ready for them.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks for the info! Not wanting to wait 3 hours for my luggage from DME at night was one of the reasons I was considering a car service.

You can leave the tags off your checked bags and then go get then yourself at baggage claim. Then bring then to the bus with you. They will be stored beneath your bus and handed to you when you get to your resort. The driver will expect a tip for handling your bags though.

Always pack a carryon with anything you may need to start your vacation...just in case your checked bag gets misdirected by the airline.

 

[Fairyjen1]

We are using FL tours to hire a towncar for our trip in September. It's my first time using a towncar. We would probably have gone with DME, but we are getting in around 11PM and would have to get our own luggage anyway. Also the food stop is nice. I already contacted FL tours and they will stop at fast food for us on the way to the hotel.

The other bonus is that they will pick you up a little later for your return trip than the DME does so a bit extra time on check out day.

 

[goofy4tink]

We are using FL tours to hire a towncar for our trip in September. It's my first time using a towncar. We would probably have gone with DME, but we are getting in around 11PM and would have to get our own luggage anyway. Also the food stop is nice. I already contacted FL tours and they will stop at fast food for us on the way to the hotel.

The other bonus is that they will pick you up a little later for your return trip than the DME does so a bit extra time on check out day.

Ask for Kenny as a driver. He is terrific!! Had him in early June!! Really did a great job.

 

[Huggups]

I like DME and will probably use it for departure but for arrival I would definitely consider the town car. Going directly to your resort is my goal and I really don't want to stop at up to 6-7 other resorts on the way. Time is money for me so it's worth the price for the one-way trip particularly since I'll have park tickets for that first day. I've done the DME several times and never have I been lucky enough to be the first or second dropoff on that trip. I've always been one of the last.

 

[maxiesmom]

I like DME and will probably use it for departure but for arrival I would definitely consider the town car. Going directly to your resort is my goal and I really don't want to stop at up to 6-7 other resorts on the way. Time is money for me so it's worth the price for the one-way trip particularly since I'll have park tickets for that first day. I've done the DME several times and never have I been lucky enough to be the first or second dropoff on that trip. I've always been one of the last.

Don't forget that you will need to pick up any checked luggage at the airport. So you do go directly to your resort--after a quick stop to get your bags.

That is what I love most about DME. Not having to stop to get my luggage.

 

[Huggups]

Don't forget that you will need to pick up any checked luggage at the airport. So you do go directly to your resort--after a quick stop to get your bags.

That is what I love most about DME. Not having to stop to get my luggage.

That may be true but I may not be checking my bag so I would have it with me anyway. Besides, I haven't totally ruled out the DME but the town car is worth a look based on past experiences on the DME. The town car would also be cheaper than renting a car which is what we usually do. I'm also concerned if I do have to check a bag, how long it will take to get my luggage using the DME?

 

[maxiesmom]

That may be true but I may not be checking my bag so I would have it with me anyway. Besides, I haven't totally ruled out the DME but the town car is worth a look based on past experiences on the DME. The town car would also be cheaper than renting a car which is what we usually do. I'm also concerned if I do have to check a bag, how long it will take to get my luggage using the DME?

DME delivers your luggage to your room within 3-4 hours of your checking in at the resort.

I only pointed out that you would still have to stop and pick up any checked bags because you stated time is money. And if you have to stop you lose a bit of the time you had saved, and the cost of that car trip goes up a little more. I'm not criticizing, I've used towncars before! I just wanted to make sure you were factoring that luggage stop in too!

 

[Huggups]

DME delivers your luggage to your room within 3-4 hours of your checking in at the resort.

I only pointed out that you would still have to stop and pick up any checked bags because you stated time is money. And if you have to stop you lose a bit of the time you had saved, and the cost of that car trip goes up a little more. I'm not criticizing, I've used towncars before! I just wanted to make sure you were factoring that luggage stop in too!

