magical express!!

[CleveRocks]

Can I just add another question here??? We arrive in at MCO at 10pm and have a reservation for the ME. I see that they bring your luggage right to your room...What the heck time should I expect our bags to get to the room! I am sure we will all be tired and want to get to bed no too long after we finally arrive at OKW...we have tickets to MNSSHP the next day and I just don't want to be up until 4 waiting for bags. If we go to bed are they going to come right in while we are sleeping???

After you check in, talk to Bell Services and ask them to hold your luggage until you call them in the morning to request it. They won't just barge in at 2:00 a.m. if you don't want them to.

-- Eric

 

[tikkipoo]

From what I've read, they will come the next day if you arrive that late. I'm not sure what time they start delivery.

And to neffy_nurse...
#3 - HELLO! We are going to Disney! Of course we expect to be treated like cattle. We are constantly hurded from holding pin to holding pin for rides, dining...everything. Haven't you ever been there before?

 

[2disneybabies]

Thanks for that info, Eric!!!

 

[tjmw2727]

Can I just add another question here??? We arrive in at MCO at 10pm and have a reservation for the ME. I see that they bring your luggage right to your room...What the heck time should I expect our bags to get to the room! I am sure we will all be tired and want to get to bed no too long after we finally arrive at OKW...we have tickets to MNSSHP the next day and I just don't want to be up until 4 waiting for bags. If we go to bed are they going to come right in while we are sleeping???

I am in a similar situation and as I see it we have two options. .

1~Set up luggage delivery for the next morning, so pack one carry on for the things you will need overnight.
or
2~Pick up your luggage at the carosel and bring it to ME so you will have it when you check in.

I haven't decided yet but I am leaning toward getting my luggage myself.

TJ

 

[paults]

Now all they need to do is either expand the service, once it's a paid-for service, to all Disney resorts, or allow it to be used by Disney resort guests in a way that would allow them to at least be dropped off within walking distance of their resorts, as in the Beach Club to Boardwalk example.

I'm sorry but am I missing something here. I thought all Disney resorts use DME. What do they need to expand the service to? (EXample) above. If you are staying at BW why get dropped off at BC

 

[nancyv58]

Does anyone know if you can use magical express if you are staying in a room that is booked by a cast member? My DD is doing an internship at Disney and can book our room for us much cheaper than I can, but there will be 3 of us flying in and we would like to use ME because my DD can pick us up at the airport but cannot take us back due to her work schedule. Thanks for the info. She is going to ask tomorrow at work but I thought I would ask in here tonight.

 

[CleveRocks]

Here's the answer no one likes: "It depends."

Is your name on the reservation? Even if the "main" name on the room is not yours, are you registered as a user of the room? If you are, I suppose you have every chance, but I can't say for sure, so go hit those phones! But I can say for sure if you're not listed in the reservation as a gust in the room, then you would not be able to reserve DME because your name would appear no where in the Disney system, KWIM?

-- Eric

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

After you check in, talk to Bell Services and ask them to hold your luggage until you call them in the morning to request it. They won't just barge in at 2:00 a.m. if you don't want them to.

-- Eric

So they say......
We arrived late, took forever to get checked in (they were trying to tell us we had to go to another resort after we arrived at 2am in the morning on DME???), and I asked them to CALL before they bring the luggage to the room in the middle of the night. If I don't answer the phone or answer and tell them no- don't bring it until after 7am. I said that because I had no idea how long it would take to get the luggage and whether or not I'd still be up- but we'd be up by 7am.

They knocked on my door (no phone call- I was still awake and they never called!!) at 4:30am- loudly- with the luggage. Woke my kids up who WERE asleep by that time.
ugh

(I was still up because I was waiting for plastic sheet to go on one bed because of bedwetter- yes, even enough to wet the bed outside of the goodnights pullup- and they still hadn't brought it. After I received the luggage and pushed the issue of the bedsheet which I'd called AHEAD of time about- btw.... I finally got a shower curtain to use under the sheets. *sigh* That was such a fun resort stay...... *sarcasm* LOL)

 

[rantnnravin]

So they say......
We arrived late, took forever to get checked in (they were trying to tell us we had to go to another resort after we arrived at 2am in the morning on DME???), and I asked them to CALL before they bring the luggage to the room in the middle of the night. If I don't answer the phone or answer and tell them no- don't bring it until after 7am. I said that because I had no idea how long it would take to get the luggage and whether or not I'd still be up- but we'd be up by 7am.

They knocked on my door (no phone call- I was still awake and they never called!!) at 4:30am- loudly- with the luggage. Woke my kids up who WERE asleep by that time.
ugh

(I was still up because I was waiting for plastic sheet to go on one bed because of bedwetter- yes, even enough to wet the bed outside of the goodnights pullup- and they still hadn't brought it. After I received the luggage and pushed the issue of the bedsheet which I'd called AHEAD of time about- btw.... I finally got a shower curtain to use under the sheets. *sigh* That was such a fun resort stay...... *sarcasm* LOL)

these sound more like issues with the resort itself (front desk, bell services, housekeeping) than the DME.

