Magical Express....

[Goofy41]

We'll be staying at an off-site hotel, checking out on 12/9, but checking in at the POFQ the same day, can I still use the bus service to the airport, even thought we did not use it on our arrival.

 

[lions1995]

Yes, you can use it to go from your Disney resort to to Orlando International Airport.

 

[Goofy41]

Yes, you can use it to go from your Disney resort to to Orlando International Airport.

Thx, for the quick response

 

[KonaKaiTom]

How is this for convoluted? I'm flying in on October 21 and staying at Buena Vista Palace and Spa for 4 nights for business, and then transferring to Grand Floridian on October 25 - 30th. My 14 year old niece will be flying in on October 26 and leaving with me on the 30th.

So, can I do the following? Take the Magical Express to Buena Vista Palace and Spa (it is on the list of hotels for ME), on the 21st. Then take a cab to the airport on 26th to meet my niece at the airport and take Magical Express back to Grand Floridian?

In order to maximize our stay, I'm planning on taking a cab our last day so that we don't have to leave parks quite as early as the Magical Express does to depart.

In theory I would actually only be using the Magical Express for 3 of the 4 complimentary rides, correct? Any suggestions or comments would be much appreciated.

TIA,

Tom

 

[gripp35]

So, can I do the following? Take the Magical Express to Buena Vista Palace and Spa (it is on the list of hotels for ME),

I am curious what list you are looking at? I was not aware any of the Downtown Disney resorts utilized ME.

 

[POOHsie]

How is this for convoluted? I'm flying in on October 21 and staying at Buena Vista Palace and Spa for 4 nights for business, and then transferring to Grand Floridian on October 25 - 30th. My 14 year old niece will be flying in on October 26 and leaving with me on the 30th.

So, can I do the following? Take the Magical Express to Buena Vista Palace and Spa (it is on the list of hotels for ME), on the 21st. Then take a cab to the airport on 26th to meet my niece at the airport and take Magical Express back to Grand Floridian?

In order to maximize our stay, I'm planning on taking a cab our last day so that we don't have to leave parks quite as early as the Magical Express does to depart.

In theory I would actually only be using the Magical Express for 3 of the 4 complimentary rides, correct? Any suggestions or comments would be much appreciated.

TIA,

Tom

To answer part of your question, the official list of hotels serviced by ME on Disney's website are as follows: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/airport-service/#subCategory3

Disney's Magical Express provides complimentary transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport for Guests staying at the following Walt Disney World Resort Hotels: ​

Disney's Art of Animation Resort, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, Disney's All-Star Music Resort, Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village, Disney's Beach Club Resort, Disney's Beach Club Villas, Disney's BoardWalk Inn, Disney's BoardWalk Villas, The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's Polynesian Resort, Disney's Pop Century Resort, Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter, Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Yacht Club Resort​

This from Mousesavers.com: http://www.mousesavers.com/disneys-magical-express-resort-airline-check-in/

*Disney’s Magical Express is available only to guests staying at the official hotels owned and operated by Disney. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels, the seven Downtown Disney hotels and Shades of Green are NOT included.​

 

[KonaKaiTom]

OMG -- I assumed since BVP offers complimentary Disney World Bus transportation that they also had Magical Express --- they don't? Now what, Mears Transportation?

 

[POOHsie]

OMG -- I assumed since BVP offers complimentary Disney World Bus transportation that they also had Magical Express --- they don't? Now what, Mears Transportation?

Yes, you could arrange Mears or a taxi. Is someone flying in with you for your conference to share the ride?

I think what BVP means is, they have a shuttle service to the Disney property. Probably discharges passengers at the Ticketing and Transportation Center (TTC), next to Poly. Doesn't really take you to each park. I'm not sure, but that's how many hotel shuttles work.

The closest actual Disney bus to BVP is at DTD. And, those DTD buses don't go to the parks, only to the Disney resorts. This is done because of people parking free at DTD and trying to get to the parks (instead of paying to park at the theme parks).

 

[JennyDrake]

_I_ would take a taxi both from the airport and to the GF. YMMV but my experiences with Mears have been pretty bad. Also, I THINK you will have to have a DME boarding pass to ride back with niece. Hoenstly, I would just shell out the money for cab fares....

