ME vs car rental time

[jessic2422]

Which is quicker the ME or car rental company located at the airport? Part of us are thinking of taking ME and the other part are taking a rental from one of the car company's at the airport.

 

[goofy4tink]

The car rental counters are located in the same area as DME...so getting there is going to take about the same time. Then, it depends on how long you are in line at the car rental counter. If you are part of a rewards program, you may just be able to walk across the street to the lots.
If luggage is going with DME (since some of your group is using DME), then getting to your WDW resort with a rental car will probably be a bit faster....about an hour or so. DME will take an addtl 15-20 mins.

 

[jmasgat]

I say car rental--but I can only speak for car rental since I have not done ME from the airport (only to). If you rent from any company that has a program to get you out faster (e.g. Alamo with their kiosks, Avis My Preferred, Dollar Express, etc) then you can get your luggage, walk across the street and get in a car and go within 10-15 minutes (just don't let the kids pick which car--it can take forever! ) Then it takes 30 minutes or so to get directly to your resort and you've got your luggage with you. I have easily gotten to WDW within 1 hr of stepping off plane.

ME--you will likely have to wait for a bus to depart and then may not go directly to your resort. Don't know if you can claim any luggage off the bus. Depending on time of day ,number of stops, etc, this can take an 60-90 minutes or more from what I have seen others post.

 

[sam_gordon]

I say car rental--but I can only speak for car rental since I have not done ME from the airport (only to). If you rent from any company that has a program to get you out faster (e.g. Alamo with their kiosks, Avis My Preferred, Dollar Express, etc) then you can get your luggage, walk across the street and get in a car and go within 10-15 minutes (just don't let the kids pick which car--it can take forever! ) Then it takes 30 minutes or so to get directly to your resort and you've got your luggage with you. I have easily gotten to WDW within 1 hr of stepping off plane.

ME--you will likely have to wait for a bus to depart and then may not go directly to your resort. Don't know if you can claim any luggage off the bus. Depending on time of day ,number of stops, etc, this can take an 60-90 minutes or more from what I have seen others post.

The bolded is the key. If you have to wait at the counter and/or an outdoor "booth" before you get your car, ME could end up being faster. If you can just walk across the street, pick out your car, load up and drive, a rental will be faster (barring the rare occurrence of a rental company being out of your reserved car size).

 

[Donna M]

Your trip back to the airport will be much shorter since you definitely won't stop at any other resorts.

An advantage of the rental car is that one group can stop at the store.

We sent the kids and dads on ME with all the luggage so the moms could grocery shop in peace.

 

[jessic2422]

We are looking at me and my dd 2, taking the ME so DH an My mom can take rental to the store and so husband can put car seat in at the resort and not under pressure. Just wondering if they would be there way before me.

 

[sam_gordon]

We are looking at me and my dd 2, taking the ME so DH an My mom can take rental to the store and so husband can put car seat in at the resort and not under pressure. Just wondering if they would be there way before me.

While it's possible, it's doubtful, ESPECIALLY if they stop at a store.