Will taking a taxi (instead of Magical Express) from airport to YC save a lot of time

[VAfamily1998]

My brother will be arriving on a Thursday afternoon about 4:30 (a United Airline flight, if that makes any difference). We will be staying at the Yacht Club (I will already be there as my flight arrives in the morning).

Budget is not too much of a concern for him, and he is wondering if just grabbing a taxi cab outside the airport will save a lot of time over waiting for ME?

I've never taken ME before--from what I understand, they could be taking guests to several different hotels and will stop at those hotels before ours, correct? And there's really no way of knowing how many hotels it may stop at before our hotel ahead of time?

Looking at vairous information websites, it seems taking a cab will cost about $55-$60...I think he would be ok with that if it would save him a significant amount of time. Do you think it would save a signifiant amount (45 minutes of saved time, or more?)

One concern I have is that since he is arriving around 4:30, will he run into a lot of "rush hour" traffic? I'm not sure if that's the typical commute direction/roads in the Orlando area...

Thanks!

 

[DebbieB]

My brother will be arriving on a Thursday afternoon about 4:30 (a United Airline flight, if that makes any difference). We will be staying at the Yacht Club (I will already be there as my flight arrives in the morning).

Budget is not too much of a concern for him, and he is wondering if just grabbing a taxi cab outside the airport will save a lot of time over waiting for ME?

I've never taken ME before--from what I understand, they could be taking guests to several different hotels and will stop at those hotels before ours, correct? And there's really no way of knowing how many hotels it may stop at before our hotel ahead of time?

Looking at vairous information websites, it seems taking a cab will cost about $55-$60...I think he would be ok with that if it would save him a significant amount of time. Do you think it would save a signifiant amount (45 minutes of saved time, or more?)

One concern I have is that since he is arriving around 4:30, will he run into a lot of "rush hour" traffic? I'm not sure if that's the typical commute direction/roads in the Orlando area...

Thanks!

Will he have checked luggage? If so, he'll have to wait for it and that will wipe out any time saved.

It took us about 1 hour 15 minutes from the time we got off the plane until the ME bus dropped us off at Boardwalk. We stopped at POR. Getting a cab might save him about 30 minutes, figuring 15 minutes to get off the plane and to the taxi pickup and 30 minutes drive time, assuming only carryon luggage.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

He should expect to make it to the resort about 90 minutes after landing if using DME. We were the third stop going to the YC in June.

If taking a taxi, he will have to go to baggage claim to retrieve his bags first. It is about a 45-50 minute drive to the resort.

All in all, it will probably only save him about 20-30 minutes taking a taxi. For me, skipping the baggage line makes DME totally worth it!

 

[VAfamily1998]

Thanks! I"m pretty sure he is bringing a carryon only (it's a very short trip, just 3 days)--so baggage claim won't be an issue.

I'll let him know that it would probably save him about 20-30 minutes...I'm thinking he'll decide to take a cab...

Currently, I do have the ME booked for him...if he had me keep the ME reservation, but then at the last minute after he lands, decides he'd rather take a cab, what will happen with ME? I mean, we could call them and let them know, but is it considered rude to cancel that late, or is it something that happens all the time? Would it prevent him from taking ME back to the airport for our departure?

Just wondering how much pressure I should put on him to commit to one or the other.

 

[seashoreCM]

Taking a taxi from the airport to Disney will not prevent you from taking Magical Express back to the airport.

Just be sure that you have an advance reservation for the return trip and have that reconfirmed in writing on the morning of the day before the day you check out.

 

[goofy4tink]

Here are my average times using various modes of transport...
1. Car service...carryon only.....45 mins (gate to resort)
2. Car service..checked bags.....60 mins
3. DME.....between 60 and 85 mins, usually close to 70/75 mins.
4. Mears...carryon ony.....90 mins.

So....a car service, which meets you, inside the airport, will take about 45 mins. A cab will be about the same, maybe 5 mins more since you have to go out and get one. It will save about 30 mins over using DME...if you have carryon only. Add 15 mins for checked bags.

