MAGICAL EXPRESS NOT VERY MAGICAL!!!!

[kaytieeldr]

I don't have a carry-on, I only have my park tote as my handbag. I don't have freshen up toiletries in that bag, nor do I want to crowd my bag with them. If for some reason my bags get lost via the airline (which has never happened to me in my years of traveling) - then of course I know (soap-wise) I can freshen up at my resort. But I won't have my change of clothing with me.

Your choice, clearly, but why? Especially now that you know this is common travel expert advice, why would you not u$e a larger bag, with (just) enough space for your park tote an first 24 hours necessities?

DME has been a mess for a long time. The last time I used it was 2010. The wait at the airport was interminable

Impossible. This means you are still waiting at the airport, eight years after arrival.

You can't utilize an outstandingly successful service on a single trip almost a decade ago and reasonably claim it's been a "mess" for that, or any, length of time. Hyperbole does not become the.

 

[Gentry2004]

Your choice, clearly, but why? Especially now that you know this is common travel expert advice, why would you not u$e a larger bag, with (just) enough space for your park tote an first 24 hours necessities?

Impossible. This means you are still waiting at the airport, eight years after arrival.

You can't utilize an outstandingly successful service on a single trip almost a decade ago and reasonably claim it's been a "mess" for that, or any, length of time. Hyperbole does not become the.

I guess we have different definitions of “successful service.”

I think a lot of people haven’t tried another option and don’t know how much better it can be. I’ll have picked up my rental car and be unloading at my resort while the DME people are still waiting in line at MCO. People should know they have options, and “free” ones come with a price.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've used DME since it started, usually multiple times a year. I have had one time that it took me almost 90 mins, gate to resort. The longest time I have waited in a bus line was 25 mins, but once on the bus, we left within 5 mins. I have never had a situation where I waited to get on the bus for 20+ mins, and then sat on the bus, waiting to leave, for 20+ mins.
Here are my time frames..
gate to DME....10-15 mins
at podium to check in...1-15 mins
in bus line....1-25 mins
on bus, waiting to leave...1-20 mins
ride to resort...30-45 mins (depending on which stop I am)
That makes 2 hrs my time if everything goes wrong. That has yet to happen. Can it happen? Sure, but it certainly isn't the norm.

Now that my dd works at Disney, and lives in the area, I tend to rent a car more often...then it takes me about an hour, gate to resort, unless I have just carry on bags. Of course, the last time I rented a car, two weeks ago, it was about an hour before I left the airport. Baggage claim took 25 mins, then there was a huge backup at the check out area for rentals...there had to be 7 cars ahead of me!! Glitches can happen no matter which method you choose.

 

[Sparkly]

We always pick up our luggage anyway because of coming from the UK. No worrying about not having your stuff for the first night!

I've only ever been on the ME once and we did have a little wait because of it being 7pm in the evening but it was otherwise fine. We usually rent a car but are going to use the ME again next trip.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I guess we have different definitions of “successful service.”

I think a lot of people haven’t tried another option and don’t know how much better it can be. I’ll have picked up my rental car and be unloading at my resort while the DME people are still waiting in line at MCO. People should know they have options, and “free” ones come with a price.

Two million plus passengers annually for thirteen years. Clearly yes, you do have a different definition than I, Disney, the dictionary...

I think a lot more people have used multiple transportation options and can make valid comparisons. Over the years - remember, even with as long as DME has existed, theme parks predate the service by more than thirty years - I've used Mears, town cars, taxi, rental cars, DME.

I had one DME experience where I was the last person on the bus. Fifty nine minutes from gate to resort! Now, admittedly, that was unusual -- but less so than the claim of unloading ones vehicle at the hotel before flightmates even board a DME bus.

Are you claiming you can claim your luggage, choose /locate your car, check out of the garage, drive 25 miles, and he unloading your vehicle in under 25 minutes?

It makes much more sense to advise potentially unaware visitors of options, than to exaggerate a nearly impossible experience.

 

[Gentry2004]

I'm not disputing how many people use it. But that's not because its better, its because its free.

 

[AngiTN]

I guess we have different definitions of “successful service.”

I think a lot of people haven’t tried another option and don’t know how much better it can be. I’ll have picked up my rental car and be unloading at my resort while the DME people are still waiting in line at MCO. People should know they have options, and “free” ones come with a price.

