mears says to ride a tram to welcome center?

[cmm]

I did not get my luggage tags for a trip tomorrow. I called the ME toll free number. The recording says that they are experiencing delays in getting packets out and that we are supposed to take a tram to the main airport terminal and then go through security to get to the welcome desk? How could that be? I can't go through security without a plane ticket. Has anyone used this service recently? Thanks.

 

[monica31671]

Hmmm... I called to check on Magical Express today too. The lady told me to take the tram to the main gate because Disney reps couldn't get through security. She said once I made it to the main gate there would be lots of Disney reps there to help me.

 

[GoldenOldie]

At Orlando International Airport, you take what they call a tram from the airside terminal (that's where the arrival/departure gates actually are) to the main terminal. When you get off the tram you walk around the security checkpoint (they said "go through", that's what confused you) as you exit to the main terminal. Then you look for the Welcome Desk. You should have no trouble finding it.

Doesn't matter whether you come in on the A side or on the B side. The procedure is the same.

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

Everone takes a tram (monorail) from the boarding gates to the main terminal. You will walk past security not through it, the people going opposite of you towards the tram to the gates go through it. There will be someone there with big Mickey Hands to direct you over to the "A" side escalators to take down to floor 1, where the welcome center is.

 

[CleveRocks]

I did not get my luggage tags for a trip tomorrow. I called the ME toll free number. The recording says that they are experiencing delays in getting packets out and that we are supposed to take a tram to the main airport terminal and then go through security to get to the welcome desk? How could that be? I can't go through security without a plane ticket. Has anyone used this service recently? Thanks.

No, they're not crazy. I used DME when I arrived at MCO on May 8, the 4th day of the service. EVERYBODY who arrives by airplane at MCO has to take a tram (also known as a monorail) to the main airport terminal. Picture MCO as 3 buildings, an A side, a B side, and the main terminal. The A side and the B side are where the gates are, where the airplanes load and unload passengers. Both of these buildings are connected to the main terminal by train tracks, on which ride tram cars or monorail cars, whatever you feel like calling them. The main terminal has all of the baggage claim, all of the ground transportation, all of the security checkpoints, etc. So yes, take the monorail to the main airport terminal.

When they say go through security, they're not being exactly accurate. They mean go past where security is. Think about it -- at any airport in the country, when you get OFF the airplane you have to walk PAST where security is, but you don't have to go THROUGH security, know what I mean?

At some point, you'll have to take stairs or escalator or steps down to the proper level for DME. There are CMs around, and even if there aren't any I'm sure everyone who works at MCO knows where the DME desk is (it's on the same level as the rental car counters -- if you're totally lost and there's no help around, follow signs for rental cars or ground transportation, and then at least you'll be in the right neighborhood).

After you wait in line for DME, they'll tell you where to go, what bus queue to get in, etc. RELAX, you'll be on vacation. ENJOY!

-- Eric

 

[dudspizza]

Actually, the main terminal is divided in to the A side and the B side. See the map below for reference. The tram goes to the main terminal from the gate area. MCO is very easy to navigate, just follow the signs....

 

[CleveRocks]

Thanks for the clarification (and the maps!) dudspizza, I stand corrected on the geography.

-- Eric

 

[cmm]

Do you think that I have to get my own luggage, then, because I don't have the tags?
PS, thanks for the answers - I feel better now. They need to clarify what they are telling people.

 

[seashoreCM]

Do you think that I have to get my own luggage, then, because I don't have the tags?
PS, thanks for the answers - I feel better now. They need to clarify what they are telling people.

With no ME tags on your baggage you are still told to go to the ME welcoming area first. The CM's normally take the information from your baggage claim checks and handle the baggage for you. There have been a few reported instances when guests had to accompany a CM to the baggage carousel.

I found that the Disney CM in the main terminal just after you get off the tram and exit the secured area is not that easy to see unless he has his hand with the Mickey glove raised. The ME welcoming area is on the A side, lowest level.

 

[paulmc80]

Do you think that I have to get my own luggage, then, because I don't have the tags?
PS, thanks for the answers - I feel better now. They need to clarify what they are telling people.

They can usually find your bags with the claim tag information. Disney Cruise Line did this for us last September. We were one of the very first flights back into MCO after it was reopened.
When we got to our resort our bags arrived later that evening. If they could do that through all the turmoil right after the hurricane, and reopening of the airport, I think they do a pretty darn good job of it with very little exception.

 

[localdriver]

I did not get my luggage tags for a trip tomorrow. I called the ME toll free number. The recording says that they are experiencing delays in getting packets out and that we are supposed to take a tram to the main airport terminal and then go through security to get to the welcome desk? How could that be? I can't go through security without a plane ticket. Has anyone used this service recently? Thanks.

"mears says to ride a tram to welcome center?"

The ME toll free # is not Mears.

This was your title? Mears has nothing to do with packets or tags..

Lets get a clue and a grip.

There is ample info on this board for an idiot to be able to figure it out.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Lets get a clue and a grip.

There is ample info on this board for an idiot to be able to figure it out.

Wow......

 

[AllyBri]

Talk about a difference in people that post here.

You have Duds that was kind enough to post a map of the airport
and then, you have localdriver.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

For real.... diversified ain't we? LOL

 

[gw_lit]

"mears says to ride a tram to welcome center?"

The ME toll free # is not Mears.

This was your title? Mears has nothing to do with packets or tags..

Lets get a clue and a grip.

There is ample info on this board for an idiot to be able to figure it out.

[SARCASM] Gee thanks... your response added SO much to this discussion. [/SARCASM]

 

[localdriver]

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.

A bad moment. My apologies!

Localdriver

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.

A bad moment. My apologies!

Localdriver

I was surprised by your choice of words last night. Thank you for apologizing.

You've posted hundreds of helpful, insightful contributions here. Those of us who are fascinated by Magical Express -- Disney's bold business experiment to make more money by giving away airport transportation and baggage handling -- have learned a great deal from you. And, as someone who is personally part of Magical Express, you've helped many folks who are trying to figure out how Magical Express works.

There have only been a few times when I've been surprised by your tone or your views.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Just an FYI, if you regret saying it you can go back and edit that part out. I have said something in the past that I regretted, so I know how you feel. I know I felt better after I deleted my comment.