(Deluxe/Club level) What if we showed up at about 3am?

[Meglen]

Just trying to follow your plan. Flight lands at 12am you take the bus and will arrive anywhere between 45-2 hours (maybe a busy night gotta plan for the worst) get to WL around 2am can't check in or do anything. Prolly fall asleep in the lobby . Check in at 6am wait till CL is open eat.. than what? Your going on zero sleep and room might not be ready till 3pm.

I feel this is scary and rather dangerous for anyone. You will pass out at a park if you go. And sitting at the resort with no room randomly falling asleep on chairs doesn't sound like a fun vacation. But it's ur trip op. But Imo spend the few hundred and start off the vacation nice and rested.

 

[AngiTN]

That last sentence is the key to it all for me
Why start the trip completely worn out and dead on your feet before it even begins?
Disney is fun but exhausting. It won't get better, you rarely catch up on sleep at Disney. We want to begin the trip as well rested as possible

 

[gwynne]

That last sentence is the key to it all for me
Why start the trip completely worn out and dead on your feet before it even begins?
Disney is fun but exhausting. It won't get better, you rarely catch up on sleep at Disney. We want to begin the trip as well rested as possible

I agree.
Most people find air travel kind of confining. After flying cross country, it's hard for me to imagine teenagers enjoying "pulling an all-nighter" sitting quietly in hotel lobby for many hours. Maybe they will be able to fall asleep off and on, maybe not.
I think the first vacation day would go much better after a good night's sleep, shower in the am and so on.
Disney is an expensive vacation. Each day is valuable.

 

[Seabean]

Thanks for the replies so far. This isn't a done deal, and MCO Hyatt is still on the table. Judging by the responses (and likes) hanging in the lobby in the wee hours isn't likely to become a trend anytime soon.

Yes, there's an extra obscure lounge at the WL integrated into the front staircase on about the 3rd floor or so.

WRT the DME, the CM on the Signature Services line told me to give a call to let them know when we'd be there so that they can schedule their buses.

Our first day at WDW no longer has a park visit, but we still maximize our time. it's all about hanging at the CL and pool all day. Maybe mini-golf. We chill, but nobody is tired. We do a monorail resort shops or Diz Springs tour in the evening. We hits the parks on day 2.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Oh? When did the agreement with the airport change to allow this? And while DME runs 24/7, if they're not expecting any passengers, I can see there being no bus available for several hours.​

It's always been like this. I've done it myself after making last minute trip arrangements and not having time to call my flight info in. You can show up with your reservation number and even just your baggage claim tags and you will be put on a bus and they will get your luggage for you. You do not HAVE to call in your flight info to be eligible for DME. Anyone listed on a resort reservation will be placed on a bus. The chances of there being no bus for several hours is absolutely zero. People are arriving from destinations worldwide 24 hours a day.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Reservations are required.

We have been in situation where our resort information was incorrect in their system, and they had to scramble to put us on a bus.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/magical-express/
Disney’s Magical Express is a benefit of staying at select Disney Resort hotels. Please note: reservations are required to use this service.

Case in point. Not required. You had a reservation, they figured it out, they put you on a bus. ANYONE listed on a resort reservation is eligible to take DME from the airport from the day of check-in to the day of check-out. Guys, I'm "in the industry" so to speak. I have made hundreds of WDW reservations for my own family and others. As long as you are listed on a WDW resort reservation, they will put you on a bus whether they have to scramble to do it or not. Is it nice to call it in, sure! But it's not required to get on a bus at the airport.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's always been like this.

Respectfully, no it has not always been like this. When DME started, there was a great deal of pushback from cab drivers - who would be losing income. To the best of my knowledge, Disney and MCO entered into a formal agreement that reservations are mandatory. I'm finding the same official information the PP provided https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/magical-express/ Last line in the introductory paragraph "Please note: reservations are required to use this service."

I've done it myself after making last minute trip arrangements and not having time to call my flight info in

Sorry, but I don't understand how a change (or even a whole new trip) could be so last-minute as to not allow time for a phone call to make a reservation?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Case in point. Not required. You had a reservation

Despite the system information being wrong, they "had a reservation". That poster's experience doesn't prove that a reservation isn't required.

