Sign up or just show up for Magical Express?

[DISFANSTHREE]

Going to WDW in March,have not been in several years. Do we have to sign up before we fly down or can we just show up and get on the bus??Also we will pick up the bags are self, had problem before. Or should we just take a town car?? Don;t want to waste a lot of time,waiting for ME.. Me is a great service just took us 3 hr one time to get to WDW.. Thanks

 

[CleveRocks]

Make a DME reservation. You can't use DME without a specific reservation for it ... Disney's contract with the airport forbids them from accepting walk-ups.

That being said, if you DO make a DME reservation but don't use DME, there's no problem whatsoever. In other words, keep your options open by making that DME reservation ... you don't need to use DME if you have a reservation, but you can't use DME unless you have one.

Certainly, a 3 hour DME experience is a terrible one, but it's also a very rare one. Honestly, it's possible to have the same rare but terrible experience with a car service company (such as a driver no-show ... very rare, just like a 3 hour DME time).

 

[seashoreCM]

"You may not just show up" also applies to Magical Express going home.

You must have a reservation made at least a day in advance, with written confirmation. And also you must be punctual, actually being at your resort DME bus platform 15 minutes early for the specific bus whose departure time back to the airport is on your reservation paper.

 

[prncess674]

Make a DME reservation. You can't use DME without a specific reservation for it ... Disney's contract with the airport forbids them from accepting walk-ups.

Not so true. I had a last minute res and just told them my WDW hotel res number at the DME desk and was just ushered to the correct bus lane. I didn't have yellow tags, but just handed them my luggage claim checks, easy peasy. If you know your flight res, there is no reason to NOT to book in advance, but just showing up isn't a reason to just pay for transportation.

DME is a benefit of staying onsite.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Not so true. I had a last minute res and just told them my WDW hotel res number at the DME desk and was just ushered to the correct bus lane. I didn't have yellow tags, but just handed them my luggage claim checks, easy peasy. If you know your flight res, there is no reason to NOT to book in advance, but just showing up isn't a reason to just pay for transportation.

DME is a benefit of staying onsite.

If you were able to use Magical Express without a reservation, one of three things occurred:

• You had this experience with Magical Express prior to November 1, 2005.
• You actually had a Magical Express reservation, but you didn't know it.
• The Magical Express Cast Member violated the agreement between Walt Disney World and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

Disney could accept walk-ups before November 1, 2005.

During the first six months of Magical Express, Disney even had Cast Members with big white Mickey gloves at various places in the airport terminal, telling passengers about Magical Express and directing them to Magical Express.

Limo and towncar drivers protested that the same "no soliciting" rule that applied to them should also apply to Disney. The rules changed. Beginning November 1, 2005, all Magical Express passengers had to have reservations.

So Eric (CleveRocks) is correct in post #2 of this thread.

 

[safetymom]

Agree with everyone else. If you don't have a reservation when you get to the DME counter they will refuse to transport you.

 

[goofy4tink]

Not so true. I had a last minute res and just told them my WDW hotel res number at the DME desk and was just ushered to the correct bus lane. I didn't have yellow tags, but just handed them my luggage claim checks, easy peasy. If you know your flight res, there is no reason to NOT to book in advance, but just showing up isn't a reason to just pay for transportation.

DME is a benefit of staying onsite.

You got lucky. Cleverocks is absolutely right.....Disney's contract with the airport forbids them from taking walkups. It was a huge issue with the towncar companies.....too many people were being 'led' to DME, without previous reservations, and the towncar companies felt that business was being taken away from them.

You should make your reservation with DME. If you don't need it, then fine. No need to cancel it if you decide not to use it. If time is of the essence, then you may want to go with a car service. There have been many reports of DME taking longer than the old average of about 70 mins.

 

[seashoreCM]

I had a last minute res.

Call the DME hot line number, toll free 866-599-0951 even if your room reservation is very last minute.

Suggested for anything you order over the phone, jot down the name and city of the person you talked to, preferably at least two.

 

[prncess674]

Call the DME hot line number, toll free 866-599-0951 even if your room reservation is very last minute.

Suggested for anything you order over the phone, jot down the name and city of the person you talked to, preferably at least two.

