Magical Express ride to Non-Resort hotel prior to Resort Stay

[sksnumber1]

Hello! We have a package booked for next month but are flying in a couple days prior and staying at a non-resort hotel the first couple of nights. The company who has booked our package (with a group) told me that we can't use the Magical Express because we aren't first staying at a Resort hotel and that we'll have to get our own transport from the airport to the hotel we're staying at.

But, will we be issued actual tickets for the bus or do they check your reservation before you can board? If we have tickets, can't we just ride the bus to the resort then get a cab or other transport to our nearby hotel (and obviously not let them handle our bags so we can put them on the bus and take them off when we get there ourselves?)

Any other recommendations? Since we ARE staying in a resort hotel, I can't see how they can justify not letting us use the transfers included with our package just because we're not staying there the entire time...?

 

[disneyag]

Your DME ressie is linked to your resort ressie. Since you won't be at a WDW resort the first few nights, you cannot use DME.

Yes, you do need a 'ticket' to ride DME and it's linked to the date on your resort reservation.

 

[Gracie09]

Hello! We have a package booked for next month but are flying in a couple days prior and staying at a non-resort hotel the first couple of nights. The company who has booked our package (with a group) told me that we can't use the Magical Express because we aren't first staying at a Resort hotel and that we'll have to get our own transport from the airport to the hotel we're staying at.

But, will we be issued actual tickets for the bus or do they check your reservation before you can board? If we have tickets, can't we just ride the bus to the resort then get a cab or other transport to our nearby hotel (and obviously not let them handle our bags so we can put them on the bus and take them off when we get there ourselves?)

Any other recommendations? Since we ARE staying in a resort hotel, I can't see how they can justify not letting us use the transfers included with our package just because we're not staying there the entire time...?

Of course you can use your transfers when your resort reservation starts and not before. You are allowed to go back to the airport and take your magic express ride on the day your reservation begins.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Hello! We have a package booked for next month but are flying in a couple days prior and staying at a non-resort hotel the first couple of nights.

Where is the "non-resort hotel" located?

You are entitled to DME during your Disney resort stay, on (or after) your Disney check-in day.

If your "non-resort hotel" is near the airport, it probably has a shuttle to and from the airport. You could then use DME on your Disney check-in day.

Since we ARE staying in a resort hotel, I can't see how they can justify not letting us use the transfers included with our package just because we're not staying there the entire time...?

DME is an optional, complimentary service from guests who need MCO airport transpiration in conjunction with a Disney resort stay. Yes, there are vouchers involved, but they tie back to valid reservation dates.

DME is not a set vouchers that all guests receive and that can be used apart from the Disney resort stay, in whatever way the guest sees fit.

 

[purple figment]

We have a package booked for next month but are flying in a couple days prior and staying at a non-resort hotel the first couple of nights. The company who has booked our package (with a group) told me that we can't use the Magical Express because we aren't first staying at a Resort hotel and that we'll have to get our own transport from the airport to the hotel we're staying at.

But, will we be issued actual tickets for the bus or do they check your reservation before you can board? If we have tickets, can't we just ride the bus to the resort then get a cab or other transport to our nearby hotel (and obviously not let them handle our bags so we can put them on the bus and take them off when we get there ourselves?)

Before you can get on the DME bus they will scan your MB or check your paperwork.

Any other recommendations?

Rent a car, Mears shuttle, town car, taxi are the most common suggestions.

Since we ARE staying in a resort hotel, I can't see how they can justify not letting us use the transfers included with our package just because we're not staying there the entire time...?

You are entitled to ride DME between MCO and a Disney owned resort only during the dates of your stay at the Disney owned resort. Transportation on DME is not included on the days before or after your Disney owned resort stay and definitely not to a non Disney hotel. In fact you cannot ride it even if staying at the Swan, Dolphin or Shades of Green which are on Disney property.

 

[rKrispyt]

I know this was suggested but does anyone know if one or all members of your party arrive prior to your reservation, are you able to use the DME to get to the resort if you return to the airport on the day of your check in?