 

[happymommy]

In my opinion, yes it will save him time. I took ME one time, when staying at the Boardwalk. I'm sure our experience was not typical, but we had only carry-ons and it was over two hours from our arrival at the airport to our arrival at the Boardwalk. My kids were so tired and hot after so much waiting, and I even considered getting out of line for the bus and going to get a cab. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough cash on me (stupid me, had planned on going to an ATM later that day). I wasn't sure if cabs took credit cards, so we waited.

If we had used a cab, we would have saved at least an hour and a half. We didn't use ME going back, and wouldn't use it again. It just wasn't for us, even though I know lots of folks love the service. Even with a short line, ME will take longer than a cab, especially if you just have a carry on bag.

 

[seashoreCM]

It is okay to cancel Magical Express at the last minute.

It is okay to not call to cancel DME if you are already on the plane and al you have is the six dollar a minute Airfone in the seat back.

It is recommended to not cancel DME unless you are sure you won't need it.

 

[goofy4tink]

While there are reports of times of over 90 mins, when taking DME, they are not the norm. Yes, it can happen. BUT..in all reality??? I have used DME over 10 times since it's inception. I have had only one trip that was close to the 90 min mark. And that was a time when everything that could happen, did happen.
So, plan on it taking 90 mins and you'll most likely be thrilled when it's closer to 70.
Or pay the $50+ to use a cab or car service. It's up to everyone to make their own choices. I just want everyone to have the most complete info possible.

 

[Brian Noble]

For the trip to the resort, acab will (a) save you a *little* time on average and (b) avoid the unlikely but still possible long waits that can crop up once in a blue moon with DME. I would think of it like "insurance" against a long wait, rather than an absolute time savings.

 

[sam_gordon]

For the trip to the resort, acab will (a) save you a *little* time on average and (b) avoid the unlikely but still possible long waits that can crop up once in a blue moon with DME. I would think of it like "insurance" against a long wait, rather than an absolute time savings.

I know the OP said the person would have carry on only, but I want to add if you ARE using checked luggage, you can have a delay waiting on the luggage too.

If you are doing carry on only, I think a cab could save ~20-30 minutes.
If you have check bags, I think it would be close to a wash on time.

Another option... make the DME reservation. Once at MCO, check at DME and see how long until the bus leaves. If it's within 5-10 minutes, take DME. If it's going to be longer, cancel then and get a cab. If the bus is going to leave shortly after you get on, a cab will only save 5-10 minutes if that.

 

[wvulion]

In my experience, I have had the ME get me to my hotel in under an hour, and its taken as much as two and a half. The wild card that you can never predict, is other people. I waited on a man who couldn't identify his own bag (hint: luggage tag), a woman who forgot her tickets, etc., and then I've walked onto the bus with no trouble whatsoever. I have taken Mears three times (the worst), and a cab on few occasions (it didn't save me any time, as I tend to travel when others want cabs as well). That said, I would either rent my own car (an option not mentioned, but you'll save time later) or take the Magical Express.

 

[Brian Noble]

you can have a delay waiting on the luggage too.

You can, but my experience has been that the average luggage delay is usually better than the average waiting-for-a-bus delay---especially now that airlines are charging for bags and ME takes so many out of the flow early. As always, YMMV. But, odds are that the chances of a *long* luggage delay are lower than the chances of an unusual delay with ME.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

If money is not an issue take a cab. Personally I have used ME and felt the times were very good. But there is more chance of a delay with ME than a taxi so just grab a cab and go.

 

[dburg30]

define "a lot".. that will help decide.

 

[bdklein]

Another option... make the DME reservation. Once at MCO, check at DME and see how long until the bus leaves. If it's within 5-10 minutes, take DME. If it's going to be longer, cancel then and get a cab. If the bus is going to leave shortly after you get on, a cab will only save 5-10 minutes if that.

What about if you have checked bags? You check at DM to see the wait and see that it is long so yo udecide to take a cab. Will you definitely be able to get your luggage off the carosuel (spelling?) in time for it not to go on the bus without you?

 

[goofy4tink]

What about if you have checked bags? You check at DM to see the wait and see that it is long so yo udecide to take a cab. Will you definitely be able to get your luggage off the carosuel (spelling?) in time for it not to go on the bus without you?

Nope, tagged bags never make it out to the carousel!! They are pulled as they come off the planes.
And then, the tagged bags are put on a luggage truck. The tagged bags are never on the same bus you are on.