Magical Express questions

[rafikifan2911]

IVe read rencetly that when you get to mco and are taking the dme that you can just go up to a cast memeber standing at the bus lines and check in there and that you do not need to go to the check in lines? People have said if you have your vorchers that you recived in the mail that you can by pass the check in line. Does anyone know if this is true and what should I do when we get to mco and go to the magcial express area? Thanks in advance!

 

[mb187143]

Yes, if you have the voucher with the barcode, and your luggage has the yellow tags on it (Or, if you already grabbed your bags), you can go to the CM at the bus line. They will scan your voucher, and then send you into the appropriate line for your resort. You may still have to wait in a line for the bus, but not the line at the counter.

 

[mb187143]

Also, there is a podium at the bus line, actually several, so you'll see who to go to - not just randomly floating CMs.

 

[goofy4tink]

In order to get to the bus lines, you are going to have to go right past the checkin lines anyway....it's not as if you're saving 20 mins here. Probably saving about 5-8 mins. Here's my point..do NOT automatically just bypass the CM at the end of this line. You need to be okayed before heading to those bus lines. If you just 'think' it's all good, and go to the bus line, but the bus line CM finds something off with your vouchers, youi are going to have to turn around and go back to the checkin line. So, be sure to get the ok first.
Most of us who have been many times, have the vouchers in hand, ready to show that CM. I pretty much know what the voucher has to have on it. But. oif it's your first or second time, don't just assume.

 

[mb187143]

I guess it's two different ways of thinking then. I've done DME about 10 times in the last 3 years, and have never walked up to the counter unless I didn't have my voucher. I've never had a problem with my voucher though, so I've never been told to go get in the check in line after going to the CM at the podium in front of the bus lines. The last 4-5 times I went down, a CM with a big Mickey hand was waving right next to the check in line, and told everyone who has a voucher to proceed to the CMs at the beginning of the bus lines. Those without vouchers or those who hadn't been able to tag their luggage went to the check in desk. I know it's only 5-10 minutes in most cases that you're saving, but since I've never had a problem, to me, it's easier if I have my vouchers to go to the CM at the podium, since I've never once been told to go back to the other line - but other experiences differ I guess.

 

[goofy4tink]

I guess it's two different ways of thinking then. I've done DME about 10 times in the last 3 years, and have never walked up to the counter unless I didn't have my voucher. I've never had a problem with my voucher though, so I've never been told to go get in the check in line after going to the CM at the podium in front of the bus lines. The last 4-5 times I went down, a CM with a big Mickey hand was waving right next to the check in line, and told everyone who has a voucher to proceed to the CMs at the beginning of the bus lines. Those without vouchers or those who hadn't been able to tag their luggage went to the check in desk. I know it's only 5-10 minutes in most cases that you're saving, but since I've never had a problem, to me, it's easier if I have my vouchers to go to the CM at the podium, since I've never once been told to go back to the other line - but other experiences differ I guess.

Exactly. This has been my experience as well. My point is that you should not automatically assume that you can just walk past the checkin area and head directly to the bus line CMs. The one thing I don't want to happen is for someone to come back here, after reading that...'Hey, just go directly to the bus lines, no need to stop at checkin', only to get to the bus lines and be sent back to the checkin line that is now longer than it was 30 seconds ago!!
I haven't waited in that checkin line in years. but, I realize that my vouchers are correct and exactly the way they should be.

 

[jcarwash]

The CMs at DME do a great job telling you where to go and what line to get into. There's really no special advice to make it shorter. My only advice is to have your DME booklet out and ready and they will tell you what to do.

The way DME lines work has changed over the years, and they may implement different modes depending on what is going on. The first time I used it in 2008 they were having one person per party go into a line for the counter, and then rejoin your party for the bus lines once you're all set.

But ever since then I've seen they have entire parties with their DME booklets go into the bus lines where you check with two CMs before getting into your line for your resort. This was my experience on Aug 20 2011.

 

[lonegirl]

the last time I used DME was Sept. 2007
we waited in long line (about 30min), before even heading out to bus
I am arriving on Dec. 3, the same day as pop warner families
I was happy to read that I can possibly bypass counter line, if voucher is correct
can you tell me how I will know voucher is correct?? (again, have not been since 2007, so cannot recall what will be on voucher--names, hotel, etc?)

 

[seashoreCM]

I was happy to read that I can possibly bypass counter line, if voucher is correct
can you tell me how I will know voucher is correct?? (again, have not been since 2007, so cannot recall what will be on voucher--names, hotel, etc?)

Whether or not the voucher is correct is in the opinion of the CM who directs you to the bus line. Actually there is very little essential information on the voucher. The primary purpose of the voucher is to count passengers so Mears (owner/operator of the passenger coaches) gets its proper revenue (behind the scenes fares). The next purpose is to keep track of who is entitled to ride. The third purpose is to direct guests to the proper bus for their resort but the guest him/herself usually gets that right without help from the roving CM.

Sometimes during very off hours there is no extra CM sending guests directly to the bus lines and then everyone must go to the welcoming counter.