ME with no incoming flight

[douglasap8]

We are flying to Panama City Beach to visit family, and then driving to MCO to return our car and catch ME. I believe this is okay to do, we'll just have to deal with our own luggage. And it shouldn't affect our return to the airport, as we should be able to check in for that flight and check our luggage, correct?

I just want to make sure I'm not missing something logistically. Thanks much!

 

[jco_direwolf]

We are flying to Panama City Beach to visit family, and then driving to MCO to return our car and catch ME. I believe this is okay to do, we'll just have to deal with our own luggage.

Nope it's not allowed.

It won't affect your return but you have to have an arriving flight to book DME.

That said the hack is they don't check anything so give then a flight that arrives about the time you plan to be there.

 

[wisblue]

I would think you should be able to do that. I would suggest making your ME reservation over the phone so you can explain exactly what you are doing and then check your ME booklet when it comes to make sure they have it straight.

I know they can handle guests using MDE one way but not the other, but I've never tried exactly what you're doing.

Edit: but then the PP says you can't.

 

[WDWLover75]

Just curious, what rental car company are you using? Both Alamo and National have offices on Disney property. In fact, if you return your car to the Disney Car Care Center, they will drive you to your hotel. We used the rental counter at the Dolphin and just walked to our hotel (Boardwalk).

 

[dansdad]

We are flying to Panama City Beach to visit family, and then driving to MCO to return our car and catch ME. I believe this is okay to do, we'll just have to deal with our own luggage. And it shouldn't affect our return to the airport, as we should be able to check in for that flight and check our luggage, correct?

I just want to make sure I'm not missing something logistically. Thanks much!

A stay at a Disney resort allows you round trip transportation to/from MCO whether you are actually flying or not. When scheduling ME just give them a flight number that is supposed to arrive around the time you expect to be dropping off the rental car. And yes, you will have to deal with your own luggage. This also will have no affect on your return trip to MCO.

 

[douglasap8]

Just curious, what rental car company are you using? Both Alamo and National have offices on Disney property. In fact, if you return your car to the Disney Car Care Center, they will drive you to your hotel. We used the rental counter at the Dolphin and just walked to our hotel (Boardwalk).

I had thought about this, but we have two small children with us, and I know we won't have to worry about car seats by using ME (no flames please)...I just wasn't sure what type of vehicle the rental car shuttle would be! I may look into this, though...it would certainly save on some luggage hassle!

 

[douglasap8]

Thanks all! I was able to find a faux flight that I think will work.

 

[jco_direwolf]

A stay at a Disney resort allows you round trip transportation to/from MCO whether you are actually flying or not. When scheduling ME just give them a flight number that is supposed to arrive around the time you expect to be dropping off the rental car. And yes, you will have to deal with your own luggage. This also will have no affect on your return trip to MCO.

I've asked several times and they have always told me its only if you are arriving by air. They need a flight number to book it.

You even said give them an arrival of a flight about the time you expect. If it was just transport between MCO and Disney you wouldn't need to do that.

If you look at the DME page on DisneyWorld.disney.go.com/guest-services/magical-express. It talks about arriving by air no other options.

That all said they don't check anything. You can even wander up to the DME counter and show your resort reservations and they will cut you ticket right there.

But if you specifically say "I'm driving/dropped off/etc" they will tell you (at least they have always told me) can't use DME"

 

[WDWLover75]

I had thought about this, but we have two small children with us, and I know we won't have to worry about car seats by using ME (no flames please)...I just wasn't sure what type of vehicle the rental car shuttle would be! I may look into this, though...it would certainly save on some luggage hassle!

Yes, and it would/should save you time as well which would be easier on your little ones. We stopped along the way for drinks and snacks for our room, drove to our resort, got checked in and dropped off our bags then my husband returned the car while I unpacked. Worked beautifully.

 

[douglasap8]

Yes, and it would/should save you time as well which would be easier on your little ones. We stopped along the way for drinks and snacks for our room, drove to our resort, got checked in and dropped off our bags then my husband returned the car while I unpacked. Worked beautifully.

Ah!...that's a really good idea! I didn't think of doing it that way. So then my question is, I'm fine just doing ME for departure?

 

[Cyrano]

Moving to the Transportation board where they know best about Magical Express.

 

[dholmes1950]

If you are going to drop off your car at Disney be sure to double check the rates. The difference between dropping off our rental car at MCO and at Disney was approx. $100.

 

[mom2cgj]

When we went last January, we flew into MCO then picked up a rental car for a few days in Cocoa Beach, drove back to MCO and took DME to our resort. The CM I spoke to on the phone said it was no big deal and just put down a "dummie flight" so they would have a time. It worked great for us, and we had no problems.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Nope it's not allowed.

It won't affect your return but you have to have an arriving flight to book DME.

That said the hack is they don't check anything so give then a flight that arrives about the time you plan to be there.

The above information is WRONG. As long as you have a reservation at WDW you can ride the DME without a flight!

