Mixed Group - some towncar/some DME

[HeyIt'sMe]

We leave for our trip in 6 weeks (yeah!).

The travel group is me, DH & DD and DD's boyfriend for a portion of the trip.
1. DH, DD & I are flying SWA and we arrive at MCO ~8:45am on Sat. 10/18. We will be using a towncar service for transportation to/from the GF.
2. DD's boyfriend's dad is a pilot so he is flying a different airline as a standby. He will either fly down Fri. 10/17 and stay at the hotel airport or fly down Sat. 10/18. We won't know his flight details until very close to the trip. He does not check luggage; he just takes a small carry-on. Also, he will be heading back home before we do.

We've never used DME before. Can we just get DME for DD's boyfriend? Do you have to provide flight details to Disney to use DME? Any other details I need to know?

TIA!
Debbie

 

[DVC California]

Since you're unsure of his arrival date, make sure DD's BF is listed as a guest on your reservation and that you provide him your reservation number and itinerary.

He should be able to go directly to the Welcome Center, located on Side B, Level 1 of MCO and be assigned to a motorcoach. All WDW resorts guests are provided one roundtrip ride on check-in/check-out days and any days in-between.

It wouldn't hurt to call Disney’s Magical Express at (407) 939-1936 and have him put in their database.

HTH, Steve

Disney’s Magical Express

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

Thanks Steve.

I called WDTC company yesterday to run things by them and the CM told me that when I have flight numbers for DD's BF then I could call to add him to DME. She said they need a 2 day minimum advance notice and she gave me an 866 number to call.

I think I'll call the DME number you gave me and talk to someone there.

 

[tjmw2727]

He can use DME no issues but he has to be listed on your resort reservation and have an advance reservation for DME.

Since DME doesn't schedule you on a specific bus on the inbound due to delays and changes just make the DME reservation based on the first flight he is going to try and take.

Then whenever he arrives he can head to DME with his bags and take the DME to meet you at the resort.

You can do this via the regular reservation line or directly with DME.

****Edited as I just realized he may be arriving prior to the start of the resort reservation!

After re-reading I would just make the reservation using the 10/18 flight info or if you call DME directly they can make the reservation without a flight. This way regardless of how or when he arrives at MCO he will be transported to your resort on the 18th.

Also if he arrives on the 17th (and stays overnight at the airport) why not have him share the town car on the 18th and then take DME one way for his return?

 

[sam_gordon]

There is also no reason for him to stay at an airport hotel unless you don't want to stay up for him. He can get off the plane (no matter how late) and get on DME to the resort. DME runs 24 hours.

But, as mentioned, he does need a DME reservation. Call and put him in their database to arrive on 10/17. If he doesn't make that flight, he can call DME and say he's delayed until the 18th.