But a lot of people have thought about it and used other methods and have come to realize that driving yourself sucks. You have to do it everyday at home. You are then stick with dealing with parking, watching how much you drink each day, traffic, road construction, and heaven knows what else. So wonderful to let someone else do all the worrying and all the driving. We know much better it is to let Disney do the driving

Last Saturday the is no way you picked up your bags and your rental car and were at the resort faster than we were in ME. Not possible. Not without a teleport

 

[AngiTN]

I'm not disputing how many people use it. But that's not because its better, its because its free.

Nope. We do not pick it because it is free

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm not disputing how many people use it. But that's not because its better, its because its free.

Not always because it's free. Perhaps there are those who prefer not to drive in unfamiliar areas, or those that don't feel the need to spend $150+ to hire a car service.
There are many reasons for the choices people make. And sometimes, others feel as if they are being attacked if someone decides to use a method that is different from theirs. If DME works for me, but doesn't work for you, it's not an attack if I decide to use it. I have had many people tell me I'm nuts to rent a car....why would I do that when DME is right there, free. But, sometimes I want/need a car when I'm in Orlando. There have been times I've used a car service. Each trip is different and my needs may be different.
To say that DME isn't a 'successful service' isn't true. It's very successful. It's actually pretty amazing to realize how many guests they move each day, how many bags are handled each day...with a good success rate. Does this mean that every single guest should use DME? Absolutely not. But, if you don't need/want a rental car, or to pay for a car service, it's a pretty nice option to have.

 

[StageTek]

Wow! People who don't like Magical Express REALLY don't like it. It becomes "us-vs-you" fast.

 

[AngiTN]

I have nothing to confirm my guess but I do feel pretty confident that based on percentages alone DME is more successful at handing bags than the airline

And before you say, I only do carry on, well, even that doesn't mean the airline never handles your bag. We have to use puddle jumper aircraft from our home airport and that means all roll on bags get gate checked. Only a back pack can go on the plane, or other hand held bag

So yeah, DME is dang successful. But it's also voluntary. Don't want to use it, don't. But the is nothing wrong with the folks who do, any more than the is something wrong with the folks who don't

 

[StageTek]

I think a lot of people haven’t tried another option and don’t know how much better it can be. I’ll have picked up my rental car and be unloading at my resort while the DME people are still waiting in line at MCO.

I don't doubt that occasionally that can happen. I know you are not suggesting that is the norm.

It's wonderful hyperbole, though! What do you think is the average time it takes from the time you disembark the plane, get your luggage, get to the rental car, drive to the resort, park and pop the trunk? Not the extremes like luggage not arriving, a crazy long line at the rental desk and stupid traffic - just a typical journey in your experience.

I think a lot of people HAVE tried another option and still find DME worth it. I know I have.

 

[Gentry2004]

I don't doubt that occasionally that can happen. I know you are not suggesting that is the norm.

It's wonderful hyperbole, though! What do you think is the average time it takes from the time you disembark the plane, get your luggage, get to the rental car, drive to the resort, park and pop the trunk? Not the extremes like luggage not arriving, a crazy long line at the rental desk and stupid traffic - just a typical journey in your experience.

I think a lot of people HAVE tried another option and still find DME worth it. I know I have.

We’ve found the drive itself to take 25-30 minutes. We bring carryon bags and come from a large airport so the bags fit on the plane. We prepay with Alamo and you pick any car in your aisle, so we walk up, hop in a car, they scan our receipt and we are off. So 45 minutes? Maybe 50m if someone needed the restroom?

We also got a Florida E-Pass (not EZ pass) so tolls are electronic.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm not disputing how many people use it. But that's not because its better, its because its free.

Wrong. I use DME when I have no need or desire do drive anywhere. Disney transpor5ation meets or exceeds my expectations.

We’ve found the drive itself to take 25-30 minutes. We bring carryon bags and come from a large airport so the bags fit on the plane. We prepay with Alamo and you pick any car in your aisle, so we walk up, hop in a car, they scan our receipt and we are off. So 45 minutes? Maybe 50m if someone needed the restroom?

