What would you do?

[faberj]

For our next trip I am debating using the magical express and garden grocer instead of using tiffany town car servie. I have a few questions though, it is worth it? Tiffany's is $95.00 plus tax and tip and you get the 20 minute food store stop. ME is free, but you have to stop at other resorts, ME does not work with my airline Midwest Airlines so what do I do with my luggage then? Haul it around myself? How does garden grocer work? What if the food arrives before we do, does it sit out and spoil? Do I have to wait around in my room until they show up? Please share your experiences.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have used DME about 4 times now, and TT about 4 times...so I've done them both and can compare. If you decide to use DME....you will be able to tag your bags so you don't touch them once they leave you at your home airport. They arrive in the resort room up to 3 hrs after you checkin. When you leave your resort, you just head to the bus at the appointed time (about 3 hrs. before flight departure), the driver will stow your bags underneath the bus, and you will do the same thing at the airport that you normally would...check your bags, go to security, etc.

As far as timing goes....Only one time have I gotten to my resort quicker using a towncar service. That one time I had only carryon bags, so didn't have to go to baggage claim and wait for my checked bags. That time it took me 55 mins from deplaning to resort checkin.

If you use DME you can expect to arrive at your resort about 70 mins after deplaning. I have had times of 60-90 mins. The 90 mins was when we were the last of three stops and there were a lot of people who had brought checked bags with them, so had to get it out from under the bus. Not a lot of time, but if you figure an addtl 5-7 mins at two resorts, that adds almost 15 mins total.

If you use a towncar service, you will have to head to baggage claim, the driver will be there waiting for you, sign in hand. You may luck out and find your luggage is among the first to come off the plane. Or you may have to wait up to 30 mins...I had to wait 25 mins last Dec for a travel companions bags to come down.
Then it's off to the car, and the 30 min. ride to the resort. So...about the same time, perhaps a bit less, but not much.

As far as grocery orders go...I have used wegoshop and netgrocer so far. Netgrocer doesn't do perishables so I don't use them anymore. Wegoshop buys pretty much whatever you want...same thing with Gardengrocer. If your order has been prepaid, then you don't have to be there to accept the delivery. Your goceries will go to bell services where they can put perishables in a fridge. You call down when you are in your room and they bring the order up to you.
If your order hasn't been paid for, you, obviously, must be there to accept the order. They will give you a 'ball park' time for delivery. Usually an hour window, then they call you when they are on the way.

If you decide to go with DME, be sure to pack some extra clothes in your carryon. I like to have my swim suit, as well as shorts/tee shirt in mine. This way I can head to the pool or a park. I don't have to worry about when my checked bags come.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Where's Eric when you need him...

EVERY airline "participates" in Magical Express on your flight TO Orlando.
Register for Magical Express.
Prior to your trip, you will receive the infamous yellow luggage tags your DME packet.
Read the packet.
Attach the tags to your luggage as directed.
Check your luggage in at your home airport.
It will MAGICALLY appear in your room several hours after you check in at your hotel and your room is ready.
No “hauling” required.

Now, yes, on the return trip you will have to bring your luggage to the DME bus where the driver will stow it underneath. It’s customary to tip anyone who handles your luggage (except, don’t worry about the person who delivered it to your room – Disney tips them).

 

[puffkin]

We have done both and I preferred the DME/Garden Grocer route.

Not having to go to baggage claim and get our bags was great. We had a minimal wait at the airport for DME, got to our resort, checked in, had lunch and took a swim. We checked around 2 and our room was ready, and our bags were already inside. Our groceries were to arrive at 5 pm, but we were out in the parks. Got back and our groceries were in our room and there was a note that if we had ordered any perishables (which we didn't) that they would be waiting at bell services.

Very easy, no hassle and cost efficient. It was GREAT.

 

[CleveRocks]

For our next trip I am debating using the magical express and garden grocer instead of using tiffany town car servie. I have a few questions though, it is worth it? Tiffany's is $95.00 plus tax and tip and you get the 20 minute food store stop. ME is free, but you have to stop at other resorts,

Well, not necessarily. Someone has to be the first stop, know what I mean?

ME does not work with my airline Midwest Airlines so what do I do with my luggage then? Haul it around myself?

Well, you know the answer by now. Everyone on every airline gets the free and automatic luggage delivery from airport to resort room. The only way airline matters is for the luggage handling on the way home.

How does garden grocer work? What if the food arrives before we do, does it sit out and spoil? Do I have to wait around in my room until they show up? Please share your experiences.

You have to order from GG in advance, I'd advise as early as possible. I last went during a popular time, and my date of arrival was "sold out" more than a month in advance!

You can arrange with them to have Bell Services accept the delivery so you don't have to sit and wait for it. Bell Services will keep your cold stuff cold.

I've used Gooding's (www.goodings.com) twice and was completely satisfied both times. Their ONLY way of doing deliveries is to deliver to Bell Services, so with them you literally never have to schedule a time for delivery; when you get back to your room, you'll have a phone message from Bell Services asking you when you want them to deliver your groceries.

Where's Eric when you need him...

Sorry, I've been working a lot ... no time to get into a phone booth and change my clothes ....