Hidden Magic Express Check-In Perc?

[keishashadow]

Must admit I haven't paid much attention to the ME transport system since it wasn't in place for our trip last Feb & we always rent a car. I'm out of the loop on this one, bear with me if these questions have been posed before...

1) It's been reported on other threads that folks using the ME are getting checked into their rooms upon arrival @ their resort (generally ahead of the folks not using ME). Can anyone relate their personal experience?

2) I've read that the procedure is to reserve ME but not to use the luggage tags when checking in @ home airport. You're then supposed to sign in @ ME courtesy desk @ MCO as though you would be riding the bus to the resort. However, you then proceed to pick up both your luggage & rental car and drive yourselve to WDW.

3) Obviously, the intent is to line-jump for a room. Although I personally consider it poor-form...is it a commonly accepted practice or was the poster blowing smoke?

I'd just rely on ME, but we need transport to Cruise, then back to WDW for the day, then returning home. Additionally, I booked our rental car many months ago w/a great rate. Renting from Thursday through Sunday would be more than my original reservation.

Please post your thoughts.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

1) It's been reported on other threads that folks using the ME are getting checked into their rooms upon arrival @ their resort (generally ahead of the folks not using ME). Can anyone relate their personal experience?

You don't get to go to the front of the line when you arrive at your resort.

There have been reports that the resort front desks are fully staffed when a DME bus arrives. In other words, they know when the DME bus will arrive, so they make sure nobody is on break when incoming DME guests are expected.

Also, there have been reports that rooms are assigned based on when a guest checks in at the DME desk at the airport. I don't know how true that this. I always thought most guests were pre-assigned anyway. And there have been reports that DME guests get clean rooms for immediate occupancy, even when other guests are still waiting for their rooms to be cleaned. I don't know how true this is either. The guests who are waiting may simply be waiting because their pre-assigned to rooms that have not yet been cleaned.

2) I've read that the procedure is to reserve ME but not to use the luggage tags when checking in @ home airport. You're then supposed to sign in @ ME courtesy desk @ MCO as though you would be riding the bus to the resort. However, you then proceed to pick up both your luggage & rental car and drive yourselve to WDW.

Your DME voucher is scanned with an RF barcode scanner as you board the the DME bus at the airport. If you don't board, you aren't scanned.

3) Obviously, the intent is to line-jump for a room. Although I personally consider it poor-form...is it a commonly accepted practice or was the poster blowing smoke?

I don't think that using DME really lets you "line-jump for a room."

I don't see the point of checking in at the DME desk if you aren't planning to use the DME transportation or the DME luggage transfers.

 

[sixcats]

I've used ME 3 times now and one of those times my room was ready before check in time. I do tend to take very early flights, but so far I don't see an ME advantage to getting into my room.

 

[keishashadow]

In theory, could 1 person ride the bus w/all or part of the luggage? (While the remainder of party picks up rental car?)

I think DVC runs differently from the resorts as to assigning room type on "1st available unit-type ready system" as to pre-assigning a specific room/guest...in this instance I believe ME guests are prioritized on getting rooms.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've used DME twice now..once to BCV in June and then again in Aug to Pop. In June we used our luggage tags, arrived at MCO at noon, were on the bus at 12:15, on the road at 12:30. In the BCV check-in line at 1:00 and at the pool at 1:30. Our villa was ready at 2:30! Our luggage arrived at 3. I have not been able to get into a villa before 4:00 in the past. Don't know if using DME made the difference or not.
When we stayed at Pop in August, we had only carry-on luggage. But the timing as far as bus transport was almost identical. When we got to Pop, about one hour after landing, our room was ready. THis was at about 1:30-2:00. Again, I don't know if DME had any effect. I do know that there were some people in the line at the same time that I was that were told their room was not ready yet. So...who knows.

 

[helenk]

When I used the DME in July my room at the Allstar Music was not ready, I dropped off my luggage and went to the parks. When I got back at 4:00 or so my room was ready and my luggage was in the room.
....
I had an advantage over other people in the bus, as I was travelling by myself, I got my luggage from the bus driver and went right in to check in. Others with several in their parties were all getting together, getting their strollers etc, so I was able to get in line before the masses.
.
If you are travelling with a group, have one person in your party get off the bus and go right in to check in, the other should get the luggage together.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

In theory, could 1 person ride the bus w/all or part of the luggage? (While the remainder of party picks up rental car?)

Good question. Everything I've read on here about ME says that the luggage follows the guest. Disney won't transport bags on ME busses unless the owner is using the service.

I haven't read anything about luggage for an entire party going with one person while the others pick up a rental car. My guess is they would only transport that one person's luggage but not the rest of the party.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

As to the rumor that the front desks are fully staffed when a DME bus pulls up - not our experience at the ASMU in late August. There were only a few people going to the ASMU, we were first in line, and it still took almost an hour to check in. They had 3 people working; none of whom seemed to know what they were doing.

