Magical Express

[Jerren]

Originally Posted by CleveRocks

I think this is a misleading statement. The only similarity between the Mears shuttle and DME is that Mears supplies the drivers and buses for both. The similarities end there.

Mears Shuttle -- multiple stops before leaving the airport.
DME -- only one loading area at airport.

Mears Shuttle -- waits 'til bus is full, almost guaranteeing long waits.
DME -- must leave airport no more than 15-20 minutes after first guest boards, no matter how few people are on the bus.

Mears Shuttle -- makes an unlimited number of resort stops.
DME -- makes a maximum of 4 resort stops.

Mears Shuttle -- resort stops can be all over the place.
DME -- resort stops are usually grouped into zones. A bus that must cross zones will make fewer stops, making up for the extra transit time.

Mears Shuttle -- on any old bus that's around.
DME -- plushly upholstered motorcoach with DVD screens and a bathroom.

However, arranging for a grocery delivery saves even MORE money, and also saves TIME.

Put it this way: you can pay $110 + tip (roughly $132 total) in order to save money using a grocery stop, or you can pay between $12 and $20 for a grocery delivery fee. If the point is saving money, then DME plus grocery delivery saves about $100 more money than a car service plus "free" grocery stop. Strictly money-wise, it's a no-brainer.

I always advise people to choose their airport transportation options NOT on time, since it's all about the same, but rather on the level of service they want and how much they are willing to pay for it. For someone who has a strong desire for a private ride and personalized service, the car service is worth every penny. But for someone who just wants to get to and from the airport in an efficient manner AT NO COST, then DME is a beautiful thing.

True just be careful I have heard reports from other agents of people not having good luck with some grocery delivery services at WDW. It can sometimes be hit or miss and nothing's free... like back home you'll pay much more at some stores than others.

[Iluvdisney]

I have used a towncar and used DME and they were both fine. DME has been fine everytime I used it and I have never had an issue.

[Moonliner]

We have decided to rent a car (so we can visit some off property locations) so we might as well make a grocery stop.

Any recommendations on what grocery store to stop at between the airport and WDW?

[AlwysL8]

Originally Posted by Jerren

ME is pretty reliable now, it's run by MEARS and it's pretty much the same experience as before except Disney has hired a company to handle your checked luggage for you. The horror stories of lost luggage and the like do still pop up now and then but are much much less frequent now than when they where first getting it set up and running.

That said the benefits for using a Car service versus the ME is that you generally get a grocery and liquor store stop on the way to the parks, which can save you almost the entire cost of the ride if your staying for any length of time. You can also gain more time (sometimes several hours over a bus) in the parks or resort with the car service as the driver meets you at the baggage claim without waiting in any lines, and on the trip back to the airport the car picks you up at the time you choose and takes you directly to your airline at the airport.

On the way in I think it's a wash since if you take advantage of the 30 min grocery stop you'll arrive at you resort in roughly the same amount of time (but with breakfast, soda, water, and snacks for the week...), but on the way back you can gain a few more hours in the closest park before you have to dash to the airport...

The grocery stop is the reason we are going with Tiffany Towncar, we will be there for two weeks and plan on stocking up on bottled water, snacks, etc. Plus I have heard some horror stories about your luggage not arriving at your hotel until a couple of hours after you yourself have arrived and that is not a chance I want to take, especially if we end up arriving later in the evening. If it wasn't for those two things I would have probably gone with ME myself.

I did look into having groceries delievered to the hotel but everywhere I looked they wanted atleast a $50 minimum order and there were additional fees. All in all I don't know if we are really saving any money either way, but it's a personal preference. I would prefer to arrive with my luggage (crossing fingers that it isn't lost by the airline) and food so that I know i'm ready.

[Barbaraann]

When we traveled to WDW in 2005 Magical Express had just begun. We opted to use a Town Car on that trip. The grocery stop, and the luggage issue was also a concern of mine at that time also. I figured for 3 people at the time the extra $100 that I spent, was well worth it.

Sometimes convenience, and peace of mind are factors in the way we plan our vacations.

A little bit of planning goes a long way, and it is nice to know as much as we can before we start our vacations. Unexpected hazzles can start a vacation off on the wrong foot.

[ameeg]

our experience was great. It was the first time to the east coast and disney world. We had done absultley no reserach on anything (I don't suggest that) as well as being preoccupied with getting married.. and it was a blessing. We had no problems, and being as hectic time as it was, it was really stress free. I highly suggest it.

[ralfrick]

I'd advise keeping an eye on things for a while if you're using this service. The airlines are starting to charge a per bag fee when checking luggage which will certainly have some effect on the procedures used for checking bags for the return flight..

A bientot.

[halltd]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Any recommendations on what grocery store to stop at between the airport and WDW?

Goodings just outside of Hotel Plaza Boulevard is the most expensive. It's nice, but VERY expensive. So, I would go there as a last resort.

The one we go to is near Celebration and is a Publix. Very clean, average prices, etc... Their address is 2925 International Drive South, Kissimme, FL 34746. Here's a link to it on live maps. http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=...cl=1&encType=1

It's simple to get to from Osceola Parkway, so just exit there from the Greenway and it's about 2 minutes from the exit. Then you can take International Drive back to Osceola Parkway and avoid the mess that is 192 to get into WDW. It's actually VERY easy and I think a store that is very overlooked for being so close.

