Super Late Flight Arrival on DME

[aubeone]

My buddy is flying in to meet me at the Boardwalk Villas. His flight arrives at 12:30 AM...will he be able to use DME?

 

[Gracie09]

Yes but he will have to grab his own bags. At that time of night I would just get a town car

 

[maxiesmom]

He can. But I wouldn't recommend it. After 10 pm if he checks any bags he has to go and pick them up, and then haul them to the bus. And then wait. At that point you may as well get your bags, and then haul them to a taxi, which you know will leave right away.

 

[OKW Lover]

DME bus service is 24/7. As the pp noted he will have to gather his own luggage and drag it over to the DME welcome center.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

He can. But I wouldn't recommend it. After 10 pm if he checks any bags he has to go and pick them up, and then haul them to the bus. And then wait. At that point you may as well get your bags, and then haul them to a taxi, which you know will leave right away.

A car service or taxi from MCO to BWV will cost around $60 to $70 (plus a customary 15-20% tip) one-way. DME is free, except that it's appropriate to tip if the driver handles your bags.

DME will almost certainly take more time. During normal hours, each DME coach will go to several Disney resorts in the same part of the WDW property. Late at night, the stops can be all over the property. And, as maxiesmom noted, a taxi will leave right away, but DME usually involves waiting before the coach is dispatched.

My choice would be to take the DME coach and read a book or listen to a podcast -- even if it means possibly getting to BWV an hour later than if I had taken a taxi. I'd rather spend my money on something else.

However, I can also understand why someone would opt to pay for direct car or taxi transportation instead of using DME for free, especially late at night.

 

[goofy4tink]

I find it interesting that so many here say 'get your bags and drag them to the bus' as if you were walking 14 miles, with 5 bags on your back. If you take a car service or cab, you still have to 'drag' your bags to the lower level! Sure, a driver will help you with them, but for $50+, I'll drag my own bags thank you very much!!!

The late night buses can take a bit longer since they tend to take guests from more resorts...perhaps 4 or 5 resorts instead of just 3 or 4. But if that isn't an issue, I say go with the bus. Yes, it will take a bit longer, but no more than 30 mins or less.

 

[OKW Lover]

I find it interesting that so many here say 'get your bags and drag them to the bus' as if you were walking 14 miles, with 5 bags on your back.

You've never traveled with Val.

Seriously, you're right on this. Its really not that long a haul, especially if your bags are on the "B" side. A bit more complex if your bags are on the "A" side as you have to go back up and across to the B side.

 

[goofy4tink]

You've never traveled with Val.

Seriously, you're right on this. Its really not that long a haul, especially if your bags are on the "B" side. A bit more complex if your bags are on the "A" side as you have to go back up and across to the B side.

Ahhh, my dh packs much more heavily than I do!!! You would think he was going to a third world nation the way he packs. I can do 4-5 days with just my carry on bag.

But you're right. If you land on Side A and have to get your bags and then go to DME? Yes, that's a pain. Arrive on Side A, level 3. Go down to level 2, Side A, to get your checked bags. Back up to level 3, Side A, cross over to Side B and then down to level 1, Side B, to get DME. You can get a cab or a towncar on Side A if you aren't using DME.

 

[aubeone]

Thanks for the all the quick replies. My buddy will not be checking luggage. Since it is so late, I was wondering how much longer it will take. I guess it depends how long it takes the bus to leave and how many stops it will make before getting to BWV.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks for the all the quick replies. My buddy will not be checking luggage. Since it is so late, I was wondering how much longer it will take. I guess it depends how long it takes the bus to leave and how many stops it will make before getting to BWV.

And there is no way of knowing ahead of time, that is the problem. I know other posters have had great experiences--they get on the bus, wait 2 minutes, and they are off! The one time we landed at 11 pm it was 1:30 am before we were standing at resort check in. We waited on the bus for what seemed like forever, and then we were the 4th stop.After that, there is no way on this green earth I will ever fly in after 10 pm and not get a towncar or taxi.

 

[bumbershoot]

I find it interesting that so many here say 'get your bags and drag them to the bus' as if you were walking 14 miles, with 5 bags on your back. If you take a car service or cab, you still have to 'drag' your bags to the lower level!

Or why we have to even touch our bags?

Our one late night arrival, we got to the carousel, a porter came up to us, we said "yes please" immediately. He got the bags off the carousel and put them on his big cart, then we followed him through the place and he took us right to DME. Could not have been easier and no one had to touch bags but him. He went straight through while we were directed through the line, and when we got to the bus he handed them over to the driver. We tipped him and it was all good. SO EASY. Once we got to the resort, the driver got the bags off for us. Tipped him. We got a bell services guy. He put the bags on his cart and took us to our room. (we did check in of course) He got the bags into the room. Tipped him and he was gone. SO EASY.

Thanks for the all the quick replies. My buddy will not be checking luggage. Since it is so late, I was wondering how much longer it will take. I guess it depends how long it takes the bus to leave and how many stops it will make before getting to BWV.

It might be supereasy and quick, or it might take a bit of time. Depends on what happens before he gets there.

I liked the bus for our late night arrival. And we are generally rental car people.

 

[Minnesota!]

A car service or taxi from MCO to BWV will cost around $60 to $70 (plus a customary 15-20% tip) one-way. DME is free, except that it's appropriate to tip if the driver handles your bags.

DME will almost certainly take more time. During normal hours, each DME coach will go to several Disney resorts in the same part of the WDW property. Late at night, the stops can be all over the property. And, as maxiesmom noted, a taxi will leave right away, but DME usually involves waiting before the coach is dispatched.

My choice would be to take the DME coach and read a book or listen to a podcast -- even if it means possibly getting to BWV an hour later than if I had taken a taxi. I'd rather spend my money on something else.

However, I can also understand why someone would opt to pay for direct car or taxi transportation instead of using DME for free, especially late at night.

I agree. We are flying in super late this next trip and we are looking forward to 'dragging" our luggage all over to DME. DME is THE START of our vacation. And there is no way I am paying for a service if I can get it for free

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree. We are flying in super late this next trip and we are looking forward to 'dragging" our luggage all over to DME. DME is THE START of our vacation. And there is no way I am paying for a service if I can get it for free

The service is different. You get one on one attention, a ride in a car sans any screaming children (unless your own are screaming) and door to door direct service. With DME you get on a bus, and wait unless you are really lucky. You make who knows how many stops before you get to your resort.

I have no problem with DME during the day. But at night, when I'm tired, and I don't want to spend an extra hour and a half riding around Disney property, a town car or taxi is well worth the fee. Ymmv.