 

[AngiTN]

Respectfully, no it has not always been like this. When DME started, there was a great deal of pushback from cab drivers - who would be losing income. To the best of my knowledge, Disney and MCO entered into a formal agreement that reservations are mandatory. I'm finding the same official information the PP provided https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/magical-express/ Last line in the introductory paragraph "Please note: reservations are required to use this service."


Sorry, but I don't understand how a change (or even a whole new trip) could be so last-minute as to not allow time for a phone call to make a reservation?

People are getting hung up on the word Reservations thinking that means well in advance. There's no time frame in the agreement for how long in advance that reservation had to be done
They can be made 1 minute in advance and still be a "reservation" if it's logged in the system that way. Technically. So when you walk up and give your info to the CM and they enter your info. You now have a reservation and the terms of the agreement are fulfilled.

As for the 2nd part, some of us are disorganized, old or forgetful. Or all three lol

 

[bumbershoot]

By arriving the night before, they'll just be pulling the "all nighter" in the lobby/club lounge (no food served) of a resort hotel. We're going to try it this time and see how it goes.

Thoughts anyone?

Thoughts?

You’ll be in the lobby. Sitting there with nothing to do. For hours.

The pools are closed.

You’ll basically be loitering. It’s the hotel-day before your checkin, and really have no “right” to be there overnight.

This sounds utterly miserable.

You almost certainly won’t get a hotel room until 4pm and you’ll be scrungy, cranky, and exhausted.

This is not the way to start off a club level trip, IMO.

Stay at or near the airport and get some rest.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

People are getting hung up on the word Reservations thinking that means well in advance. There's no time frame in the agreement for how long in advance that reservation had to be done
They can be made 1 minute in advance and still be a "reservation" if it's logged in the system that way. Technically. So when you walk up and give your info to the CM and they enter your info. You now have a reservation and the terms of the agreement are fulfilled.

As for the 2nd part, some of us are disorganized, old or forgetful. Or all three lol

Yes, exactly this, which has been my point all along (but I didn't state it as well as you did)! You can show up at the airport, go to the DME desk and make your "reservation" and they will put you on a bus. There is absolutely no time frame as to when you need to make that reservation and, you are exactly right, it could be one minute before you enter the line to get on the bus. Thank you for stating it better than I did! I can't even tell you how many clients I've had who I have begged and begged to give me their flight info and I've gotten zero response until they are actually IN the airport and have zero clue what to do. The friendly CM's at the DME desk always help them and NO ONE is denied transportation to WDW.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Respectfully, no it has not always been like this. When DME started, there was a great deal of pushback from cab drivers - who would be losing income. To the best of my knowledge, Disney and MCO entered into a formal agreement that reservations are mandatory. I'm finding the same official information the PP provided https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/magical-express/ Last line in the introductory paragraph "Please note: reservations are required to use this service."


Sorry, but I don't understand how a change (or even a whole new trip) could be so last-minute as to not allow time for a phone call to make a reservation?

You do realize that many people show up every day not knowing they had to call their flight info in or forgot to do it, right? Please find me any reference on the DIS or anywhere else online of anyone upset because they forgot to call in their flight info and were denied boarding on DME when they arrived at the airport. You won't find it because it doesn't happen. As AngiTN so eloquently stated, you can make your "reservation" at the DME desk at MCO and then get on a bus.

In my case, I was literally sitting in an airport about to board a last-minute flight to MCO and booked a stay, online, at WDW. I had zero time to call anything in. Got off the plane, walked to the DME desk, gave them my reservation number and baggage claim tickets and I was put on a bus.

I would think this would be reassuring to people. Unlike stressing out over ADR's and FP+, you are assured a ride to WDW and I think it's important that people know this is how the "reservation" works. I would hate to think people think they are making actual reservations for actual bus seats at required arrival times and then start stressing if they forgot to call in or if their flight arrives early or late.