My cousin takes the Red Coach bus from Atlanta to MCO and then the DME to her resort all the time. All that is required to ride the DME is a resort reservation.


OP if you rent from Alamo/National you can drop the car off at the Dolphin hotel or the Car Care Center - then Alamo will drop you off at the resort.

Avis can be dropped off at the Hilton which is an 8 minute walk from DTD then all you have to do is take the DTD to your resort
Dollar can be dropped off at the Wyndham which is across the street from the DTD bus station.
We have used all of these locations rather than dropping off at MCO and it is so easy and convenient!

Of course you should drop the family and the luggage off at the resort first since you can' t take luggage on Disney buses. By dropping off at one of the mentioned locations will save you about 90 minutes - to 2 hours which is what it might take you to get from MCO to your resort. Since you are dropping the family off at the resort no need to worry about the car seat issue. Plus you won't have to turn the car in at MCO. grab the luggage, and the kids and make your way over to the DME while trying to drag the luggage with you. Give the luggage to the bus drive climb on the bus. Saves you a lot of hassle if you just drop the car off at a location near Disney.

 

[redrosesix]

If you are going to drop off your car at Disney be sure to double check the rates. The difference between dropping off our rental car at MCO and at Disney was approx. $100.

We actually saved about $100 by getting our car from CCC instead of MCO. It changes constantly.

FYI, it's better to change the drop off location after you have made your reservation -- it usually doesn't change the price of the rental that way.

 

[redrosesix]

The above information is WRONG. As long as you have a reservation at WDW you can ride the DME without a flight!

My cousin takes the Red Coach bus from Atlanta to MCO and then the DME to her resort all the time. All that is required to ride the DME is a resort reservation.


OP if you rent from Alamo/National you can drop the car off at the Dolphin hotel or the Car Care Center
Avis can be dropped off at the Hilton which is an 8 minute walk from DTD then all you have to do is take the DTD to your resort
Dollar can be dropped off at the Wyndham which is across the street from the DTD bus station.

Of course you should drop the family and the luggage off at the resort first since you can' t take luggage on Disney buses. By dropping off at one of the mentioned locations will save you about 90 minutes which is what it might take you to get from MCO to your resort.

This is totally right -- the only reason they need a time is for scheduling.

We would pick up snacks and stuff and I'd send DH to drop off the car. Soooo much easier than going to MCO.

And driving through the gates is a different experience when you're in a car.

 

[jco_direwolf]

This is totally right -- the only reason they need a time is for scheduling. We would pick up snacks and stuff and I'd send DH to drop off the car. Soooo much easier than going to MCO. And driving through the gates is a different experience when you're in a car.

The only reason they want the flight is scheduling but every-timeo I've tried to do it without a flight they have always told me they needed a flight.

One time I was coming from a cruise, one time I was dropping a car at MCO. One time I was meeting someone and they always always told me it was only for air arrival/departure, it is not airport transportation.

One of the few times I've called Disney and gotten a consistent answer. I've given up and just find a flight that us either when I plan to get to the air port or one that is 3 hours after I need to be at the airport.

So call tell them you don't have a flight and just want to schedule it and see how it goes. This may have changed but as of a year or two ago you couldn't do it without a flight time.

 

[Alesia]

The only reason they want the flight is scheduling but every-timeo I've tried to do it without a flight they have always told me they needed a flight.

One time I was coming from a cruise, one time I was dropping a car at MCO. One time I was meeting someone and they always always told me it was only for air arrival/departure, it is not airport transportation.

One of the few times I've called Disney and gotten a consistent answer. I've given up and just find a flight that us either when I plan to get to the air port or one that is 3 hours after I need to be at the airport.

So call tell them you don't have a flight and just want to schedule it and see how it goes. This may have changed but as of a year or two ago you couldn't do it without a flight time.

I wonder if you were calling DME or if you were just calling Disney. Calling DME directly will get you better results.

 

[goofy4tink]

A few things....you do not need to arrive by air to use DME from MCO to WDW. I've done it....multiple times. Yes, it's easier to just give them a flight number of a flight arriving about the same time you are. But. I've done it both ways.
Also, a few options for the OP...
1. Rent from Alamo/National and return it to the Dolphin. I've done that and it usually wasn't a big difference, and once or twice it was less than returning to MCO. You could drop your family off at your resort, with the luggage. Then return the car to the Dolphin and go to DHS and take a Gus back to your resort.
2. Return to the Car Care Center, after dropping everyone off. Then, they will take you to the resort I. A shuttle. But you have to let them know, the night before, that you will want a ride to your resort.
3. If you book with other companies, many have offices in the DTD area. For instance, Budget is located in the Doubletree Guest Suites, right across the street from dtd. Alot of them also offer a ride back to your resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

You can use DME without flying into MCO. Just find a bogus flight number, that arrives around the same time you do, and give them that. Show up with your luggage, and get on the bus.
Or, drop everyone off, with luggage, at the resort, and return the car then. Figure out the easiest place to return the car, and book that.