Can we take the ME from a different resort

[wearegoingtoDisney]

On our last morning we would like to eat at Chef Mickey's. Can we take the Magical Express from CR instead of the Beach Club where were are staying?

 

[FuzzyLump502]

My wife and I did almost exactly that last year... We stayed at all star movies but had breakfast at chef Mickey our last day. We just had to talk to the ME people the day before and the day of but was no problem... Checked our bags at our hotel then away we went to meet the chef

 

[sam_gordon]

On our last morning we would like to eat at Chef Mickey's. Can we take the Magical Express from CR instead of the Beach Club where were are staying?

My wife and I did almost exactly that last year... We stayed at all star movies but had breakfast at chef Mickey our last day. We just had to talk to the ME people the day before and the day of but was no problem... Checked our bags at our hotel then away we went to meet the chef

I think this is the first example of someone saying they HAVE done that. Generally the answer has been "no", you must catch ME from your resort. I would contact ME well before your trip to find out what the "official" word is. Regardless of what you're told, I'd call back another couple times to play "CSR Roulette", and make sure the majority of the answers you get are "yes".

I wouldn't count on calling the day before and setting this up. The day before is when you get notified of your pickup time.

 

[Alesia]

My wife and I did almost exactly that last year... We stayed at all star movies but had breakfast at chef Mickey our last day. We just had to talk to the ME people the day before and the day of but was no problem... Checked our bags at our hotel then away we went to meet the chef

Then you got some serious pixie dust. They are not supposed to allow that. This is the first time I've ever heard of it being allowed.

 

[goofy4tink]

It is very unusual for DME to pick someone up from a different resort than they are staying at. I wouldn't count on this happening. DME has told many people, many times, that it isn't possible.

 

[Lewisc]

There have been a handful of posters who were able to arrange a DME drop off at a different resort or a pickup at a different resort.

Couldn't hurt to nicely ask.

 

[goofy4tink]

There have been a handful of posters who were able to arrange a DME drop off at a different resort or a pickup at a different resort.

Couldn't hurt to nicely ask.

If DME is now letting some do this, then it should be available to just about anyone. I hate when Disney puts out 'policy' but then lets some get around that 'policy'. Either make the policy and stick with it or don't. It muddies the waters when there is a set policy but people are allowed to go against what is the stated policy.
Of course, this could be the start of a change in DME policy. Perhaps we will soon see the option of going to/from wherever we wish!!

 

[Lewisc]

If DME is now letting some do this, then it should be available to just about anyone. I hate when Disney puts out 'policy' but then lets some get around that 'policy'. Either make the policy and stick with it or don't. It muddies the waters when there is a set policy but people are allowed to go against what is the stated policy.
Of course, this could be the start of a change in DME policy. Perhaps we will soon see the option of going to/from wherever we wish!!

Wouldn't you say making an exception to policy in order to enhance a guests experience is one definition of "pixie dust". We may not give pixie dust on the transportation board but now we're against it altogether?

Guests who were dropped off at another resort asked a DME employee at MCO. Guests who were picked up at another resort called and asked a day or two before their departure.

 

[maxiesmom]

Wouldn't you say making an exception to policy in order to enhance a guests experience is one definition of "pixie dust". We may not give pixie dust on the transportation board but now we're against it altogether?

Makes it hard to plan when you don't know the answer ahead of time. If the OP was an early ADR and is told No when they ask to use DME from the Contemporary they may have to change their plans around.

 

[Lewisc]

Makes it hard to plan when you don't know the answer ahead of time. If the OP was an early ADR and is told No when they ask to use DME from the Contemporary they may have to change their plans around.

Agreed. It would help if your plan B was to take a taxi back to your resort. It would help if plan B was to race back to your resort and you now have time to enjoy a more leisurely lunch, walk around and take pictures of the Contemporary.

 

[seashoreCM]

Nitpicking.

Wouldn't plan A be racing back to your resort while plan B (if you got a "yes" to your inquiry) would be relaxing a bit after lunch, taking pictures, buying gifts, etc. at the other resort?

I think that the Magical Express drawing board had the provision for letting guests select what resort they wanted to arrive at and depart from. But that one of the pitfalls was last minute minute disputes, he said she said, about being reserved on a bus from the wrong resort back to the airport. Requiring guests to return to the airport from their own resort cut down on the number of permutations and therefore cut down on possible confusion.

However, seeing that you need to reconfirm your DME back to the airport by the morning of the day before the day you will take it, that should avoid both of the problems immediately above.

 

[Lewisc]

Nitpicking.

Wouldn't plan A be racing back to your resort while plan B (if you got a "yes" to your inquiry) would be relaxing a bit after lunch, taking pictures, buying gifts, etc. at the other resort?

I think that the Magical Express drawing board had the provision for letting guests select what resort they wanted to arrive at and depart from. But that one of the pitfalls was last minute minute disputes, he said she said, about being reserved on a bus from the wrong resort back to the airport. Requiring guests to return to the airport from their own resort cut down on the number of permutations and therefore cut down on possible confusion.

However, seeing that you need to reconfirm your DME back to the airport by the morning of the day before the day you will take it, that should avoid both of the problems immediately above.

It would be plan B if you were operating on the assumption Disney lives to bestow pixie dust on their customers and getting the alternate pickup was expected.

I never read anything which suggested DME was ever designed to transport guests to and from other resorts. It was written that Disney would be doing resort check in at the airport and would transport guests directly to a theme park. That suggested a possible theme park pick up location for your return bus trip.

 

[goofy4tink]

Wouldn't you say making an exception to policy in order to enhance a guests experience is one definition of "pixie dust". We may not give pixie dust on the transportation board but now we're against it altogether?

Guests who were dropped off at another resort asked a DME employee at MCO. Guests who were picked up at another resort called and asked a day or two before their departure.

I never have an issue with 'pixie-dust', ever. BUT...when it's something like this, that is supposedly against stated policy, it makes is very hard for the general public to know what the rules are.
You get someone posting here, that sure you can do that, we just did it. Easy peasy. So, another poster figures they can do it as well and plans accordingly. Only to find that 'Oh, I'm sorry sir, but it has never been our policy to allow you to go to any resort you wish to...we allow you to go to only the resort you are registered at. Again, I'm so sorry.' upon arrival.

Too often people see something written here, that someone (or even several people) has been able to do, that is not the policy. And then someone sees it and doesn't read all the way through and thinks it's just fine to do what they want to do. Only to get completely different info at the airport!!
That is my issue.
I don't want anyone seeing something here, believing it's the policy when it isn't. So yes, I am going to continue taking issue with any posts that say they got to do something that is really not a common occurance...or at least mention what the official policy is so that the poster can make a decision based om complete info.

I'm thrilled that someone was able to use DME in a way that isn't common. That's terrific. But that isn't going to be the every day way of doing things.