2 Families, 2 Villas, 3 Arrival Dates + DDP = Suggestions Needed

[TiaMaria]

Hoping to get ideas from my DIS experts.

My family is arriving at AKL - Kidani on July 13. My cousins are arriving on July 17. Their Mom is arriving on July 16.

She was going to stay off site on her own that night until we convinced her to bunk with us as we have the room and are well under occupancy for our 2 bedroom villa. She will be moving on the 17th to join her son and family upon their check-in. We are all moving to SSR on July 19th.

We all have the DDP.

We cannot put their Mom on our ressie for that one night, much as we want to, as we have the dining plan. Nor do we want to put her on our ressie from our arrival date and pay for meals that won't be used. We cannot move the cousins reservation up one night either (and would not really want to and have them have to pay for 1 more day of DDp x5 either).

The problem - Magical Express. Since we can't put her on our ressie and she won't appear on her son's ressie until the next night, we are unable to book ME for her even though she is a legitimate guest - sort of. Dang the restrictions of the DDP!!

Am I correct in all this? Anyone know of any other way to configure this (legally) to make it work?

Short of a taxi, what are some other transportation recommendations to get her from the airport to AKL that you recommend?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[vicki_c]

If she's not on the reservation, she can't use ME. But she can pay for the Mears shuttle at the airport, which is cheaper than a taxi or car service. In some cases, Mears will even put those passengers on the ME bus once they have paid.

 

[zurgswife]

One way is usually about $20.

 

[TiaMaria]

If she's not on the reservation, she can't use ME. But she can pay for the Mears shuttle at the airport, which is cheaper than a taxi or car service. In some cases, Mears will even put those passengers on the ME bus once they have paid.

Oooooo, I forgot about that! I have never personally used it - can it be reserved in advance? Paid in advance? Could you walk me through what to tell her to expect once she gets off her plane as far as procedure, location, signage, etc?

 

[TiaMaria]

One way is usually about $20.

That's a bargain!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Neither With the advent of Magical Express, Mears technically doesn't service Walt Disney World resorts with its shuttle service. But it's very simple. She just collects her luggage on Level 2, then proceeds down to Level 1. Head for the Mears counter - not exactly sure where it is, but it's in the line of counters with the car rental agencies - and tells them she needs to go to Animal Kingdom Lodge's Kidani Village. Voila! They'll take her money and get her on a shuttle or bus to the resort - and yes, it could well be a Magical Express bus.

 

[TiaMaria]

Neither With the advent of Magical Express, Mears technically doesn't service Walt Disney World resorts with its shuttle service. But it's very simple. She just collects her luggage on Level 2, then proceeds down to Level 1. Head for the Mears counter - not exactly sure where it is, but it's in the line of counters with the car rental agencies - and tells them she needs to go to Animal Kingdom Lodge's Kidani Village. Voila! They'll take her money and get her on a shuttle or bus to the resort - and yes, it could well be a Magical Express bus.

That is awesome!

In all our years of going to WDW, and the several trips per year we take as DVC owners, I cannot believe this is the first time we have come across this situation for our own family/friends!

This solution will work great for her I'm sure.

Thanks to all for the invaluable information that I'm sure we will use again at some point in time.

See - I knew the DIS would come through for us!

 

[tjmw2727]

Since you are arrving on the 13th and she isn't arriving until the 16th you can add her to your reservation after you check in without issues to your park passes or dining. As long as you don't exceed room occupancy of course.

Just check in as you normally would and then after its all squared away add your mom as a room only, no dining, no passes and no charging privledges.

Then you can make her reservation for DME last minute from the resort. She won't get luggage tags in time so she can either choose to use the luggage delivery feature of DME by telling the CM at DME what bags she checked or she can just get her bags from the carosel and bring them with her to the bus.

My sister always checks in after us and never uses the dining or the same park passes as we do so I have done this for her a few times. She gets a room key without any passes or dining and is able to use DME and EE ect.

 

[TiaMaria]

Since you are arrving on the 13th and she isn't arriving until the 16th you can add her to your reservation after you check in without issues to your park passes or dining. As long as you don't exceed room occupancy of course.

Just check in as you normally would and then after its all squared away add your mom as a room only, no dining, no passes and no charging privledges.

Then you can make her reservation for DME last minute from the resort. She won't get luggage tags in time so she can either choose to use the luggage delivery feature of DME by telling the CM at DME what bags she checked or she can just get her bags from the carosel and bring them with her to the bus.

My sister always checks in after us and never uses the dining or the same park passes as we do so I have done this for her a few times. She gets a room key without any passes or dining and is able to use DME and EE ect.

Seriously? I did not know this could be done. So I just add her after we have been there a couple of days and arrange ME for her? KTTW is not a big deal as she can just use one of the kids' for that one night if needed.

 

[tjmw2727]

Seriously? I did not know this could be done. So I just add her after we have been there a couple of days and arrange ME for her? KTTW is not a big deal as she can just use one of the kids' for that one night if needed.

Yes, as long as it is after you check in and get your kttw keys with the proper passes and dining credits for your family. I usually add my sister the day after we check in and make the DME arrangements from the room.

While she can use the kids keys to access the room if your all going to the park for an EMH she will need her own key.

 

[TiaMaria]

Yes, as long as it is after you check in and get your kttw keys with the proper passes and dining credits for your family. I usually add my sister the day after we check in and make the DME arrangements from the room.

While she can use the kids keys to access the room if your all going to the park for an EMH she will need her own key.

We aren't planning to go to the parks that evening - just heading off for a nice dinner at our favorite "secret" TS restaurant - The Turf Club at SSR. No problem with that.

Thanks so much for the tried and true info. Very much appreciated!