To use DME or not? That is the question...

[jerseygirl18]

I'm completely torn on whether I should forgo DME and book a car from/to the airport or go with DME. A few questions:

How much time does NOT using DME really save?

I will need some groceries so I'll either use a grocery delivery service or the grocery stop if booking a car. I'm not too concerned about the cost, it seems reasonable enough if I'm saving some precious time in the parks!

Thanks!

 

[Minniemouse07]

We usually use DME and don't rent a car. Last June we HAD to rent a car (visiting ILs locally) and I hated it.

We were in the airport for over 2hrs after we landed (we've always been at our resort and checked in well before 2hrs!). Between waiting for the luggage, then standing on line at the rental car counter...then again out in the garage to pick up the car. I kept chanting to myself, I wish I was on DME, I wish I was on DME.

Thankfully we didn't need the car for the entire stay so we dropped it off at the Car Care Center (just next to MK) and took DME back at the end of our trip. It was WONDERFUL!

If we need a car next time (our trip next month we are taking the AutoTrain so not an issue) I will use DME and just rent from the Car Care Center just for the time necessary and no more!

 

[sam_gordon]

If you do rent a car look into the rental company's "Frequent Renter Program". Most (I'm pretty sure) are free to join. We used Hertz for our trip this year... bypass the counter and right out to pick out our car. They call their's the Emerald Club.

The only reason we got a rental is we spent 3 days with my parents before moving to the world. Then the car got returned to the car care center.

 

[goofy4tink]

Here are my time breakdowns for various types of transport to WDW from MCO....these are my personal times not an average!!

DME....most times right around 70 mins, but once it was 90 mins

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

Car service with checked bags......60 mins

Mears shuttle (to S/D)......85 mins

Rental car....about an hour. have to go to baggage claim and then to rental counter.

If I need groceries I use a grocery service...wegoshop or gardengrocer. They are both fine.

 

[Brian Noble]

The trip *to* WDW isn't that big of a deal: 15-30 minutes saved, on average. It's the trip *back* to WDW that matters; there you save about an hour or so.

You can optimize for money: take ME and use a grocery delivery service.
You can optimize for control: get a rental car and shop yourself.
You can optimize for convenience: get a car service *and* a grocery delivery service.

I usually get a rental car, but use a grocery service. I prefer driving to the parks (for control) but am not a big fan of shopping on vacation (for convenience).

 

[disneyfaninaz]

If you do rent a car look into the rental company's "Frequent Renter Program". Most (I'm pretty sure) are free to join. We used Hertz for our trip this year... bypass the counter and right out to pick out our car. They call their's the Emerald Club.

The only reason we got a rental is we spent 3 days with my parents before moving to the world. Then the car got returned to the car care center.

Actually, Hertz is the #1 Gold Club. It is very nice to be able to bypass the counter. National, I believe, is the Emerald Club.

 

[jerseygirl18]

Thanks for the responses!

Guess I should have been more clear, I meant use a car service. It never actually occured to me to rent a car...with only one trip under my belt, I'm still new. LOL I was looking into several car services that have the free grocery stop.

We got spoiled last trip staying at the Poly and using ME, we were the first stop getting dropped off. I have no idea the loop the driver will take in heading towards BC this time around but waiting to get dropped off so the fun can begin would be the worst! I don't mind it so much on the way back to the airport. I'm leaning to just sucking it up and using DME and using a grocery delivery service again.

Thanks!!

 

[csarenz]

Normally, I'm the kind of person who needs to rent a car so I can control when I can come and go. But I have to say, the reason I love ME is the luggage.

Even with the car service you need to pick up your luggage, which is fine so some people and tougher for others. For us, with two kids under 6, it is a huge benefit to not have to pick up our bags and lug them to the airport and then get them back to the airport for check-in at the end of the trip.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I like DME. It is so nice to leave the luggage pick up to WDW.

I don't mind when the bus stops at other resorts. I like seeing their entrances, especially the deluxe ones.

 

[CleveRocks]

On average, there's not a substantial difference in time between using DME and using a car service. Yes, DME can involve some waits, but using a car service involves waiting at baggage claim, and these just about cancel each other out.

I advise people to make their choice on the level of service they want and how much they are willing to pay for it, since TIME-wise it's pretty much the same.

That being said, if you use a car service AND do a grocery stop, you are pretty much guaranteed to take more time than if you use DME and get a grocery delivery.