 

[POOHsie]

How is this for convoluted? I'm flying in on October 21 and staying at Buena Vista Palace and Spa for 4 nights for business, and then transferring to Grand Floridian on October 25 - 30th. My 14 year old niece will be flying in on October 26 and leaving with me on the 30th...

Tom, are you aware of the refurbishments going on at Grand Floridian? Here is a list (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/grand-floridian-resort-and-spa/):

Refurbishments*
In an ongoing effort to improve the quality of our offerings, the following amenities at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be closed for refurbishments:

Beach Pool Bar: April 2 to September 4, 2012
Sandy Cove Merchandise: August 21 to November 18, 2012
Ivy Trellis Salon: October 20 to December 3, 2012
Courtyard Pool: Mid September to Mid December, 2012
Gasparilla Grill & Games: September 4 to December 17, 2012
The Spa: September 19, 2011 to December 5, 2012
These locations are being refreshed for your future enjoyment. In the meantime, you will have access to alternate options during your stay, so you can anticipate a truly grand vacation experience.​

The Beach Pool Bar will re-open Sept. 4th and have a grill to accommodate closing of Gasparilla Grill. Also, Mizner's Lounge will have pre-packaged foods available.

I'm not sure about ME, but I think PP is right. You would need a DME pass to accompany your niece back to GF. Since you will arrive at GF the previous day, you would have time to ask the ME folks about this, to see if anything could be done to accommodate you. The answer may go either way. Good luck.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Thanks everyone. Yes, I'm aware of the refurbishments at the GF-but the rate I got makes it worth it, besides, for the most part we will just be sleeping there and the conveniene of the monorail to the MK makes it worth it for us.

While I'm at BVP I won't be going to parks as I am presenting/working --- so, I won't have to worry about getting to the parks but I appreciate the comments. The BVP website has some pixie dust on it as they make it seem as if you are staying with the same benefits as a WDW property!

I'm probably going to do the DME ride back with my niece (and register for it in advance) just so her luggage goes right to room and I don't need to worry about baggage claim.

Thanks,

Tom

 

[lanejudy]

I'm probably going to do the DME ride back with my niece (and register for it in advance) just so her luggage goes right to room and I don't need to worry about baggage claim.

I would call DME to ask...I'm not sure they'll just let you "register" to ride. Though I agree this likely is not a common scenario and they may make accommodations. If your niece is a minor, they may require that she be accompanied by and adult and that may be your "in" to ride with her. But before expecting it to happen, I'd definitely call them to discuss it.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation (and conference)!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Thanks Judy: Yes, my niece is a minor and will be flying as an "unaccompanied" minor. When I booked the trip WDW said not a problem -- once I knew which flight she would be flying in on, to put me as arriving on the same flight and they would put me in the ME system. You are correct, they will not let her on the ME without an adult guardian.

Apparently, they don't actually link systems with airlines completely. They told me just call the 800 number the week before and them them you are flying in on JetBlue flight 331 arriving at 8:45pm and they will take care of the rest.

Thanks,

TOm

 

[purple figment]

I'm probably going to do the DME ride back with my niece (and register for it in advance) just so her luggage goes right to room and I don't need to worry about baggage claim.
Tom

Apparently, they don't actually link systems with airlines completely. They told me just call the 800 number the week before and them them you are flying in on JetBlue flight 331 arriving at 8:45pm and they will take care of the rest.
TOm

Anyone staying at a Disney resort (e.g. GF) who is on the resort reservation is entitled to one round trip between their resort and MCO while they are staying at the resort, so in your case between Oct 25-Oct 30. However, you have to make a reservation in advance to ride DME.

If you wait until a week before to make the DME res for you and your niece, there won't be enough time for them to send you the yellow luggage tag. DME asks for at least 2 weeks notice. You'll need more time if you have to mail the luggage tag to her. If you don't get her luggage tag in time you can still stop at the DME counter with a description of her luggage and baggage claim tags and they will pick it up and deliver it to the GF.

If you decide to take DME back to MCO on Oct 30th you can make the arrangements with DME when you're at the airport meeting your niece or at the GF. Again, you'll need to make the res in advance and the day before departure you'll receive the info on your DME pick up time in your room..

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Mahalo, Kim.

I will call them this week to confirm the for the DME so that we get the yellow baggage tags in time. I'm still 99% certain we will take a cab to airport on last day so that we can maximize the park time.

Tom