Extra Person / Magical Express Dillema

[DISNEYGIRL0811]

Do the majority of folks staying at Dis Resorts use magical express??

Our dilema is this - we will be 2 adults & 2 kids, plus bring a 3rd adult (grandma). Although, we did not advise the resort about grandma since we don't want to pay $$$20-?? a night for the room stay for her.

But by doing this, we'd probably not be able to do magical express since it would only be available to all individuals listed as staying in the room...

Just wondering if it makes sense to do cab or towncar from airport, instead of paying additional for room as having her listed and then all doing the magical express??? Make sense?? Thoughts anyone????

 

[Lewisc]

Presumably you're contemplating cheating Disney out of the extra adult charge as a money saving technique. Given that goal you should go the Mears desk and pay for transportation for grandma. Chances are she'll be transported on the same DME bus as you.

It makes more sense to just pay the extra adult charge. That's necessary if you want to take advantage of EMH.

 

[DISNEYGIRL0811]

I see your point..

Already, paying $465 a night at GF so just seeing if it makes more sense for us costwise to pay for our own transportation or pay the additional for grandma to stay in room and do magical express.... I need to work the numbers.

 

[dcgrumpy]

If you're $465 a night what the heck is another $20? Like Lewisc said grandma won't get a room key. She won't be able to go to EMH mornings or evenings, can't charge to the room.

 

[DISNEYGIRL0811]

Well, I can't remember exactly.... but it's more than $20...... but your right, if we want to do any EMH it would be necessary! Forgot about that!

 

[DISNEYGIRL0811]

Would it become an issue if we had a 8"05am ressie at CP before park opens at 9? Do they check each person under the ressie number upon letting you in? Or if the ressie # shows 3 adults and 2 children, is that enogh for them to let you in??

 

[disneyagain]

We went to MGM for early opening, didn't actually realize it was EMH in July, I didn't bring the kids rooms keys with us (we have AP's). The CM at the gate needed to see the adult room keys before they would let us in. Luckily DH brought his with him. I seem to be the carrier of all things at Disney

 

[goofy4tink]

If it were me, I would just add Grandma to the room reservation. You'll end up paying about $150 for transport from MCO to GF if you book a private car. And I'm not sure you'll get a towncar for 5...more like a van. At $20 (or so) a night extra for Grandma, you'll be saving money rather than use a private car service. And not have to worry about luggage to boot!
And Grandma will have to be able to show her resort room key card in order to gain entrance to the park if it's before official opening. Yes, even for an early morning ADR. So, she would have to forgo that fun, as well as any other EMHs you wanted to do. Nope, you'll be better off just paying the extra for her.

 

[dcgrumpy]

And Grandma will have to be able to show her resort room key card in order to gain entrance to the park if it's before official opening. Yes, even for an early morning ADR.

Why would that be? Can't people staying offsite book early morning ADR's?

 

[goofy4tink]

Why would that be? Can't people staying offsite book early morning ADR's?

Hmmm, interesting point. I didn't think so, at least not in the park restaurants but I could be wrong.

 

[shellybaxter]

Why would that be? Can't people staying offsite book early morning ADR's?

Yes they can. We've had friends who live locally join us for early morning ADRs. They are not exclusively for resort guests. Grandma could join the family for an early ADR. We've not done so on an EMH morning so I'm not sure about that.

Grandma definatly would not be allowed into EMH mornings or allowed to use the attractions during EMH evenings without a room key. She might also be asked for a key if the pools are crowded.

Town car round trip service is about $100 plus tip and I'm also not sure if five would fit or if you would have to use more expensive transportation.

 

[GEM]

Hmmm, interesting point. I didn't think so, at least not in the park restaurants but I could be wrong.

Yes, they definately can. We've done 8am breakfasts (on 9am opening days) at the Crystal Palace MANY times while staying off site. They just check the breakfast reservation list.

 

[goofy4tink]

Who knew!!!

 

[zurgswife]

The cost at the GF is $25 per night.

Mears Shuttle $29 adult round trip.

But without a key there might be problems getting into EMH

 

[DISNEYGIRL0811]

The cost at the GF is $25 per night.

Mears Shuttle $29 adult round trip.

But without a key there might be problems getting into EMH

Thanks for the prices.... what is the "mears shuttle"???

 

[goofy4tink]

Mears used to run a regular shuttle to the Disney resorts from MCO. Then, DME came into being and Mears stopped going to the actual Disney resorts. They do go to the Swan and Dolphin though because there is no DME there (not owned by Disney). But, from what I understand, there have been situations where you can go up to the Mears booth and ask for a ride to a WDW resort and they will take you...for $29. It doesn't happen often but it does happen. In fact, there was one time that I rode the DME bus to BW, and it stopped at the S/D...I couldn't figure out why until one of the people getting off said..."Man, you guys are lucky. You get this bus ride for nothing...we had to pay for it. Maybe we should stay at a Disney resort next time!" So, they may put paying passengers on a DME bus.

 

[kidsister]

You don't say how young the children are, but if you have a little one, and if you decide that you don't want to pay that $25 extra per day(which I can't believe they charge at the GF with those rates!!!), the youngest is teh one that I woulnd't include on the ressie.

Chances are you won't be all doing too many late nights (maybe gram will stay with the kids while mom and dad play)..and you can all go in early with the early ADR...and I doubt anyone will question the age of the young one being named on the ressie with ME.

I think one of the posters was being way harsh in accusing you of 'cheating' Disney. In my world, if you are under the max number of people, the charge for 4 adults or 3 adults and 2 kids should be the same.

That all being said: and don't take this the wrong way, but have you considered renting points at one of the DVC resorts and staying at Wilderness Lodge Villas or Beach Club or Boardwalk (or OKW OR SSR or AKL) instead? I believe you could get a 1 bedroom with w/d and full kitchen or maybe even a 2 bedroom villa for much less than what you are paying for GF.
And no extra charges for that 5th person.

 

[dcgrumpy]

You don't say how young the children are, but if you have a little one, and if you decide that you don't want to pay that $25 extra per day(which I can't believe they charge at the GF with those rates!!!), the youngest is teh one that I woulnd't include on the ressie.

It wouldn't make a difference, the extra charge is for more thatn 2 adults per room. Even if there were no kids they would still have to pay the $25 per night.