Should I just cab it?

[cre8ivjay]

Hi all!

Our family gets into Orlando at around 8:30pm. The thought of spending more time than I need in transit doesn't really appeal to me and the idea of having to wait for my luggage to arrive at my hotel appeals even less (we plan to be asleep not long after we arrive and will need our bags!).

Should I forgo the Magic Express and just grab a cab?

OR...

Is the Magic Express just as speedy as a cab?

Sorry, I've never used the Express before..

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Jay

 

[tjmw2727]

At that time of night, personally I would use DME but not the luggage delivery feature. FWIW I Love the luggage delivery feature but it can take up to 3 hours after you check in for your bags to arrive and I would want mine prior.

So you can still ride the bus for free, omit the yellow luggage tags, pick up your bags as you would otherwise and bring them to the bus. The drive will store them under the bus and the will ride with you - retrieve them from the driver, (tip him !) and check in.

Alternately if you would rather have private service I would use a town car company round trip rather than a cab. They will be waiting to help you with your bags at the carousel and most offer a free 30 minute grocery stop. Although I prefer DME when staying at a Disney resort we use a town car when staying at the Dolphin. For just a bit more than an one way cab fare you get a r/t town car trip reserved in advance and you save about 20/30 minutes on the pick up on the return trip. FWIW you can still use the RAC luggage service on the return trip even with a town car as it is not tied to DME.


We use Tiffany town car as well as the board sponsors Florida Tours.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've used just about every type of transportation from MCO to WDW. Here are some of my average times.....


DME........50-90 mins, 75 being the average time. Most times it's about 75 mins for me.

Car service....carryon bags only.....45 mins.

Car service....checked bags.......60-65 mins.

Mears shuttle.....90 mins.


So, if you want to get there as quickly as possible, use a car service. I've used Tiffany Towncar and FLTours as well, both with good results.

If you don't mind it taking a little longer (shouldn't me more than 30 mins more), leave the tags off your bags, get them yourself, and take them to DME with you. But....remember, Gerri g your own bags will add about 15-20 mins to hour DME average time. So it would be at least 90 mins if you get your own bags.

 

[cre8ivjay]

Sounds like the DME, without luggage service is the way to do it. I'm curious, no one mentions a cab... why not? Are they unsafe?

Thanks!

Jay

 

[jerseygirl81]

You could also pack a carry on with what everyone would need for the night, pajamas toothbrushes and paste etc. And then have your checked luggage delivered to the resort. Linda

 

[seenellie81]

We have taken a limo every time we have gone to disney from the airport to the hotel. The driver is always waiting for us with a sign that has our name on it when we land. He then helps us retrieve our bags from the carousel and loads them into the trunk. The greatest part is he always has a lighter ready for us and our gross habit of smoking. I get so stressed on the plane and i must smoke and we cant have lighters on the flight. I know i dont really have to but i really do... i am a head case! I also wont eat or drink 8 hours before i fly because i refuse to use the restroom on the plane. I am so weird. Anyways back to the topic... The limo will also stop at a grocery store so you can run in and get a case of water breakfast foods etc. Also we have had ones that have disney movies playing for the kids to watch. When the kids were in car seats they also had those. It is just so nice to have that time to relax on the ride to your resort. When we leave we have used magical express and it has been fine i just dont like that you have to leave so early with it. We have also used car services and thats what i prefer. A taxi may cost as much as a car service i would look into the prices if that's a concern. I think you can see on the mears website.

 

[Jimsig]

Not sure if it will work. But how about using DME with the baggage service and asking them at check in/Bell desk to hold the bags until the next morning? Pack what you need for bed and when you get up in the morning call them and ask for the bags or at check in you could ask for a specific delivery time.

Anyone done this or know if that will work?

Also a tip to the bell service ahead of time might help not getting a knock on your door with a mistake delivery.

 

[Jimsig]

You also should be able to tell them that they could be delivered if they arrive before a certian time that night that works for you as well.

 

[Alesia]

Sounds like the DME, without luggage service is the way to do it. I'm curious, no one mentions a cab... why not? Are they unsafe?

Thanks!

Jay

It's not that they're unsafe, It's just that a car service will charge you a flat fee which will be the same as, or less expensive, than a cab. They will also meet you at baggage claim and help you with the luggage and give you a 30 minute grocery stop if you want it.

 

[goofy4tink]

Sounds like the DME, without luggage service is the way to do it. I'm curious, no one mentions a cab... why not? Are they unsafe?

Thanks!

Jay

It's not a safety issue..it's a convenience issue. If you book a car serviced ahead of time (about the same cost as a cab), the driver is usually waiting at the bottom of the escalators next to baggage claim, for you to arrive..sign in hand. They then help with the bags out to the car. And the vehicle is certainly nicer than a cab!

You could also pack a carry on with what everyone would need for the night, pajamas toothbrushes and paste etc. And then have your checked luggage delivered to the resort. Linda

Absolutely do this! I always do this...just in case something happens to my checked bag!!

Not sure if it will work. But how about using DME with the baggage service and asking them at check in/Bell desk to hold the bags until the next morning? Pack what you need for bed and when you get up in the morning call them and ask for the bags or at check in you could ask for a specific delivery time.

Anyone done this or know if that will work?

Also a tip to the bell service ahead of time might help not getting a knock on your door with a mistake delivery.

Yes, many do just that. Let DME take care of the bags. Pack what you need for the night in carryon bags. Then, when you get to the resort, let them know you don't want the bags delivered that night. With an 8:30 arrival time, you won't be at the resort until close to 10, which means no bags until maybe 1am!!! Not so good. Then, head to Bell Services/Luggage Assistance and tell them to hold your bags until the next morning. When you get to the room, hang out the privacy please thingie on the door. No one should be knocking at the door overnight! Then, when you wake up, your phone message light should be blinking, with a message telling you your bags are there and ready to be delivered. Be sure to tip the person delivering the bags tho.