Info for BWV Check In

[Danthesand]

I've heard that you can send your luggage via Magical Express, but skip the bus yourself.

Can anyone confirm this? From all the travel reports I've read from actual ME users, the CMs at the "check in" desk at the airport appear to do exactly that, ergo, check to make sure that those on the ressie list actually show up and get on the bus.

That becomes a critical point given what the original poster here stated ("staff at the BWV are tracking when ME flights arrive.") I doubt that CMs at the Boardwalk are actually calling airlines or going online to travel sites to do that; rather, I suspect they are getting ongoing updates from ME staff on which flights have arrived. And if ME staff are tracking that, then they are in all likelihood tracking who subsequently shows up at the check-in desk.

I'm raising all this because of our scenario: Boardwalk is our home resort, and I reserved a Boardwalk view villa for this coming August at exactly 11 months out (a day by day ressie). Our plans are actually fly in the the night before check in, staying the airport Hyatt before arriving at BWV via car service early the next morning for a 7am check in. I didn't expect the room to be available then, but wanted to be "at the head of the line" for room-ready; We're doing the early arrival so we can get over to Epcot at opening.

Now I'm hearing that despite all that preparation, we could get screwed, e.g., end up waiting until late afternoon to get into a third choice villa (which with Boardwalk view means either six miles from the elevator or one of the "disability compliant" ones).

How absolutely devious. I think I'll do just that - send one bag via Magical Express and take the towncar we intend to take.

And I bet you can book Magical Express and then just not use their darn luggage tags. Without the tags, your bags will end up on the carrosel, but your name will still be on their list for checkin.

Well, crisi and are on exactly the same page, e.g. is there a way to "play" the ME system so that while you're not using ME, the Boardwalk check in staff still think you're an ME arrival, and give you their check in "advantage."

While that would be nice, I see still see the previously mentioned check-in issue messing that approach up. Again, if the ME airport staff are in essence "looking" for you, when they don't find you, the staff at BWV aren't going to be "holding" your room for you. Ditto for luggage - if your bags aren't picked up at the carousel (either by having ME tags, or subsequently by ME after you've supposedly described the bags to them), then the ME airport staff may not put you on lists of upcoming arrivals they share with BWV.

 

[KJHawley]

Can anyone confirm this? From all the travel reports I've read from actual ME users, the CMs at the "check in" desk at the airport appear to do exactly that, ergo, check to make sure that those on the ressie list actually show up and get on the bus.

I've seen so many web sites, DVDs, CD-ROMs, etc. lately that I'm not sure. I know for certain that you can skip the bus on the way back, though- see here:
http://disneymeetings.disney.go.com/dwm/services/detail?name=DMEAttendeesFAQDetailPage

If the link doesn't work: "Q: Do I need to ride the Disney's Magical Express motor coach to the airport in order to participate in the Resort Airline Check-in?

A:No. After utilizing the Resort Airline Check-in service, you can either take advantage of the complimentary motor coach transportation to the airport or arrange your own private transportation. Your checked luggage will be transported to the airport regardless of which transportation option you choose."

So, it works for sure on the way back- I'm just not sure about the arrival (and the all-important check-in).

 

[thelobstershanty]

I hope this test is short lived. It does not seem right to me, especially to DVC members that have booked villas at 11 months out.
I am really glad we have a BW view villa booked for our next trip. All the BW view villas have good views. We do not care how far from the elevators the villa is. Even the villas right next to Jellyrolls, which is about as far as you can get from the elevators, are just a few minutes walk. As long as it is BW view we will be happy.

 

[crisi]

DantheSand,

If I was WDW and I was writing the ME code, I'd get your incoming air information when you booked. Then I'd hook that system up to MCO flight info. When the flight arrives, I'd move the people on that flight from "holding" to "incoming" on the hotel reservation computers. I think the ME staff cares about who gets on their buses, but I don't think they are the ones that tell the resort you are on their way, the computers do that - more accurate, less people intensive, and that data exchange is easy.

 

[Danthesand]

DantheSand,

I think the ME staff cares about who gets on their buses

Can anyone with actual ME experience confirm this, e.g.:

- How close physically is the "Disney Center" at MCO to where the ME buses actually load?

- Once you "check in" at the welcome center, do CMs escort you to the buses, or do they "point" you to them?

- Once at the bus, does a CM (or the driver) do a "boarding roster," ergo, do they check off the names of people/parties as they board?

 

[Greg K.]

...how much longer the Magical Express option will remain an option.