We are having some issues with finding flights so we are opening up our options and looking at the night before. We have one person who lives far from us flying in from another airport possibly who may decide to fly out early and meet us there when our flight comes in to go to Disney. Would they be able to do so?

If we all end up flying out the night before we'd planned, can we stay in an airport hotel and get the DME? Don't we have to link it to a flight?

 

[tjmw2727]

I know this was suggested but does anyone know if one or all members of your party arrive prior to your reservation, are you able to use the DME to get to the resort if you return to the airport on the day of your check in?

We are having some issues with finding flights so we are opening up our options and looking at the night before. We have one person who lives far from us flying in from another airport possibly who may decide to fly out early and meet us there when our flight comes in to go to Disney. Would they be able to do so?

If we all end up flying out the night before we'd planned, can we stay in an airport hotel and get the DME? Don't we have to link it to a flight?

If I understand you correctly you would fly in the night before and then return to the airport the day your WDW Resort reservation starts to take magical express to your resort - if so ....

Yes you can do this -
If you call WDW Reservations they may need a flight to book it so you can either find a flight that works with your times or call DME directly and they can book the reservation without a flight.
DME 866 599-0951

In short you can use DME any time "during" your resort reservation as long as you are listed on the resort reservation and make advance DME reservations.
We have had members of our party arrive late and leave early using DME with no issues. I have also returned a rental to MCO from Tampa and used DME to go to my WDW resort.

 

[seashoreCM]

... find a flight that works with your times ...

Go online and pick a flight, any flight, any airline, arriving at the airport at roughly the time you will be ready to take Magical Express to your Disney's resort on or after check in day. The reservationist on the phone may or may not ask for this.

... We have one person who lives far from us flying in from another airport possibly who may decide to fly out early and meet us there when our flight comes in to go to Disney. Would they be able to do so? ...

Yes. You can rendezvous at the airport and take DME together, or you can take DME at separate times. Send copies of the DME paperwork to each subgroup. Make reservations for the separate times. If per chance you change your mind at the last minute and wait for one another, being early or tardy by a few hours won't hurt your DME reservations.

Off site resorts practically onsite include Shades of Green and Windham's resort at Bonnet Creek. They are not served by DME These and some other resorts provide transportation to selected Disney locations including the Transportation and Ticket Center (front of Magic Kingdom parking lot).

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

If I'm checking out of my resort to go on a cruise (non-disney), can ME take me back to the airport on my check-out date so I can catch the cruise shuttle at the airport ?

We are doing a few days at disney - then a cruise - and then 1 additional night at disney before we go home, so i'm looking for the least amount of hastle and cost.....and NO, I do not want to get a rental car.

I haven't found any useful information yet if we can get a shuttle from disney property to port and then return again. we are only a party of 2.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I can't see how they can justify not letting us use the transfers included with our package just because we're not staying there the entire time...?

1) The resort pays for DME, not Disney or WDW corporate.
2) The whole idea behind DME is to get you to stay at WDW, not elsewhere.
3) Why would a hotel pay for transport to another hotel?

 

[goofy4tink]

If I'm checking out of my resort to go on a cruise (non-disney), can ME take me back to the airport on my check-out date so I can catch the cruise shuttle at the airport ?

We are doing a few days at disney - then a cruise - and then 1 additional night at disney before we go home, so i'm looking for the least amount of hastle and cost.....and NO, I do not want to get a rental car.

I haven't found any useful information yet if we can get a shuttle from disney property to port and then return again. we are only a party of 2.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Yep, that's doable. You would book DME or your arrival stay. When you go to book the return ride to the airport, I would leave it blank and deal with it when you get to the resort. At hat time, tell them what time you need to be at MCO to get the shuttle to your ship....they will book a time that will accomplish that.
Then, if you take the cruise shuttle back to MCO, you could then book DME for that quick stay....ride to your resort, then take DME back the next day.

Or, hire a car service to take you from your WDW resort to port....and then to get you back to WDW. Take DME to the resort prior to the cruise, a d then back to MCO after the quick WDW stay.