Just back and used DME About This Page:

[13k]

We arrived in Orlando 11/17 and used DME for our transportation to and from the airport. We landed 10 mins early and followed all of the signs to the DME counter. We got checked in and waited in line for a bus. I was pretty impressed at how quickly we got to POR. Our plane landed at 10:35 and by noon we were sitting in our room at Oak Manor. Our luggage arrived in our room some time prior to 3:30 as that was when we returned from Downtown Disney. I stopped being impressed after that. I received two phone calls from DME during our stay asking for our return flight info as Air tran isn't a participating airline. This was after I sat with our TA while she gave them the return flight info. We were told to be ready to go at 3:00 PM for a 5:45 PM flight. We got on the bus and the driver told everyone he had two other stops to make. Big groans coming from the crowd. One person said they had a 5:00 flight and the driver was kind of rude when he told them they should have been on the 2:00 PM bus. We arrived at MCO and the driver dropped off the United people first and the people with the 5:00 PM flight had to wait with the rest of us to be dropped off on the A side of the terminal. We arrived at our gate 15 mins prior to boarding. We had to check in and check luggage so I realize we needed alittle bit more time but isn't that cutting it alittle close? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[bradk]

yes, 15 mins before takeoff is very close.

you got on the bus 3 hours before departure?

[SHEANA1226]

We had a bad experience at the airport waiting to get to the resort.

[lindawdw]

It makes me nervous when I hear bad reviews on DME since I'll be using it for the first time this Thursday. I really hope it goes well! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

[iamgrumpy]

I'm sorry you had such a bad time of it with DME. I hope they have the kinks worked out before my trip next year!

Amy

[lauren-roxy]

Sorry you had such a bad experience!!!

[eeyoregirl]

Is this true for all airlines? I'm sending my older parents back to the airport alone and they get mixed up when travelling to new places! This is making me a little nervous!!!

[mestitch]

We are using a non participating airline so I hope this doesn't happen to us on our return flight! Perhaps we'll just a transportation service and pay. I mean, we would have to carry our own luggage anyway.... and then we wouldn't have to be back at the AKL at 3 for a 6:45 flight.

[wheatenwalker]

I used it on the way back last time and I wasnt very happy because of the time it took and the fact I got dropped off really far from the Southwest check in- I am using it again because I am being cheap but I am very nervous about it!

[Marv]

I'm hoping your case was just an isolated one. I've used DME 3 times with nonparticipating airlines and have never had a problem. The last time was with AirTran, too. I've always gotten picked up 3 hours prior to the flight and been sitting at my gate with 2 hours to go. I'm using it again this month, and flying AirTran.

[DawnDenise]

I am using it this week on my trip and I'm not using a participating airline. I hope that all runs well.

[13k]

[ QUOTE ]
you got on the bus 3 hours before departure?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes. We got picked up at 3:00 for a 5:45 flight. The bus wasn't a minute early either. I had anticipated the bus would arrive early and we would leave POR at 3:00 but that wasn't the case.

[bradk]

they told you 3:00 for 5:45 though? not that it matters now... i'm just trying to do the math.. assuming it took half an hour to drive from WDW to the airport and it took half an hour from that point to get all checked in.. that's still like almost 2 hours on site after being picked up.. for stopping at a couple of other hotels?

it's a horrible experience i'm sure, but i'm also sure it was an isolated incident.

[Fortissimo]

[ QUOTE ]
they told you 3:00 for 5:45 though? not that it matters now... i'm just trying to do the math.. assuming it took half an hour to drive from WDW to the airport and it took half an hour from that point to get all checked in.. that's still like almost 2 hours on site after being picked up.. for stopping at a couple of other hotels?

it's a horrible experience i'm sure, but i'm also sure it was an isolated incident.

[/ QUOTE ]

DME does ask that you leave 3 hours before your flight leaves. (I'm not sure what you meant with your first sentence.)

If your resort is the first of three pick-ups, I can see thave even with the three hour time frame, you could cut it close making your flight. Say an hour to leave WDW property, 30 - 45 minute drive depending on the traffic and weather, finally, getting dropped off and your luggage handed to you to check in. Then you still have security at MCO. My last two trips we were in the security line for almost an hour before we could head for our gate. Not to mention I would have to stop off at a litter box.

Sorry, 13K, that your return DME trip was not as smooth as we all would hope. I do hope that the rest of your vacation was great!

[ripkensnana]

Okay, now I'm nervous too! We're using DME for the first time tomorrow, and while everything I've read states that getting to the resort and getting your luggage delivered has been for the most part positive, I'm not too happy with what I'm reading here....I guess we'll just have to see what happens. If you miss your flight because of their mess up, will DME arrange another flight for you at their expense? I doubt it....We leave MCO at 1:42 pm. Based upon your experience, I'm afraid that we may have to leave AS/Mu at 9 or 9:30 to be assured of getting to the airport on time to get through security, etc. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]