DLP first-timer! Advice needed about Disney Express

[Monkeymoo68]

Hi. We are due to embark on our first visit next weekend with two daughters aged 8 and 4. Sooo excited (us!) because they don't know yet...!

I've got a query about the Express check-in though, which I hope someone can help with as I haven't been able to find a clear answer so far. We've booked DLP and Eurostar separately: on the way there we've got the direct service but on the way back the direct was too late so we're changing at Lille.

Can we pay extra at any point for either leg of the journey to get the Express check-in and collection of vouchers? I thought I reda somewhere that you can buy this when you arrive but it's only available for the direct services. Is this right? Any other way of avoiding having to go back to hotel in the middle of the afternoon to check in? and where should we leave bags if this is the case?

Thanks

[thelittlemermaid83]

If you have booked your hotel direct with Disney you can add Disney Express onto your booking for £15 per adult.

Not sure if you can use Disney Express on the way home as im not sure what time the DE dest opens in the train station and i think its for the direct train home.

You could also leave your bags at the train stations left luggage (think its shuts around 9ish) the price is about 9 euros or you can leave them with left luggage at guest services at the main park, not sure on the price of that for suitcases though.

[Monkeymoo68]

Thanks for that. We're only taking one big bag so hopefully will just be able to pay for one express service.

[thelittlemermaid83]

Originally Posted by Monkeymoo68

Thanks for that. We're only taking one big bag so hopefully will just be able to pay for one express service.

They will charge your for every adult on your booking regardless on how many bags you are taking if you add the disney express onto your booking.

[Monkeymoo68]

Figures!
thanks

[scottwb]

Originally Posted by thelittlemermaid83

They will charge your for every adult on your booking regardless on how many bags you are taking if you add the disney express onto your booking.

Which is a con, because the return service purchased separately at the hotel is per room. regardless of number of bags and suitcases

[scottwb]

Originally Posted by Monkeymoo68

Thanks for that. We're only taking one big bag so hopefully will just be able to pay for one express service.

The return service is 10E per room but you will need to check that it will be open when your trains leaves as you are possibly not returning when the direct service is running.

[thelittlemermaid83]

Originally Posted by scottwb

The return service is 10E per room but you will need to check that it will be open when your trains leaves as you are possibly not returning when the direct service is running.

I'm pretty sure that service is just for those using the direct service as i think DE opens just before 6pm.

[DLPdaft]

Hi Monkeymoo68,
Elaine, Jackie, Elaine and Reid welcome you to the DLP DIS board

We are a friendly bunch here so please join in on any other thread or if you have a number of questions then just start a new thread for each

If you have not had a look yet, DLP posting rules are here
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1477038,
DIS posting guidelines can be found here
http://www.wdwinfo.com/guidelines.htm

[Monkeymoo68]

Thanks Elaine - it's a great forum and I look forward to posting with my experiences after next weekend!

Re: Disney express. I'm sorry for being a bit but I'm a bit lost now....

So we can get off the direct train in the morning and pay the fee to 1) get our bags taken; 2) hotel check-in without us having to do it in person and 3)issue of entrance tickets/meal vouchers there and then so we can get stuck in straight away. Is this right so far??

And then on our return, we won't have this service as our train isn't direct (it's before 6pm) so we could take our bags to a locker at the station and keep them there until we leave? (We're actually only planning on taking one big bag and sticking the kids in their Dressing up stuff all weekend!) Can we do this?

[scottwb]

Originally Posted by Monkeymoo68

So we can get off the direct train in the morning and pay the fee to 1) get our bags taken; 2) hotel check-in without us having to do it in person and 3)issue of entrance tickets/meal vouchers there and then so we can get stuck in straight away. Is this right so far??

I'm pretty sure that you can't "purchase" Disney Express on the day of travel. The idea of the service is that you collect your park tickets etc on the train (if travelling from St Pancras) or at the DE counter at Ashford station.

The return journey is more straightforward because you already have your tickets and have checked into your hotel. Also, from memory, we were at the station for the return at 17:20 and the DE was open then, don't know if this helps you?

Personally, as you seem keen to go straight to the park and not have to check in, take bags etc, I would be inclined to ring Disney and see if you can purchase "one way" or swallow the full cost, despite the fact you will be (possibly) unable to use it on the return leg.