 

[Brygida]

...
Briefly waiting in line doesn't scare or bother me.
...

Don't know who this guy is... but he is really committed to his opinion. It is just that... his opinion.

Many people have other reasons (just as valid) for NOT using DME. (e.g. They need a rental car.)

From what I compared with the two families I know who used DME and my own recent trip (1st week September). Ours was a much better experience. Less time consuming. Less frustrating. And it didn't "ruin our 1st day there" as it did for the two families I know. (The 2 families waited about 7 and 14 hours for their luggage to magically arrive, which they did not anticipate... they had that "herded like cattle" feeling... and they both complained about driving around picking up other passengers... they just wanted to get there!)

We rented a car (L&M at the airport $60/week), collected our own bags, installed our car seat in the car, and got to Wilderness Lodge (in about 1 hour). This afforded us the luxury of using a car instead of Disney transportation when needed (e.g. to all resorts, to AK, to EPCOT, to DD)... WL buses stop at Fort Wilderness which I hated, so we took our car to the parks and parked in AAA diamond parking. This cut our travel time to <15 min to WDW properties... as opposed to 45min to 1 1/2 hours, when we did try Disney transportation.

For the return trip day, we checked our luggage at Wilderness Lodge and got our boarding passes... you DO NOT need DME to do this!!! We spent the day at AKL and DD, and then drove to the airport. Leaving DD to airport (including gas fillup, rental car return) took < 1 hour. All we had to do then is walk to the gate.

That is another option to DME and just as valid. I doubt the other transport companies are going out of business any time soon. Unless WDW can improve it's transportation system (something more like a subway system) and have access to a grocery store and hospital/medical center... we will never be able to use just Disney transportation.

Brygida.

 

[CleveRocks]

Don't know who this guy is... but he is really committed to his opinion. It is just that... his opinion.

Many people have other reasons (just as valid) for NOT using DME. (e.g. They need a rental car.)

From what I compared with the two families I know who used DME and my own recent trip (1st week September). Ours was a much better experience. Less time consuming. Less frustrating. And it didn't "ruin our 1st day there" as it did for the two families I know. (The 2 families waited about 7 and 14 hours for their luggage to magically arrive, which they did not anticipate... they had that "herded like cattle" feeling... and they both complained about driving around picking up other passengers... they just wanted to get there!)

Brygida.

I'm glad you had a great time during your WDW vacation. That's what it's all about!

Of course all opinions are valid opinions.

But there is a difference between opinion and fact. I just note what you wrote about two families you say you know who used DME, and that BOTH families, regarding DME, "complained about driving around and picking up other passengers ... they just wanted to get there." I have to assume you're addressing the MCO-to-resort portion of DME, because judging from the rest of that paragraph that appears to be the case. If I'm correct that their comments are about the MCO-to-resort portion of DME, then someone is badly mistaken, or perhaps I am badly mistaken. My experience with DME is that buses are doing either drop offs OR pick ups, but not both. Are you saying that these families left the airport and then went other places to PICK UP other passengers before they themselves were dropped off at their resort? I've never heard of that. Of course, just because I've never heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't happen, but it would greatly surprise me. Anyone ever heard of this practice?

My suspicion is that this practice does not occur. My suspicion is that a bus in the midst of drop offs to resorts does not also pick up passengers at the same time. If my suspicions are correct, then the "two families" are mistaken somewhere. If my suspicions are incorrect, then it won't be the first time today I've been wrong .

-- Eric

 

[clkelley]

That answered my question. Thanks.

Now all they need to do is either expand the service, once it's a paid-for service, to all Disney resorts, or allow it to be used by Disney resort guests in a way that would allow them to at least be dropped off within walking distance of their resorts, as in the Beach Club to Boardwalk example.

:

I'm really confused by this statement. DME is provided to ALL Disney resorts.

All-Stars Sports, Music, Movies
Pop Century
Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside
Coronodo Springs
Carribbean Beach
Contemporary
Grand Floridian
Polynesian
Ft. Wilderness Cabins AND Campground
Wilderness Lodge and Villas
Beach Club and Beach Club Villas
Boardwalk Inn and Boardwalk Villas
Yacht Club
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Saratoga Springs
Old Key West

The only places on Disney property it is not provided for is:

Shades of Green
Swan
Dolphin
Celebration Hotel
The hotels on Hotel Plaza Boulevard

 

[Brygida]

But there is a difference between opinion and fact. ...

If I'm correct that their comments are about the MCO-to-resort portion of DME, then someone is badly mistaken, or perhaps I am badly mistaken.
...

My suspicion is that this practice does not occur. My suspicion is that a bus in the midst of drop offs to resorts does not also pick up passengers at the same time. If my suspicions are correct, then the "two families" are mistaken somewhere. ....

Well... since this is NOT a court of law, is there a difference between opinion and fact? I do not have the 2 families handy to "grill" them about how mistaken they were. The point... which you seem to be missing... is that for whatever reasons these 2 familes have, they hated their DME experience, and could not recommend it.

