Renting points and one-way Magic Express

[GaryDis]

We're renting points, but because we're going from MCO to Universal, and then to BWV, we only need Magic Express for the return trip from BWV to MCO.

Does this need to be added to the reservation in advance? Does it need to be done by the point's owner, or by us?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes, it will need to be added in advance of using ME - you have to have the voucher in order to ride. And if on a DVC reservation then it is asked to be added by the owner. If you contacted MDE directly they might do it for you but I think they even have a message stating to reserve with MS if you are DVC.

 

[bumbershoot]

You *can* arrange it once you're there. (b/c you're only looking for the back-to-the-airport trip)

Or you can have the owner arrange it ahead of time.

 

[GaryDis]

Do we need to make it explicit in the reservation that it's one way? Or is it safe to just say it's MDE, not show up at MCO for the trip to the resort, but still show up for the return trip?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

You'll only give them the return flight info. You don't check into BWV on the day you fly in so they couldn't even put that in if you wanted. We frequently have split stays and each resort reservation then only has one way MDE reservations.

 

[GaryDis]

You'll only give them the return flight info. You don't check into BWV on the day you fly in so they couldn't even put that in if you wanted. We frequently have split stays and each resort reservation then only has one way MDE reservations.

Does that mean we can't even give them the MDE reservation until we have our flight info?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The time for MDE pickup is based on the flights you are on and the flight info is what the need to make the MDE reservation. It can be made even a couple days ahead of time.

 

[gdrj]

Does that mean we can't even give them the MDE reservation until we have our flight info?

That is correct. They will ask you for your flight number and your return trip will be scheduled based on the scheduled departure time (Approx 3 hours prior). As others have said you can schedule ahead of time or at least 24 hours ahead of departure. I recommend doing it ahead of time.

 

[DebbieB]

I had a split stay last year. The first part of the trip was on my points at VGF, so I sent in the DME info for arrival. My friend did the second part of the stay at WL on cash. She was leaving the day after me so I just made my return reservation at the WL front desk after we checked in.

 

[luckyman_apd]

Technically if you are NOT the DCV member....you can't make a reservation....the person you rented from needs to do it for you if it's done in advance. What I'm going to post here about Magic Expressed has been argued by many, but conversations I've had with DVC cast members, and Disney customer service.....for a ride FROM MCO to a Disney resort, if you have a magic band, you will get a ride whether you scheduled it or not. Anyone with a valid Disney resort reservation that appears with a magic band scan will be given a ride. My father doesn't listen to me, and arrived a few days earlier than us. He told me he was getting a ride to the resort from his cousin who he went to visit a few days in advance. On the day of our check in, he decided to take a cab to the airport instead to hop the magic express bus. In a panic (because I had never scheduled him for ME, I called to see if I could add him really quick. I was assured on the phone that he would be given a ride and there was no need to schedule it. When he arrived at the DME counter, he scanned his band, his reservation for BLT came up and he was allowed on the bus....no issues. HOWEVER.....if you do not schedule DME in advance, you will NOT get any luggage tags and therefore you will need to go to baggage claim and retrieve your luggage yourself.

If you do not have DME reserved for your flight home, you can always add it after check in. I would NOT wait until checkout day. It should be done AT least 24 hours in advance if not sooner.

 

[disneynutz]

DME is reading MB's instead or vouchers. If you reserved DME but didn't use the yellow tags, the line podium CM will record your claim check numbers and they will collect your luggage and deliver it to your room. We just used the no yellow tags plan and had zero issues. The counter at MCO DME is still there but not used, the line podium CM will take care of you. Official policy is that DVC DME needs to be booked through MS but many of MS and DME CM's don't know the policy. I have been told that the policy insures that the DME cost is correctly applied to DVC.

 

[GaryDis]

For what it's worth, my rental broker's web site was totally prepared for the possibility of only using DME one way, with separate check boxes for each direction. My confirmation from Disney came quickly, so we're all set.

I'm thinking that if I were a DVC owner, I could never rent out points because my personal turnaround time for unscheduled requests is two to three days at a minimum. I've gotten responses from the broker and DVC member requests all handled within 24 hours, including the difficult-to-get BWV standard studios during F&W.

Thanks to all for your advice.

 

[Sandisw]

You should have no problem adding on DME from BWV to MCO once you arrive. Yes, prior to arriving, since the reservation is owned by the DVC member, they are usually the one who has to set it up. But, once you check in, you are a guest and can arrange your DME ride back to the airport. Just go to the Conceirge, give them your flight info and they will arrange DME for the return back. As mentioned, I would do it when you arrive and don't wait until the last minute.