Maybe if it had been a full bus we would have gotten better service.

To the OP - this is a bad idea. You don't get scanned in until you board the bus, meaning that you will never be scanned in. All you will be doing is wasting time standing in the DME line when you could be getting your rental car.

 

[CleveRocks]

I've read Chip n' Dale Express (Tyler), a WDW CM, explain this several times, but forgive me if I get a detail or two incorrect. My recollections of his posts are that when you check in at the DME desk at MCO, the computer notifies your resort's computer that you will soon be arriving at the resort to check in, and a room is set aside for you. In this scenario, let's say you reserved a "preferred location" room at Caribbean Beach Resort, and there is only one "preferred location" room clean and available for the next hour or so. A moment after you check in with DME at MCO, CBR gets word that you'll be there soon and that room is set aside for you. A moment after that, someone arrives at CBR by towncar, someone who also has a reservation for a "preferred location" room. That person will be told that no "preferred location" rooms are available yet, but that they will get the next one available. You show up via DME bus 45 minutes later, wait in line at the front desk just like everyone else, check in, and get your room. Mr. Towncar is still waiting for his room. This is a major perk of DME.

-- Eric

 

[keishashadow]

I've read Chip n' Dale Express (Tyler), a WDW CM, explain this several times, but forgive me if I get a detail or two incorrect. My recollections of his posts are that when you check in at the DME desk at MCO, the computer notifies your resort's computer that you will soon be arriving at the resort to check in, and a room is set aside for you. In this scenario, let's say you reserved a "preferred location" room at Caribbean Beach Resort, and there is only one "preferred location" room clean and available for the next hour or so. A moment after you check in with DME at MCO, CBR gets word that you'll be there soon and that room is set aside for you. A moment after that, someone arrives at CBR by towncar, someone who also has a reservation for a "preferred location" room. That person will be told that no "preferred location" rooms are available yet, but that they will get the next one available. You show up via DME bus 45 minutes later, wait in line at the front desk just like everyone else, check in, and get your room. Mr. Towncar is still waiting for his room. This is a major perk of DME.

-- Eric

This is what I read on another thread as to checking in @ DME desk @ MCO, notifiying resort to set a room aside for you.

But is "checking in @ DME desk" the same thing as getting voucher scanned as when you enter the bus? I thought you checked into a free-standing counter before boarding the bus?

Does WDW limite the number of bags an individual can check? TIA

 

[kaytieeldr]

This is what I read on another thread as to checking in @ DME desk @ MCO, notifiying resort to set a room aside for you.

But is "checking in @ DME desk" the same thing as getting voucher scanned as when you enter the bus? I thought you checked into a free-standing counter before boarding the bus?

Does WDW limite the number of bags an individual can check? TIA

No, checking in at the DME desk is what gets you the voucher. Presenting the voucher to the bus driver and boarding the DME bus is what gets it scanned.

 

[CleveRocks]

Each registered guest receives 2 DME luggage tags with that individual's name on it (as well as the name of the person in whose name the reservation was made). WDW issues two per guest because almost all airlines lkimit passengers to two checked bags; I have read of isolated incidents where DISboard posters have requested and received extra DME tags. Anyway, I would imagine that if Jane Smith tries to board the DME bus with 8 suitcases, they'll know something's up because they know the airline didn't allow her to check 8 suitcases, KWIM? And if she tries to board with no suitcases, the only suitcases that DME will deliver to Jane's resort are the two with HER own DME tags on them. The luggage from the rest of her party, if those bags have DME tags on them, will remain at the airport because those people never boarded the bus.

I've read of people successfully doing it in reverse. That is, 4 people in a party, 3 ride the bus and one gets and drives the rental car. But in order to do this, that party of four can't have more than 6 checked bags, 2 each for the 3 DME bus riders. If you do this, please be careful to NOT use the DME tags of the person getting the rental car, because if his/her tags are on suitcases but he/she doesn't ride the bus, then those bags will not be transported to your resort. If you do need more than 6 checked bags for that party of 4, then leave the extra bag or 2 without the DME tags, and the rental car driver will have to pick up those bags at baggage claim. I hope that all makes sense.

-- Eric

 

[Lewisc]

Some airlines, like SW, still allow passengers 3 checked bags. A few guests may pay to check extra bags. I understand DME will send extra tags if you ask.

 

[clkelley]

Also if you have paid for an extra checked bag or are using SW and use the three bags in your allowance, give the folks at the DME desk your luggage claim sticker and they will get that extra bag for you.

Carol

 

[keishashadow]

Could try to just check in @ desk & see what happens, but my personal Jimminey Cricket (DH) would flip.

I guess it's a moot point for us. We'd love to use the ME @ least 1 way, but need the rental car for second portion of trip. No way will I pay more for a 3 day weekend than I would for the original 8 day rental.