First Trip to Disney in 20+ years and I have questions

[Jennifer Robertson]

My husband and I are going December 18-27. The last and only time I was at Disney, I was 12, over 20 years ago. The last time my husband was there was over 30 years ago. So a lot of things have changed or we forgot things. I have several questions that I hope someone can answer.

1) I read that the bus service between Disney hotels and the parks starts about 45 minutes before the parks open. Is there any other way to get to the parks or other hotels in the morning for early ADRs without renting a cab?

2) If we must get a cab, how early do we need to arrange it? I read that it is best to have the valet call for a cab if none are waiting at your hotel.

3) We have a couple of ADRs for breakfasts that are at 8am, if the park does not open until 9am how does Disney handle this?

4) I am considering getting Memory Maker but I read somewhere that there are no photo takers at the character meals. Is this correct?

5) Our flight get in at 10am and we are taking the Magic Express. I am a little concerned with letting them collect our checked baggage. Does it usually go smoothly? Or are there problems? I know it can take several hours for the baggage to arrive at the hotel.

6) How likely is it that we will be able to into our room at 11ish? If we can’t get in, will the hotel hold our carry-on baggage until our room is ready?

I think these are all the questions I have for now.

Thanks

 

[siskaren]

1. Not true. They start running at 6:30 every morning, earlier if the parks open at 7:00 (which I think they will for the 25th-27th).

2. I don't have any experience with taking cabs, but I think I have read that you can have the valet call one for you.

3. They should have an entrance set up for early ADRs, but for the dates you're going, I would think that the parks would be open at 8:00.

4. As far as I know, none of the character meals have PhotoPass photographers in the restaurants, but some have a photo op before you enter, although not usually with a character.

5. I'm sure there are occasional hiccups with the luggage delivery service, but the service has been around for 11 years, so there's really no reason to be worried. Your luggage should get to your room 3-4 hours after you check in, but what really makes the luggage delivery service nice (other than not having to wait at the carousel and then hauling your luggage through the airport) is that you don't have to be in your room when it arrives - you can be off having fun in the parks.

6. I'm not sure what the chances are that you'll be able to get in your room at 11:00 (it depends on how full the hotel is), but Bell Services can hold your carry-ons for you until your room is ready so that you can head off to the parks.

 

[Accident]

1. someone else answered but they show up at the bust stop around 6:30 (can be a little earlier). they will be less frequent until closer to park opening so plan accordingly and try to not cut it too close.

2. cabs don't really wait at the door for people, just ask a disney door man to hail a cab, they usually park nearby and get there in a minute or two. you won't need one but if your going resort to resort it is much faster than disney transportation that you have to transfer at a park. Maybe people use uber as it's much less money if you want to look into that service.

3. go to the park entrance early, there will be a sign of where to go and you check in and disney lets you in early to get to it.

4. usually no but sometimes yes. plan on no.

5. you may not see the bags until dinner or later. You can collect your own bags and bring them to MDE on your own if you are really worried but it's not a new service and it's very rare to hear about a bag issue. If you have something you must check in order to fly and you need it during the day, get your own bags and bring them on the mde bus with you.

6. I've gotten in my room on many trips before 11am and I've had to store my bags at the resort because it wasn't ready (so yes, it's an option like any other hotel). It just depends on room and how crowded the resort is the day you arrive. pro tip: if you store the bags, call them from the room when you get in later and they will bring the bags to your room, generally takes 5-15 minutes if your unable, don't want to, or the resort your in has a front desk/storage area that is nowhere near the rooms.

 

[Jennifer Robertson]

Thank you. I was really hoping that the character meals had someone taking pictures. Oh well.

 

[Kellars]

As for #6. Online checkin has an option for preferring an early checkin over room preferences. We usually get in early with this checked. Hope you have a magical visit!

 

[purple figment]

1. Buses start running at 6:30, but on some of the days you are going if a park (.g. Magic Kingdom)opens at 7 AM they will start before 6:30.

2. Cabs may be at the resort entrance, but if not ask valet or bell services to call for one. It is usually just a couple minutes because typically they are parked nearby.

3. Agree with PPs.

4. There usually aren't any photopass photographers inside the restaurants; just at the entrance if there is a photo op with a character (e.g. Akershus, CRT). At your table you can ask the character handler to take a photo of you with the character.

5. We have never had any problems with our luggage when we let DME handle them. It may take up to 3-4 hours after you arrive at your resort for your bags to arrive in your room so have anything you may need the first day in your carry on. Also, it is a good idea to have everything you need for the first night and next day in your carry on just in case there is a glitch.

If you decide to pick up your luggage, don't use the yellow tags. Collect your luggage at the carousel and bring them on the DME bus with you. The driver will store them under the bus and take them out at your resort so it is nice to tip him for this service.

6. What resort are you staying at? If you do online check in you can put in your expected arrival time and request that your room be ready. However, make that your only request. If you are staying in a DVC villa, it is less likely you'll be able to access your room at 11 since they take longer to clean. If your room is not ready you can have bell services store your luggage and later when you are in your room call them to have the bags delivered or pick them up yourself on your way to your room.

 

[alliecat523]

Thank you. I was really hoping that the character meals had someone taking pictures. Oh well.

CM's and other guests are always happy to take a photo for you with your camera/phone. Especially at character meals.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

2) If we must get a cab, how early do we need to arrange it? I read that it is best to have the valet call for a cab if none are waiting at your hotel.

Download the Uber app to your smart phone.
If going to Magic Kingdom have Uber drop you off at the Contemporary hotel and walk the 6-8 minutes to MK. (If you get dropped off at MK, you get dropped at the TTC and still have to ferry or monorail to the park.
Uber is cheap, safe, and reliable!
Also go to this website for lots of info:

http://**************.net/

Have a magical trip!

 

[littlebearfan]

Your luggage should get to your room 3-4 hours after you check in, but what really makes the luggage delivery service nice (other than not having to wait at the carousel and then hauling your luggage through the airport) is that you don't have to be in your room when it arrives - you can be off having fun in the parks.

We haven't been for almost 18 years and have never had DME type of service on a vacation before. I have always tipped when I have Bell Services deliver my luggage. I was wondering - is there a way to tip them if you aren't in the room when the luggage arrives? Can you leave it with Bell Services?

 

[siskaren]

We haven't been for almost 18 years and have never had DME type of service on a vacation before. I have always tipped when I have Bell Services deliver my luggage. I was wondering - is there a way to tip them if you aren't in the room when the luggage arrives? Can you leave it with Bell Services?

Since guests are often not in their rooms when luggage is delivered with the DME service, the tip is already taken care of by DME.

 

[littlebearfan]

Since guests are often not in their rooms when luggage is delivered with the DME service, the tip is already taken care of by DME.

Thanks! That's good to know!