Using Magical Express day after flight arrives?

[GrumpyFan]

We are thinking about spending a day touring central Florida on our next trip. The thought was that we would rent a car when we arrive, spend a day out and about the area, get a hotel for one night, then return the car to the airport the next day and hopefully pick up DME to our resort on property. Will they let us do this?

Now that I think about it, all we really need to do is book our package at Disney as regular, beginning on our 2nd day, but not putting the tags on our bags until we get back to the airport with the rental car after our 1st day of touring. Then, all we have to do is take our bags to DME and check-in. Does this sound right?

 

[crashbb]

You've got it *almost* right. You are fine taking DME after you arrive, but when you go back to the airport and check-in for DME, you don't need tags on your bags. You'll just take the bags onto the DME (well, under the bus) with you.

People report finding flights arriving at the time/day that they want to pick up the DME, but others have reported just telling the DME that they are not arriving by plane.

 

[OKW Lover]

Just to clarify - ME is based on when you check-in/out of your Disney resort. Its really unrelated to when your flight arrives.

 

[goofy4tink]

Something else to think about.....are you going to anywhere near to WDW on your travels the day you return the car to MCO??? If so, head to your resort, drop off your bags and checkin. If you're lucky you can get into a room then. You can leave your bags there...even if the room isn't ready yet. Then, drive back to MCO and drop the car off and return on DME. Might be easier than lugging your bags around at the airport..but only if you're in the area of WDW and your resort before heading to MCO.

 

[crashbb]

Something else to think about.....are you going to anywhere near to WDW on your travels the day you return the car to MCO??? If so, head to your resort, drop off your bags and checkin. If you're lucky you can get into a room then. You can leave your bags there...even if the room isn't ready yet. Then, drive back to MCO and drop the car off and return on DME. Might be easier than lugging your bags around at the airport..but only if you're in the area of WDW and your resort before heading to MCO.

Depending on where you are renting your car, you might also look into returning your car at WDW (and skipping the airport that day). It may add a lot to your rate (and thus, is not a great idea), but it may be a worthwhile option.

 

[phred52]

Something else to think about.....are you going to anywhere near to WDW on your travels the day you return the car to MCO??? If so, head to your resort, drop off your bags and checkin. If you're lucky you can get into a room then. You can leave your bags there...even if the room isn't ready yet. Then, drive back to MCO and drop the car off and return on DME. Might be easier than lugging your bags around at the airport..but only if you're in the area of WDW and your resort before heading to MCO.

On that note, why not return your rental car at one of the 'on property' car rental places and skip ME entirely on arrival?