Magical Express... how many times in one vacation can you use it???

[Bitsmommy]

I hope I can explain this so that everyone can understand my question. We, Dh, DS and myself are goint to go to Disney 9/7-9/17, but we are considering just going ahead and going down for Labor day weekend as well (9/3-9/17). However, DH WON'T be able to stay gone that long due to work responsibilities. He would have to fly in on 9/3 out on 9/6 THEN in again on 9/9 and back home with us on 9/17. Question is, how many times in one trip can you utilize the Magical Express? We will keep him on the same reservation as it is just easier and we are on the dining plan and can use the extra meals for signature dining places when he returns. Thanks for any information that you can provide!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Officially, each guest on the reservation at a Disney-operated WDW resort hotel is entitled to one roundtrip on DME, with the inbound trip on or after the check-in day and the outbound trip on or before the check-out day.

But perhaps a supervisor could override the system to allow your husband to have a second roundtrip, especially for such a long stay. Other options could be for your husband to make some sort of paid trip to and from the airport during his stay (taxi, towncar, or Mears).

I would suggest calling Disney's Magical Express Guest Services at 1-866-599-0951 to see what they recommend.

Please let us know how the call goes. This could help other people.

 

[bookwormde]

Each guest is eligable for 1 to and from for each reservation. If you are room only it is easy you just split your stay into 2 reservations (add your 9/3-9/7) as a second reservation. If you are "packaging" both sections (like FD) that can be more complicated. There is a slight chance you might have to move rooms (you will have to formally check out and check in on the 7th) but it is rare.

bookwormde

 

[Lewisc]

Previous posters in your situation paid for Mears transfers.

 

[seashoreCM]

It would be quite simple to book two (separate) stays end to end and someone (DH) goes home early from the first stay and comes back partway into the second stay, using Magical Express.

 

[aubriee]

It would be quite simple to book two (separate) stays end to end and someone (DH) goes home early from the first stay and comes back partway into the second stay, using Magical Express.

Unless they are staying on a pkg that requires the purchase of park tickets (like free dining or the buy 4 get three nights free type deals). If their pkg requires the purchase of park tickets, they'd have to buy park tickets for each reservation.

 

[clkelley]

It would honestly be much easier for your DH to use Mears for the intermediate trip home. I had to do that just this past August. I had a critical meeting that I had to attend during our trip. Myself and DH arrived on Friday night with DME. While I was at the airport, I went to a Mears desk and purchased a 1-way Mears ticket from the Swan to MCO. ($20) Then on Tuesday we toured Epcot, then walked over to the Swan. I took Mears from the Swan and boarded my flight home. (No luggage). (You need to call Mears the night before and give them your flight info to get your pickup time).

Then upon my return to MCO on Thursday evening, I went to the Mears desk right next to the DME desk and purchased a 1-way Mears ticket back to my Disney resort (All-Stars), ($20.00) then I was directed to board a Magical Express bus. (Once again, no luggage). Then at the end of our trip on Sunday evening, DH and myself used our DME tickets for the final trip to the airport.

(The reason I chose the Swan to depart from is it just easier to purchase a Mears ticket from a non-Disney resort, and also, I knew we were having lunch at the Yacht Club, so it would be an easy stroll over there.)

Since I didn't have a DME "reservation" for my intermediate return, I was allowed to purchase a Mears ticket to get to my Disney resort. I used the Mears desk right next to the DME desk in order to be placed on a DME bus. If you use one of the other Mears desks in other parts of the airport, it is not likely you will be placed on a DME bus.

This intermediate trip is also much easier if you have no luggage. I only took my wallet and Blackberry with me.