Magical express without staying in room

[Mflaherty]

My mom is flying in with my husband and I but will not be staying at any hotel. My dad will pick her up at our resort after she spends some time with us that day. My dad can't pick her up until later that day.this is the reason she will travel with us to our hotel. Is it possible to pay for her to ride magic express with us? I know you have to be staying at the resort to be added to magical express. But was wondering if I cam add her for an extra charge?

 

[goofy4tink]

Your mom will have to be listed on the resort reservation in order to ride the DME bus with you. The alternative is stopping at the Mears counter, on your way to DME, and paying for a ride to your resort for her. It would cost about $19. Then, she would possibly be put on the same bus you are on. Not a guarantee but possible.

So, either add her to your reservation now, or just hope for the best at the Mears counter. If you have room on your reservation for her, that's what I would do...unless you've added dining. That would be an issue.

 

[csharpwv]

I would just add her to your resort reservation - that way she's a 'legal' guest and the transportation cost will be covered.

If your room is already at capacity, definitely do as the PP suggested with Mears.

Many people don't understand that ME isn't 'owned' by Disney - it is a contracted service through Mears - so instead of Disney picking up the tab for her ride, you would be... through Mears.

I've often wondered if Mears isn't 'actually' owned by Disney somehow...

I mean...
M(ickey) EARS.....

Hmmmmmm

 

[jambo5564]

Or ...

Magical
Express
All
Resorts
Stopped

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The reason Disney can't transport her on DME is related to the SCREAMING and CRYING that the "car services" in Orlando did when DME was first started. They suddenly had people not overpaying for their subpar service and instead of improving the service they had fits, threatened lawsuits etc....

The outcome was DME would only transport hotel guests who reserved in advance

 

[goofy4tink]

I would just add her to your resort reservation - that way she's a 'legal' guest and the transportation cost will be covered.

If your room is already at capacity, definitely do as the PP suggested with Mears.

Many people don't understand that ME isn't 'owned' by Disney - it is a contracted service through Mears - so instead of Disney picking up the tab for her ride, you would be... through Mears.

I've often wondered if Mears isn't 'actually' owned by Disney somehow...

I mean...
M(ickey) EARS.....

Hmmmmmm

Now, that's kind of funny!!

The reason Disney can't transport her on DME is related to the SCREAMING and CRYING that the "car services" in Orlando did when DME was first started. They suddenly had people not overpaying for their subpar service and instead of improving the service they had fits, threatened lawsuits etc....

The outcome was DME would only transport hotel guests who reserved in advance

Well, I have yet to have subpar service by a car service in Orlando. So, I can well imagine how the car service people felt when Disney/Mears came along and offered a 'free' ride to WDW! They lost a lot of business. Of course, there have always been those drivers who went about shilling for business. They would waylay guests in the baggage area, asking if they needed a ride to WDW! Drove me nuts!!!
But, there are a lot of very good car service companies that provide a good service. And those are the ones that are still doing okay. It's those little fly by night businesses that figured they would get in on the 'big' money and take people to WDW..only to find that they couldn't stay in business once DME came along.

I like using a car service. But I seldom use one anymore. I like DME...and I really like not having to worry about waiting around for those checked bags anymore!!! But there are still occasions when I use a car service!

 

[k3chantal]

Now, that's kind of funny!!


Well, I have yet to have subpar service by a car service in Orlando. So, I can well imagine how the car service people felt when Disney/Mears came along and offered a 'free' ride to WDW! They lost a lot of business. Of course, there have always been those drivers who went about shilling for business. They would waylay guests in the baggage area, asking if they needed a ride to WDW! Drove me nuts!!!
But, there are a lot of very good car service companies that provide a good service. And those are the ones that are still doing okay. It's those little fly by night businesses that figured they would get in on the 'big' money and take people to WDW..only to find that they couldn't stay in business once DME came along.

I like using a car service. But I seldom use one anymore. I like DME...and I really like not having to worry about waiting around for those checked bags anymore!!! But there are still occasions when I use a car service!

We used Mears last May to get from Kidani Village to Universal's Royal Pacific. We spoke to the driver on our way there and business is picking up. There is a whole lot going on in Orlando besides Disney.......

 

[tor]

I've often wondered if Mears isn't 'actually' owned by Disney somehow...

I mean...
M(ickey) EARS.....

Hmmmmmm

Mears is Paul Mears Sr the founder that started the company in 1939.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Now, that's kind of funny!!

Well, I have yet to have subpar service by a car service in Orlando. So, I can well imagine how the car service people felt when Disney/Mears came along and offered a 'free' ride to WDW! They lost a lot of business. Of course, there have always been those drivers who went about shilling for business. They would waylay guests in the baggage area, asking if they needed a ride to WDW! Drove me nuts!!!
But, there are a lot of very good car service companies that provide a good service. And those are the ones that are still doing okay. It's those little fly by night businesses that figured they would get in on the 'big' money and take people to WDW..only to find that they couldn't stay in business once DME came along.

I like using a car service. But I seldom use one anymore. I like DME...and I really like not having to worry about waiting around for those checked bags anymore!!! But there are still occasions when I use a car service!

You are lucky. I have had rude drivers, dangerous drivers etc
My personal fav was the car service driver who got on the phone and cursed like a sailor from MCO to the port. He also drove like a maniac. When my friend called to complain and ask for another driver on the trip back they told her "he is one of our best". So if you want your kids to learn to curse...,,,(we rented a car to go back to the airport. If that was "their best" we did not want to risk them again LOL)

 

[thepops]

I would just add her to your resort reservation - that way she's a 'legal' guest and the transportation cost will be covered.

The only issue you could run into there would be if you plan to do the dining plan. Then since she is on the reservation, she'd need to have the dining plan as well for the whole time of the reservation.