Magical Express Question - Is This Possible?

[Tinkaroo]

My BIL, SIL, and 2 nieces are meeting my DH and me at the World in a few weeks. DH and I will have already been there for several nights, staying at the GF, but once they arrive, we'll all be moving over to stay at SSR.

Question - they have an early flight, and will be arriving at MCO around 10 a.m., using ME. Since it's unlikely that our rooms at SSR will be ready that early in the day, we'd like for them to meet us at the GF. Is it possible for ME to take their bags to SSR, but take our family members to the GF instead?

I know worst case scenario is that they could take the bus from SSR to the MK, and then monorail over to the GF, but as this is their first trip, I want to make it as easy on them as possible! Has anyone had any experience with this?

TIA!!!!

 

[Jillpie]

Their luggage will automatically go to SSR, as the yellow tags will be on their bags. They'll check in at ME, I suppose they can get in the GF line, the only problem I see is when the bus driver scans their ME documents right before boarding and he'll question it. My personal opinion is not to do it and its all about the checking in at SSR that worries me...they have a prime time at 10:00 am to get themselves a room with a great location (near main pool, and main bldg). If they wait till much later in the day, which I did in March, they may get WAY out in Carousel, and trust me, they DO NOT want to be way the heck out there. I suggest what you said in your post, check in at SSR first, have them catch a MK bus and hop on the monorail, it really couldn't be easier, even as newbies. Have them get a great room first! They will regret it if they don't.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Actually, DH and I are hoping to check-in for our entire group earlier that morning (we're DVC, and the 2 different units we'll be using for our entire extended families are under our points). So, the check-in isn't of a real concern to me, and they won't need their KTTW cards right away, since they're not getting the DDP, and they bought their passes through Undercover Tourist. Thanks for thinking of it, though!

Anyone else done this? I plan on calling DVC Member Services tomorrow to see if they think it can be arranged with ME, but wondered if anyone had any experiences to share.

 

[Jillpie]

ahhhh, well, thats a different story. I would probably not ask DVC, I'd go directly to the source, call ME and ask. I don't see why they couldn't hop on the GF bus, have them ask when they check in to ME.

 

[kaytieeldr]

No. Magical Express passengers are assigned to a bus going to their reserved resort upon checking in at the Welcome Center.

 

[goofy4tink]

To the best of my knowledge, DME does not allow guests to go to a different resort than they are staying at. The bags and guests go to the same resort. I would have them go to SSR, take the bus to MK, and then you could meet them there and then either monorail or ferry back to the GF together.

 

[Jillpie]

I still say there's some flexibility here, I bet when they get to ME checkin, they won't have a problem with it. Let us know what happens?

 

[goofy4tink]

I still say there's some flexibility here, I bet when they get to ME checkin, they won't have a problem with it. Let us know what happens?

That could be, but from what we have been told, by DME, the guest is expected to ride the bus to the resort they are checking into. There have been many people posting that they would like to go directly to a park and wanted DME to take them to a resort within walking distance of said park. But they have been told no, they have to go to the resort they are checking into first.
I'll be interested to see what happens here.

 

[Detailor]

To the best of my knowledge, DME does not allow guests to go to a different resort than they are staying at. The bags and guests go to the same resort. I would have them go to SSR, take the bus to MK, and then you could meet them there and then either monorail or ferry back to the GF together.

I think this is good advice. But since this is their first trip, why don't you or your husband, or both, go over to SSR to meet them when they come in on the ME bus? Then you could all take transportation to MK and monorail over to GF. I'd think that that would be more enjoyable for them than having to figure out how to get around on their own.

Dick Taylor

 

[spiceycat]

check out time is 11 am - by the time they arrive you would need to check out.

not worth it - just have them go to SSR.

suggest you go there early that morning - 7 am if you can make it and check in.

 

[Tinkaroo]

I think this is good advice. But since this is their first trip, why don't you or your husband, or both, go over to SSR to meet them when they come in on the ME bus? Then you could all take transportation to MK and monorail over to GF. I'd think that that would be more enjoyable for them than having to figure out how to get around on their own.

Dick Taylor

I've thought of that, too. It may be our best option if ME won't cooperate with us. However, DH and I are staying concierge at the GF, so we'll have access to their main building lounge the entire day. Since we'll all be "homeless" by 11 a.m. until our rooms are ready at SSR, we thought having them hang out in the GF lounge with us, see the gingerbread house, etc., and then head over to the MK would be the most enjoyable option for everyone. Then, later in the afternoon, we could all go to SSR together, and meet the rest of our family that arrives later that day, as well.

