That photo can be misleading. It is obviously still at the airport and the photographer could be the first guests on. In September, there were 10 groups on our bus, in November-a few more seats were filled than in September. But, on the way back in November, the DME had almost every seat filled with only one row separating parties.
We have only been to WDW 25 or so times since 2012. We have used DME every trip but two-we drove from Louisiana the first trip and this past December. My husband likes the DME and thinks that his vacation starts as soon as he gets on the bus. BUT- we usually are the last drop offs and that can eat into your vacation time. I miss them delivering our bags to the resort, but it was not a big deal getting them. If they would just bring back the Airline check in and take my bags TO THE AIRPORT so that I don't have to do that then I would be fine with that.
I can certainly understand those who bring small children really relying on DME. I saw one woman with 3 children under 10 on our last trip. She needed help with her bags-DH helped but she still had a backpack on her back, one on her stomach and a large suitcase-AND 3 excited children