Going to Dolphin

[miracledaughter]

I'm going to the Dolphin for a conference. My husband wins dad-of-the-year by traveling with our two kids (2 and 6) alone to meet me at the end of the conference. It looks like we don't get Magical Express as an option, I don't want to do Mears again, and I'm concerned about a taxi having booster/car seats. Does my husband have to lug two car seats to Orlando? Does anyone know if there's a way to pay for Magical Express one-way?

 

[Polydweller]

There is no way to pay for Magical Express. It is licensed as a hotel transfer service by MCO not a bus service. So, it can only transfer people between the airport and a Disney owned and operated hotel. The Dolphin is not one of those so no DME service available.

 

[WDWNY]

I'm going to the Dolphin for a conference. It looks like we don't get Magical Express as an option, I don't want to do Mears again

We will also be there for a conference. First time staying at the Dolphin. Do you mind telling me why you don't want to use Mears? That was what we were planning on using.

 

[goofy4tink]

Not sure what the issue with Mears is. I've used it to the Dolphin several times with good results. Your other option is to have them hire a private car service. It will be about $60 one way/$115 r/t. They will provide car seats if they know in advance. In all honesty, a private car service will be about the same price as a cab...perhaps just a tad more, but since they will meet you at baggage claim and help you with your bags, it's a wash!

 

[miracledaughter]

We used Mears shuttle last time and it felt disorganized, car seats weren't available (so we had to put our kids in our laps), it was crammed, and took over an hour to get to the resort because of multiple stops (even though there were at least 20-30 people in the waiting area going to Swan and Dolphin, why couldn't they just put all of us on one shuttle?). It just wasn't a good option for us when traveling with little ones.

Perhaps the private car or van is the way to go.

 

[miracledaughter]

There is no way to pay for Magical Express. It is licensed as a hotel transfer service by MCO not a bus service. So, it can only transfer people between the airport and a Disney owned and operated hotel. The Dolphin is not one of those so no DME service available.

Thanks!

 

[FigmentSpark]

You said DH was meeting you at the end of the conference. Have you thought of changing hotels once your conference is over so that you are staying at a Disney property and therefore DH and kids will qualify for the ME?

 

[WDWNY]

We used Mears shuttle last time and it felt disorganized, car seats weren't available (so we had to put our kids in our laps), it was crammed, and took over an hour to get to the resort because of multiple stops (even though there were at least 20-30 people in the waiting area going to Swan and Dolphin, why couldn't they just put all of us on one shuttle?). It just wasn't a good option for us when traveling with little ones.

Perhaps the private car or van is the way to go.

Thanks! We are staying at BWV the first night of the trip so we can get the magical express for arrival. Maybe we will look into getting a cab for the return instead.

 

[miracledaughter]

You said DH was meeting you at the end of the conference. Have you thought of changing hotels once your conference is over so that you are staying at a Disney property and therefore DH and kids will qualify for the ME?

The conference at the Dolphin goes until Thursday, but my husband comes on Tuesday. If we didn't stay at a Disney resort until Thursday, would they still bring my husband and kids on site on Tuesday?

 

[goofy4tink]

The conference at the Dolphin goes until Thursday, but my husband comes on Tuesday. If we didn't stay at a Disney resort until Thursday, would they still bring my husband and kids on site on Tuesday?

Nope. You can only use DME if you have a resort reservation that is active on the day you use DME. I would just bite the bullet and have a car service pick them up. Then, if you decide to move to a WDW resort after the convention, you could take DME back to MCO. If not, just book the car service round trip. There is no way to use DME...it goes to WDW owned resorts only!

 

[miracledaughter]

Nope. You can only use DME if you have a resort reservation that is active on the day you use DME. I would just bite the bullet and have a car service pick them up. Then, if you decide to move to a WDW resort after the convention, you could take DME back to MCO. If not, just book the car service round trip. There is no way to use DME...it goes to WDW owned resorts only!

thanks, that's what i thought! i may also look at renting someone's points or doing DVC, but a little uneasy about it because of the unknown and complexity

 

[seashoreCM]

We used Mears' shuttle last time and it felt disorganized, car seats weren't available (so we had to put our kids in our laps), ...

Magical Express buses do not have or allow car seats for young children either.

You can request car seats when you book a taxi. At the airport you have the right to pick and choose the taxi brand you want (suggest Yellow or Checker) and to get one with car seats, instead of taking the first one in line.

I, too, feel uneasy about renting vacation resort points or vacation homes from private parties where I have to pay up front with cash.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks! We are staying at BWV the first night of the trip so we can get the magical express for arrival. Maybe we will look into getting a cab for the return instead.

How about booking a town car? That way you can ask for the car seats in advance.

 

[goofy4tink]

thanks, that's what i thought! i may also look at renting someone's points or doing DVC, but a little uneasy about it because of the unknown and complexity

If you use a company to rent points, it's very easy. I've rented out points through David's. Worked very well. The big drawback is that once you book, it's almost impossible to back out or chsnge dates. But it's a great cost saver.