Why 3 hours early with DME

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

The DME drivers drive a different route than the towncar drivers I believe. And they drive much more slowly.

I thought they would all take 417... but then, if there's no traffic on I4, then I4 to 528 is usually faster.

As for the speed, DME coaches are driven by Mears. Mears, like Disney, strongly enforces the speed limit amongst drivers. If one is caught speeding while driving a Disney or Mears bus, heavy disciplinary action is taken, sometimes including termination. Not to mention the speeding fines for commercial drivers are 2-3x heavier, and insurance will skyrocket.

Towncar drivers, who are usually independant contractors... well, they don't always follow the speed limit like they should. (I'm not saying all towncar drivers speed, but quite a few)

 

[*Fantasia*]

So...3 hours to drive to airport and walk through security? Still seems a bit ridiculous to me when it took us under 45 minutes in the fall. Then, we got to wander around a nearly empty airport in the middle of the night. Our flight is LATE. There's very little happening at MCO at that time. I'm speaking from experience here.

IT DOESN'T TAKE 3 HOURS TO DRIVE TO THE AIRPORT. DME has to pick up other passengers from other resorts. There might be 3 or 4 resorts before they head out to the freeway to the airport. And once you get to the terminal... DME GOES TO TERMINAL A and TERMINAL B. I am glad it is 3 hours, this gives enough time for all guests at the other resorts to board and get the luggages stored.

Our flight was for 10am. We were told to be at the bus stop at 7:15am. We were there at 7am. The bus got there at 7:20am. There were already some folks from WL (or was it CR or maybe both), then picked us up from Poly, then onto GF. DME driver dropped the Delta folks first at terminal A. Then went to terminal B and dropped of SWA, then drove to NWA terminal. We got to the ticket center 1 hour and 45 minutes. PERFECT TIMING!!

I am very please with the service and I am going to use DME again for our next trip in August!!

If 3 hours doesn't suit you, then by all means, do take the towncar. Whatever that will make you happy and whatever that will make your trip more magical, then go for it.

To me, using DME is magical... it is free and I am happy with them.

 

[epcotfan]

Driving from Disney to MCO can take at least a half hour or more depending on traffic. We make sure we are at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure since we are international passengers. On our last trip in January the lines at security were VERY, VERY long. Domestic passengers should be at the airport at least 2 hours before. If security stops you or needs to go through your carry on baggage you will need that extra bit of time. Nevertheless we always see people running to catch their flights,