walk me through ME returning to MCO

[cepmom]

Hi guys
I think I have this straight, but walk me though it....

Never used ME before. I think I have the arrival procedure down...seems pretty straight forward. Staying at Pop, flying SW, which I know does not participate in resort check in. I plan on booking a late flight home(6:30 PM) so we can go the parks during the day. Since we are checking out that day by 11:00 AM, and want to go to the parks, I need to check my luggage with bell services for the day. When I return to Pop to get ME, I will first need to go to bell services to get my luggage, then go to the ME desk to check in there. Once I get to MCO, I will need to check in at SW desk and check our luggage, then on to security.

my questions...

*will I get an exact time I need to be in line for ME? I know people say it's approx 3 hours before my flight

*where is the ME desk/line in relation to bell services?

*how long would you say it would take to get luggage at bell services, then check in at ME?

*I plan on going to MK that day . If we need to be ready to get on ME by 3:30, then I anticipate leaving MK by 2:00...enough time?

*is this a big pain ~ would it be recommended to just take a cab to MCO instead of going through all this? I figure it would give us an extra hour in MK (leave MK at 3:00, return to Pop, get luggage, catch cab to MCO by 4:00, arrive MCO 4:30)

TIA for any help!

 

[ZekeKelso]

You are close to having it. A few point...

The day before your check-out day, you will get a notice from ME with your scheduled ME departure time. It will be somewhere between 2:45 and 3:15 before your flight time.

There is no need to go to the ME desk at Pop. You just need to be at the bus stop at the appointed time (be sure to have your voucher which in the packet you get at home before your trip.)

Not sure how long it will take to get your luggage from bell services once you get back to Pop. Hopefully folks here will know, and you can ask again when the bags are dropped off. But based on bell services at other resorts, figure 20 minutes (though it should be a lot less).

Leaving the MK by 2:00 should give you more than enough time.

A cab might save you 30 minutes - it won't save you an hour. If you are comfortable leaving the MK at 3:00 figuring you can leave in a cab by 4:00, you will feel equally comfortable leaving the MK by 2:30 to get on a ME bus by 3:30.

If you really want more time at the MK, arrange a one-way car rental with drop off at MCO. Load luggage into car - leave direct from MK to MCO.

 

[cepmom]

thanks for your insight....I figured 1 1/2 hours from MK to Pop/ME just because I am afraid of being late and missing the ME bus. I figured if I ran a little late returning to Pop to catch a cab, I would still have enough time to get to MCO and check in before our flight.

The suggestion of renting a car one way is appealing....my only apprehension with that is that I am going without DH and I am severly directionally challenged I can get lost pretty easily even though we have been to WDW many times by rental car. Something to think about...

 

[CleveRocks]

When I return to Pop to get ME, I will first need to go to bell services to get my luggage, then go to the ME desk to check in there.

The resorts don't have DME desks. There's no such thing. There's no place to check-in for your bus ride, and no one you have to check-in with. When your bus arrives at the appointed time, you deal directly with the driver.

A lot of people think the Resort Airline Check-in desk is the DME desk, but that's just not accurate. The RAC desk ONLY handles exactly that ... resort airline check-in. The subcontractor employees at the RAC desk have NOTHING to do with DME or DME buses or anything like that.

Once I get to MCO, I will need to check in at SW desk and check our luggage, then on to security.

100% correct.

my questions...

You mean those things above weren't questions??? I gotta pay better attention ....

*will I get an exact time I need to be in line for ME? I know people say it's approx 3 hours before my flight

ZekeKelso answered this for you already. Very early on the morning of the day before your departure day, you'll get a DME envelope dangling from your resort room's doorknob.

*where is the ME desk/line in relation to bell services?

Weren't you paying attention when I answered this question the first time???!!! You go directly to the DME bus pick-up area, and wait there.

*how long would you say it would take to get luggage at bell services, then check in at ME?

It all depends how busy the luggage room is. Worst case, it could be 20-30 minutes. Hopefully not. They tell you to be at the bus area 15 minutes before your scheduled bus time, anyway, so if you follow this it provides some built-in wiggle room. And like I said, no checking in for DME!

*I plan on going to MK that day . If we need to be ready to get on ME by 3:30, then I anticipate leaving MK by 2:00...enough time?

Plenty. It leaves you plenty of time in case it takes forever for a bus to come. Even if it takes you 1 hour from the time you're at the bus stop until you return to Pop, you'll still be there 30 minutes before your DME bus time.

*is this a big pain ~ would it be recommended to just take a cab to MCO instead of going through all this? I figure it would give us an extra hour in MK (leave MK at 3:00, return to Pop, get luggage, catch cab to MCO by 4:00, arrive MCO 4:30)

Personal choice. On my last day, I'm not enjoying myself all that much, anyway, since I'm kinda nervously watching the clock. For me personally, the only way I'd pay for an additional hour or so would be if that additional hour made the difference between being able to leave the resort to go out and have fun versus having to have our feet nailed to the floor and burn time with nothing better to do.

