DME to MCO from other resort

[Lyn-CA]

DH is planning on taking DME to the airport to pick up a rental car.

We are staying at AoA but the night he is picking up the car, we are having dinner at the Boardwalk. Would it be possible for him to take DME from the Boardwalk so he can save a trip from Boardwalk to AoA?

We are renting from the airport because we are using a free voucher that only allows same pick up and drop off location.

TIA

 

[maxiesmom]

No, sorry. DME will only take you to/from the resort at which you are booked. Only way for them to track how many buses they need, when you think about it.

 

[seashoreCM]

No.

1. To avoid a deluge of guests wanting to leave from resorts such as the Contemporary near the theme parks, and the resulting queues at Bell Services to drop off and pick up carryons.

2. To avoid he said she said disputes over where was I supposed to be picked up to go home, together with possible errors during later guest requested reschedulings.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/magicx.htm

 

[arthuruscg]

Unfortunately disney has never updated the DME system to allow for pick up or drop off other then at your hotel. It is a carry over from the old computer system.
I wish they would allow you to be picked up or dropped off anywhere on property.

 

[aubriee]

Unfortunately disney has never updated the DME system to allow for pick up or drop off other then at your hotel. It is a carry over from the old computer system.
I wish they would allow you to be picked up or dropped off anywhere on property.

That'll never happen. Every one would want to be pickd up from the resort nearest to whatever park they are going to that last day. AKL, BW, BC, and Contemporary would be packed with people trying to get on a DME bus back to the airport. Why would anyone even bother going back to their resort to catch a DME bus. There'd be no pickups at the other resorts. The people actually staying at resorts close to a park wouldn't even have a chance though. Their stop would be mobbed.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Unfortunately disney has never updated the DME system to allow for pick up or drop off other then at your hotel. It is a carry over from the old computer system.
I wish they would allow you to be picked up or dropped off anywhere on property.

Could I ask why you think this policy has any relation to "the [reservation/scheduling/?] system"?

 

[Missytara]

I would say that particular answer notes a person who has little experience or understanding of the logistics of transporting large amounts of people from point A to point B. I have been wanting to respond to that post for an entire day.

While some people may think so, a new computer update does not suddenly produce some new result in a lot of circumstances. IMHO, opening up a choice of resorts on ME would be an utter nightmare, which no computer system could overcome. Can you imagine everyone requesting to be dropped off at CR and then expecting to pick up their KTTW cards and check in at that resort and getting right over to MK. OMG.

 

[Lewisc]

Absolutely no reason why Disney couldn't schedule DME bus service from theme parks directly to MCO. Absolutely no reason why Disney couldn't allow guests to take DME buses from resorts near parks to MCO. DME requires a reservation. The people staying at resorts like the Contemporary wouldn't have problems. Disney would need to schedule more buses. Maybe those resorts would wind up with N/S DME buses, maybe very 15 minutes instead of every 30. We're over thinking this. Disney doesn't want to do it. That simple.

Guest who want a different drop off/pick up location should nicely ask. Enough guests ask Disney might change policy.

Missytara--The old computer system didn't allow for the issuance of hotel key cards at remote locations. Disney had originally suggested DME guests might, in the future, be able to check into their resort at MCO, get their KTTW at MCO and then proceed directly to a theme park. New computer system has been in place for years. Seems like Disney decided against this change. The number of passengers bringing checked luggage and large carryon bags on (and under) the DME bus is one reason why this idea might have more issues then it's worth. Yes, large lockers could be put at the theme park entrance but resort buses aren't designed to handle luggage.

 

[Missytara]

Actually your post takes me to back to my original post about logistics.

Picture several years ago, when ME was created. A group of executives sitting around a conference room table, envisioning the future of Universal. I believe a lot of the reason ME was created was to keep people from going off-site and keeping all their dollars at Disney.

Over the years, many factors have come into play. Anything from the HP attraction at Universal to the economy causing people to drive to Disney more, rental car places offering deals to compete, flying into other airports to save money, the car train,etc.

That same group is sitting around that conference room table deciding is it worth dumping tons of money into transferring check-in to MCO if fewer people are going through there, adding large lockers to each parks for luggage, etc.