It was July2008 and I never called that line and was traveling alone so no one else in my party would have called. My guess is that DME is just making a "phantom reservation" for each and every onsite guest registered to check in that day to circumvent the rule. Just my two cents, YMMV.

As I stated above, if you have an inkling that you may want to take it, then by all means take the time to make the DME reservation, there is no penalty for not using a free reservation.

 

[dudspizza]

My guess is that DME is just making a "phantom reservation" for each and every onsite guest registered to check in that day to circumvent the rule. Just my two cents, YMMV.

I wonder if the DME folks are really that stupid. If they were indeed doing this, it would be very easy for any news outlet to do an "undercover" test of the theory. If DME were exposed to doing this, there would be uproar amongst the towncar, bus, and taxi companies.... let alone a violation of the spirit of the contract Disney has with the airport.

If a passenger doesn't have a reservation, they have been sent over to Mears to pay for transport.

OP, make a reservation. Even if I booked a last minute trip that was leaving tomorrow, I would call and make the reservation. Takes a minute.

Have a nice day....

Duds

 

[Lewisc]

"You may not just show up" also applies to Magical Express going home.

You must have a reservation made at least a day in advance, with written confirmation. And also you must be punctual, actually being at your resort DME bus platform 15 minutes early for the specific bus whose departure time back to the airport is on your reservation paper.

You don't need written confirmation, the CM at the DME desk will reprint your voucher. I thought the rule was the reservation had to be made prior to landing at MCO.

I suspect some TAs may make a DME reservation for clients, leaving the flight information as pending.

There were a couple of posters who were accomodated by DME, without an advance reservation, under special circumstances. One poster, with a rental reservaion, found the agency didn't have the reserved car.

 

[prncess674]

I wonder if the DME folks are really that stupid. If they were indeed doing this, it would be very easy for any news outlet to do an "undercover" test of the theory. If DME were exposed to doing this, there would be uproar amongst the towncar, bus, and taxi companies.... let alone a violation of the spirit of the contract Disney has with the airport.

If a passenger doesn't have a reservation, they have been sent over to Mears to pay for transport.

OP, make a reservation. Even if I booked a last minute trip that was leaving tomorrow, I would call and make the reservation. Takes a minute.

Have a nice day....

Duds

As stated before, YMMV, but I DID show up July 2008, had not given them any flight information and did NOT call in advance the DME desk, had no voucher or yellow tags, joined the queue for the DME desk, told them my room confirmation number for the Beach Club and was nicely directed to the complimentary shuttle.

I too made the same point to the OP that if you are even condidering using DME give yourself extra comfort by making a reservation.

Not sure what the attitude is for, but I had a different experience than you, sorry if you don't believe me that this is what happened.

Not sure why you think that this would qualify WDW as stupid, it is considerd a CYA on their part, as long as they have a reservation, then any guest may use the transport that is considered part of the paid room rate. If you would like to quote the specific code that the reservation must be requested by the guest and not the hotel I would be happy to see that in writing.

 

[dudspizza]

As stated before, YMMV, but I DID show up July 2008, had not given them any flight information and did NOT call in advance the DME desk, had no voucher or yellow tags, joined the queue for the DME desk, told them my room confirmation number for the Beach Club and was nicely directed to the complimentary shuttle.

I too made the same point to the OP that if you are even condidering using DME give yourself extra comfort by making a reservation.

Not sure what the attitude is for, but I had a different experience than you, sorry if you don't believe me that this is what happened.

No attitude at all. I never once said I didn't believe you. I think your were lucky, but as you say, YMMV. I am not going to doubt you in one bit that you were able to get on DME, I wasn't there. I am just saying your experience is not standard operating procedure. I surely wouldn't want to walk up hoping that they will accept me. Some of the folks reading this may think they can just walk up and get on DME.... Disney has said a reservation is needed, per their contract with the airport. My comment about news outlets was that it would be very easy to "bust" Disney if they were indeed making phantom reservations... I don't think Disney would want to get busted that way.... IMO.

Again, no attitude at all. It is a wonderful day.

Have a nice day.

 

[Lewisc]

PPs are correct. Disney's contract with MCO requires a DME reservation prior to arriving at MCO. Flight information is requested, but not required. You don't need a voucher, the CM can re-print your voucher.


