Riding DME bus without existing DME reservation.

[goofy4tink]

Ok, there was some question as to how this worked. You forget to make a reservation with DME, but still want to ride the bus. In the past, we had been told that you can't just walk up to the DME check in area and get on the bus without an existing reservation. I actually asked a CM last week. He told me, very quickly, that as long as you have a resort reservation (WDW owned resort), you will be allowed on the bus. No need for an existing bus reservation.
Thought I would share that with you all. Will I forgo making a bus reservation? Nope. Still feel safer having that reservation.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think that there's just an intermediate step of making the dame reservation with a CM at the airport. You can't just get on the bus.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I think that there's just an intermediate step of making the dame reservation with a CM at the airport. You can't just get on the bus.

I think making a reservation with a dame might be illegal in Florida.

MG

 

[dis_guy]

I think making a reservation with a dame might be illegal in Florida.
MG

Too funny! I think you may just be right on that though...

I think it basically comes down to the agreement DME has with the airport authority requiring that DME requires advanced reservations. Now, having said that, I certainly don't think Disney wants to risk upsetting guests arriving without reservations by turning them away, so they accommodate guests without reservations as needed.

 

[Charleytiel]

That is correct. As long as you are on a current reservation at one of the resorts serviced by DME, you can ride the bus. Having your resort reservation number is helpful as just searching by name is not always successful.

Now, if your cousin Larry just tagged along at the last minute and is not on the resort reservation, he will not be riding the bus. You'll have to contact the resort to get him added. Or, he can go to the Mears counter and purchase a ticket. It's $23 one way and $37 round trip.

Getting angry, yelling, cursing, threatening won't help. It just holds up the line and makes you look like a jerk to the people behind you being delayed.

Even tiny babies must be on there although they will usually be added since they obviously can't be left behind. This is actually a safety issue. Should anything happen with the motor coach enroute, everybody on it must be accounted for. Even a service animal has to be listed!

 

[Tinker06]

That is correct. As long as you are on a current reservation at one of the resorts serviced by DME, you can ride the bus. Having your resort reservation number is helpful as just searching by name is not always successful.

Now, if your cousin Larry just tagged along at the last minute and is not on the resort reservation, he will not be riding the bus. You'll have to contact the resort to get him added. Or, he can go to the Mears counter and purchase a ticket. It's $23 one way and $37 round trip.

Getting angry, yelling, cursing, threatening won't help. It just holds up the line and makes you look like a jerk to the people behind you being delayed.

Even tiny babies must be on there although they will usually be added since they obviously can't be left behind. This is actually a safety issue. Should anything happen with the motor coach enroute, everybody on it must be accounted for. Even a service animal has to be listed!

That is incorrect. Last month we stayed at CBR. My mother in law tagged along and rode DME no problem, even without a reservation. We just told them she was joining us for the day.

 

[Charleytiel]

Then somebody slipped up unless she was added as a "day guest". More than once I've seen people turned away because they were not on the resort reservation.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would be more than peeved if someone got on the DME without being listed on a resort reservation! We've seen way too many situations where people are told no, they must be listed on the reservation. If not on the reservation, they can go to Mears, pay to ride, and then, more than likely, be put on the exact same bus.

This is why I asked when I got there. We have been told that the contract Disney/Mears holds with MCO is that no one be allowed to just get on the bus. This was put in place, I believe, to placate the cab/car service drivers. They lost out on a ton of revenue when DME came into being. So, if you didn't have an existing reservation, you weren't allowed on the bus But now, we are seeing that guests are allowed on the bus without existing reservations...just have to be listed on the resort reservation. Ok...I'm sort of okay with that. But allowing anyone and everyone to board a bus, without even being on a resort reservation? Nope, not good with that.

 

[supersnoop]

But now, we are seeing that guests are allowed on the bus without existing reservations...just have to be listed on the resort reservation.

I think we're getting lost in the terminology. If you don't have a DME reservation but are staying at a resort, then you go to the desk and make a reservation. Everyone on the bus has a reservation; just not always an "advance" reservation. I'm pretty sure that's always been the rule.

 

[goofy4tink]

I think we're getting lost in the terminology. If you don't have a DME reservation but are staying at a resort, then you go to the desk and make a reservation. Everyone on the bus has a reservation; just not always an "advance" reservation. I'm pretty sure that's always been the rule.

Nope, for years you had to have an existing DME reservation when you arrived at MCO. According to the contract with MCO, DME wasn't supposed to allow 'walkups', and going to the counter would be considered a walk-up. That was to discourage people from arriving at MCO, and going directly to DME, and getting on the 'free' bus, without a reservation....those people would have used a cab or car service in years past! So, in order to placate those drivers, that stipulation was put into the contract. I know...I asked years ago. I was told that every person wanting to ride the bus had to have an existing reservation...that they couldn't make one on the spot. But, that has obviously changed...not sure when though.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Nope, for years you had to have an existing DME reservation when you arrived at MCO. According to the contract with MCO, DME wasn't supposed to allow 'walkups', and going to the counter would be considered a walk-up. That was to discourage people from arriving at MCO, and going directly to DME, and getting on the 'free' bus, without a reservation....those people would have used a cab or car service in years past! So, in order to placate those drivers, that stipulation was put into the contract. I know...I asked years ago. I was told that every person wanting to ride the bus had to have an existing reservation...that they couldn't make one on the spot. But, that has obviously changed...not sure when though.

