Short Notice Trip!

[zackrspv]

Hello, sorry for the caps, but it is very very important.

I've read through the board (tons of good information by the way), however i'm comming up short on short notice stuff.

We just recieved notice yesterday that we had vacation time comming up (i hate federal jobs!), and we were lucky enough to plan a 10 day trip to WDW from Oct 27 - Nov 6 However, there are problems, i posted one question on the DME thread, and hope to get an answer, but i have more relating to transportation and such:

1. I called WDW Reservations and spoke to our agent, and they stated that the trip was finalized, and that with our Premium package we get DME, however we have to make reservations 10 days in advance, lol gee, let me think, i have what 3? So not sure what to do on this.

2. Flight information, WDW travle package, ect, any mailings comming from disney world may not get to me on time, if that's the case what do i do?

2a. Flight information, we, according to our agent, have been booked on Air Trans 871 from MSP to MCO (yay, thank goodness for finally getting something right in this fiasco), however, we have no idea our confirmation number (to check our flight status) or our seat numbers (um, scary), so what do i do for this?

3. Our rooms have been booked (yay for vacancy's at AKL ), so no problems there, but with such a short notice will DME still work to get our baggage to our rooms on time?

4. If, due to the time constraint, DME won't work for us, are there any other transportation options that would best fit my situation? I have a 4 y/o and a 18 week prego mommy to bring w/ me

5. SUGGESTIONS, OMG DO I NEED SUGGESTIONS. We wanted to take a cruise, but decided an actual WDW trip was better, so, give me suggestions on what to bring, what to plan for on this trip, ect in regards to this thread.

Thanks!

 

[plutolovr]

Hopefully I can answer some of your questions.

Flights: Call your TA and ask her for your Record Locator Number and seat numbers. Didn't she send you an invoice? This should have all this information on it. This close in she may not have been able to get you seats. Although on AirTran you can check in 24 hours prior and pick seats if they're available. Airlines hold a certain amount of seat to be given out at the gate, so you may not be able to get some until then.

ME: I would call the ME number. (not sure what it is, you can do a search on this site and probably find it). They can probably make your reservation, but you will have to take your own luggage. And as long as you are travelling before Nov. 1, you can still go to ME counter and arrange for transportation. An alternative would be a town car or rental car or taxi.

Disney Package: You said you booked Premium package (with dining and such, I assume). Did TA book this or did you book this? I'm not sure what comes with your vouchers, but usually with Disney there really isn't anything pertinent in your paperwork. When you check-in they should have your package information. With Disney everything is connected to your room key/ticket. If you are to get any kind of special gift where a voucher is included just let the front desk know you did not receive it, they can probably help out.

Hopefully this helps.

 

[zackrspv]

Thanks for the quick reply.

We talked to WDW directly to make the reservation, so the agent, (TA i'm assuming you called it) is WDW. As to the invoice, just a confirmation email. As to specifics, such as room number, flight information (aside from flight #) was not included. We did speak to the TA on the 25th about the flight and they said it would take about a day to book completly, so hopefully today when i call WDW back they'll have all the information for me.


We arrive at WDW on the 27th of October, so as that's before Nov 1st, i'm glad all i have to do is go up to the counter, as to your comment 'you'll have to take your own luggage.' what do you mean?

Disney Package: You said you booked Premium package (with dining and such, I assume). WDW booked this, we opted for the premium package, yes, with the dining, and such, trip cost us about $9.4k lol but worth it as we RARELY get vacation times.

I'm not sure what comes with your vouchers, but usually with Disney there really isn't anything pertinent in your paperwork. I'm not sure what you mean by vouchers, keep in mind i'm a complete newb when it comes to booking WDW trips LOl which is why i called the WDW telephone number instead of booking online.

As it stands i only have the confirmation information in the email after the transaction went through on my card :/ When clicking on 'my vacations' on my WDW online account i can see the reservation, but no room numbers, no flight seat numbers, no flight confirmation numbers, and that's about it LOL just the basic information. I'm sure that's just because it is short notice, as the TA at WDW did say the rooms were reserved and our tickets waiting for us.

What else should i ask them about when i call them today?

 

[plutolovr]

Hope I can clairify.

Usually with a "package" some companies give vouchers that you MUST have with you when checking in. Disney does not do this. So I mean that all you have to do at check-in is show ID and all your information is in their system and they can access all your package components. The only exception is if they are offering some sort of extra like a pin lanyard or someting which will require a voucher of some kind. Just make sure you tell them this was last minute and you never received any paperwork.

You won't get your room number until check-in.

Call CRO today and find out if they have your flight information yet. They should be able to give you that information over the phone. As I said before with AirTran you can check-in online 24 hours before departure, so let the TA know that you need your AirTran confirmation number so you can do this.

As far as ME goes. If you did not book far enough in advance to receive your luggage tags (which is indication to baggage to pull you bags and send them off to your resort), you will have to claim your own luggage at the airport and it will be put on the bus that you are taking to the resort.

 

[clkelley]

Hope I can clairify.



As far as ME goes. If you did not book far enough in advance to receive your luggage tags (which is indication to baggage to pull you bags and send them off to your resort), you will have to claim your own luggage at the airport and it will be put on the bus that you are taking to the resort.

I would call the Magical Express #1 866 599-0951 and get Magical Express reservations or alternately call CRO back and get reservations for Magical Express. Since your return home is after November 1st, you need advance reservations for that.

You will not receive luggage tags. However, if you don't want to fool with luggage upon your arrival you can do the following. Make a bright yellow tag for each of your bags with your name and resort name on the tag. When you get to the Magical Express desk at MCO give the desk person your luggage claim tickets and an example of what your bright yellow homemade tags look like. They will then send someone to pull your luggage from the carousel for you.

If that makes you nervous, then you can always drop by the luggage carousel and get your luggage yourself, but with little ones, I would let Disney do it for me.

Carol