First timer Magical Express question - partial trip

[Cindy B]

I've never used Magical Express before and was wondering if this was possible.

We are researching doing a combined Universal Disney Trip. Is it possible to pick up Magical Express during our stay? For example, if we went to Universal first for a day or two and got ourselves back to the airport, could we then use DME for the Disney leg or our trip? Or would it be best to do the Disney part first and then do the Universal leg?

 

[LWQuestie]

Disney wouldn't know about the Universal part of your trip, so yes. You are allowed one trip from MCO and one trip to MCO.

 

[OKW Lover]

Disney's ME doesn't know how you got to the airport, nor do they care. It doesn't matter what you did before that, they are ready to bring you to WDW from the airport on the day your reservation starts.

 

[Cindy B]

Ok, then that solves that issue. So let just say we did Universal first and brought the rental car back to the airport. So then we could use DME for the Disney leg of the trip... but what about flight numbers and or luggage?

Our usual airline is not one of the preferred (Southwest). So I am then assuming that we would show up to the airport with our bags and then just go to the DME counter?

When we book the trip, we would just put in a flight number for that "day"-so we could get DME?

I'm just trying to visualize this concept.

 

[sam_gordon]

You simply take your luggage with you to the DME desk. I'm not positive they ask for an arriving flight, but if they do, simply make up a flight time/number, or get online and find a flight that's arriving about the time you expect to get back to MCO.

Flight information isn't needed for arrival in Orlando, it's needed for departure so they can schedule you on an appropriate bus. In other words, busses are filled from MCO to WDW "first come, first served." Busses from WDW to MCO are reserved seating.

 

[Cindy B]

That is good to know. I was thinking that they would need the flight information for the return flight home.

Do we reserve DME when we book the Disney hotel? Is it online or via phone?

 

[OKW Lover]

Book ME at the same time you book your hotel, or anytime thereafter (up to about 3-weeks before). You can do it on the phone.

 

[sam_gordon]

That is good to know. I was thinking that they would need the flight information for the return flight home.

Do we reserve DME when we book the Disney hotel? Is it online or via phone?

They DO need your return flight information (FROM Orlando TO your home airport).
They DON'T need accurate flight information for your arrival (FROM your home airport TO Orlando)

 

[seashoreCM]

You can hold off on finalizing or correcting Magical Express back to the airport until after you get to Orlando or even after you get to your resort. However you normally reserve DME both ways all at once before leaving home.

The normal deadline is morning of the day before checkout. If you wait this long (or if the confirmation delivered to your room has a mistake) then you must get your updated confirmation in writing before heading off to the parks and you may miss rope drop.

 

[goofy4tink]

The other thing you 'could' do is to drive from US/IoA to your WDW resort, get checked in. Then, just one adult could head back to the airport, drop off the car, and then take DME back to the resort.
Or, just book DME when you reserve your resort, give them the arriving flight info of a flight that is arriving about the same time you are.....tends to be less confusing for DME that way....give them your actual return flight info at this time though. Makes getting through the DME checkin line quicker. Then, drive back to MCO after US/IoA stay, return the car, and head over to DME, with your bags, and go to your WDW resort.
All depends on how you want to do it.