If Disney doesn't get its act together soon, they will have to discontinue it, and just write it off as experiment that failed. (OT: I'm thinking that will happen with those evening EMH, too -- another boondoggle that, judging from these boards, has left more guests unhappy than happy.)

But if they keep ME, what do you want to bet they soon start charging for it? Then, I think, you'll see the numbers of people using it drop dramatically -- and as a result, you'll probably also see service improve dramatically, too.

 

[Cricket2]

- Once at the bus, does a CM (or the driver) do a "boarding roster," ergo, do they check off the names of people/parties as they board?

If that is true and there is "assigned seating" of some sort then I can't see how this wouldn't cause a delay to other guests on your bus. If you are a no-show, wouldn't that delay the bus waiting for you? If this is true, then it would certainly be "bad show" and I can bet you they would catch on soon enough and somehow eliminate that ability.

Somehow, I can't see it running this way, but who knows? I'm betting on a batch resort dump at set intervals or possibly online real-time transmissions from the check in desk at MCO to notify the resort of your arrival. If that is true, then your presence on the bus or your lack of luggage should not be an issue.

What if you checked in at the desk and then had to wait for another party coming in on a later flight? Or maybe your flight arrives but you go and eat lunch for 2 hours prior to check in. How about the airline loosing your luggage? They must have built in something to deal with those odd situations.

 

[RobDoc]

Can anyone with actual ME experience confirm this, e.g.:

- How close physically is the "Disney Center" at MCO to where the ME buses actually load?

- Once you "check in" at the welcome center, do CMs escort you to the buses, or do they "point" you to them?

- Once at the bus, does a CM (or the driver) do a "boarding roster," ergo, do they check off the names of people/parties as they board?

The DME welcome desk is immediately adjacent to the queue area to board the buses. The DME CM's greet you after exiting the desk and escort you to the queue.

You will be given the DME travel voucher at the desk which is then collected by the bus driver. While I doubt the drivers have anything to do with reporting yor arrival to the resort (that would be done thru the DME network when you check in), the DME system is very "hands-on" as far as contact with CM's. They will check to make sure your entire party is there and escort your group to the proper bus area. There is little opportunity to get "lost" between the DME check-in desk and the bus queue. The buses are pretty prompt and there is not a long wait for boarding once thru the line.

 

[Danthesand]

The DME welcome desk is immediately adjacent to the queue area to board the buses. The DME CM's greet you after exiting the desk and escort you to the queue.

You will be given the DME travel voucher at the desk which is then collected by the bus driver. While I doubt the drivers have anything to do with reporting yor arrival to the resort (that would be done thru the DME network when you check in), the DME system is very "hands-on" as far as contact with CM's. They will check to make sure your entire party is there and escort your group to the proper bus area. There is little opportunity to get "lost" between the DME check-in desk and the bus queue. The buses are pretty prompt and there is not a long wait for boarding once thru the line.

Doc, thank you!! I did see on another thread on the transportation board that ME riders are given a "voucher" at the desk which is not just collected but also scanned when boarding. So, as you observed, the ME check-in and boarding process is very hands on and offers little if any opportunity to "disappear."

That stated, let me explain my situation in a little more detail to see if actually using ME is a solution.

We are DVC members checking into the Boardwalk on a Tuesday. Because of the nature of our itinerary, we are flying into MCO the night before and staying at the airport Hyatt. Plan is to leave MCO very early the next morning so we can arrive at the Boardwalk by 7:45am or so, Doing this for two reasons:

A. So we can check in and still get to Epcot by 8:40 or so to be there at opening.

B. So we would be at or near the front of the "check in" queue, aiming to get the best possible villa available in our category that day.

Now, I'd originally thought we could accomplish this just by doing car service early on Tuesday from MCO to the Boardwalk. Then I read the thread by "Carol," which implies that if we do that, we run the risk of having a stepchild room assignment, since we would not be "ME arrivals."

Consequently, I'm wondering whether I should plan on doing ME, the critical question being how quickly do they run in the early morning? In other words, if I make an ME reservation that has me "arriving" on an early Tuesday flight, and then show up at the welcome center to check in with our bags (claiming we never got tags, didn't know what to do, etc.), what are my chances of actually getting to the Boardwalk by 7:45am? Do the buses "sit" for long periods that early waiting to fill, or would they transport us if the thing had only us or a few others on it?

 

[DebbieB]

If "room ready" is working as designed, if they have rooms empty from the night before, they may only assign one of those to you if you arrive at 7:45 and not allow you to pick from all rooms being checked out of that day.

