magical express twice

[newrygirl]

Ok I have a issue that I'm not sure how to handle, we are going to Disney for 10 days in August and bringing my sons best friend who is 16 along. The mom only wants him to stay for a week so he is flying back home before us, we are staying onsite so will use magical express, my issue is getting him to the airport for his flight, his mom doesn't want him to go to the airport on his own which I understand but can I go on the magical express to the airport with him and then take it back again or will I need to rent a car for the day?

 

[kaytieeldr]

No, you can't. Each Disney Resort-registered Guest is entitled to ONE ride from MCO to Walt Disney World on or after the day their reservation starts, and ONE ride from WDW to MCO on or before the day their reservation ends.

Some alternatives:

• She could be made aware that Walt Disney World will allow any qualifying Guest sixteen and over to travel on Magical Express alone; you could stay with him until the bus departed and keep in contact by cell phone
• She could pay for a taxi for both of you (about $60 each way)
• She could pay for a town car for both of you (about $100 round trip)
• .....note that neither of the above prices includes tip
• She could pay for a one-way trip for him on the Mears shuttle and a round-trip fare for you (I think about $19 one way and $35 r/t)
• She could pay for the one day rental - prices vary, you would need to shop around; she could at least pay a portion (half?) the cost, since you wouldn't be renting the car if she weren't refusing to let her son travel to the airport without an adult

.

 

[sweetdana]

If you rent a car, not from the airport but a pick up from Disney. The car rental will pick you up, you drive him, then either have drop the rental off the same day and pay 1 day car rental, or keep till the end of your trip.


Good Luck!

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I have had the same situation several times with a UM flying in to stay with us. Call ME and explain the situation, they are very understanding and will help you get to the airport to pick up the young person. You will need to go to the bell services after arranging with ME and they will give you a pass to get on ME to the airport and also one back.

They do provide this service and it is not just one way to resort and back when young folks are involved.

 

[PlutoPony]

You can try asking for an exception from ME so you can go back to the airport with him, but given that he doesn't qualify as an UM it might be a tough sell.

Do you know what his mom's expectations are for you once you get him to the airport? Is she Ok with you leaving him at security and him going off on his own through there and to the gate by himself? If not you may have a bigger challenge again because he no longer qualifies for Unaccompanied Minor status.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

ME has been very kind to us because our guest flies SWA and the age is 12 but ME age is 16. They said that they want me to be with the person.

Even if they are older ME is very good about doing what is right. I have walked the child to security and stood in line until the ID check at MCO, then I walk to the glass wall and watch her until she gets on the tram. Then she calls when she gets on the plane.

ME has always allowed me transportation back to our resort. I appreciate that they want to help with a child who flies but needs extra support.

 

[MEK]

My son's friend met us at the airport when he was only staying for part of our trip. I was due to pick him up when my DH misplaced the keys to the rental car. I called ME to see if he could take ME unattended. A child has to be 17 to travel on ME with out an adult, but they were more than willing to allow me to ride ME to the airport and retrieve him, then ride back to the resort. It was no problem. You can take your son's friend back to airport because you are required to travel with him on ME.

 

[newrygirl]

thanks everyone, especially minnievanmom, I did contact disney and they will let me travel with him to the airport and take the bus back, they said they like kids under 17 to have an adult go with them.