Magical Express/Room Ready

[kathleena]

Thanks for all of your comment everyone! Always important to see different points of view.

 

[Alexander]

Personally, I think they should go back to express check-in. Call ahead, give them your CC number, they check you in and assign an available room...no matter how you will be arriving. Then when you arrive, you can show your ID, grab your information packette & room keys and go to your room and unpack.

This happened to us in April! We arrived at 2:00 AM and the computers go down shortly before that for a few hours each night (at least that is what we were told, I don't know for sure). We walked in and they had our keys all printed and everything. They didn't have our CC number but wrote it down by hand and added it to our account in the morning. Our keys weren't available for charging that night, but it was 2 AM so all we wanted to do was go to bed! (This was a cash night and we were moving resorts later that morning.)

Regarding the room assignment policy, we always make sure we arrive early in the morning and don't have to worry about getting what is left over. The CMs we've dealt with will look to see who is checking out and we've always been asked if we have any preferences. It really pays to get there early in the morning, and to be nice to the CMs. I really think that the nicer you are and the more flexible you appear to be, the better they will find you the room you truly want. So many people demand that their requests be met and feel entitled because they've paid so much money, booked 11 months out, etc. Personally, if it were me and a guest acted that way, I'd find them a crappy room on purpose. IMO being nice helps a whole bunch!

 

[DebbieB]

Alexander - according to a member who originally posted on this on a different thread (Carol), she was assigned a room at 10:00am and was told it would be ready by noon. She came back and found that they had reassigned that room to someone coming in on ME and assigned her a different room that wasn't ready until 4:00. So it didn't do her any good to be there at 10:00am. That's where a problem is with ME, if they bump people out of room assignments after they have checked in (but have not been given the room #) to accomodate a ME guest.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=841629

 

[Danthesand]

I wonder what would happen if you used ME to handle your bags, checked in wherever you check in for ME at the airport, but didn't actually take the bus.....(i.e., picked up your rental car at the airport after "checking in" for ME).

Bingo, and for those who read the "Carol" thread being referred to, this is exactly where that discussion eventually headed.

If Disney (per what Carol stated is going on, at least as a "test" at the Boardwalk) is giving ME guests priority check-in, then a way to beat Disney at their own game is to do exactly what Tamar suggested:

- Go online, and identify a flight that arrives about 1.5 hours prior to when you want to check in
-book ME using that flight number
- Make your car service or rental car ressies for the same time
- when (ergo, if) the ME package arrives, throw away the ME luggage tags
- on arrival at the Orlando airport show up at the Disney "Welcome Center," check in, telling them you have your bags with you because you never got tags and weren't sure what to do. The CMs will say "don't worry, just head over to (bus A, B, C - whatever).
- Thank the CMs, and then walk away - directly to your car service or rental car.
- Arrive at DVC resort and check in, with ME "priority."

 

[jennypenny]

From phone conversations I've had with Central Reservations, I have the impression that there is a priority hierarchy for handling of just about everything. Those with full packages are higher priority than room only, and so on down the food chain. It's irritating since certain return visitors, get pushed down the hierarchy (for example, people with APs).

I agree with you completely Beth. I usually don't get upset about too much at disney (especially since things change so frequently), but this trend is starting to bug me. We own over 500 points in DVC, buy PAP's for a family of five every year, take at least two trips to disneyworld every year--but a family who is taking a one-time-only trip to disney is going to get priority hotel check in at the airport and access to a great dining plan. What gives? That family should get a great vacation just like my family, but from a dollars and sense point of view, shouldn't the repeat customers get SOMETHING for being so faithful to disney?!

Hey disney, don't forget about us--you know, the people who came in 2001 and 2002 and weren't afraid to travel; the people who actually have a *disney* line in their budget because they come so often; the people . . .oh, nevermind.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest--I feel better now.
Jenny

 

[oogsdaughter]

I agree with you completely Beth. I usually don't get upset about too much at disney (especially since things change so frequently), but this trend is starting to bug me. We own over 500 points in DVC, buy PAP's for a family of five every year, take at least two trips to disneyworld every year--but a family who is taking a one-time-only trip to disney is going to get priority hotel check in at the airport and access to a great dining plan. What gives? That family should get a great vacation just like my family, but from a dollars and sense point of view, shouldn't the repeat customers get SOMETHING for being so faithful to disney?!