 

[Lehuaann]

Case in point. Not required. You had a reservation, they figured it out, they put you on a bus. ANYONE listed on a resort reservation is eligible to take DME from the airport from the day of check-in to the day of check-out. Guys, I'm "in the industry" so to speak. I have made hundreds of WDW reservations for my own family and others. As long as you are listed on a WDW resort reservation, they will put you on a bus whether they have to scramble to do it or not. Is it nice to call it in, sure! But it's not required to get on a bus at the airport.

Not a case in point. I had two reservations; one with Disney and another with DME, and encountered prolonged issues.

To suggest that, “calling in is more of a courtesy to them and not required,” is counterproductive. Guests should make every effort possible to book a reservation in advance.

Per the website, DME reservations are required (on top of resort reservations) and guests need to be aware of that.

Again, having both reservations, DME still had to scramble (computer and phone calls) to assure all 6 of us a seat on the bus. We had to sit down to the side and wait for several minutes. So did *all* of the people on the bus.

Although it was not our fault, surely you can see how not having reservation has an effect on everyone around?

Yes, they eventually found a spot for all of us, because Disney is accommodating that way. However, it’s not as easy as your making it sound. If the buses are full, you will have to wait.

The process is facilitated faster and properly with a reservation, so having a DME reservation is the right thing to do.

 

[Lehuaann]

In my case, I was literally sitting in an airport about to board a last-minute flight to MCO and booked a stay, online, at WDW. I had zero time to call anything in. Got off the plane, walked to the DME desk, gave them my reservation number and baggage claim tickets and I was put on a bus.

This, I understand. They accommodated you because of the last minute booking.

Guests, who have the time to make both resort and DME reservations, should do so.

 

[AngiTN]

Even if you do everything months in advance there is no reservation on a certain time or a bus when leaving the airport. So what time you approach the counter is not relevant and that won't be the reason they have to scramble to place you on a bus. Knowing they have oh, 100 guests for GF on a given day won't mean much of everyone of those flights ends up delayed. What becomes of those buses? Nothing. That's why they group resorts together and change often. They never know for sure who will also up for what Resort till they walk up
Just stop to think of all the reasons why they don't set times on departure buses.
Flights are delayed by hours all the time. Sometimes days. So they don't know what time your flight will land with any certainty. No one does. And second even after you've landed you are not required to board ME within X amount of time. You can take 3 hours at the airport if you want.
So there is no set time, place, seat, what have you. Sure. Disney can know in advance you come in on X day. They can't know what bus that day you plan to get on. For that reason alone a group with no reservation that day isn't going to throw the kink in their chain. It's not that fine tuned departing the airport.

 

[starry_solo]

OK, I can tell you my experience showing up at about 6:30 a.m. for AKV-Concierge. Flight landed about 5-ish in the morning, after resting in the airport (got airsick), got onto DME and arrived at AKV around 6:30 a.m.

No one from Concierge was there to greet us since they didn't technically open til 7 a.m. So, we went to the Jambo House lobby, checked all our luggage (except purses) with Bell Services, CM at the main lobby check-in desk verified our reservation and took us up to concierge level at 7 a.m. so we could get checked in with them. Of course, the room wasn't ready, which was fine with us. We ate breakfast, wandered around and went resort hopping, looking for pins (we collect Disney pins and wanted to get that year's newest hidden mickeys which had just come out a month or two prior)...we got a room ready text around 2 or 3 pm (but didn't see it) and then got back to the resort at about 4 pm, where we were able to go to the room. We were pooped...

 

[kaytieeldr]

I can't even tell you how many clients I've had who I have begged and begged to give me their flight info and I've gotten zero response until they are actually IN the airport and have zero clue what to do.

You don't need the inbound flight number. Never did. Date, absolutely. Time, helpful for planning. Flight number, nope. You don't even need a flight.

You do realize that many people show up every day not knowing they had to call their flight info in or forgot to do it, right?

I would expect "many" in this case means a minimal amount of people. Most, spending thousands on a trip, tend to make themselves aware of all the details. "I didn't know" or "I didn't read that (page/documrnt/contract) isn't a valid argument, even if Disney will acquiesce for Magical Express.