I believe you. It's possible whoever made your resort reservation also made a DME reservation. There is no downside to making a DME reservation at the same time you make your reserot reservation. It's also possible the CME at the DME desk made an exception. Usually that requires a reason, such as my towncar driver didn't show or my rental agency didn't have my reserved car.

Not sure what the attitude is for, but I had a different experience than you, sorry if you don't believe me that this is what happened.

Not sure why you think that this would qualify WDW as stupid, it is considerd a CYA on their part, as long as they have a reservation, then any guest may use the transport that is considered part of the paid room rate. If you would like to quote the specific code that the reservation must be requested by the guest and not the hotel I would be happy to see that in writing.

 

[kaytieeldr]

As stated before, YMMV, but I DID show up July 2008, had not given them any flight information and did NOT call in advance the DME desk, had no voucher or yellow tags, joined the queue for the DME desk, told them my room confirmation number for the Beach Club and was nicely directed to the complimentary shuttle.

Then, as Horace stated,

The Magical Express Cast Member violated the agreement between Walt Disney World and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

I too made the same point to the OP that if you are even condidering using DME give yourself extra comfort by making a reservation.

It's not "extra comfort". Reservations are required. To claim one's singular experience indicates that Magical Express will take anyone who walks up (and that's exactly what's being claimed, based on one specific experience) is disingenuous.

Not sure why you think that this would qualify WDW as stupid, it is considerd a CYA on their part, as long as they have a reservation, then any guest may use the transport that is considered part of the paid room rate.

That would be any Guest with an advance Magical Express reservation - not merely a resort room reservation.

 

[seashoreCM]

You don't need written confirmation, the CM at the DME desk will reprint your voucher.

Disneybound with a very short notice room ressie, you get out the envelope on which you jotted down the name and city of the person you talked to on the phone (q.v. above) only if asked.

Do overseas guests not receive a DME booklet as well as not receive yellow tags?

 

[Manda]

Huh. I walked onto to DME without a previously-made reservation, too. January, 2008. Snowstorm in Chicago stranded me in Orlando. Arrived at MCO to catch my return flight and found out that I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon, rebooked my flight, and called Disney to make a new reservation as we walked back down to the DME counter. Was on a DME bus 10 minutes later.

Of course, it seems that you shouldn't count on being able to do that. I'd definitely make the reservation in advance. Just interesting to know that I shouldn't have been able to.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't think MCO has an issue with Disney bending rules to accomodate a distressed passenger. I don't know if DME can be reserved at the same time a hotel room is booked, even if it's the same day.

Huh. I walked onto to DME without a previously-made reservation, too. January, 2008. Snowstorm in Chicago stranded me in Orlando. Arrived at MCO to catch my return flight and found out that I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon, rebooked my flight, and called Disney to make a new reservation as we walked back down to the DME counter. Was on a DME bus 10 minutes later.

Of course, it seems that you shouldn't count on being able to do that. I'd definitely make the reservation in advance. Just interesting to know that I shouldn't have been able to.

 

[dudspizza]

I don't think MCO has an issue with Disney bending rules to accomodate a distressed passenger. I don't know if DME can be reserved at the same time a hotel room is booked, even if it's the same day.

Where's our man, Edd, when we need someone to quote the specifics of the contract Disney has with MCO...... he probably has more knowledge of what should and shouldn't be able to be done at MCO....

Oh Edd........... calling Edd..........

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> ... wasn't going anywhere (out of Orlando) soon ...

It makes sense to allow a DME reservation immediately after any room reservation no matter how short the notice.

Also, picture all of this (hypothetical):

Passenger: You mean the next flight out is tomorrow? Can you put me up in a hotel?
Airline agent: Sorry, the cancellation was due to weather, you're on your own.
Passenger (on phone): I'd like to book a room for the night, do you have an airport shuttle?
Airport hotel agent: Sorry, we have no vacancy.
Passenger (on phone): I'd like to book a room for the night, can I use your airport shuttle?
Disney's Pop Century Resort CM: Yes, after you get off the phone, go over to Side B and go down to the lowest level. (to DME)

What would you do (as airport supervisor)?
What would you do (as owner of a towncar service)?