It is more profitable to focus finances on DVC and attractions, which has been proven in the last two years. Just another way of thinking outside of the box. Just because they invested in a computer program years ago, that has most likely been outdated for years, does not mean it makes sense to focus thei efforts towards it.

 

[goofy4tink]

Could it happen? Sure. But they could just make p/u from the parks, not other resorts. What you do with your carryon bags is your issue, not WDWs. They could an hourly bus back to MCO, from each park. You would reserve your seat, just as usual.
I doubt it will happen. There are just too many variables. Those that travel with carryon bags only wouldn't be able to do this easily. Unless Disney allows them to leave their bags with other resort Bell Services. Then, they are going to have to allow larger carryon bags on the regular resort to park buses. That shouldn't be allowed to happen. Just too many variables.

Some things are just not easily changed to accommodate every single desire.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

There are lots of rental car options at or near Disney. For example Alamo has two location at Disney.
Avis & Dollar are located at hotels within a 10 minute walk from DTD. Avis is at the Hilton and Dollar is at the Wyndham. You could rent and return to the same location and just use the DME to return to the airport for your flight.

 

[seashoreCM]

That same group is sitting around that conference room table deciding is it worth dumping tons of money into transferring check-in to MCO if fewer people are going through there, adding large lockers to each parks for luggage, etc..

I do not want to have to wait behind you at the Magical Express welcoming area to show my baggage claim checks to the CM due to lack of yellow DME tags while you are arguing over why your reservation for a preferred view resort room got lost.

So six or even (expanded to if space permits) twenty CMs and computer stations at the welcoming area at MCO can never do the work of 200 odd desk clerks and computer stations at the various resorts.

(Or they can have separate queues and separate groups of agents at the welcoming area for bus check in only and resort check in where CMs are never taken off of the first queue if there are guests waiting, in order to expedite the second queue.)

By the way I do not think any changes are absolutely positively needed in the computer system to allow DME pickups at parks and at a resort other than yours. Some niceties can be done manually, for example verifying that you are indeed a Disney's resort guest, and getting your confirmation sheet on the morning of the day before your checkout day.

 

[sam_gordon]

Absolutely no reason why Disney couldn't schedule DME bus service from theme parks directly to MCO. Absolutely no reason why Disney couldn't allow guests to take DME buses from resorts near parks to MCO. DME requires a reservation. The people staying at resorts like the Contemporary wouldn't have problems. Disney would need to schedule more buses. Maybe those resorts would wind up with N/S DME buses, maybe very 15 minutes instead of every 30. We're over thinking this. Disney doesn't want to do it. That simple.

Guest who want a different drop off/pick up location should nicely ask. Enough guests ask Disney might change policy.

Missytara--The old computer system didn't allow for the issuance of hotel key cards at remote locations. Disney had originally suggested DME guests might, in the future, be able to check into their resort at MCO, get their KTTW at MCO and then proceed directly to a theme park. New computer system has been in place for years. Seems like Disney decided against this change. The number of passengers bringing checked luggage and large carryon bags on (and under) the DME bus is one reason why this idea might have more issues then it's worth. Yes, large lockers could be put at the theme park entrance but resort buses aren't designed to handle luggage.

So first you say there's no reason Disney can't do this, then you list a reason they can't do this.

 

[Lewisc]

So first you say there's no reason Disney can't do this, then you list a reason they can't do this.

I said there isn't any reason (logistical) why Disney can't do it. Comments about too many guests taking DME bus from resorts near theme parks aren't valid. Disney could schedule enough buses to accommodate guests with reservations.

I said there are some reasons why Disney might not want to do it. How to handle luggage is an issue. Do you tell guests with carry on bags they have to go to their resort first? Do you supply lockers? Do you ship their roller bags to their resort?

seashoreCM I don't think there is currently a computer issue. At one time the system wouldn't allow issuance of room keys at remote locations. Remote checkin would have to be "express". Guests who want to change their room assignments would have to do it at their resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

As I said before...could it be done? Sure. Will it be done?? Only if it benefits Disney in some way. Believe me...Disney did not start DME out of the goodness of their hearts. They didn't do it to make life easier for their guests. It made good business sense to them to do it.
IF, at some point down the road, it makes good business sense for them to allow you to take DME from any park or resort, then it will happen.

