Unexpected Visitor - adding to room reservation - can they use DME?

[iheartjuppy]

We are staying at AKL in May to surprise my DS4 (turning 5 on trip) and his sister (DD1). We booked directly through Disney and are utilizing DME for the very first time. My mom has decided to surprise my son by flying in on his actual birthday and spending the night with us. I'm planning to add her to our room reservation (we'll then be 3 adults, 1 child, 1 infant) for that single night. Will she be able to use DME as well? I was worried that adding her flight might somehow screw up our reservation if they are on different days. Has anyone had success (or problems) booking DME for someone arriving on a later date on your reservation?

Also, she is only carrying a small backpack and wants to meet us at MK as quickly as possible. I haven't seen anything that indicates DME goes anywhere but the resorts, so assume she has to go directly to a/the resort. If she doesn't need to drop anything off or pick up a room key, etc. does she have to get off at AKL or could she be allowed to take it to something like the Contemporary so she could walk or monorail much faster than waiting for a bus from AKL?

I know I can ask reservations but have gotten conflicting information from CMs on other questions so thought I'd check for anecdotal experience here first. We are planning on following the rules, she's not about to sneak onto the wrong bus, etc. and she is absolutely going to be a registered guest but will buy her park ticket at the gate since she only needs a 1 day ticket (non-hopper). Anything we can do to get her into the park with as little wasted time and money so she can maximize her time with our family is appreciated. We're weighing time AND expense, so a taxi isn't really an effective option for her. She'll be with us in WDW less than 24 hours and will be spending 3 1/2 hrs on a plane each way to do so, so we appreciate any help and advice to make it a smooth process!

 

[sam_gordon]

We are staying at AKL in May to surprise my DS4 (turning 5 on trip) and his sister (DD1). We booked directly through Disney and are utilizing DME for the very first time. My mom has decided to surprise my son by flying in on his actual birthday and spending the night with us. I'm planning to add her to our room reservation (we'll then be 3 adults, 1 child, 1 infant) for that single night. Will she be able to use DME as well? I was worried that adding her flight might somehow screw up our reservation if they are on different days. Has anyone had success (or problems) booking DME for someone arriving on a later date on your reservation?

Also, she is only carrying a small backpack and wants to meet us at MK as quickly as possible. I haven't seen anything that indicates DME goes anywhere but the resorts, so assume she has to go directly to a/the resort. If she doesn't need to drop anything off or pick up a room key, etc. does she have to get off at AKL or could she be allowed to take it to something like the Contemporary so she could walk or monorail much faster than waiting for a bus from AKL?

I know I can ask reservations but have gotten conflicting information from CMs on other questions so thought I'd check for anecdotal experience here first. We are planning on following the rules, she's not about to sneak onto the wrong bus, etc. and she is absolutely going to be a registered guest but will buy her park ticket at the gate since she only needs a 1 day ticket (non-hopper). Anything we can do to get her into the park with as little wasted time and money so she can maximize her time with our family is appreciated. We're weighing time AND expense, so a taxi isn't really an effective option for her. She'll be with us in WDW less than 24 hours and will be spending 3 1/2 hrs on a plane each way to do so, so we appreciate any help and advice to make it a smooth process!

As long as she is listed on the reservation, she can utilize DME. However, one thing to check is if you're utilizing a Dining plan, I don't know how that works adding someone partially through the stay.

She will HAVE to take the DME bus to AKL, then she can bus to MK. DME will only deliver you to the resort you're staying at. Now, if her bus happens to be stopping at one of the MK resorts before going to AKL, she can get off there, but that's doubtful.

 

[kaytieeldr]

On the other hand, if the backpack is small enough that it doesn't have to go under the bus, she can exit the DME bus with all her stuff at its first stop, and transfer to the MK bus there.

 

[iheartjuppy]

Her stuff will definitely be small enough to just hold on her lap. She'll be happy to hop off ASAP, I just didn't know if they use some sort of checklist at your destination point to make sure you're at the right stop, etc. If she's OK to hop off at the first stop, she'd DEFINITELY prefer to do so!