 

[cepmom]

The resorts don't have DME desks. There's no such thing. There's no place to check-in for your bus ride, and no one you have to check-in with. When your bus arrives at the appointed time, you deal directly with the driver.

A lot of people think the Resort Airline Check-in desk is the DME desk, but that's just not accurate. The RAC desk ONLY handles exactly that ... resort airline check-in. The subcontractor employees at the RAC desk have NOTHING to do with DME or DME buses or anything like that.

okay...got it
When I arrive in MCO at the begining of the trip, I do check in at a ME desk in the airport though right? Maybe that's why I thought there was also a check in desk at the resort. I assume the ME bus stop is clearly marked...is it near the bus stops for busses to the parks?

 

[Mousema]

The ME bus should pick you up exactly where the one coming left you off. At POFQ and POP it is right by Bell Services/Luggage handling.

 

[CleveRocks]

okay...got it
When I arrive in MCO at the begining of the trip, I do check in at a ME desk in the airport though right?

After landing at MCO, you won't be able to board a DME bus without first checking in at the DME Welcome Center.

 

[WildGrits]

Thank you for all this info. I too am very nervous about the workings of DME.

This is the first time we will be in WDW without a car.

I am sort of incharge of my group of 8 and feel a little uneasy not knowing what to expect with DME. I have read so many nightmares on the boards.

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi guys
I think I have this straight, but walk me though it....

Never used ME before. I think I have the arrival procedure down...seems pretty straight forward. Staying at Pop, flying SW, which I know does not participate in resort check in. I plan on booking a late flight home(6:30 PM) so we can go the parks during the day. Since we are checking out that day by 11:00 AM, and want to go to the parks, I need to check my luggage with bell services for the day. When I return to Pop to get ME, I will first need to go to bell services to get my luggage, then go to the ME desk to check in there. Once I get to MCO, I will need to check in at SW desk and check our luggage, then on to security.

my questions...

*will I get an exact time I need to be in line for ME? I know people say it's approx 3 hours before my flight

*where is the ME desk/line in relation to bell services?

*how long would you say it would take to get luggage at bell services, then check in at ME?

*I plan on going to MK that day . If we need to be ready to get on ME by 3:30, then I anticipate leaving MK by 2:00...enough time?

*is this a big pain ~ would it be recommended to just take a cab to MCO instead of going through all this? I figure it would give us an extra hour in MK (leave MK at 3:00, return to Pop, get luggage, catch cab to MCO by 4:00, arrive MCO 4:30)

TIA for any help!

You've gotten pretty good info so far...aren't we terrific here on the Transp. board!!?? Anyway, as said before, you will receive a notice in your room the day before you leave telling you what time to be at the bus stop, ready to go. If your flight is about 6:30, your departure time will be about 3:45ish. You are also correct in leaving plenty of time to get back to the resort. You can grab a bite to eat in the food court if you have time, then head over to luggage services and get your bags. Leave about 15 or so mins to do that. Luggage services is just outside the main entrance to POP, right to the right of where the DME bus drops you off upon arrival. This is also where you will get the bus for your return to MCO.
As far as whether to take a cab back or not...if it were me, I would just get up very early, check my bags with the luggage people, grab a bite to eat for breakfast in the food court, and then head to MK as early as possible. Be back at the resort by 2:30 so you can have some lunch, grab your bags at 3:30 and be at the bus by 3:45. For the $30+ it will cost you to get a cab, I would prefer to just give up that hour in MK. It's really not a pain at all.

Thank you for all this info. I too am very nervous about the workings of DME.

This is the first time we will be in WDW without a car.

I am sort of incharge of my group of 8 and feel a little uneasy not knowing what to expect with DME. I have read so many nightmares on the boards.

You'll be fine. It just sounds complicated. Be sure to make all your groups reservations with DME, then disburse the yellow luggage tags so all checked bags will be tagged properly.
DME is really pretty hassle free....if you have any concerns or questions, just ask away.

 

[5boyz]

Wildgrits.....it is easy as pie, I did it last year with 11 people and we are all still hear to tell about it....LOL!!!

 

[clkelley]

Very early on the morning of the day before your departure day, you'll get a DME envelope dangling from your resort room's doorknob.

Actually the DME envelopes do not arrive very early in the morning. Every time we've been and used DME we did not see our DME envelope until we got back to the room that evening. So it must be after 7am when they are delivered. Now your express checkout envelope IS delivered very early in the morning. It is always out there by 5am.

Also as far as getting your luggage to Luggage Services at Pop. You can call them the afternoon before and tell them you'll have xx number of bags, your room #, and what time you need them picked up (after xx:xx and before xx:xx). Then leave them stacked by the door and it's nice to leave a $1 per bag on top (not totally required though) and head on your way. Your bags will be waiting at luggage services when you get back.

