Wdw oldie but DME newbie....help....

[Disney-Kim]

we are considering using DME for the first time to help save some money but we can't decide there is any benefit other than cost...

we arrive at 7:30pm...so would possibly not have luggage until after 10:30 pm at hotel....correct??
but they take our luggage for us and we ride the bus...ok good

our departure flight is at 7:25am.....so can't use the luggage service bummer

here is my main question: does DME run at scheduled times for pick up and we can just get on bus when we want to? or do they schedule a time to pick up ...3 hrs before your flight?

plus no grocery stop....decisions....

 

[Alesia]

we arrive at 7:30pm...so would possibly not have luggage until after 10:30 pm at hotel....correct??
but they take our luggage for us and we ride the bus...ok good

Right. Once you check your luggage at your home airport, you wont see it again until it shows up in your room, which will be about 3 hours after you check in at your resort. If you don't want it delivered that late, just call bell services and ask them to hold it until the next morning

here is my main question: does DME run at scheduled times for pick up and we can just get on bus when we want to? or do they schedule a time to pick up ...3 hrs before your flight?

They will schedule your pickup time for about 3 hours before your departing flight. You need to be on that bus. If you miss it, Disney has no obligation to make sure you get to the airport.

plus no grocery stop....decisions....

Have you considered a delivery service like Garden Grocer or Wegoshop?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Agreeing with everything Alesia said and pointing out that a grocery delivery will (a) get you to the resort faster than food shopping yourself and (b) at $12 - $17 service/delivery charge, in combination with Magical Express, is at least 90% cheaper than a car rental and 70% less than a car service.

 

[goofy4tink]

The benefits of DME are.....cost and ease of luggage handling. In your case, that may not be an option. Yes, it will be free. But, you won't get your checked bags until several hours after you checkin at your resort. If you get to your resort by 8:30, you may have a 3 hr wait for those bags to get to your room. You may get lucky and get them by 10, but I wouldn't count on it.

Then, you won't be able to use the RAC counter to check your bags on your departure day. And you will be given a bus departure time of about 4:30am..give or take 20 mins either way.

Only you can decide if it's worth it to take DME. If I were to arrive after 7pm, I would get my own bags...I would hate having to wait for my bags to come that late. I also won't book a flight earlier than 8:30 simply because I can't use the RAC system for my bags at the resort.

Grocery delivery is a great thing...but there will be delivery charges and a possible tip expected. I like to use gardengrocer.com. They provide a good service...but again, there are fees involved.

 

[Disney-Kim]

thanks for the responses...

we had no choice on return flight...we were on a 5:20pm and it was eliminated...7:25am only other non stop. thx USAirways

we don't mind the late luggage arrival...we are adjusting to the east coast time that first night anyway

considering using garden grocer too....

now...the only bad part...getting on the DME at 4:30am to go to airport...whereas if we took towncar we would get picked up at about 545 or 6...OUR choice.

we have taken the towncar for years and done the early flight many times...so....decisions....

the towncar with tip is about $165...so.....need to decide

 

[goofy4tink]

Just be careful. Sounds like you've done it before, but still..be sure to allow yourself enough time when you leave the resort. I know it's hard getting up and going that early. But if you have a 7:25am flight, I would think you would want to leave sooner than 5:45...that gets you to the airport by 6:15ish...only an hour before flight departure. There could be an accident on the road, you could get hung up at security....many possibilities. Even MCO says to allow for 2 hrs before departure for arrival times. I don't think I would want to leave any later than 5:30. But, that's just me. I have no trouble cooling my heels at the gate...much better than worrying about being late for boarding.