Magical Express reservation question

[brookmey]

We are traveling from TX to WDW in September. We're going with my parents, who are coming from MI. Our 2 kids are staying with our parents at SSR, while DH and I are staying at POFQ. How do I make a reservation on ME for my kids if they're not on our reservation, but my parents'? We're flying into Orlando at different times, (we're early am, they're pm), so waiting for them at the airport to ride ME together is not really an option.

Will ME understand the situation and let me make a reservation for the kids without having to add them to our package? We got 2 day tickets and FD, none of which the kids need, since they'll be with their grandparents the whole time and will not be going into the parks.

I know my best bet would be to call, but I'd like to hear about how other's experiences if they were vacationing with people coming from other states. Thank you!

 

[goofy4tink]

Oh, those poor kids...so close to WDW and they're not going to the parks??? But, that isn't the issue is it??? No, you won't be able to get them on the DME bus with you if they aren't on your reservation. The grandparents can add them to theirs though, which means they will be able to ride the bus to SSR. But, DME isn't crazy about youngsters, younger than 16 or so, riding the bus by themselves.
You may be able to pay for them to ride the bus with you. You would have to go to the Mears counter and pay $19 per child (may very well be less since they're kids)...Mears often puts those that are heading to Disney resorts (but for some reason can't ride the DME bus) on the DME bus after they pay for it. You can ask that they be put on the bus with you. That may be workable.
The problem is that you are only supposed to ride the bus to the resort you are staying at. The kids wouldn't be able to tag checked bags since there aren't any tags for them in your packet.

I guess you could call DME directly, but you may very well get the same answer. I just want you to be prepared. It's not so much the coming in from different states that is the issue, but the fact that your kids are staying someplace different than you are...and that doesn't happen very often.

 

[brookmey]

Thank you, I had a feeling that Disney wouldn't let the kids ride ME with us. I tried calling a couple of times, but each time I got put on hold for 12+ minutes. We've talked about renting a car for the week, so I think that might be the best option for us. Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Are you calling Disney reservations (a 407 area code number) or are you calling Magical Express directly? That one's a toll free number starting wit 866, and it's in the two 'sticky' threads above. That way the only issue with a twelve minute hold is your time, not your money or minutes and you'll know you're getting accurate answers.

 

[seashoreCM]

The sticking point is that your parents' room reservation isn't open yet (they won't check in until that afternoon). But it's worth having your parents reserve DME for the kids and also print you a copy of their room reservation papers. This way you can think of strategies right there at the welcoming area if the CM doesn't jump to conclusions and send you all to the DME bus for your resort.

Either your parents can get yellow DME baggage tags for the kids or you can request extra yellow tags. In the latter case you would need to carry the bags over to your parents' resort.