Trip Planning Help

[exwdwcm]

I have a few questions that I just know my dis unplugged friends can help with. Yes, i am one of those.....the commando super planner. We have a rough itenerary for our Dec 10-20th trip, but eagerly awaiting Dec hours to finalize (and book ADRs on 9/11).

We are using DME for the first time and attempting to use Disney transportation on site too. We are mainly using DME because of the luggage service, we always have so many bags and looking forward to NOT lugging them around, especially with the kiddos with us (and the ensuing car seats, diaper bags and strollers we will have on hand to carry with us). We typically rent a car, as I just like driving as does my family and I know my way around well from working the CP. So we don't have a lot of experience with the buses. Here's info on our trip:

• Staying at Wilderness Lodge- 5 separate rooms
• 14 people- 11 adults, one 6yo, 3yo and 2yo
• Arriving on 12/10 (thursday) at 8:15pm on AA direct from DFW
• Depart on 12/20 (sunday) at 8:30am on AA direct

1. we arrive at 8;15pm to MCO, will we just be better off having our bags delivered to our rooms the next morning? or will they deliver them late to us that night? we plan to get started bright and early on the next day (friday), doing rope drop at MK.
2. is there a bus direct to DTD from WL? how slow is it? how is it getting back from DTD?
3. is there a bus from MK to DTD, or do we need to take monorail to say Poly or Contemp and get a bus there to DTD? (we plan to go to DTD from MK on first full day to have lunch).
4. are the boats really slow to MK and Contemporary (we are doing Chef Mickey's)- should we opt for buses instead if in a rush?
5. could we really forgo a car (van rental) and still do okay with disney transportation for our group? We considered renting a 15 passenger van for at least part of the trip. We just hate waiting for buses (especially after park closing in the long lines) and with the little ones, makes it harder. We just got spoiled driving ourselves.
6. has anyone used the grocery delivery service and if so, which one? We typically take our rental car to a store, but might use the deliver instead (water, cereal, cokes, beers, milk, diapers and wipes).
7. has anyone rented a car from the alamo car care center near the MK- they pick you up and take you there, right? any experience with it, we might rent from them if we do rent for part of the trip and still use ME for all of us for airport.
8. our return flight is early- was just rescheduled to 8:30am (was originally 9:30am, stupid AA!), that means we have to be at the ME desk by 5:45am, right? do we just bring our bags down that morning or leave them out the night before like on the cruise?

Thanks!!!!!

 

[ragtopday]

I have a few questions that I just know my dis unplugged friends can help with. Yes, i am one of those.....the commando super planner. We have a rough itenerary for our Dec 10-20th trip, but eagerly awaiting Dec hours to finalize (and book ADRs on 9/11).

We are using DME for the first time and attempting to use Disney transportation on site too. We are mainly using DME because of the luggage service, we always have so many bags and looking forward to NOT lugging them around, especially with the kiddos with us (and the ensuing car seats, diaper bags and strollers we will have on hand to carry with us). We typically rent a car, as I just like driving as does my family and I know my way around well from working the CP. So we don't have a lot of experience with the buses.
Thanks!!!!!

Hi Michelle! (my dinner mate on PCC 1.0!)
I can help with some of this.

DME will deliver your luggage that night if you arrive before 10 pm. That is a relatively new change. If one of the reasons you're doing ME is for the luggage service then take advantage of it! They will tell you it could be 2-3 hours before your luggage is delivered. If that is too long for you then you'll want to pick it up.

There is a bus from WL to DTD, but IIRC (it was 2 years ago we stayed there) they also stop at Ft Wilderness, and possibly other resorts. I know one night we were meeting friends from Tampa there for dinner and they left their house at aroudn the same time we left our resort and beat us there! The ride back was not so bad.

I have never rented a car while staying on property, but with little ones late at night it would be sooo nice to have. Either that or take a cab with the little ones on those late nights because even if you get on the first bus, they are usually very crowded and it is SRO. Most folks will give up a seat to a parent holding a sleeping child, but not always.

I would definitely take the boat to CM rather than the bus, just because it's such a nice ride. It may or not be any faster (most of that will depend on if you hit it just right), but it's a nice way to go.

I have used Garden Grocer on our last two trips and highly recommend them. Their prices are reasonable and delivery was prompt. It's not listed on their web site, but they will even pick up beer and wine if you put it in the comments (you will pay for this at delivery, or one year they called me a few days before to settle up).

I think the time to be down for the return ME is 3 hours before flight time, give or take. You take your luggage with you.

Hope that helps a little - we'll be there for the same first 4 days!! See you at DAP, I hope!

 

[DSNY4ever]

I just wanted to chime in and let you know that the Transportation board has a lot of amazing experts on the buses and the fastest ways to get places using only Disney transportation and they even have some little charts of "approx" times to get everywhere.

And if you are in a hurry, I don't recommend the boats- once we were trying to get to the Wilderness Lodge from the MK and a huge rainstorm came through while we were in the middle of the water (it was one of the boats that is open with just the canopy cover over you) and the boat slowed down to pretty much a complete stop until the rain passed over us and then we didn't realize that he was also stopping at Fort Wilderness first and we completely missed our reservation, they wouldn't let us in and we had no where to eat. The boats are fun if you have time, but the buses are usually faster.

 

[EDuke98080]

One of the things we usually do is split up at at the airport. We send some of the party with all of the luggage on ME and then my husband and I get the rental car (all by ourselves!). We meet at the hotel and don't have to shlep any of the luggage. I believe they do luggage until 10:00PM arrivals so you should be fine on arrival. We really like the freedom and ease of having the car and the perk of sending all the luggage ahead! Have a great trip!