Disney nickel and diming? Or is it just me?

[perthgirl]

We are coming to the US for 5 weeks in Dec and have included a trip to Disney in the itinerary (as you would!) Anyway, my husband is leaving us behind for a couple of days to go to Nashville to see one of his favourite performers in concert mid Disney visit and our TA kindly booked ME to take him to the airport and back. We didn't bother cancelling his Disney tickets for the couple of days he will be away as it wasn't worth the effort, and nor are we using ME as a family to arrive at Disney (coming from the dark side.....). The TA was just advised that ME won't transport my husband because he is 'mid trip'. I have no complaint with my TA - she tried! But to be honest it seems a little stupid as there is every likelihood there will be other people coming and going around the same time and a spare seat on the bus.

It is no big deal really as we can order Mears or someone but it would have been nice to have had the convenience of ME.

 

[DebbieB]

We are coming to the US for 5 weeks in Dec and have included a trip to Disney in the itinerary (as you would!) Anyway, my husband is leaving us behind for a couple of days to go to Nashville to see one of his favourite performers in concert mid Disney visit and our TA kindly booked ME to take him to the airport and back. We didn't bother cancelling his Disney tickets for the couple of days he will be away as it wasn't worth the effort, and nor are we using ME as a family to arrive at Disney (coming from the dark side.....). The TA was just advised that ME won't transport my husband because he is 'mid trip'. I have no complaint with my TA - she tried! But to be honest it seems a little stupid as there is every likelihood there will be other people coming and going around the same time and a spare seat on the bus.

It is no big deal really as we can order Mears or someone but it would have been nice to have had the convenience of ME.

I would contact ME direct. I have had trips where friends have arrived in the middle of stay or a have left early and used ME. You could always say he is leaving early to get one way on ME.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Your TA is misinformed and incorrect. Each registered guest is allowed one transportation from MCO to the resort on check-in day or any day there after and one return trip from the resort to MCO any day up to and including check-out day.

 

[crashbb]

As PP said, everyone is entitled to TWO trips on the DME (one each direction) and these can happen any time between check in date and check out date (including those days - which is the standard). The trick is (if I'm reading correctly) your husband wants THREE trips on the DME.

1) To the airport to go Nashville
2) To WDW after Nashville
3) To the airport (with the family) at the end of the trip

Thus, your TA is correct - he will not be allowed to do this as he is trying to get two trips from WDW to the airport.

If you aren't using DME back to the airport (you only mentioned not using it to WDW), then your DH will be able to use DME for his trip to Nashville.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Your TA is wrong. In addition you can book DME up to 24 hours in advance So rather then an international call just call as soon as you get here. (assuming it is more then 24 hours between arrival and his trip).

 

[purple figment]

As PP said, everyone is entitled to TWO trips on the DME (one each direction) and these can happen any time between check in date and check out date (including those days - which is the standard). The trick is (if I'm reading correctly) your husband wants THREE trips on the DME.

1) To the airport to go Nashville
2) To WDW after Nashville
3) To the airport (with the family) at the end of the trip

Thus, your TA is correct - he will not be allowed to do this as he is trying to get two trips from WDW to the airport.

If you aren't using DME back to the airport (you only mentioned not using it to WDW), then your DH will be able to use DME for his trip to Nashville.

Agree that this is the reason. In one of your other posts you said you'll be taking ME to MCO to pick up a rental car at the end of your DW trip because it's much cheaper there.

 

[perthgirl]

thanks for clearing it up for me - it seemed a little strange! I will take everyone's advice and talk to them when we arrive. If worse comes to worse (which let's face it isn't that bad!) I could book Mears to take him to the airport on his way to Nashville and he could possibly get ME back to WDW then take ME with us to pick up the hire car. Or they may feel generous since my daughter and I are only using one way......

 

[Brian Noble]

You can come after your trip starts. You can leave before your trip ends. You can't come (or leave) twice. It's also *possible* that you can't leave before you arrive, if you follow me. So, the trip *from* the airport may have to be before the trip *to* the airport.

Or they may feel generous

Mickey? Doubt it.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

OK "officially" you may only get "one trip"

Unoffically, I had to send the other half back and forth a few times for business on one of my trips.

