Originally Posted By CMM1 We used DME to get to Orlando Airport following our stay and it was great. Although there were a couple of grumblers in the back of the bus who ignored the recommendation to get on the bus 3 hours before their flight departure and complained at every stop, it was a fast and easy way to get to the airport. Wondering if other folks using the service had positive or negative experiences.
Originally Posted By kpwdwfan How can you complain about a free service. I realize nothings realy free nowadays but it's sure better than paying an extra hundred dollars for a private car or bus. The best part of it not having to bother with your luggage. I've used it many times and never have had any problems. I must admit that the three hours ahead of time can be a pain because it seems that we always spend most of the 3 hours sitting in the airport but I think the service has been great. I guess it's the price we pay for safety.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys I'm thinking about using it in November so I have a few questions. I have always had a car pick me up. Is there much of a wait once you get off your flight? Do you have to wait a long time for the bus to fill up with other guests? How many stops does it make and how long did it take to get to your resort? And finally the biggie-Did it take a long time to get your luggage? Any input would be much appreciated.
Originally Posted By SweetieangelM14 My family and I went in June and we used Magical Express. We waited maybe 5 minutes before we loaded the bus. We did wait about 10-15 minutes before we left the airport. We only made 1 stop. We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside, so the bus first stopped at Port Orleans French Quarter. However, we did arrive late at night, so there weren't a lot of people traveling. It did take a long time to get our luggage. I would use Magical Express again, but only if the plane didn't arrive so late. It was after 11:00pm and we were tired and wanted to sleep, but we had to wait for our luggages. It took almost 3 hours. I hope this helps you in making your decision.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys That really may work for us, since we are getting in at around 11:00 am. If the luggage takes 3 hours, it would be such a bad thing since normally you can't get checked in much before 3 pm anyway. Thank you for the info.
Originally Posted By kpwdwfan From my experience DME has worked pretty well. Yes, you do have a little wait on the bus at the airport but I've never waited more than twenty minutes. Yes, they do wait for the bus to fill up but not completely. In my opinion the luggage service is the best part of DME. Drop your bags at your home airport and they "magically" appear in your room. My bags have always been in my room within six hours of my arrival and usually much earlier. I always pack a change of clothes in my carry-on just in case. Once again, from my experience the busses I've used have had two to three stops but I've never encountered more than that. My last WL bus trip also included the Contemporary and GF but they stopped at WL first. The return trip included a stop at the Poly. They now make you take the bus three hours before your flight which I think is a little too much time but with all security restrictions I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. In the beginning I was very skeptical about this service for the same reasons you have inquired about. Yes there can be a little wait at the airport and a little extra time if the bus stops at another resort first but compare that to paying for a car service, waiting for your luggage at the airport it's probably very close to the same time. Other people may have had different experiences with DME but I am very pleased with the service.
Originally Posted By danyoung >...since normally you can't get checked in much before 3 pm anyway.< I don't think I've ever checked in as late as 3pm. I usually get a flight that lands late morning, and I arrive at the hotel in the noon to 1pm range. They almost always have a room ready to go. So don't think you have to while away the time waiting till 3pm.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys ^^ I've had the opposite experience. We usually visit 3-4 times a year and it is very seldom that we get our room much earlier than 3. Either way, it's not a big deal because we'll store our bags and hit the parks anyway.
Originally Posted By MinnieSummer I used ME on Christmas Eve. It wasn't a planned trip so I called WDW reservations the day before and they took care of everything. I couldn't check my bags becaue I didn't have the tags but overall it was a great experience. There was a long wait for the bus due to the holiday travelers, about 20 minutes. But once they boarded the bus we were off. I was staying at Boardwalk and it was the first stop. I actually was in my room 1 1/2 hours after my plane landed. Not too bad. The return wasn't as great as we stopped at CBR and sat there for another 20 minutes or so. I was actually glad that the bus left early as the lines at Orlando airport were huge due to it being the day after Christmas. If I had caught the later bus I would never have made it.
Originally Posted By NAPO Since we fly from California, we always arrive late in the evening in Florida. The first time we used ME we had Disney pick up our bags. The hotel called us at 2:00 am, 11:00 pm in our west coast minds, to tell us we could pick up our bags in storage. You can choose to pick up your luggage at the airport and then take them to the bus with you. We did this in July. The bus ride was about 30 minutes long and we were the first group dropped off. They showed us a "tourist" dvd of the resort so the ride was quick.
Originally Posted By Mickey4President Thank you kpwdfan, that was the one thing I was wondering about DME. We will be staying at the WL in October.
Originally Posted By kpwdwfan Enjoy your trip. WL is one of our favorite resorts. The rehab to the rooms was well done and the resort was looking great.
Originally Posted By Mickey4President Thank you kpwdwfan we will have a great time. I had my count down to 65 days for a March trip, when my hubby wanted to change it to October. I agreed only b/c he sayed we could stay at the WL.
Originally Posted By crazyformickey I have used Magical Express twice already. The first time just a few months after it started. To be honest the worse thing that happen is I had to wait in line to get on my bus (which really wasn't a problem) I got to my resort in plently of time, my bags were at my resort before me. I just couldn't check in since at Beach Club check in is at 4 and my room wasn't ready until almost the last minute. My second trip we arrived in the evening. I walked right up to the check-in counter and walked right into the bus. I was at my resort in no time. Going home we had to be there 3 hours before our flight. No problems I got to finish some shopping I didn't get to do at the resort at the Walt Disney store and we didn't go to Universal so I picked up some great Thing 1 and Thing 2 shirts for my kids. Magical Express is great. Yes it would be nice to have a car but the $150-$200 I save on a car rental I get to use in the parks which my kids would agree is a better option.
Originally Posted By griffs95 We used ME over Spring Break...so take that into account. Landed around 1, waiting in line for the bus for about 30 minutes and then it was smooth sailing... I think they have the routine down to a science now. We ate, went over to MK from WL and came back to...luggage in our rooms. Very nice.
Originally Posted By gaston lives I used the ME during it's first month or so. Getting from the airport to the resort was easy and quick. Now, on the way back to the airport, that was antoher issue completely. We booked the 3 hour early bus. Was there 3.5 hours early...waited, waited, waited...the bus never came. Long story short...the bus never came...we complained like crazy (I had work the next morning in Colorado), and was getting in a cab when the next bus came up. They said they would definitely get us to the airport in time for our flight. We get on, go to the airport, and the bus driver (the same one who told us we would make it) got on the intercom to told us that for those trying to get to our flight, there was no way possible. I'm angry by now, but am holding out hope. We get to teh airport and this driver decides to circle the airport 5 times looking for the right entrance. (What?) We get our OWN LUGGAGE off of the bus cause he didn't do it for anybody (not like that on the way in), and run in to get our seat assignments, but the plane was full and ready to pull off of the tarmac. We missed the flight, then had to FIGHT with Disney to get us a room at no cost due to their blunder with bus scheduling. There were others, too, and we did get a nice room at the CBR...and a personal town car the next morning to the airport...early! It worked out, but was terrible. Hopefully it has corrected itself this past year.
