Magical Express and DVC ?

[drewc]

Hi,

I'm thinking about doing a split stay between a Disney resort and a few nights of rented points at a DVC resort. I think I'm pretty clear on how to go about all of these reservations, but I'm curious how this might affect our Magical Express bus service. Can you dictate the drop-off and pick-up resorts and dates, even if they are not all on the same reservation? So, if I start on our regular hotel reservation, can I put that as the drop-off, and then the pick-up at the DVC resort we've moved to?

Also, does Disney offer any kind of shuttle between their resorts, or would we need to call a cab to move mid-week?

Thanks!

 

[Lynne M]

You can specify a different drop-off and pick-up resort, no problem at all with doing that. I've done it myself.

Disney will transport your luggage from one resort to another, but not you. Just call Bell Services and let them know where you need the luggage to go. It may not be sent over till later in the day, but at least you won't have to deal with it.

What some folks do is have the luggage sent on its way, check out of the resort, and then grab a bus to whatever theme park they plan to visit that day. Later on, you can catch a bus to your second resort and check in.

Or, if you can prefer, you can move your luggage yourself by calling a cab.

 

[thepops]

I've seen a couple of folks suggest after checking out, go check in at the new resort and then go to the park. They'll give you a number to call to check if your new place is ready. But at least you get in the front of the queue to get the room you'd like rather than get there at the end of the day and have to deal with "what's left"

 

[BigMickeyFan32]

I've been able to check in at the new resort and then go to the park. I arranged for bags to be brough up while we were at the park. Worked out well.

 

[pbharris4]

I think the OP was wondering about Magical Express service. I believe that you can do that..just let them know when you reserve it where you will be for pick up. I'm using ME just for pick up at out hotel to MCO. We're flying in to Tampa (can't use it there) and out of MCO. As long as you are staying at a Disney resort and flying out of MCO you can use ME, but if it's a non participating airline you have to take care of the luggage yourself..they won't do luggage transfer if you're not on a participating airline. HTH

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

When you contact CRO for your stay at the non-DVC resort, tell them you'd like to book DME for your arrival flight only. Give them the details of your arrival airline and flight.

Your return DME will need to be coordinated as part of the DVC booking. The DVC member from whom you'll be renting the points will need to make this arrangement as part of the booking. DVC Member Services will not speak with renters, only the owner, so you'll need to have this negotiated with the owner as part of what s/he is willing to do for you as part of the rental. Often, you don't know your flight information when you book the room (11 or 7 months out), and adding the DME requires a second call to Member Services.

Rather than calling DVC Member Services for my DME bookings, I fill out the request online via the member web site. (Again, this can only be done by the member from whom you're renting.) Requesting DME via the web site generates an email confirmation that the booking was made, with all the details of date, flight, mailing address, and rider names. This gives me something in writing to verify that the DME information is correct, rather than waiting until a month before the trip to see what's in the DME ticket package when it arrives. The owner from whom you're renting may or may not be willing to do this for you online, though.

 

[beachblanket]

I've seen a couple of folks suggest after checking out, go check in at the new resort and then go to the park. They'll give you a number to call to check if your new place is ready. But at least you get in the front of the queue to get the room you'd like rather than get there at the end of the day and have to deal with "what's left"

100% correct!!!!!

 

[drewc]

Thanks for all of the help. I lucked out, and got a trade into OKW through Interval. So, since I'm not renting, and not a DVC member, do I just contact Magical Express directly to give them the details for my departure? We're flying Airtran, so we can do the resort airline check-in, which is cool.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I don't know for sure, but I'm going to take a guess. Someone with specific experience will certainly be along shortly to confirm or deny.

DVC Member Services won't speak with renters, because renting points from a DVC Member is not a formal transaction coordinated through DVC. It is an agreement between the DVC member and the renter, directly.

Your vacation, however, is through a formal agreement between DVC and Interval International. As such, I believe they may be willing to deal directly with you.

I've PM'd you the phone number for member services. Have your exchange paperwork handy and give it a shot. The worst they can do is tell you they can't help you, and possibly point you in the correct direction.