 

[laughinplace199]

OP, I hope I'm not hijacking your thread, but I have a DME ? too.

Where does the DME bus drop you off at MCO? Is it far from the airline check-in area? I'm just trying to figure out how to handle the luggage and getting checked in while pushing a stroller, making sure the bigger kids don't wander off, etc. We're flying jetBlue. Thanks.

 

[goofy4tink]

OP, I hope I'm not hijacking your thread, but I have a DME ? too.

Where does the DME bus drop you off at MCO? Is it far from the airline check-in area? I'm just trying to figure out how to handle the luggage and getting checked in while pushing a stroller, making sure the bigger kids don't wander off, etc. We're flying jetBlue. Thanks.

If you're flying JB, you should be able to do the RAC system for your departure. You can go over to the desk, usually in the lobby area of your resort, and you can check your luggage through right there. You have to have everyone in the group there, with airline ID's in hand. It is exactly the same thing as checking in at the airport. You will also get your boarding passes printed out then. So, the only thing you have to do is show up at the bus stop at the required time, ride to MCO and go directly to the sercurity area.
Now, the only problem could be the time of your departure flight. The RAC desk opens at 5 (I believe) and you can't check your luggage less than three hours before flight time...so if you have an 8:00 am, or earlier, flight, you could have a problem.
So...what time is your flight?
Looks like you'll be right behind us...you arrive the day after us!!!

 

[CleveRocks]

OP, I hope I'm not hijacking your thread, but I have a DME ? too.

Where does the DME bus drop you off at MCO? Is it far from the airline check-in area? I'm just trying to figure out how to handle the luggage and getting checked in while pushing a stroller, making sure the bigger kids don't wander off, etc. We're flying jetBlue. Thanks.

Let's say you can't use RAC (which goofy4tink explained above). The DME bus makes 2 stops at the airport, one stop on the A side and one stop on the B side. There will be people on the bus flying a variety of airlines. In addition to that, the driver will often take the first visible slot because if they run out of slots they'd have to go all the way around the airport again to try again. For those reasons, the driver can't tailor the drop-off point to any one airline or any one party.

Resort Airline Check-in is a really neat perk. Use it if you can.

 

[goofy4tink]

Let's say you can't use RAC (which goofy4tink explained above). The DME bus makes 2 stops at the airport, one stop on the A side and one stop on the B side. There will be people on the bus flying a variety of airlines. In addition to that, the driver will often take the first visible slot because if they run out of slots they'd have to go all the way around the airport again to try again. For those reasons, the driver can't tailor the drop-off point to any one airline or any one party.

Resort Airline Check-in is a really neat perk. Use it if you can.

Duh!!! Thanks for the explanation. I got so carried away with my RAC explanation that I forgot the 'original' question. Man, these senior moments are catching up with me!!

 

[laughinplace199]

Thanks goofy4tink & CleveRocks. I am hoping that we will be able to use RAC, but we were unable to use it last time (also flew jetBlue). DD has a peanut allergy, so I guess her name was flagged in the system and we were not allowed to get our boarding passes at the resort because of this. In hindsight, I wonder if they still could have taken our luggage and just let us get our boarding passes at MCO or if they could have checked the rest of us in at the resort and just not check DD in. I am hoping that we can use RAC this time, but I want to be prepared in case we can't.

goofy4tink, I see you're doing WDW and a cruise. Have a nice time!

 

[cepmom]

Also as far as getting your luggage to Luggage Services at Pop. You can call them the afternoon before and tell them you'll have xx number of bags, your room #, and what time you need them picked up (after xx:xx and before xx:xx). Then leave them stacked by the door and it's nice to leave a $1 per bag on top (not totally required though) and head on your way. Your bags will be waiting at luggage services when you get back.

I had no idea you could do this!! Wow ~ that will make our last morning even easier...we will want to leave as early as possible to get to MK and make the most of our last day and now I won't need to schlep the luggage over to Luggage Assistance at the crack o'dawn. Thanks!

 

[clkelley]

I had no idea you could do this!! Wow ~ that will make our last morning even easier...we will want to leave as early as possible to get to MK and make the most of our last day and now I won't need to schlep the luggage over to Luggage Assistance at the crack o'dawn. Thanks!

It's been that way at the Value resorts for years. They have "luggage assistance", not Bell Services. So they work on their schedule, not yours. The advantage is you don't have to be in the room for them to deliver or pick up luggage (even before DME they would deliver when you were not in the room).

 

[cepmom]

It's been that way at the Value resorts for years. They have "luggage assistance", not Bell Services. So they work on their schedule, not yours. The advantage is you don't have to be in the room for them to deliver or pick up luggage (even before DME they would deliver when you were not in the room).

this is good to know ~ it will be our first time in a value resort. In the past we have stayed at deluxe and mod resorts but also had rental cars each time. We would just take the luggage and put it in the car for the day then leave the park and head straight for the airport.