Could it be due to better computers and reservation systems where the can "on the spot" see a reservation manifest??

MG

 

[goofy4tink]

Could it be due to better computers and reservation systems where the can "on the spot" see a reservation manifest??

MG

Maybe? But, I've had less than stellar experiences when making a change to my resort (in plenty of time for DME to get the info)! Actually had to argue with one DME CM about where I was staying!!!!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

At least until the limo drivers hear about this and pitch another fit. A very reliable source tells me the contract says you must reserve in advance or DME can't take you. (Added to make the limo drivers happy)

I think the only thing that has changed is Disney is not playing by the rules, the airport could care less, they get paid either way so someone has to pitch a fit.

 

[mb187143]

Nope, for years you had to have an existing DME reservation when you arrived at MCO. According to the contract with MCO, DME wasn't supposed to allow 'walkups', and going to the counter would be considered a walk-up. That was to discourage people from arriving at MCO, and going directly to DME, and getting on the 'free' bus, without a reservation....those people would have used a cab or car service in years past! So, in order to placate those drivers, that stipulation was put into the contract. I know...I asked years ago. I was told that every person wanting to ride the bus had to have an existing reservation...that they couldn't make one on the spot. But, that has obviously changed...not sure when though.

The first time I was able to walk up to the counter and make an "on the spot" reservation was 2012. I was fully prepared for them to say no and then go get on a Mears shuttle but I figured I'd ask. They looked up my reservation and printed me a voucher right there and then I got on a bus about 10 minutes later to AKL. I had not made advance reservations for that trip because I had originally planned on driving down but plans changed late in the game and I completely forgot to call DME.

So, it's been possible for at least the last 4 years, though I wonder if it was subject to who you asked.

I understand the purpose of providing people the facts and the official information and I think that is wise, but like so many other things at Disney, a lot is dependent on who you ask.

 

[AngiTN]

Nope, for years you had to have an existing DME reservation when you arrived at MCO. According to the contract with MCO, DME wasn't supposed to allow 'walkups', and going to the counter would be considered a walk-up. That was to discourage people from arriving at MCO, and going directly to DME, and getting on the 'free' bus, without a reservation....those people would have used a cab or car service in years past! So, in order to placate those drivers, that stipulation was put into the contract. I know...I asked years ago. I was told that every person wanting to ride the bus had to have an existing reservation...that they couldn't make one on the spot. But, that has obviously changed...not sure when though.

Whatcha wanna bet that hasn't changed either. Just over the years the front line CM have either lost being training with that knowledge or no longer worry about getting caught
Because we all know that just a CM saying it doesn't mean it's the correct policy
And the last thing they want to do is turn away guests and tell them nope, we know you are staying on site but since you forgot to call and book ME in advance we aren't taking you, you have to pay to get to the resort. What a fine how do you do to start off your vacation

 

[goofy4tink]

The first time I was able to walk up to the counter and make an "on the spot" reservation was 2012. I was fully prepared for them to say no and then go get on a Mears shuttle but I figured I'd ask. They looked up my reservation and printed me a voucher right there and then I got on a bus about 10 minutes later to AKL. I had not made advance reservations for that trip because I had originally planned on driving down but plans changed late in the game and I completely forgot to call DME.

So, it's been possible for at least the last 4 years, though I wonder if it was subject to who you asked.

I understand the purpose of providing people the facts and the official information and I think that is wise, but like so many other things at Disney, a lot is dependent on who you ask.

Whatcha wanna bet that hasn't changed either. Just over the years the front line CM have either lost being training with that knowledge or no longer worry about getting caught
Because we all know that just a CM saying it doesn't mean it's the correct policy
And the last thing they want to do is turn away guests and tell them nope, we know you are staying on site but since you forgot to call and book ME in advance we aren't taking you, you have to pay to get to the resort. What a fine how do you do to start off your vacation

And there we have it...exactly!! I know what was in that contract with the airport. It was pretty well documented, and for years you couldn't just walk up. But...I'm sure it's a case of making the guest happy!!
I am a strong proponent of giving out the 'official' info. It may be info that can be tweaked or worked, but it's the official word. I told posters that I would ask about this issue when I was there, and kept forgetting. But, I remembered this time. I'll probably ask again...just for giggles. But, it's always good to have the 'official' word. Now, of course, who knows what the official word is at this point!!!

 

[Charleytiel]

The "official" word changes regularly. Six months ago the "groupers" you checked in with only had to have one magic band per reservation scanned. Now, whenever possible and unless lines are extremely long, they are to have all bands scanned. At the other end of the queue, just before boarding the bus, only one is required.

 

[goofy4tink]

Gotta love Disney!!! And all it's contractors. There is seldom a final 'official' word!!! Makes it hard to give out good info!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Well, the question is.... Just how far in advance? 10 minutes prior is indeed an advance reservation.

MG

 

[SnowWhite112]

Just three weeks ago we were back at MCO to get on our return flight home. Well, our return flight got cancelled and the next flight our airline was able to put us on was TWO days later. So I got on my phone and booked two nights at Coronado and walked to Magical Express. They scanned our band and we were put on a bus to go right back to Disney, no questions asked. I didn't even have to explain that we had to make the last-minute resort reservation or that we were stranded or anything, and they never asked why we didn't have DME reservations.