We're not on DDP so that won't be an issue.

Thank you!

 

[sam_gordon]

On the other hand, if the backpack is small enough that it doesn't have to go under the bus, she can exit the DME bus with all her stuff at its first stop, and transfer to the MK bus there.

True. But, IMO, unless it's one of the MK resorts, I don't think you're saving much time. Since you're dependent on Disney busses, it's possible if she gets off at POFQ (for example), she just misses the MK bus, but at AKL, she catches the bus right away.

 

[iheartjuppy]

I think I'll also have to do some homework into the bus systems - do the ME buses always have the same route? (i.e. if you've taken it to AKL, has it always stopped at the same resorts in the same order en route?) If it varies widely, such as one trip to AKL you stopped at the Poly and Contemporary, once you stopped at Pop and CBR, etc. I won't take the gamble. Same with regular Disney buses. I've only stayed at AKL for one visit but it seemed we always stopped at the same 1-2 resorts (forget now) on our way to MK. Depending on the route/distance/time we can try to figure out our best options.

Again, if both sets of routes change depending on the day/week/season/crowds it is just a gamble!

 

[sam_gordon]

I think I'll also have to do some homework into the bus systems - do the ME buses always have the same route? (i.e. if you've taken it to AKL, has it always stopped at the same resorts in the same order en route?) If it varies widely, such as one trip to AKL you stopped at the Poly and Contemporary, once you stopped at Pop and CBR, etc. I won't take the gamble. Same with regular Disney buses. I've only stayed at AKL for one visit but it seemed we always stopped at the same 1-2 resorts (forget now) on our way to MK. Depending on the route/distance/time we can try to figure out our best options.

Again, if both sets of routes change depending on the day/week/season/crowds it is just a gamble!

DME doesn't always use the same route. It depends on arrivals and what resorts are "needed". They will try to be efficient, so I don't really see combining a MK resort with AKL, but it's possible.

I think Disney buses GENERALLY use the same route. IE: WL-> Poly -> GF -> Park.

 

[dudspizza]

I agree it is highly unlikely that AKL will be grouped with a MK resort... but you never know. Best bet is to get off at the first stop and grab the MK bus.

Now, I won't hurt to politely ask at the DME check in desk if she can be put on a but going to CR as all they can say is no......

Duds

 

[stitchlovestink]

But my question would be is she going to want to keep that bag with her in the park the entire time or is it something she might want to leave with Bell services? if it is something she might want to leave with Bell services so she doesn't have to lug it thru the park all day, then I would say she'd definitely need to go to AKL and drop it off at Bell Services quickly before hopping on the bus to MK. I know you say it's a small bag, but still does she want to hang onto it ALL DAY at MK?? just asking??

 

[sam_gordon]

But my question would be is she going to want to keep that bag with her in the park the entire time or is it something she might want to leave with Bell services? if it is something she might want to leave with Bell services so she doesn't have to lug it thru the park all day, then I would say she'd definitely need to go to AKL and drop it off at Bell Services quickly before hopping on the bus to MK. I know you say it's a small bag, but still does she want to hang onto it ALL DAY at MK?? just asking??

Getting a locker at MK to stow the bag is also an option.

 

[goofy4tink]

I think I'll also have to do some homework into the bus systems - do the ME buses always have the same route? (i.e. if you've taken it to AKL, has it always stopped at the same resorts in the same order en route?) If it varies widely, such as one trip to AKL you stopped at the Poly and Contemporary, once you stopped at Pop and CBR, etc. I won't take the gamble. Same with regular Disney buses. I've only stayed at AKL for one visit but it seemed we always stopped at the same 1-2 resorts (forget now) on our way to MK. Depending on the route/distance/time we can try to figure out our best options.

Again, if both sets of routes change depending on the day/week/season/crowds it is just a gamble!

Every time I have taken the bus to either Pop or AKL, the bus route has included Pop, CSR and AKL. Can that change? Sure.
If the bus stops at Pop first, I would tell her to hop off there and go directly to the MK bus stop. The ride to AKL will be at least another 15 mins....so she should be on a bus to MK in the same amount of time it would have taken her to get to AKL...theoretically anyway!!

