Oma coming from Amsterdam- how to get her on DME bus!

[maxsmomamy]

DH's mom is arriving more than 5 hours after we are. She is booked on our reservations and we plan on using DME. How the heck do we get her on a DME bus without us there? Disney won't send her a luggage tag and we won't have them in time to send one to her. She travels light, so will probably keep her bag with her. Any help will sure be appreciated!

 

[seashoreCM]

You can make her reservation for DME to be at the time she will arrive.

The yellow tag is not mandatory.

The yellow tag is not used for carry-ons or for stuff you need right away and pick up at the carousel yourself.

If she can get to the Magical Express welcoming area she should be fine. I could see some problems if she needs help to be put on the bus as opposed to her checking in and boarding the bus on her own. In the former case a cell phone where you talk her through the steps and procedures could help.

 

[sndral]

Where will she clear customs? It's been awhile since I was in Schirpol airport, but my recollection is that it's larger than MCO, so she'll probably be able to navigate MCO fine. What airline is she traveling? You can explain the general layout of MCO and how to get from the gate area of that airline to DME, and then she just checks in w/ DME. Since you get there 5 hrs. earlier, you can verify that everything is good to go for her arrival when you get there.
She can either pick up her luggage and schlep it herself to DME (which if she goes through customs @ MCO, she'll have to do anyway, I believe) or she can show her luggage claim ticket to DME and they'll collect and deliver her luggage to the room, just like if she had the yellow tags.

 

[maxsmomamy]

You can make her reservation for DME to be at the time she will arrive.

The yellow tag is not mandatory.

The yellow tag is not used for carry-ons or for stuff you need right away and pick up at the carousel yourself.

If she can get to the Magical Express welcoming area she should be fine. I could see some problems if she needs help to be put on the bus as opposed to her checking in and boarding the bus on her own. In the former case a cell phone where you talk her through the steps and procedures could help.

I'm not sure how to make a reservation for her. I thought it all "magically" happened when I made our trip reservation! I guess it's another phone call to Disney!

 

[maxsmomamy]

Where will she clear customs? It's been awhile since I was in Schirpol airport, but my recollection is that it's larger than MCO, so she'll probably be able to navigate MCO fine. What airline is she traveling? You can explain the general layout of MCO and how to get from the gate area of that airline to DME, and then she just checks in w/ DME. Since you get there 5 hrs. earlier, you can verify that everything is good to go for her arrival when you get there.
She can either pick up her luggage and schlep it herself to DME (which if she goes through customs @ MCO, she'll have to do anyway, I believe) or she can show her luggage claim ticket to DME and they'll collect and deliver her luggage to the room, just like if she had the yellow tags.

She's a well seasoned traveler-and you are right- Schirpol is much larger! Its a whole city almost. She is traveling KLM, so I'll check the MCO maps and try to figure that out. You do go through customs on our end- hopefully that won't be a long delay. My nightmare would be if we do all the right stuff and she's still stuck. I'm concerned because I haven't been convinced by the responses from Disney and our AAA travel agent so far- they seem wishy-washy!
thanks for your help!

 

[clkelley]

If you are less than 60 days out, call DME directly. Give them your resort reservation number and make sure all names are correct and arriving flight numbers.

Then when she arrives at MCO she will go through immigration, then claim her checked luggage (if she has any), then go through customs. Then she has the option of placing her checked luggage on a separate carousel (or carrying it with her), and then proceeding to the main terminal and then down to DME.

When she gets to the main terminal, she has the option of claiming her own bags at the main baggage carousel OR just proceeding directly to DME.

When she arrives at DME, she just needs to provide her name and resort and they will print her bus pass. If she left her bags in the baggage carousel, then she can give them her claim checks and provide a description of the bags. If she has them with her then they will be loaded on the bus when she boards.

 

[maxsmomamy]

If you are less than 60 days out, call DME directly. Give them your resort reservation number and make sure all names are correct and arriving flight numbers.

Then when she arrives at MCO she will go through immigration, then claim her checked luggage (if she has any), then go through customs. Then she has the option of placing her checked luggage on a separate carousel (or carrying it with her), and then proceeding to the main terminal and then down to DME.

When she gets to the main terminal, she has the option of claiming her own bags at the main baggage carousel OR just proceeding directly to DME.

When she arrives at DME, she just needs to provide her name and resort and they will print her bus pass. If she left her bags in the baggage carousel, then she can give them her claim checks and provide a description of the bags. If she has them with her then they will be loaded on the bus when she boards.

THANK YOU! This is the information i needed- step by step. Why couldn't our travel agent say it this way?

 

[clkelley]

THANK YOU! This is the information i needed- step by step. Why couldn't our travel agent say it this way?

Unfortunately, your travel agent probably hasn't been to WDW, probably never been on a DME bus.

 

[DebbieB]

I checked KLM's website, are you sure she has a non-stop? I could not see any non-stops from AMS to MCO (don't know your dates so I used random dates). She will have to connect at another airport (JFK, ATL, DTW, MSP), she will clear customs there and have to recheck her luggage.

 

[seashoreCM]

I'm not sure how to make a reservation for her. I thought it all "magically" happened when I made our trip reservation! I guess it's another phone call to Disney!