Hey disney, don't forget about us--you know, the people who came in 2001 and 2002 and weren't afraid to travel; the people who actually have a *disney* line in their budget because they come so often; the people . . .oh, nevermind.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest--I feel better now.
Jenny

It's a business and unfortunately Disney has the DVC members hooked so to speak, so there is really no reason to offer such perks. You are going to go regardless. I love Disney and just bought into DVC, but in doing so I realize that now I will be less important to Disney because I have already committed to going. I bought in to save me money(in the long run) and realize by doing so am giving up certain advantages to booking a new package each year. I've done the Grand Plan/Platinum plan the last 3 years and it was wonderful. The DVC can't compete with that level of personal service that was provided to me , but that was 2-3K for a a 4-5 day trip in a small hotel room(compared to DVC rooms). If money weren't as issue, I would never have considered buying into DVD. DVC owners are never going to be the priorities, might as well face it now and move on.

 

[marymrg]

I am gonna really be skewered with my 10pm MCO arrival in a few weeks. (even though I am using DME)

 

[cruise-o-matic]

Bingo, and for those who read the "Carol" thread being referred to, this is exactly where that discussion eventually headed.

If Disney (per what Carol stated is going on, at least as a "test" at the Boardwalk) is giving ME guests priority check-in, then a way to beat Disney at their own game is to do exactly what Tamar suggested:

- Go online, and identify a flight that arrives about 1.5 hours prior to when you want to check in
-book ME using that flight number
- Make your car service or rental car ressies for the same time
- when (ergo, if) the ME package arrives, throw away the ME luggage tags
- on arrival at the Orlando airport show up at the Disney "Welcome Center," check in, telling them you have your bags with you because you never got tags and weren't sure what to do. The CMs will say "don't worry, just head over to (bus A, B, C - whatever).
- Thank the CMs, and then walk away - directly to your car service or rental car.
- Arrive at DVC resort and check in, with ME "priority."

I likee this one.

 

[Tamar]

I guess you could do the bags either way...if you can get everything you need immediately into your carry-on(s), what the heck, let Disney wait on your bags at baggage claim...you can zip off to the resort in your rental car, check right in before the losers who didn't use DME, and then go on your way and your bags will magically appear later.

 

[DebbieB]

I heard they scan your ME boarding pass as you enter the bus. Might not work.

 

[DebbieB]

I heard they scan your ME boarding pass as you enter the bus.

 

[jmminarik]

Oh lord, won't you give me, my first two room requests,
my friends all ride ME, they're extra-special guests,
Made all of my ressies at 9 am, 11 months out.
Oh Lord, won't you give me, my first two room requests.

-Joe

 

[CarolA]

Just an note...

I arrived at the YC this Sunday at around 12:30 via car. The place is pretty full. I got into my room immediately even with the ME folks "taking all the rooms" LOL!

 

[Alexander]

Alexander - according to a member who originally posted on this on a different thread (Carol), she was assigned a room at 10:00am and was told it would be ready by noon. She came back and found that they had reassigned that room to someone coming in on ME and assigned her a different room that wasn't ready until 4:00. So it didn't do her any good to be there at 10:00am. That's where a problem is with ME, if they bump people out of room assignments after they have checked in (but have not been given the room #) to accomodate a ME guest.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=841629

Whenever we have checked in early, we ALWAYS have our room keys in our hands. They are programmed for a specific room, although we do not know the room number. We call the front desk and they tell us the room is ready and it is room ###. I don't think that your room can be given away if you are already checked into a room. They would have to reprogram your keys (give you new ones).

 

[bobbiwoz]

Just an note...

I arrived at the YC this Sunday at around 12:30 via car. The place is pretty full. I got into my room immediately even with the ME folks "taking all the rooms" LOL!

Good News!