 

[iheartjuppy]

She is planning on renting a locker for the bag, it is just a small upholstered bag so she should be able to jam it in there!

 

[iheartjuppy]

Ugh, I called Reservations today to add her for the single night and, although I booked with a room-only PIN and have no dining plan, the CM said that because I added (full price) tickets, my trip was now classified as a "package" and so I would have to buy my mom a 6 day ticket even though she will be there 1 day. And my trip is far enough out to cancel and rebook as room only without penalty BUT the booking period for my PIN is over so I would be paying a higher rate. SO frustrated.

 

[gdrj]

Ugh, I called Reservations today to add her for the single night and, although I booked with a room-only PIN and have no dining plan, the CM said that because I added (full price) tickets, my trip was now classified as a "package" and so I would have to buy my mom a 6 day ticket even though she will be there 1 day. And my trip is far enough out to cancel and rebook as room only without penalty BUT the booking period for my PIN is over so I would be paying a higher rate. SO frustrated.

A couple of thoughts on this:
1- Speak to a supervisor and see what they can do. If they can't help ask for their supervisor.
2- Have Mom use Mears and pay for her transportation from airport.
3- As far as small bag bringing to park. Do you really want Disney security going through bag and pulling out Mom's undergarments?

 

[strmtroopr96]

Ugh, I called Reservations today to add her for the single night and, although I booked with a room-only PIN and have no dining plan, the CM said that because I added (full price) tickets, my trip was now classified as a "package" and so I would have to buy my mom a 6 day ticket even though she will be there 1 day. And my trip is far enough out to cancel and rebook as room only without penalty BUT the booking period for my PIN is over so I would be paying a higher rate. SO frustrated.

You can add your Mom to your reservation without having to add her to tickets, dining, etc BUT wait until you are actually at the resort and all checked in. Then you can go ahead and add her to your reservation with no issues. Once she is added, you can then also register her with Magical Express.

If you add her now, before your trip, then yes she will have to have the same tickets, dining, etc that you have booked. But by adding her after you check in at WDW, you can avoid all of that.

 

[seashoreCM]

True. But, IMO, unless it's one of the MK resorts, I don't think you're saving much time. Since you're dependent on Disney busses, it's possible if she gets off at POFQ (for example), she just misses the MK bus, but at AKL, she catches the bus right away.

Statistically* she will save time by hopping off early.

Will she be taking Magical Express back to the airport the very next day? She will need her DME confirmation sheet with bus departure time in advance. The normal deadline is morning of the day before the day she will leave. Squaring this away late the evening before or on the day of departure is not impossible but can be a time consuming anxiety laden hassle.

* For just this once it is a matter of luck, say a 60% chance of saving time by getting off early. If she were to try it one thousand times, five hundred getting off early and five hundred going all the way to her resort, and average the times then getting off early will show a time savings.

 

[maxiesmom]

You can add your Mom to your reservation without having to add her to tickets, dining, etc BUT wait until you are actually at the resort and all checked in. Then you can go ahead and add her to your reservation with no issues. Once she is added, you can then also register her with Magical Express.

If you add her now, before your trip, then yes she will have to have the same tickets, dining, etc that you have booked. But by adding her after you check in at WDW, you can avoid all of that.

THIS!!!!!

 

[iheartjuppy]

We arrive 4 days before her so if I can add her at the resort after check in that would be awesome and she will have plenty of time to print out her confirmations. I don't care about security going through her personal items LOL she knows what she's in for and she will be arriving alone so I won't have to blush beside her

Thank you all SO much!!

 

[Redarrow5150]

Have your mom send your clothes via UPS to the resort as that will save a lot of hassle.

 

[dsneprincess]

Another thing to think about is the 1 day ticket purchase. A Disney bus will drop her off at the Magic Kingdom, not the TTC. I don't know if you can purchase a ticket there, or if she would have to return to the TTC & purchase her ticket & then return to MK gate. This would eat a lot of time, so I thought I would throw it out there. Maybe there is a ticket window I've never seen?