[CleveRocks]

Originally Posted by AlwysL8

Plus I have heard some horror stories about your luggage not arriving at your hotel until a couple of hours after you yourself have arrived and that is not a chance I want to take, especially if we end up arriving later in the evening. If it wasn't for those two things I would have probably gone with ME myself.

It's not a horror story.

In the DME information packet sent to guests, it explains that your luggage will be delivered to the inside of your resort room within about 3 hours of the time you check into your resort.

So if you know this, and it arrives about 3 hours after you do, it's no horror story at all, but rather business as usual. If you know it's coming, there's no problem.

You don't have to sit around and wait for the luggage ... it is put into your room whether you're in there or not. In other words, go out and play! Most of us don't know exactly when the luggage came, because we were out having fun rather than sitting and waiting.

The first time I used DME, the bags arrived while we were in the pool enjoying the start of our vacation. We brought our pool stuff in our carry-ons.

In fact, it's just a smart and self-protective way to travel to pack a carry-on with your needs for the first 24 hours, just in case the AIRLINES lose your luggage. The second time we used DME, we landed at 10 p.m., and arrived at our resort 56 minutes later. We had all of our night-time stuff, as well as our needs for the next morning. We planned to ask the resort to hold our bags for us rather than getting awakened in the middle of the night. We were prepared to leave for the parks the next morning still without our checked bags, just because that was the most convenient thing for us.

[CleveRocks]

Originally Posted by Jerren

True just be careful I have heard reports from other agents of people not having good luck with some grocery delivery services at WDW. It can sometimes be hit or miss and nothing's free... like back home you'll pay much more at some stores than others.

It's funny you mention that. On all the message boards I frequent (one of which is very very very busy with many many posts on the subject), I literally have NEVER read a negative post from a dissatisfied customer of the 3 well-known services: Gooding's, Garden Grocer, and WeGoShop.

Seriously, I've never read a first-person account from someone who was unhappy with the service of any of these delivery services.

I'm a satisfied customer ... twice.

[CleveRocks]

Originally Posted by Barbaraann

Sometimes convenience, and peace of mind are factors in the way we plan our vacations.

Amen.

That's the bottom line.

We all have different sensibilities, different likes and dislikes, different comfort levels. We all need to do what works best for us.

Thankfully, there is a range of choices.

[ralfrick]

A follow-up on my earlier post, this is from today's all ears newsletter.

"

Effective June 1, the Resort Airline Check-In service implemented several changes in its checked baggage policy:

-- Guests who fly AirTran, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Northwest, and US Airways may check one bag per passenger using the Resort Airline Check-in Service. Guests with multiple bags on these airlines will have the option to check additional pieces through their airlines' ticket counters at Orlando International Airport or they may call Baggage Airline Guest Services at 407-284-1231 to pay their airline's excess luggage fees in advance of checking in at the Resort Airline Check-In desk. The excess luggage fees vary by airline.

-- Guests flying on American who wish to check bags must call Baggage Airline Guest Services at 407-284-1231 to pay their airline bag fees in advance of checking in at the Resort Airline Check-In desk. Otherwise, Guests must check-in at the airport.

NOTE: If paying for excess luggage fees through Baggage Airline Guest Services you must pay with a credit card: MasterCard, Visa, and American Express are accepted. Resort Airline Check-In desks are unable to collect luggage fees on behalf of the airlines.

Baggage Airline Guest Services operates seven days a week between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

-- Guests flying on Alaska and United Airlines are not subject to bag fees at this time. NOTE: Alaska Airlines will be subject to excess bag fees effective July 1.

For all airlines, luggage must be 50 pounds or less in order to use the service and it must comply with the airline's size dimension baggage policy. Overweight and oversized luggage cannot be accepted at the Resort Airline Check-In desks."

A bientot.

[halltd]

^ I'm surprised they don't allow you to just put the luggage fees on your room bill. I bet most people wouldn't even care paying $1 more per bag for the convenience of just dumping off the luggage with no hassle.

[Phonedave]

Originally Posted by halltd

^ I'm surprised they don't allow you to just put the luggage fees on your room bill. I bet most people wouldn't even care paying $1 more per bag for the convenience of just dumping off the luggage with no hassle.

Most likely the accounting hassle.

If you put it on the room Disney (who has the room) has to notify the RAC (vendor) that you have paid your excess luggage fee and then Disney (the room) has to take that charge and send it to the Airline. Who knows if the RAC vendor can even print a claim ticket for the extra luggage until after Disney (the room) has notified the Airline that you have paid (and transferred said payment)

Can it all be done? Of course. Does it take a while to set up and test. so there are no guest problems? You betcha.

-dave

[halltd]

I'm sure Magical Express wasn't easy to set up either. I bet encoding park tickets on your room key and allowing you to use that room key for charging wasn't easy either. Then again, building WDW wasn't easy. But, the end result was well worth it. Disney likes to try and streamline things so it's easier on the guest. That's what they should do here too - eventually. I fully realize this luggage charging thing is unprecedented. But, hopefully they make it a lot easier on guests.