Reserving Magical Express is a separate manual step. You need to reserve it for yourself too. They will take down the different flight numbers for everyone as needed.

Magical Express phone number (within USA): toll free 866-599-0951

 

[fitnessmouse]

The only airline that flies nonstop from ams-mco is martinair, and they won't do it much longer

 

[goofy4tink]

THANK YOU! This is the information i needed- step by step. Why couldn't our travel agent say it this way?

She couldn't have put it any better....took all the words right out of my mouth.
Your mother in law shouldn't have any issues. She can just get her bag (at whichever point works best for her) and then head to the DME counter on level 1, Side B. You might want to make her a copy of the map that comes in the info packet...that may make it very clear for her.

Since you said you have already spoken to DME, I'm assuming that all your DME reservations have been made..with your mother in law included.
I would just double check to be absolutely sure that you are all listed on the room reservation, as well as for DME. You can call DME directly to do that. She won't need anything when she gets to the DME welcome area other than ID...she will need to show that to prove she is who she says she is..the person listed on your reservation. I would also be sure she has your resort reservation number as well. Be well prepared for all eventualities...that way nothing will be needed!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Then she has the option of placing her checked luggage on a separate carousel (or carrying it with her), and then proceeding to the main terminal and then down to DME.

If she puts her luggage on the carousel, where does it come out? Might be a question her Oma has.

 

[DebbieB]

If she puts her luggage on the carousel, where does it come out? Might be a question her Oma has.

She was referring to when she exits the customs area (when entering the US on her international flight). When you go through customs with checked luggage, you have to claim your luggage, go through the customs line and then put it on a carousel to be sent to either baggage claim or to your next flight. If you have carryon luggage, you just take it with you out of the customs area.

 

[maxsmomamy]

I checked KLM's website, are you sure she has a non-stop? I could not see any non-stops from AMS to MCO (don't know your dates so I used random dates). She will have to connect at another airport (JFK, ATL, DTW, MSP), she will clear customs there and have to recheck her luggage.

Yep- I'm positive. I have her itinerary right here. She is able to find flights on her end that we can't see. thanks for looking out for us!

 

[maxsmomamy]

The only airline that flies nonstop from ams-mco is martinair, and they won't do it much longer

She's on a KLM flight operated by Martinair.
I found a good flight with a quick stop in London on British Air.

 

[clkelley]

If she puts her luggage on the carousel, where does it come out? Might be a question her Oma has.

It comes out on the main baggage carousel on Level 2. I don't know whether it is Side A or Side B. If on Side B, then very easy, claim the bag and continue downstairs to Level 1 and DME. If on Side A, then if she wants to claim the bag, then have to go back upstairs, cross to Side B, then back down to Level 1.

 

[maxsmomamy]

r.

Since you said you have already spoken to DME, I'm assuming that all your DME reservations have been made..with your mother in law included.
I would just double check to be absolutely sure that you are all listed on the room reservation, as well as for DME. You can call DME directly to do that. She won't need anything when she gets to the DME welcome area other than ID...she will need to show that to prove she is who she says she is..the person listed on your reservation. I would also be sure she has your resort reservation number as well. Be well prepared for all eventualities...that way nothing will be needed!!!

I called this morning- the gal in DME I spoke to was so nice (the first one yet!). Since our trip isn't for some time (March) she told me to call back in January. She also told me everything you all did- about stopping at the DME desk on B1- she pointed out that there are cast members to help throughout the airport too. Had I known, I would have started there and not bugged all of you!

I found it odd that when I spoke to someone in Disney reservations, they were so unhelpful- to top it off, today the person I spoke to there wouldn't accept my reservation number! It's an honest to goodness Disney number, not a AAA number- the same one that I used for ADR's (not the confirmation number, but the actual reservation number with room, tickets, etc. attached)
I don't know what the deal is, but it seems Disney cast member's are a little grouchy these days!

 

[maxsmomamy]

It comes out on the main baggage carousel on Level 2. I don't know whether it is Side A or Side B. If on Side B, then very easy, claim the bag and continue downstairs to Level 1 and DME. If on Side A, then if she wants to claim the bag, then have to go back upstairs, cross to Side B, then back down to Level 1.

I think she plans to only take a carry-on. That should be helpful.

 

[clkelley]

I found it odd that when I spoke to someone in Disney reservations, they were so unhelpful- to top it off, today the person I spoke to there wouldn't accept my reservation number! It's an honest to goodness Disney number, not a AAA number- the same one that I used for ADR's (not the confirmation number, but the actual reservation number with room, tickets, etc. attached)
I don't know what the deal is, but it seems Disney cast member's are a little grouchy these days!

Yeah, Disney Reservations can NOT talk to you about your AAA reservation since AAA owns it. They will only talk to the AAA agent. I know it's frustrating when you have a travel agent that doesn't seem knowledgeable to get the correct answers. Also the DME agent is correct, they don't see your information until 60 days out. However, once that date passes they will be MORE than happy to confirm that you have everyone listed correctly and will have the correct flight times.

It is all about training and computer systems. The folks at AAA take a basic training course on how to book Disney reservations. They are pretty good at getting the DME stuff booked too, but only if everyone is on the same flight. It takes a couple of extra computer screens to book folks on different flights.

The folks at DME know their system inside and out and will get it RIGHT WHEN they can see your info!!