magical express for a newbie!

[Torylovesdisney]

Greetings Happy Disney Folks!

During our past 12 trips to WDW we have always drove (I'm terrified to fly). Well I'm bitting the bullet and am flying this trip . I made my ressies on the first day free dining was offered to visa holders prior to booking the flight. I booked my flight this morning on AirTran. Can someone please let me know what is the next thing I need to do. Do I call WDW travel company and give them my flight information? Then what can I expect? Where do I go in the airport after I arrive? I love to have things worked out a head of time, as I'm not a spontanious kind of girl so the more info. the better.

thank you! tory

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Well since your from my area I will gladly give you just what you need.

You can call CRO with your info or you can go Here and in-put it

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/reservations/dme/index?CMP=BAC-DMEVanity&bhcp=1

Then at about 45 to 14 days from your departure date you will recieve the ME package (this is different from the Cro stuff). It will have a small map and direction on where to go and wha to do upon arrival at MCO.

It will have your yellow ME tags to put on your bags (if you choose to let them take care of everything).

Then when you reach the ME desk they will check you in and tell you to board a bus that will take you to your resort.If you had them take your bags they will show up in your room between 3 to 6 hours after check-in.

We have used it about 3 or 4 times now and just love it.

 

[Jestocost]

There are plenty of people more expert that I when it comes to DME, but I'll give it a shot.

Yes, call Disney Travel to make DME reservations and give them your flight information. A few weeks before your travel dates you should receive a package include a voucher for the DME transfer and special luggage tags.

I'll assume you want DME to handle your luggage for you and deliver it to your resort. If so, put the tags on before you check your bags at your departure location and you won't see your luggage again until about three hours after you get to WDW, when it will be delivered to your room for you.

When you arrive at MCO, AirTran comes in at Terminal A and DME is in Terminal B. That means you'll have to take the little train from the gate area, then cross the central part of the airport to the Terminal B side. The DME welcome desk is on level 1, so you will need to go down two levels via elevator, escalators or stairs AFTER you get to the B side.

At the DME desk, they will check your vouchers and direct you to some cast members who will show you the line for the bus to your resort. If you have larger carry-on items or don't want to mess with your carry-ons, they will put them under the bus for you. Otherwise, just board the bus and get ready to go.

Your bus will take you to your resort and may stop at as many 2-3 other WDW resorts before dropping you off. All-told, a typical time span from when you get off of the plane until you get to your resort is about 90 minutes. After that, check in to your resort as normal and go do what you want to do. Your luggage will be delivered to your room, but you don't need to be there when it is. Tips for the bell staff are included in the DME service.

On your return, you can use the RAC service to get your boarding passes and check your bags at your resort. If you want to check your bags, you need to do so no sooner than 12 hours before your flight and no later than 3 hours before your flight. The RAC desk is open from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., so some flight schedules won't work for the service. If you have carry-ons and plan to head to the parks, DTD, etc. on your departure day, those items can be checked with bell services and picked up before you have to meet your DME bus.

DME will schedule your pick up at your resort approximately 3 hours in advance of your flight departure time. You should get information about the time in a package left on your door the day before your departure.

You need to be at the bus loading point about 15 minutes ahead of your scheduled time, so be sure to be back to your resort in time to collect your bags and take care of anything else you need to.

That sounds like a lot, but it's really easy and a great service!

 

[goofy4tink]

DME is very easy. You will love it. After either calling or submitting your reservation on-line, just sit back and wait. Plan away. Then, a few weeks before your departure date, you will get an envelope with everything you need in it. It will give you a decent map that shows you where to go. It has your vouchers in it. And there will be two yellow luggage tags per person that has paid for a seat on the flight. These will go on the bags you will be checking at your airport. They wrap over the handles of each bag. They will have the name of the person, the resort name and the dates of travel.

Okay...so you've put your tags on, you've managed to survive the flight (you'll be fine..just think of how much extra time in the parks you're going to have now!!!). When you get to MCO, you will leave your gate area, and walk to the 'tram'. It's almost like a monorail...we consider it the first attraction of the trip!!! It will drop you off at the main terminal. Now, you will need to look for Side B, and go down the escalators to the lowest level (1 I think, with 3 being the main level). DME is at the end of the row. One person needs to get in line to check in. They will ask how many bags you have checked. Then, they will stamp your vouchers. Go off and round up the rest of your group and head to the bus lines, beside the checkin counter. You will be directed to the appropriate bus for your resort. When the bus comes, the CM will tell you which bus to go to. The driver, sometimes, scans the vouchers, sometimes they don't. Have them ready in any case. Get on board, the seats are two and two. Relax, in about 15 mins you'll be on your way to the resorts. You may find your resort is the first, second or third resort stop. But in any event, it should take you about 70 mns from deplaning to resort checkin line...give or take 10 mins or so.
Hope this helps.

And to the DIS boards!!

 

[Gooofy-Blade]

I don't see that it was mentioned yet............don't panic when you get your yellow ME tags and they have a different resort name on them. The name on the ME tag is simply that "area" they refer to when loading and transporting your luggage. For example, while you may be staying at CSR, your tag may have the name of another local resort. ME simply refers to resort areas!!

Have fun and relax!

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't see that it was mentioned yet............don't panic when you get your yellow ME tags and they have a different resort name on them. The name on the ME tag is simply that "area" they refer to when loading and transporting your luggage. For example, while you may be staying at CSR, your tag may have the name of another local resort. ME simply refers to resort areas!!

Have fun and relax!

Excellent point. When we stay at BW, our tags say Epcot. When we are at POR, it says DTD. They do list according to where the resort is located.