Bobbi

 

[jwfrost]

Whenever we have checked in early, we ALWAYS have our room keys in our hands. They are programmed for a specific room, although we do not know the room number. We call the front desk and they tell us the room is ready and it is room ###. I don't think that your room can be given away if you are already checked into a room. They would have to reprogram your keys (give you new ones).

That is exactly what happened to us on our last visit. Checked in early and got keys. Was given a choice of 2 rooms at the time and told which floor they were on. Picked one and left. Called and got our room # and when we got to our room about an hour later with the kids hungry and ready for a nap the keys didn't work. Called the desk with my cell phone and was told that wasn't my room and that I needed to go to the desk and have the keys reprogrammed. Of course the room I got wasn't on either of the floors I had been given as choices earlier. Got to the new room and it was the famed service road/dumpster view at bcv with moldy/mildewy windows and balcony. Obviously someone else had gotten that room and complained so they switched them to my pre-assigned room. At that time all rooms were booked and I was stuck with that room. I complained and was told I could switch the next day - then they wanted to charge me the room change fee and told me I had to vacate my room by 10 am and my new room wouldn't be ready until 4pm. I didn't think that was such a great plan and spoke to a manager who told me she would rush our room and it would be ready by 1 pm. Great that'll work. Called at 1pm and the room wasn't ready. Called at 2 - not ready. Called at 3 - not ready. They called my at 3:45 to tell me it was ready. Not the greatest customer service. Fortunately we've been to Disney about 20 times and this was the only time I've ever had any real problems.

James

 

[d-r]

James, that same thing happened to us a few trips back. They told us our room was in X area on Y floor, and that it would be ready in about an hour. We called, not ready. Not ready until like 4:30, and we had to go change the keys. Got to the room, not where they told us it would be, and the floor is sopping wet with several big huge drier fan things set up and going. Called the desk, must be some mistake. No, that was our room, and it was ready. But big fans going? We'll have someone come take them out. No other rooms available, gosh, it is 5 o'clock everyone is checked in by now. I know that someone got that room and it was either wet or something on the floor, and they put them in our room and then set the fans up. Then they finally let us in because it was after 4, even though the room wasn't ready. Although many trips, no problems, one little problem won't be the end.

Anyway, I know that switch happens James.

 

[d-r]

Bingo, and for those who read the "Carol" thread being referred to, this is exactly where that discussion eventually headed.

If Disney (per what Carol stated is going on, at least as a "test" at the Boardwalk) is giving ME guests priority check-in, then a way to beat Disney at their own game is to do exactly what Tamar suggested:

- Go online, and identify a flight that arrives about 1.5 hours prior to when you want to check in
-book ME using that flight number
- Make your car service or rental car ressies for the same time
- when (ergo, if) the ME package arrives, throw away the ME luggage tags
- on arrival at the Orlando airport show up at the Disney "Welcome Center," check in, telling them you have your bags with you because you never got tags and weren't sure what to do. The CMs will say "don't worry, just head over to (bus A, B, C - whatever).
- Thank the CMs, and then walk away - directly to your car service or rental car.
- Arrive at DVC resort and check in, with ME "priority."

we didn't use this in May, so I haven't really studied on it and must be missing something. Why throw away the baggage tags and give them a different flight number? Can't you just use the baggage tags they went you, let your luggage go on, and get in the rental car? We had sort of thought about doing that to make packing the rental car easier. Just take the carry ons out to the emerald aisle and not worry about the checked bags. Does it not work like that?

We were looking at prices at the samford airport, but this "ME" might be value added to MCO flights.

 

[Danthesand]

James, that same thing happened to us a few trips back....I know that switch happens James.

Yikes!!! These posts suggest that simply getting checked in early and being given key cards doesn't insure one anything!!!!! I almost get the sense one has to literally sit by the check in desk and ask every five minutes if the room is ready yet.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have a sneaking suspician you couldn't do "bags only" ME. I suspect the bodies have to be there in person.

For the person back on page one who said to chill out because ME was only during an 18 month period...I wouldn't be so sure about that. Sure, it is FREE for thta 18 month period, but I suspect it will be a service with a charge after that.