I talked to DVC Member Services, and they said the only way to do it is ask at the ME Welcome Center to see if they can be accomodated on the bus going to the GF. I guess we'll just have to see what happens!

(This is why I wish they would just rent a car.... )

 

[spiceycat]

the early you check in at SSR - and will take any villa that meets your reservations - the early you can get your villa.

if they tell you - you have to wait until 4:00 pm - ask for the 'room ready'

 

[shellybaxter]

If they come dirrectly to the Grand Floridian what would they do with their carry on luggage?

 

[goofy4tink]

I've thought of that, too. It may be our best option if ME won't cooperate with us. However, DH and I are staying concierge at the GF, so we'll have access to their main building lounge the entire day. Since we'll all be "homeless" by 11 a.m. until our rooms are ready at SSR, we thought having them hang out in the GF lounge with us, see the gingerbread house, etc., and then head over to the MK would be the most enjoyable option for everyone. Then, later in the afternoon, we could all go to SSR together, and meet the rest of our family that arrives later that day, as well.

I talked to DVC Member Services, and they said the only way to do it is ask at the ME Welcome Center to see if they can be accomodated on the bus going to the GF. I guess we'll just have to see what happens!

(This is why I wish they would just rent a car.... )

Please, understand where I'm coming from here. I am NOT trying to be argumentative or negative. But, for what it's worth, DME really doesn't care all that much about the most enjoyable thing for you. We have had a discussion already here about DME not bending the rules to fit a specific instance. I don't want to see that happen again. They have their rules in place, they don't like to deviate, or else they will find others wanting to have exceptions made for them also. I really think that you should either head to SSR early and get checked in and then meet them and then travel to MK/GF together, or have them take the bus from SSR to MK then ferry to GF to meet you so that you can hang at the concierge lounge. That's the problem with DME....it is free but it isn't very flexible. It is not a perfect fit for everyone. There are going to be those that find it better to use a towncar service or rent a car.

 

[Tinkaroo]

the early you check in at SSR - and will take any villa that meets your reservations - the early you can get your villa.

if they tell you - you have to wait until 4:00 pm - ask for the 'room ready'

Thanks, Pat. I have a part of SSR that I would prefer to be in (an area we've enjoyed a lot in the past - but realizing it's only a request!), and I hope to have both our villas in that vicinity. I don't mind waiting a bit longer to get a better location for everyone. Since we're checking in on the 1st Sunday in December, I imagine the resort is going to be pretty full, and I'm fully expecting not to get our villas any earlier than 4 p.m. (and have prepared my family as such).

If they come dirrectly to the Grand Floridian what would they do with their carry on luggage?

DH and I are actually renting a car (but not a car big enough for 4 additional people, and all their luggage, or we would have picked them up from the airport ourselves!). They can place their carry-on bags in our car's trunk.

Please, understand where I'm coming from here. I am NOT trying to be argumentative or negative. But, for what it's worth, DME really doesn't care all that much about the most enjoyable thing for you. We have had a discussion already here about DME not bending the rules to fit a specific instance. I don't want to see that happen again. They have their rules in place, they don't like to deviate, or else they will find others wanting to have exceptions made for them also. I really think that you should either head to SSR early and get checked in and then meet them and then travel to MK/GF together, or have them take the bus from SSR to MK then ferry to GF to meet you so that you can hang at the concierge lounge. That's the problem with DME....it is free but it isn't very flexible. It is not a perfect fit for everyone. There are going to be those that find it better to use a towncar service or rent a car.

I realize where you're coming from, and appreciate the helpful comments everyone has had for me. DH and I almost 99% of the time use rental cars (I've only used ME once back in its early inception), so I was looking to see if anyone had had this issue before. I realize it's a free service, and being a contractor looking to move a large volume of people/bags, I ultimately know that Mears doesn't give one whit as to what is easier or more convenient for its passengers. However, I wasn't sure if this was just a simple matter of asking to take a different bus with no problems. Even though it's logical to me, I realize it likely won't happen. My SIL will inquire politely if that's an option at the Welcome Center, and if it's not, then we'll seamlessly move on to Plan B.

It can't hurt to ask, but ultimately, it's not going to matter. They'll join us at one point or another - I would just prefer them to not have to spend more time than necessary in Disney's labrynthian transportation system!

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

When we checked in at SSR on 10/15 at 11 am, we requested Grandstand and our room was ready. We were not specific about floor, etc, but if you are just requesting an area, your rooms very well may be ready when they arrive.