I understand where you're coming from. I didn't take your response as criticism against the town car alternative. I'm just trying to consider all my options and won't dismiss the DME entirely because it's hard to ignore the fact that it is a complimentary service. I just don't like the possibility of getting our bags 3-4 hours after we've checked in so we would have to consider carrying our own bags either way.

 

[goofy4tink]

Here are my average times using various modes of transport from MCO to my resorts.

DME......average of about 75 mins. Had times of 60 mins but one time it was 90! That last time there were extenuating circumstances, but still 90 mins.
Towncar service......with checked bags....60-65 mins.
Town car......carry-on only......45 mins.
Mears shuttle....carry-on only.....90 mins.

I have been the first DME stop, I have been the last. I have never been on a DME bus that made more than 4 stops. More than that would be unusual.

If you don't want to wait for your bags to get to your room with DME, you can always leave the tags off them and go to baggage claim and get them yourself. You can bring the bags to the bus with you and have them with you when you get to the resort. That would add about 15-20 mi s to the overall time.

 

[Huggups]

Here are my average times using various modes of transport from MCO to my resorts.

DME......average of about 75 mins. Had times of 60 mins but one time it was 90! That last time there were extenuating circumstances, but still 90 mins.
Towncar service......with checked bags....60-65 mins.
Town car......carry-on only......45 mins.
Mears shuttle....carry-on only.....90 mins.

I have been the first DME stop, I have been the last. I have never been on a DME bus that made more than 4 stops. More than that would be unusual.

If you don't want to wait for your bags to get to your room with DME, you can always leave the tags off them and go to baggage claim and get them yourself. You can bring the bags to the bus with you and have them with you when you get to the resort. That would add about 15-20 mi s to the overall time.

Definitely something to think about. The main thing is not having the luggage when checking in. My flight gets in about 11 a.m. so I'm calculating a no later than 12:30 - 12:45 arrival time to resort. If I do have ME take luggage, I'm hoping the bags would arrive by 4 p.m. check-in time. Do you think there's a good chance of that?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Am considering hiring a private car service this time when we arrive instead of ME. We don't arrive until evening and was thinking a private car would make the trip to AKV faster. What has been your experience with a private car service and who would you recommend? Is it faster than ME? Where in MCO do you meet up with the driver? Thanks for any and all info.

Sadly, my experience in Orlando has me running from car services there. I have used several of the ones touted on here. Rude drivers, late drivers etc.... I don't need the stress of dealing with some jerk who is all whiney because my plane was late. It's either DME or a rental car now.

 

[goofy4tink]

Definitely something to think about. The main thing is not having the luggage when checking in. My flight gets in about 11 a.m. so I'm calculating a no later than 12:30 - 12:45 arrival time to resort. If I do have ME take luggage, I'm hoping the bags would arrive by 4 p.m. check-in time. Do you think there's a good chance of that?

Absolutely. Unless your bags get misdirected by the airlines, but I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Sadly, my experience in Orlando has me running from car services there. I have used several of the ones touted on here. Rude drivers, late drivers etc.... I don't need the stress of dealing with some jerk who is all whiney because my plane was late. It's either DME or a rental car now.

I suppose that there are some drivers out there that could do that. But in all my experiences, I have had just one bad car service experience. And it was with a board sponsored one no less!! BUT...I have used them since then, and had wonderful service. I used Tiffany for my ride from Sanford to WDW....our flight was delayed 2 hrs!!! They tracked the flight, knew it was going to be late and were there, waiting for us. The only thing that was different was that the driver asked us if we HAD to go to a true grocery store or were we able to make do with a convenience store stop since they were behind schedule. That worked for us, so no issue.
I truly believe the car service companies realize that flights can be delayed..it's part of doing business for them. If you ever get a driver that's rude, surly or nasty, take it up with the company and let them know that you won't be using them again in the future and let us know about it as well.

 

[cadale]

Has any one every used Happy Limo? Is there a difference between them and FL Tours? From what I've read both seem good just looking for someone with actual experience with them.