Extra adults added acheck-in, can they use ME?

[Bethry]

Hello all, I'm planning my first trip to Disney! (Not my first time going, just the first time I have to do all the planning!)

I'm not sure if this belongs in the Resort area or the Transportation area, but I figure someone can help either way.

I am booking a room for myself for May 5th through 11th.
And a room for my parents May 6th through 9th.

My parents will actually arrive on a very late flight on May 5th, but I don't want to book a room for them that night since they won't get there till midnight - they can just share with me for that one night until their own check-in the next day. So I understand that if I don't want them to have all the same add-ons as me, I need to add them to my reservation when I arrive and pay the extra adult fees for that one night (correct? I can't do that in advance without causing them to have all my add-ons?).

How does that work with using Magical Express from the airport? Since they will get there the 5th and their own reservation isn't until the 6th, they wouldn't be allowed to ride, yes? But since I will add them to my reservation when I get there earlier in the day, can they go to the ME counter at the airport and get ME transportation passes for the 5th since they would have been officially added to my reservation for the one night by then?

Does this make sense??

 

[TagsMissy]

I believe you are correct on the adding on the adults, you need to do it at the resort if you want to just add them on for one night without being on your package. I have never done it before but I am pretty certain I've read that somewhere. You may want to ask on the resorts forum though.

As for ME, I don't know how that would work since technically their reservation isn't until the next day since they won't be on your reservation until after you check in... that is a very good question since they need to 'reserve' a spot before using the service don't they?

You could call DME on their 1-800 number and ask? If you have gotten DME documents in the past the number is listed on the envelope or documentation -- I can't remember where off the top of my head.

Good luck!

 

[Bethry]

Thanks for the input.

It's just so confusing... By the time they arrive at MCO, they WILL officially be on a reservation for that night, so I would think it'd be ok for them to go the the DME desk and get passes.

I'll have to check around for the DME number!

 

[bicker]

I suspect it depends on how the information gets around. The way DVC (at least) makes it sound is that DME doesn't have direct access to hotel reservations, but rather the hotel reservations system pushed information into DME's systems (presumably overnight, or once every few days, or something like that). Since the hotel reservations systems have direct access to both DVC and non DVC reservations, it seems to me that regular hotel reservations would work the same way, i.e., DME doesn't know about added guests until a day or three later.

 

[Bethry]

FYI, I called reservations (couldn't find the ME #) and she said that when I call to book ME just explain the situation to them and they should have no problem giving my parents ME passes for the 5th.

Hope that's true!

 

[bicker]

Y'know it totally went over my head that you were talking about a trip in May.

The issue is you cannot make changes at the last minute, but this is not the last minute.

 

[Bethry]

Well, adding my parents to my room for the night of the 5th WILL be last minute - it has to be in order for them not to be required to have all my add-ons. CM told me to add them to my room for that night when I check-in, so what you said still makes sense...

 

[bicker]

I would try to get that (that you will be able to do that) in writing, then. That way, if you encounter a problem at the front-desk, then you have proof that someone promised this to you.

 

[dudspizza]

I keep finding myself wondering that if their flight is late on the 5th getting in around midnight that if they check in at the ME desk after midnight, making it the 6th, can they use ME legitimately?

I mean, they are using ME on their check in day... is there a time of the day that people are normally allowed to get on ME for checking in that day? If they can get on ME, they could just go to the room and check in for their room when they get up....... that way, no one would be added to the reservation..... I am curious what the exact policy is on "how early they can get to the resort"..... we checked in to our room at 830am one morning, even though check in isn't until 3 or 4....

Duds

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, you know, duds, you have a good point (please note, everyone: duds is making sense ).

Many times, we've seen questions about Magical Express where the concern is "the DME packet doesn't have my correct arrival time, it just says 12:00". We assure those people that they're fine, that - given airlines' penchant for changing arrival times and flight arrangements in general - the exact arrival time is not important, as long as Disney expects the Guest on the correct date.

EXACTLY what time are the OP's parents arriving?