Need help making a decision about using ME

[Aunt Jo]

How difficult is it to find the ME desk from the Southwest gate? We are a couple of really senior seniors and can't hurry very fast and DH gets very nervous if he thinks I am lost or confused. I would really appreciate it if someone who has flown in on Southwest and used ME could walk me through the location and the process. Thanks so much.

 

[seashoreCM]

(Arriving at Orlando Int'l Airport)

No need to hustle.

From the gate area take the tram to the main terminal as usual. After getting off the tram and after exiting security, look for the big neon "A" on the side wall. (If you see a "B", turn the other way). Go down to the lowest level on the "A" side.

The ME welcoming area is one of the corridor counters down there. It is in line with bus space #30 outside.

 

[Lewisc]

Seashore gave you good information BUT you don't have to look for bus space 30. The DME welcome desk is right next to the escalators you'll use (from SW) to get down to level one.

 

[CleveRocks]

Let me chime in as one of the people assuring you there's no need to rush to the DME desk. They won't be holding a bus for you (that is, you won't have a bus full of irate people steaming that you took your time), and you won't miss a bus. The buses run constantly. They dispatch the buses based on need, based on the reservations, but it's not an exact science.

As far as finding DME ....
Well, you're going to have to find SOMETHING after your flight, whether it's a rental car counter, towncar driver holding your name on a sign, baggage claim, etc. Might as well be a free ride that also "magically" delivers your luggage for you, right?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

How difficult is it to find the ME desk from the Southwest gate? We are a couple of really senior seniors and can't hurry very fast and DH gets very nervous if he thinks I am lost or confused. I would really appreciate it if someone who has flown in on Southwest and used ME could walk me through the location and the process. Thanks so much.

An easy way to find DME, it's pretty much underneath the SWA baggage claim area.

 

[Aunt Jo]

Finding the ME desk should be a breeze. Now could you fill me in on the trip back to the airport keeping in mind we will flying out at 7AM on a non-participating airline? Thanks so much.

 

[dsneygirl]

Coming back you will receive a package under your door the day before telling you what time they will pick you up and where on property. I would call bell services and get them to help you with your luggage. The driver will cross your name off the list and then drop you at the airport near your check in counter.

 

[IlovePiglet]

The driver will cross your name off the list and then drop you at the airport near your check in counter.

You will receive a confirmation letter the day before your departure. Keep in mind departure times are 2 3/4 - 3 hours prior to your flight departure. You'll have to catch a bus at approximately 4 AM.
The driver does not have a list of names of who's supposed to be on the bus. Just give him/her your voucher (the same one you used to board the bus at the airport) and your luggage and the airline you're flying. The driver will load your luggage onto the bus. When you arrive at the airport you'll be dropped off in the same general area that you boarded the bus. Just take the elevator to the 3rd floor and look for the Southwest counter.

 

[CleveRocks]

The driver does not have a list of names of who's supposed to be on the bus. Just give him/her your voucher (the same one you used to board the bus at the airport) and your luggage and the airline you're flying. The driver will load your luggage onto the bus.

The system must have changed. I traveled May 8 - 14, when DME was just a young pup. On my return trip, both my father-in-law and I (separate reservations) couldn't find our vouchers. The driver asked our names and I saw both our names on the list on his clipboard. He politely asked for some proof of ID, then loaded our luggage and let us on.

 

[Lewisc]

The system must have changed. I traveled May 8 - 14, when DME was just a young pup. On my return trip, both my father-in-law and I (separate reservations) couldn't find our vouchers. The driver asked our names and I saw both our names on the list on his clipboard. He politely asked for some proof of ID, then loaded our luggage and let us on.

I think the driver has a list.

What has changed is the confirmation letter you get the night before your departure now has your bar code on it. You can either use your voucher or your letter; either gets scanned.

 

[byoung]

It saves to use ME.

 

[Aunt Jo]

You very nice people have convinced me that we can do it. I'm grateful for your help.

 

[CleveRocks]

You very nice people have convinced me that we can do it. I'm grateful for your help.

 

[seashoreCM]

Be sure you have validated bus vouchers and a paper showing your bus departure back to the airport, a day in advance of check out. Go to Guest Services if you didn't receive these.

 

[IlovePiglet]

The system must have changed. I traveled May 8 - 14, when DME was just a young pup. On my return trip, both my father-in-law and I (separate reservations) couldn't find our vouchers. The driver asked our names and I saw both our names on the list on his clipboard. He politely asked for some proof of ID, then loaded our luggage and let us on.

Drivers never had a list of passengers.

In the early days of DME a DME Manager (a Disney CM) would be outside at all the bus stops helping to keep things running smoothly. If a person approached with no voucher they would be directed to that CM where they had to show their Key to the World card. The CM would then write up a voucher for them. There are no more managers anymore out at the pickup areas so the drivers will either write up the voucher or direct you to an area at the resort where you can get one.
Because of the way the buses are dispatched (by radio) there is no way of knowing which bus is going to be picking up which route until about 30 minutes or an hour prior. The drivers do not know who they are picking up, they just ask for those with reservations for that time frame.

 

[dsneygirl]

Drivers never had a list of passengers.

In the early days of DME a DME Manager (a Disney CM) would be outside at all the bus stops helping to keep things running smoothly. If a person approached with no voucher they would be directed to that CM where they had to show their Key to the World card. The CM would then write up a voucher for them. There are no more managers anymore out at the pickup areas so the drivers will either write up the voucher or direct you to an area at the resort where you can get one.
Because of the way the buses are dispatched (by radio) there is no way of knowing which bus is going to be picking up which route until about 30 minutes or an hour prior. The drivers do not know who they are picking up, they just ask for those with reservations for that time frame.

I thought I saw him check off our names when I handed him the voucher but my eyes must have been playing tricks on me.

 

[goofy4tink]

The other thing to be aware of is that you do not get dropped off at your airlines check in area. DME makes basically two stops at MCO....Side A and Side B of the airport....pretty much where they picked you up at.

 

[CleveRocks]

Drivers never had a list of passengers.

In the early days of DME a DME Manager (a Disney CM) would be outside at all the bus stops helping to keep things running smoothly. If a person approached with no voucher they would be directed to that CM where they had to show their Key to the World card.

EXCUSE ME????

I reported my exact experience. To say they NEVER had a list of passengers??? Well, one driver did on May 14, 2005, about 4:00 p.m. at CBR. There were no Disney CMs around, except for Bell Services CMs that had nothing to do with helping keep DME running at all. I dealt solely with the Mears driver himself. There's theory, and then there's actual experience.

 

[goofy4tink]

My dh was asked for his name when he left BCVs back in mid-June. Of course, he didn't have his voucher, because I had it in my bags, in the room. He left 4 days before we did!!! He never got the under the door thingie either. But, they did have his name on some kind of a list that the bus driver had access to. He showed an ID (his room key) and off he went.
I am sure that many of us have had different experiences with DME...some good, some bad and some just plain different. Thanks for not jumping down each other's throats here!!!

 

[IlovePiglet]

EXCUSE ME????

I reported my exact experience. To say they NEVER had a list of passengers??? Well, one driver did on May 14, 2005, about 4:00 p.m. at CBR. There were no Disney CMs around, except for Bell Services CMs that had nothing to do with helping keep DME running at all. I dealt solely with the Mears driver himself. There's theory, and then there's actual experience.

I'm a DME driver. Trust me. I have never had a list of passengers. Sorry. He was probably just writing down your airline so he wouldn't forget it.