ME vs Shuttle - would you spend the $

[Needafix]

Our 3/19 flights keep getting put back later and later on an already exhausting day. We are now scheduled to arrive at MCO at 8:20pm

We only have 4 full days. Since I want to be at MK rope drop the next day, I want to get at least a bit of relaxation and a good meal before bed.

We won't be checking any luggage and I'm afraid ME will take too long waiting for everyone else's checked luggage and dropping them off.

Would you spend the extra $135 for a van to get us there quicker and have more time at both ends of the trip or will ME really work out fine?

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Luggage for DME is not taken on the buses. It is taken from behind the scenes and delivered separately to your resort. The DME buses do not wait for passengers to get their bags before they leave for the resorts. However, DME will not pick up your bags if you arrive after 10:00 PM. You should be fine with an arrival at 8:20 PM. You should get to your resort about 70 minutes from when you land, granted you go directly to the DME desk and check in.

 

[Redpepperflakes14]

Our 3/19 flights keep getting put back later and later on an already exhausting day. We are now scheduled to arrive at MCO at 8:20pm

We only have 4 full days. Since I want to be at MK rope drop the next day, I want to get at least a bit of relaxation and a good meal before bed.

We won't be checking any luggage and I'm afraid ME will take too long waiting for everyone else's checked luggage and dropping them off.

Would you spend the extra $135 for a van to get us there quicker and have more time at both ends of the trip or will ME really work out fine?

What airline are you flying, and what reasons are they delaying your flight, if you don't mind my asking?

 

[Traveliz]

Our 3/19 flights keep getting put back later and later on an already exhausting day. We are now scheduled to arrive at MCO at 8:20pm

We only have 4 full days. Since I want to be at MK rope drop the next day, I want to get at least a bit of relaxation and a good meal before bed.

We won't be checking any luggage and I'm afraid ME will take too long waiting for everyone else's checked luggage and dropping them off.

Would you spend the extra $135 for a van to get us there quicker and have more time at both ends of the trip or will ME really work out fine?

No I would probably not - the luggage is not an issue - ME doesn't take the checked luggage -- just the guests and any carry on items they bring with them. Time wise you might pick up a few minutes but I don't think it would be enough to make it worth it.

Liz

 

[Ericandjenng]

I know Mears operates the DME but when it was just Mears, it seemed to take longer...maybe I am just imagining things. Then again maybe Disney has a better way of doing this like so many other things.

The two times I/we used Mears (I know you didn't specify them, but I haven't used anyone else), we had to wait while enough people showed up for them to decide to leave...DME seems to be on more of a schedule. I don't know that for sure and I typically arrive in the am or at least by noon.

Normally I would automatically say DME....but have you looked to see if you could get a fantastic car rental deal? We did several years ago and the agent at the pick-up counter was even surprised at the rate we got. I haven't checked any of these in a long while.

 

[MinnieLee]

You can usually get to your resort with no problem with DME within 90 minutes after getting off your plane and check in at the resort = and that is with waiting for a bit for the bus to leave. If a guest does have bags it only takes a 5 minutes stop at each resort to unload. I have seen guests who claim their own luggage, strollers, carryons, have them put in the bottom of the bus but again, at each stop is not long at all to unload. I don't know about late at night but each DME bus route goes to a particular area, i.e EPCOT area, MK, AK, SS- not going all over.

DME is owned and operated by Mears. If you go Mears, they are still going to make stops. Time you would be saving would be nominal. You could take a cab or car rental but to me you would be fine with DME.

 

[goofy4tink]

After using DME many, many times, I can still safely say that 70 mins is my average time, from gate to resort. If you land, ontime, at 8:20, you should be at your resort by 9:45.
If you hire a car service, that arrival time will be about 9:20. Depends on how much that 15-20 is worth to you.

DME, while operated by Mears, is in no way like the Mears shuttle of yesteryear!!! Not even close. I used Mears back in '99, and wasn't all that pleased. The shortest time I have had with DME is 50 mins from gate to resort..the longest was 90 mins. That longest time was when we were the last stop of three, and the vast majority of people had brought along all their checked luggage to the bus. Still not sure why, but they did. Maybe it was just a few large groups, but there had to be 25-30 people with bags. This makes for a longer stop at each resort as the driver now has to get all that luggage handed off to each guest, while hoping for a tip, rather than just dropping the luggage on the sidewalk and leaving.
The old Mears used to make mulitple stops before it even got to WDW..and then it could make another couple stops..which led to rides of close to 2 hrs. That is just not the case anymore. They make about 3 stops, sometimes 4 depending on the area they are headed to.

 

[Needafix]

What airline are you flying, and what reasons are they delaying your flight, if you don't mind my asking?

We are taking Airtran.

I was thinking of taking FL Tours, so it would be just us, but you all have me convinced that ME is the way to go. No, 30 minutes or so is not worth the extra money. I was thinking it could be upwards of 2+ hours in both directions. We are going to be so exhausted.

Thanks so much for all of help, I feel much better now.

 

[maxiesmom]

Is there an early flight you could switch to? Typically if an airline changes your flight time they will let you switch to a different flight for free. Maybe there is an earlier flight you could change to and get your vacation time back.

 

[Needafix]

Is there an early flight you could switch to? Typically if an airline changes your flight time they will let you switch to a different flight for free. Maybe there is an earlier flight you could change to and get your vacation time back.

Unfortunately there isn't an earlier flight. It's a very small airport and doesn't have many flights/day. We were originally supposed to arrive around 7pm, which would have been just right. 8:30 is starting to push it, but not the end of the world, just trying to make the most of everything like everyone else. I just hope they don't change it any more.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Let me make sure I understand your question.

In your title, you indicate "Magical Express vs. Shuttle". In the text of your post, it appears by "shuttle" you mean "van" and by "van" you mean a car service?

If you really do mean the shuttle, fuhgeddaboudit. You can't reserve the shuttle in advance if you're staying onsite; you need to go to the Mears counter after you arrive. It's a shared shuttle, stopping at however many hotels it needs to - and expect Disney resorts to be among the last stop.

If you mean car service, well, that's up to you. Doesn't matter HOW tired I am - free is $135 (plus tip) more of my money staying in my pocket. I don't see any reason to spend it, but YMMV.

 

[Needafix]

I do mean car service - sorry for the confusion and I'm starting to learn that in some instances saving a few bucks might ruin my trip.

I think you responded to my post about not paying for assigned seats on Airtran, so now I'm nervous that that $56 savings could shorten our already short trip by a day if we get bumped.

Just trying to make sure I have all the bases covered.