what is DME really like?
About This Page: This is a discussion on what is DME really like? within the Getting There (and Back!): Your Journey to Walt Disney World, part of the PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel; i'm deciding upon lodging for a work related trip, and am weighing pros and cons of different hotels--on vs. off ...

elbodans · 12-17-2010, 07:24 PM

i'm deciding upon lodging for a work related trip, and am weighing pros and cons of different hotels--on vs. off property is one of the considerations. one of my main concerns is cost (as it is a 'work' trip--though i'm SURE i'll still have fun!) and if i choose to stay on property (at a value, most likely) i would want to utilize the disney magical express. my question really is 'what is it REALLY like?' does it stop at every single resort, resulting in a 3 hour commute from the airport, which is only 20 minutes away directly? i ask because i had a bad experience on a trip to vancouver/alaska--we used the cruise line's shuttle and it took us two hours to get to our hotel. a cab would have taken 20 minutes. so--DME--yes or no? a cab round trip is around $130 (and i'll be alone, so that's divided by zero!), if that helps with the comparison. thanks in advance!!!

MichaelF · 12-17-2010, 07:31 PM

We love the DME. It saves us a lot on a rental car. It stops at two or three resorts at the most. About the soonest you will get to your resort is about 40 minutes. The longest it has taken us is about an hour and a half. That was when you had to go to the counter first and then get on the bus. You save a lot of time now by going straight to the bus. I would recommend DME for sure.

Griffin · 12-17-2010, 07:40 PM

It's not that bad really. You may have to wait in line for a bit while people line up and the buses pull in. We have generally waited up to 20 minutes to get on the bus. Then you may stop at a few other hotels before your stop. They play a cute Disney video on the way there that helps pass the time.

Roxie2006 · 12-17-2010, 07:41 PM

We use the DME service and will go no other way. The buses are very nice. We stay at Pop Century and the bus only stops at that hotel. It only takes about 45 minutes from the airport to the hotel. That is the only way to go!!!!!

bwheat2004 · 12-17-2010, 08:36 PM

We would not do it any other way. It is great.

Disney Dream'n · 12-17-2010, 08:59 PM

I couldn't justify spending that much money on a cab when DME is free and gets us there just the same. We've used it 3 yrs in a row and have had great service. Last 2 yrs we walked right on the bus and were out of there!

elbodans · 12-17-2010, 09:35 PM

ok--i'm thinking based on all of the advice above (and much advice from my lodging solo question) my best bet is to do DME to pop century. thanks everyone!!!!

Disneydiana · 12-18-2010, 07:42 AM

Sounds like a good idea. I love DME and use it every time I visit

coffeechef · 12-18-2010, 09:02 AM

As an often Solo traveler to Disney.. I love the DME. Even if it does stop at other Resorts, it usually 2-3 Resorts max. I have a couple times been the only person on the bus with the Driver. It depends what time you come in to the Airport. I look at it all as pasrt of the trip and experience of getting to Disney and I don't have to drive.

wishes · 12-18-2010, 10:59 AM

DS & I stayed at Pop last March, and DME stopped at 2 other hotels. I can't remember which ones, but I think it was CBR first, then Pop, then onto one of the deluxes. Same thing going back to the airport. The stops are very quick--just long enough for the people to get off the bus and grab any luggage they took with them.

elbodans · 12-18-2010, 12:35 PM

well, it is booked, including my DME reservations! pop century it will be with free bus service. yay saving money!

and yes, i was wondering about how crowded it would--or, more accurately, would NOT--be, as my plane lands at 8pm on a wednesday night. i'm sure there will be people from the (small) plane i'll be on that will also use DME, so i won't be totally alone with the bus driver!

Sue M. · 12-18-2010, 12:37 PM

I found it to have good service. I have them deliver my luggage too. We have carry-on that we pack a change of clothes, bathing suit, jammies, and shoes for arrival, because you may not get your luggage until 3 hrs after arrival. So we have stuff right away.

Sue M. · 12-18-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elbodans

well, it is booked, including my DME reservations! pop century it will be with free bus service. yay saving money!

and yes, i was wondering about how crowded it would--or, more accurately, would NOT--be, as my plane lands at 8pm on a wednesday night. i'm sure there will be people from the (small) plane i'll be on that will also use DME, so i won't be totally alone with the bus driver!

There would be people from other airlines/flights too. But hard to say how many. Last time we used DME to MK area resorts, there was only 3 other families on bus. We arrived late afternoon.

smoore424 · 12-18-2010, 09:18 PM

I don't think you will regret your decision to use DME - we love having someone else do the driving when we are on vacation, especially when it's free AND they take care of your checked luggage at the airport. I only wish Disneyland had the same set up

Pax · 12-19-2010, 06:40 AM

There's a lot more than one bus for DME. Each bus services, IIRC, 2-4 resorts (For example, AKL and all three All-Stars).

You'll usually be in line to check in within two hours of landing, tops - including time to deplane and get to the DME boarding area. Within one hour is not unreasonable to hope for.