Disney's Magical Express/RAC - What "Participating Airline" Really Means!

[goofy4tink]

Originally Posted by howlongtillsummer?

Hi

Does DME have to be booked for all members of the family - half of us are taking a hire car?

Can you elect to return to the airport at a variety of times on departure day - I think that three hours before wll be late for us - we would rather go sooner?

We can choose to take our bags on the coach with us - correct?

Many thanks

You can book for everyone, but they don't need to show up at the bus. Or, you can just book for those riding the bus. I would just do everyone.

You can talk to DME and ask to take an earlier bus, but not a later bus. They shouldn't have an issue with you needing to head back before the 3 hr mark. But, it does have to be reserved in advance..and everyone riding the bus back has to reserve their individual time if people are leaving at different times.

You can bring your bags to the bus...either direction. Up to you.

[Indychick]

Hey Tyler! I have a weird question. Our son is coming from his mom's to our Disney vacation later than we are. He will be arriving two days into the trip and leaving two days early. My husband needs to go to the airport to get him and then needs to come back with him and on the day of departure he has to do the same thing. Can he use DME to do this? He would not have luggage, just our son will have luggage. Thanks so much!
Toasha

[goofy4tink]

Originally Posted by Indychick

Hey Tyler! I have a weird question. Our son is coming from his mom's to our Disney vacation later than we are. He will be arriving two days into the trip and leaving two days early. My husband needs to go to the airport to get him and then needs to come back with him and on the day of departure he has to do the same thing. Can he use DME to do this? He would not have luggage, just our son will have luggage. Thanks so much!
Toasha

Okay...each person gets one ride to the resort, from MCO, and then one ride back to the airport. If your dh is using DME to get to the resort at the start of your trip, and then is using DME to get back at the end, he is now trying to use DME for 3 r/t's..and that isn't going to work. Luggage isn't the issue..bodies are the issue.
How old is your ds? If he's 15 or older, I would have him do it by himself. Otherwise, you are going to have to get a car service to do all that transporting....most likely about $200 for two different trips for your dh with your ds.
Or rent a car for the time of your ds's visit. Then your dh can pick ds up, get him to the resort, and return him to the airport and get himself back to the resort to finish the trip.

[Indychick]

Darn! He is 15 and I don't think he is airport savvy enough to figure out what to do! Arg!!! I guess I will have to continue with my search for affordable transportation. Thanks!

[goofy4tink]

Well...just about the only options are a cab, but he most likely wouldn't want to do that, or a towncar. At least a towncar driver would be standing there, at the bottom of the escalator with a sign with his name on it...but it would cost over $100.
I would look into a rental car for the period he is with you.

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally Posted by goofy4tink

If he's 15 or older, I would have him do it by himself.

I thought the minimum age to travel unaccompanied on the Disney's Magical Express is 16.

Originally Posted by Indychick

Darn! He is 15 and I don't think he is airport savvy enough to figure out what to do! Arg!!! I guess I will have to continue with my search for affordable transportation. Thanks!

I think the issue is Disney's age rule, not how travel-savvy someone needs to be.

If he's savvy enough to navigate through the airport at the departing city, I think he's also savvy enough to follow the signs to the Ground Transportation level (level 1) on the "Terminal B" side of Orlando International Airport, to check in at the Magical Express counter, to get in the line for the correct resort, and to get off the DME motorcoach at the correct resort. It's easy... much easier than going to high school!

I would recommend calling Disney's Magical Express Guest Services at 1-866-599-0951. I'm sure they've dealt with this situation before.

[Indychick]

Thanks Horace!

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally Posted by Indychick

Thanks Horace!

Please post what the agent at Disney's Magical Express Guest Services recommends.

[Indychick]

So I just called DME as Horace suggested and they are totally going to work with me! If I call two weeks in advance they will set up the ride so my DH can go and get our son and then come back on DME. I am so happy! Just thought I would give you all an FYI! Thank you Horace!

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally Posted by Indychick

So I just called DME as Horace suggested and they are totally going to work with me! I am so happy! Just thought I would give you all an FYI! Thank you Horace!

May I ask how they're going to work with you?

By allowing your son to ride unaccompanied?

Or by allowing your husband to use DME or meet your sun and to accompany him?

[Blocata]

I plan on using DME and busing for my trip. These services are SOOO nice for the single traveler .. no car needed.

[Indychick]

Horace,
I added a post after that one. They are going to allow my DH ride the bus from the hotel to get our son, ride back with him, and then do the same on the way back. Isn't that wonderful? I am so happy! It saved about $200 in shuttle fees!

[Melanie230]

This might be a dumb question but I we have never flown to Disney. We always drive. I got our luggage tags for Magic Express the other day. They have a Mickey head on them with the letters AK. What does the AK stand for?

Nevermind! I found it!

[Melanie230]

Originally Posted by mickmom728

Woohoo! Got my DME tags today but I have a question. I admit to not reading this whole thread so here goes: What does the AK on the green Mickey head stand for on the tags? TIA

LOL...I just found your post. I just asked the same question!

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally Posted by Melanie230

This might be a dumb question but I we have never flown to Disney. We always drive. I got our luggage tags for Magic Express the other day. They have a Mickey head on them with the letters AK. What does the AK stand for?

The code is used for sorting luggage onto the right truck. Tags for Animal Kingdom area resorts, including the value resorts, have a green Mickey silhouette with the letters "AK" in it.