Swan & Dolphin. Magical Express?

[lovedoggies]

We may extend our January trip a couple days and are thinking about staying at either the Swan or Dolphin to stay at a little nicer resort to end our trip (would love to stay at a Disney deluxe but prices are too high).

I heard the Swan and Dolphin dont participate in the Magical Express program. Is this true? How would we get back to the airport? Are their affordable alternatives? We don't really want to rent a car for the week. The towncar places are kind of expensive. Any ideas?

 

[Bob P]

That is correct... Swan and Dolphin are not owned by Disney and therefore do not have Magical Express.

Your options mainly come down to renting a car, taking a cab, taking a car service, or taking a shuttle like Mears.

 

[lovedoggies]

Do you know if there is a local car rental place where we can rent the car just for that one day? If its close enough that maybe we can get to it using Disney Transportation or a SHORT taxi ride, we'll just get the cheapest one they have & drive it to the airport. Does that sound feasible?

 

[Bob P]

Sure, you can rent a car for a day anywhere. There is a National/Alamo kiosk at the Dolphin.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi, A few years ago, we booked a town car for $55 one way (plus tip)from resort to airport. It was easy and affordable. Not sure what they charge now. I wouldn't hesitate to book a towncar for Swan Dolphin transportation.

Some added info... I emailed Disney last year and told them I have been pleased with ME and it would be great if they included Swan Dolphin in the ME arrangement. I actually received a phone call from them thanking me for the suggestion and that they were going to mention this at the next meeting (I guess that didn't pan out) or consider it in the future.

During the phone call, Disney informed me I could book Mears transportation in the meantime. I told them after my last experience with Mears, no thank you, it was a nightmare. I do realize Mears operates ME, but the service is not the same unless you are lucky enough to board an ME bus through Mears and there is no guarantee of that (unless something has changed).
tink