We flew to Orlando and took DME to Disney. Once there we discovered he had to make a day trip to Chicago. I called DME and they agreed to take him to the airport and return him back to Disney. Then he took his orignially scheduled DME to the airport at the end of our stay.

I didn't know there was a 'one trip' rule and when I called the CM never asked etc...

So I would just call when you get to Orlando and "add" his trip. I bet they will do it!

 

[Lewisc]

Industry standard is to charge for parking and/or a resort fee. Disney doesn't. Industry standard is to offer RAC at a cost of $10-$20. Disney pays the cost. Industry standard is to only offer complimentary transportation if the hotel is in the airport zone or a short distance from a cruise port. Less then 5 miles, maybe less then 2 miles.

It's just you.

edited to add--I think Disney is expensive, but I don't think they nickel and dime us.

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't think Disney offers ME to be NICE, or to be above an industry standard.

They do it to keep us all from renting cars and go offsite to shop, eat and visit Universal.

And if they thought they could keep us all without cars, they would be charging for ME as well.

 

[Brian Noble]

Precisely so. Mickey does nothing unless it eventually leads to more cheese for Mickey.

 

[gmeh1]

Precisely so. Mickey does nothing unless it eventually leads to more cheese for Mickey.

Yep, it is called "running a business".

 

[Brian Noble]

To be clear, I have no qualms with profit.

 

[gmeh1]

To be clear, I have no qualms with profit.

Me either. But, some make it sound like it was a bad thing for a company to make a profit. To be clear, I do think some of the charges are way outta sight, ie: parking at the parks and admission being increased in this economy, but, then I have to realize that their expenses go up also and the bottom line makes the stockholders happy (me included). I am still not to excited about the parking fees.

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't think Disney offers ME to be NICE, or to be above an industry standard.

They do it to keep us all from renting cars and go offsite to shop, eat and visit Universal.

And if they thought they could keep us all without cars, they would be charging for ME as well.

Sort of. If someone usually rents a car, they will continue doing so. Having 'free' DME available isn't going to change that. There may be times that they may not need a car nearly as much on that particular trip, so will use DME rather than paying for a towncar service.

The vast majority of guests never venture offsite...they didn't do it 10 years ago, and they aren't doing it now. Yes, those of us who go more often may go offsite but we are the exception not the rule.

I think I may post a poll to see how DME has changed people's transportation habits. That might be interesting to see.

As far as it being free?? Nope, hardly free. We just aren't paying oop for it. Every single WDW resort guest is paying for DME. They are paying for it in their resort costs. It's not a huge amount so nobody thinks about it. But, it's there, whether or not you use it.

 

[Lewisc]

I used to purchase APs. I no longer do so. MYW pricing, pass requirements for dining and fewer trips. One perk of an AP is free parking in the theme parks.

At that time a rental car wasn't much more then the cost of a car service. Some trips I'd stay on site and some trips I'd use PL. Why pay for a value when I could get something like the Gaylord Palms for the less then the cost of a moderate? Sometimes the same price as a value.

The dining plan (used to) offer great value. DME and the dining plan gave me a reason to stay onsite. One reason why I stayed at POP one trip.

DME gives guests an additional amenity. A reason to stay onsite. Add it to things like EMH and package delivery.

Look at some of the threads on the other boards. People think they got a good deal offsite. Add in the cost of the rental car and parking in the Disney theme parks and the deal isn't as good. Now assume a family of 4 (in one room) books during a free dining promotion. Much (most?) of the apparent savings vanishes.

Disney is able to charge a price premium for their rooms. DME is one of the amenities which allows Disney to continue, and even increase, the premium.

I suspect inbound luggage handling reduces the demand for early room availability. RAC makes it easier to accommodate guests with later flights. Maybe reduced requests for late checkouts. Less luggage storage.

I'm a little surprised Disney doesn't charge for RAC. I assume the "wholesale" rate Disney is paying BAGS is a lot less then what guests pay for similar services in other hotels.

I agree with Diane. People who want to rent a car because they enjoy doing stuff offsite will still rent a car.