So then, you don't actually start unpacking your car while your fellow passengers are still waiting in the DME line. You are extremely lucky to be satisfied with the closest car in your class and to never encounter anyone in front of you to check out, as well as to never have to examine the vehicle for damages that need to be discussed with the booth agent.

We also got a Florida E-Pass (not EZ pass) so tolls are elelectronic

cash tools are extremely rare now anyway.

 

[StageTek]

We’ve found the drive itself to take 25-30 minutes. We bring carryon bags and come from a large airport so the bags fit on the plane. We prepay with Alamo and you pick any car in your aisle, so we walk up, hop in a car, they scan our receipt and we are off. So 45 minutes? Maybe 50m if someone needed the restroom?

We also got a Florida E-Pass (not EZ pass) so tolls are electronic.

That's remarkable. No hyperbole at all. 45 minutes from leaving the plane to unloading your luggage at the resort.

It's no wonder you hate DME. Glad you found what works for you!

 

[goofy4tink]

We’ve found the drive itself to take 25-30 minutes. We bring carryon bags and come from a large airport so the bags fit on the plane. We prepay with Alamo and you pick any car in your aisle, so we walk up, hop in a car, they scan our receipt and we are off. So 45 minutes? Maybe 50m if someone needed the restroom?

We also got a Florida E-Pass (not EZ pass) so tolls are electronic.

You are indeed very lucky! It takes me 10 mins to get from the gate to Alamo. The last time I rented, two weeks ago, it took me 15 mins just to get through the check out booth at the airport!!! The line of cars was incredible! It usually takes me about 10 mins to find a car, load my stuff, hop in and get out of the airport, but it can take longer! If I can get to my resort within an hour of landing, I consider myself fortunate. It usually takes about a bit more than an hour. And yes, I have Alamo prepay, a Sunpass transponder, and usually carry on only. If it took me 45 mins, I would be amazed.

 

[StageTek]

Coming from LAX I have always landed early in the morning - so no lines for DME. I've waited on the bus for 20 minutes... but that's about it for "substandard service".

Is the line for DME often more then 45 minutes? I imagine it can get pretty crazy.

 

[goofy4tink]

Wow! People who don't like Magical Express REALLY don't like it. It becomes "us-vs-you" fast.

And this is the problem!!!!! If I don't like something, and post about it, and have someone else come along and post that they actually like it...well, it's all downhill from there. It's almost as if someone is saying that because you dislike what they like, you are wrong in your feelings, that what you experienced didn't happen, or is negligible.

People....we are all welcome to post our experiences. That means that there are going to be those that don't agree with you. There are some that are having an issue with the 'argumentative' turn this is taking. Because I don't see it as argumentative, it will remain open to posting. But, please, remember that your experiences are your experiences. Others may very well have different experiences. And while it's fine to post about experiences you may have had in the distant past, many thing may very well have changed in recent years, so your experiences, while valid, are probably not going to be applicable at this time. If someone asks for our thoughts and experiences, so they can make an informed choice, it's a good idea to give current info. Something that happened 5 or so years ago probably isn't going to have any bearing at this time. I could be wrong, but that does seem to be the case.
Okay....lecture over. Carry on, but do it in a civil manner. And remember, tone can't be discerned on a message board!!!

 

[FCDub]

Five pages complaining about a free service.

God bless America.

 

[AngiTN]

Coming from LAX I have always landed early in the morning - so no lines for DME. I've waited on the bus for 20 minutes... but that's about it for "substandard service".

Is the line for DME often more then 45 minutes? I imagine it can get pretty crazy.

I don't believe it's often more than 45 min. Can it happen? Sure, anything can happen. Just not the norm at all.
We've landed at very busy seasons too, like NYE, Thanksgiving and most recently, Memorial Day weekend. There's never been a 45 min wait for ME bus.
We've waited 30 min and we've waited less, once on the bus. Time to board is has always been really quick actually, less than 10. Time to check in less than that.
Arrival for our last trip was the best possible. We walked up, check in behind 1 family. Went to out lane and just as we got in line they started check in for boarding. I think one other group came in behind us. By the time we all got on board and seated the bus pulled away. Our resort was the first stop. We did have a first here, we were the 3rd ME bus at the resort so we had a wait to unload. In all our trips I've never hit the resort when another ME bus was there and we had to wait.