Please find me any reference on the DIS or anywhere else online of anyone upset because they forgot to call in their flight info and were denied boarding on DME when they arrived at the airport.

I asked when the policy changed. I never even implied anyone was denied access.

In addition to the official DME policy linked and quoted above, there's, "The letter also clarified that WDW guests who had not pre-arranged a ride on Magical Express would not be able to access the service once they arrived at the airport." report from http://www.wdwradio.com/2005/09/dis...changes-greeting-policies-at-orlando-airport/

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Not a case in point. I had two reservations; one with Disney and another with DME, and encountered prolonged issues.

To suggest that, “calling in is more of a courtesy to them and not required,” is counterproductive. Guests should make every effort possible to book a reservation in advance.

Per the website, DME reservations are required (on top of resort reservations) and guests need to be aware of that.

Again, having both reservations, DME still had to scramble (computer and phone calls) to assure all 6 of us a seat on the bus. We had to sit down to the side and wait for several minutes. So did *all* of the people on the bus.

Although it was not our fault, surely you can see how not having reservation has an effect on everyone around?

Yes, they eventually found a spot for all of us, because Disney is accommodating that way. However, it’s not as easy as your making it sound. If the buses are full, you will have to wait.

The process is facilitated faster and properly with a reservation, so having a DME reservation is the right thing to do.

This, I understand. They accommodated you because of the last minute booking.

Guests, who have the time to make both resort and DME reservations, should do so.

Yes, agree. Still doesn't mean they won't put you on a bus if you didn't call in the info. I'm not advocating people not call in. I'm just letting people know that if they forget - it's ok!

You don't need the inbound flight number. Never did. Date, absolutely. Time, helpful for planning. Flight number, nope. You don't even need a flight.

I would expect "many" in this case means a minimal amount of people. Most, spending thousands on a trip, tend to make themselves aware of all the details. "I didn't know" or "I didn't read that (page/documrnt/contract) isn't a valid argument, even if Disney will acquiesce for Magical Express.

I asked when the policy changed. I never even implied anyone was denied access.

In addition to the official DME policy linked and quoted above, there's, "The letter also clarified that WDW guests who had not pre-arranged a ride on Magical Express would not be able to access the service once they arrived at the airport." report from http://www.wdwradio.com/2005/09/dis...changes-greeting-policies-at-orlando-airport/

You would be shocked by how many people go to WDW without educating themselves on any of this stuff.

 

[kiford]

The only scenario I can think of is someone having a rez for the day before and they run into crazy delays where they don't even show up until after midnight on the next calendar day. How often would that happen really?

In Feb we were scheduled to land at MCO at 11:30 pm but were late and didn't get to WL until 3 am. Two weeks ago, we were scheduled to land at 10 pm but had a delay and didn't get to CR until 2 am. Both times DME was full. Lots of people arrive after midnight with a reservation for the previous day. We take an evening flight after work so we don't have to take the day off. Originally we had thought to stay at MCO Hyatt when we arrived but the price wasn't much less than the WDW resorts so we figured why not just head to the resort and sleep in rather than unpack, get up early, repack and unpack again.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

You don't need the inbound flight number. Never did. Date, absolutely. Time, helpful for planning. Flight number, nope. You don't even need a flight.

I would expect "many" in this case means a minimal amount of people. Most, spending thousands on a trip, tend to make themselves aware of all the details. "I didn't know" or "I didn't read that (page/documrnt/contract) isn't a valid argument, even if Disney will acquiesce for Magical Express.

I asked when the policy changed. I never even implied anyone was denied access.

In addition to the official DME policy linked and quoted above, there's, "The letter also clarified that WDW guests who had not pre-arranged a ride on Magical Express would not be able to access the service once they arrived at the airport." report from http://www.wdwradio.com/2005/09/dis...changes-greeting-policies-at-orlando-airport/

The DME contract was renegotiated in 2009. MCO makes a ton of money from DME (a per passenger fee) and WDW has agreed not to extend to Sanford, ensuring TONS of guests arrive through MCO. It is in MCO's best interest to have as many guests use DME as possible.