They probably meant dropping off/or picking up different passengers at different resorts. If you were not trying pick nits, you might take in the information that they hated DME... their luggage was late... they thought it wasted their time upon arrival/departure... they thought it wasted their time waiting for bus loading to complete (as snafus, luggage, people were being sorted out).

If you averaged everybody experience, it would show that loading/organizing 1 family into a car going to 1 destination, will always take far less time then loading multiple families onto a bus and transporting them to mulitple destinations.

You are mistaken because you do not seem to be able to comprehend that someone hated their DME experience. I can certainly comprehend that someone might love it!

Brygida

 

[Lewisc]

The DME stops at other resorts to drop off guests on the way from the airport and stops at other resorts to pick up guests on the way to the airport. Either way the bus makes stops in each direction.

Although the post was ambiguous I think the point is some guests prefer a non-stop taxi or limo service. A guest annoyed at stops probably doesn't care and might not even be noticing if the stop is to pickup or drop off passengers.

My experience with DME is that buses are doing either drop offs OR pick ups, but not both. Are you saying that these families left the airport and then went other places to PICK UP other passengers before they themselves were dropped off at their resort? I've never heard of that. Of course, just because I've never heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't happen, but it would greatly surprise me. Anyone ever heard of this practice?

My suspicion is that this practice does not occur. My suspicion is that a bus in the midst of drop offs to resorts does not also pick up passengers at the same time. If my suspicions are correct, then the "two families" are mistaken somewhere. If my suspicions are incorrect, then it won't be the first time today I've been wrong .

-- Eric

 

[2disneybabies]

I do hope that is true about them not barging into our room!! Anyone have experience at OKW?? We also will have young kids and hopefully they will be asleep quickly after we arrive, and I really don't want them to get woke up! Also, just another quick question?? Are you allowed to pick up your own luggage and bring it with you for DME...for some reason I thought I read that this wasn't allowed????

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Question:
My dd is 9months and in a car seat on the plane so we will have her carrier, i know there are no seatbelts on the bus so can i stow her car seat overhead? will it fit there? or under the bus with the stroller? thanks!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

ANSWER to the QUESTION about the DME service to people staying in a room with the Cast member rate:

Yes you can use it. WE are staying at POP with a CM rate and you have to arrange it all throgh the Disney Cast phone number. They have a better undertanding of the situation. The normal CRO number and such was not helpful and kept telling me to call the cast number.

EASY to deal with and we are all set! woo-hoo!

 

[CleveRocks]

Brygida, if you took my tone to be negative, I apologize.

I guess it stems from a history on this board of fairly new posters posting what sound like outlandishly negative experiences with DME (so I guess that's how I interpreted your only 2 contacts waiting up to 14 hours for their luggage). Many of those posters, many people here suspect, are employees of companies which are losing out as a result of DME's launch. Those posters also often get some details wrong (because they just want to be negative and spread bad rumors), so I guess that's why I was grilling you on the facts.

PEACE.

-- Eric

 

[livvyb]

OK, just trying to clarify something before leaving in 36 hours....we are flying in and meeting my brother-in-law at the airport befoer heading to Disney. He does not drive and obviously did not come in from a participating airline as he lives there. From what I read here I am gettting that he can go to the MEARS counter and buy a ticket on the bus to ride over to our resort....? Am I understanding correctly?

*Also, is the MEARS counter located near DME counter?

 

[Hodder]

Don't know who this guy is... but he is really committed to his opinion. It is just that... his opinion.

Many people have other reasons (just as valid) for NOT using DME. (e.g. They need a rental car.)

From what I compared with the two families I know who used DME and my own recent trip (1st week September). Ours was a much better experience. Less time consuming. Less frustrating. And it didn't "ruin our 1st day there" as it did for the two families I know. (The 2 families waited about 7 and 14 hours for their luggage to magically arrive, which they did not anticipate... they had that "herded like cattle" feeling... and they both complained about driving around picking up other passengers... they just wanted to get there!)

We rented a car (L&M at the airport $60/week), collected our own bags, installed our car seat in the car, and got to Wilderness Lodge (in about 1 hour). This afforded us the luxury of using a car instead of Disney transportation when needed (e.g. to all resorts, to AK, to EPCOT, to DD)... WL buses stop at Fort Wilderness which I hated, so we took our car to the parks and parked in AAA diamond parking. This cut our travel time to <15 min to WDW properties... as opposed to 45min to 1 1/2 hours, when we did try Disney transportation.

For the return trip day, we checked our luggage at Wilderness Lodge and got our boarding passes... you DO NOT need DME to do this!!! We spent the day at AKL and DD, and then drove to the airport. Leaving DD to airport (including gas fillup, rental car return) took < 1 hour. All we had to do then is walk to the gate.

That is another option to DME and just as valid. I doubt the other transport companies are going out of business any time soon. Unless WDW can improve it's transportation system (something more like a subway system) and have access to a grocery store and hospital/medical center... we will never be able to use just Disney transportation.

Brygida.

It is his opinion and after reading many of his posts around these boards I would trust his opinion.

Of course you would feel like cattle it is a shuttle bus.