 

[Cyndy]

Over the last 25 yrs of stays we have only had one episode of illness (1 out of 4 kids) while staying on at the Poly cash long before DVC. The mgr. bent over backwards to get my DD and myself (3 mos pregnant into a room while DH took son to doc in a box) I would hate to think that this policy has changed. As for ME they are working the bugs out but this is about the WORST problem solving I've seen in a long time.....back to the drawing board CMs you can do better than this. I'm guessing that Disney plans to charge for the service at some point and thinks that it will have to be running smoothly before that. I find it interesting that BWV (the resort with the most limited parking) would get this "test" first. Seems to me they are trying to keep everyone happy and spaces open.

Carol Ann I hope DD is feeling better.

 

[RobDoc]

...
Consequently, I'm wondering whether I should plan on doing ME, the critical question being how quickly do they run in the early morning? In other words, if I make an ME reservation that has me "arriving" on an early Tuesday flight, and then show up at the welcome center to check in with our bags (claiming we never got tags, didn't know what to do, etc.), what are my chances of actually getting to the Boardwalk by 7:45am? Do the buses "sit" for long periods that early waiting to fill, or would they transport us if the thing had only us or a few others on it?

DME runs all day long, so as long as there are arrivals at MCO in the early AM, you should have no problem catching an early DME bus and riding to the resort for an early start at Epcot.

Enjoy!

 

[Danthesand]

DME runs all day long, so as long as there are arrivals at MCO in the early AM, you should have no problem catching an early DME bus and riding to the resort for an early start at Epcot.

Enjoy!

Thanks Doc - I'm currently checking some major travel sites to get a sense of how busy MCO is (in terms of arriving flights) during the 6:30-7am period.

 

[LSchrow]

I'm not happy with a system under which I can reserve 11 months ahead of time, get caught in a snowstorm at O'Hare Airport, and wind up with a last-choice room.

or, like happened to us last year:
book BWV 11 months in advance, get there at 11AM, to be told there are NO rooms available for the first few days of our stay. (as per the many CMs, including management, we talked to that day, they were "overbooked" ~ apparently there was a crossover between DVC & CRO inventory ).

it was "between" the 2 hurricanes, they did offer another resort (requiring TWO room changes over 9 days ).

took a few hours & a LOT of pleading, but they finally "found" a BWV room for 1 night, & only had us change once (not perfect, but better than being "homeless" ).

fyi, we did spend a few hours of last day at the DVC base at SSR, who couldn't do anything, & wrote to member satisfaction, who responded with a "we are striving to do our best" fluffy, non-commital letter ~ all we wanted at that point was that they acknowledge that there was a problem, & that they were "striving" to address it so it would not happen to anyone else.

other than that, the "rest" of our vacation was great

 

[brandip22]

I am one of those who doesn't tend to complain- but this is just wrong. We are driving and it's just not right to be put behind those who fly.We will be early, but realize we probably won't be able to check in yet, which is fine. However, it's not fine if someone else who just arrived via MCO and ME gets to check in ahead of us.
I do have a question, though. We will have tickets, but want them put on our room key- can they do this even if we haven't been assigned a room yet?

 

[OneMoreTry]

Personally, I'd prefer if they'd come up with a set of rules, have every resort stick to them,and publish them. At least then we wouldn't feel like the policy we get at check in is pretty much the luck of the draw.

Here! here! Is this possible? I doubt it! I think CMs do what they blippety blip well please.

The only resort where check in threatened to kill the magic for me was BWV. I got the impression that the CM wished I would just go away and quit bothering him. Like he put me on the naughty list at first sight. My other check ins have been fine.

This wouldn't stop me from staying at BWV, I'll just know to bring my own pixie dust for check in time. BYOPD!!

 

[Danthesand]

Here! here! Is this possible? I doubt it! I think CMs do what they blippety blip well please.

The only resort where check in threatened to kill the magic for me was BWV. I got the impression that the CM wished I would just go away and quit bothering him. Like he put me on the naughty list at first sight. My other check ins have been fine.

This wouldn't stop me from staying at BWV, I'll just know to bring my own pixie dust for check in time. BYOPD!!

Add me to the list. During our last visit to BWV, the 20-something CM who we dealt with at check-in was from Denmark. Perhaps she'd had a really bad date the night before....or had something for breakfast that disagreed with her...whatever, at check in she treated us as if we were applying for a mortgage. No "welcome home," no smiles, just "I need your I.D!