 

[sam_gordon]

I said there isn't any reason (logistical) why Disney can't do it. Comments about too many guests taking DME bus from resorts near theme parks aren't valid. Disney could schedule enough buses to accommodate guests with reservations.

I said there are some reasons why Disney might not want to do it. How to handle luggage is an issue. Do you tell guests with carry on bags they have to go to their resort first? Do you supply lockers? Do you ship their roller bags to their resort?

seashoreCM I don't think there is currently a computer issue. At one time the system wouldn't allow issuance of room keys at remote locations. Remote checkin would have to be "express". Guests who want to change their room assignments would have to do it at their resort.

How to handle luggage IS a logistical issue, and probably the main issue. Crowd control (getting people to reserve and show up for the appropraite bus) is another logistical issue.

So, yes, there ARE logistical reasons not to do such a service. Can those reasons be overcome? Probably. But you need A) the solution and B) the money/time/desire to utilize that solution.

 

[Lewisc]

A number of years ago Disney said the next step in DME would be resort checkin at MCO with guests then being transported directly to a theme park. This was in one of the planning videos and maybe in a press release.

The first issue was systems. The computer didn't allow for issuing keys at a remote site.

Disney could offer this to guests without luggage. You want to say you'll have a logistical issue with guests luggage OK. My point is the computer problem a real obstacle, is solved.

What's in it for Disney? Maybe less pressure on housekeeping getting rooms ready for arriving guests. Maybe greater efficiency in transporting a number of guests to only 3 or 4 locations. Maybe the same reason Disney offers DME. Just another perk which gives guests a reason to stay onsite. Might it be more efficient checking in a lot of guests in one central location?

I have no idea if or when Disney will make the change. My point is it was mentioned by Disney as a next step.

Maybe airline luggage charges is increasing the number of passengers with bin bags. Bin bags makes it harder to transport guests directly to a theme park or pick guests up at a theme park.

 

[Missytara]

I do not want to have to wait behind you at the Magical Express welcoming area to show my baggage claim checks to the CM due to lack of yellow DME tags while you are arguing over why your reservation for a preferred view resort room got lost.

So six or even (expanded to if space permits) twenty CMs and computer stations at the welcoming area at MCO can never do the work of 200 odd desk clerks and computer stations at the various resorts.

(Or they can have separate queues and separate groups of agents at the welcoming area for bus check in only and resort check in where CMs are never taken off of the first queue if there are guests waiting, in order to expedite the second queue.)

By the way I do not think any changes are absolutely positively needed in the computer system to allow DME pickups at parks and at a resort other than yours. Some niceties can be done manually, for example verifying that you are indeed a Disney's resort guest, and getting your confirmation sheet on the morning of the day before your checkout day.

Huh. You proved my post. I have no desire to see check in transferred to MCO. I thought that was what I said, but maybe I should have been more clear.

 

[arthuruscg]

There some efficiency gained by relocating a lot of the desk clerks to MCO from each of the individual resorts. Basically there are times at each resort where the clerk is not helping anyone while another resort has a line of guest waiting to check in.

Disney can "fix" the baggage issue by offering free check luggage if you book using your "Disney Rewards Visa". But those of us that fly Southwest, don't have to pay to check 2 bags.

There is also efficiency gained by reducing the number of trips by the trucks transporting the luggage, since everyone would be in the parks, the drop off time could be guaranteed in your room by 8pm.

The buses could still pick up / drop off at each resort but those buses would be servicing more resorts per trip and take longer.

Wait..... the real profit is in the souvenirs sales. It is odd that the drop off spot is not at DTD for purely profit reasons.

 

[Lyn-CA]

There are lots of rental car options at or near Disney. For example Alamo has two location at Disney.
Avis & Dollar are located at hotels within a 10 minute walk from DTD. Avis is at the Hilton and Dollar is at the Wyndham. You could rent and return to the same location and just use the DME to return to the airport for your flight.

Hi Shelly,

This won't work for us because we're doing a split stay between AoA and Wyndham Bonnet Creek so we'll need the car for the latter part of our vacation and we'll be checking out of Bonnet Creek.