Using ME when travelling with Virgin?

[tracipierce]

Hi everyone,
well I've managed to bag myself an extemely cheap trip at Christmas thanks to my Tesco vouchers and booked with Virgin.
When I booked over the phone, the CS said that the trip included a free transfer, however, I really wanted to use the Magical Express again as I was so impressed with it last time (not having to carry my luggage was a godsend) but I'm not sure how to go about it.

It says on the Disney website that you must use the same travel agent to book ME as who you are travelling with, does anyone know if there is anyway that I could book it directly with Disney?

I had a bit of an ordeal when I booked the trip with Virgin, the CS in the call centre was really hard to understand, made loads of mistakes, which took almost a week to clear up, so i'm not in a hurry to phone virgin again iykwim?
Obviously if I have to I will call them again, but I'm just worried that they won't know what I mean.... has anyone got any experience of booking ME through Virgin?

One last request..... I only booked my trip 2 weeks ago, but was wondering how long I have to leave it before I contact Virgin to try to get my Disney reservation number? I assume it will be too early at the moment seeing as I haven't even got my invoice yet

TIA!

 

[2Tiggies]

Hi Tracy

I am going to give you a link which is going to provide you with your evening's reading Seriously, it is the same question you asked and about 9 pages of discussion and various experiences with this. Please shout if you still have any questions.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2372538

 

[tracipierce]

arrghhh don't you just hate it when that happens, I'm usually so good at checking my question's not already been asked.... sorry!!!!

Thanks so much for the link, will check it out now

 

[tracipierce]

ok so i'm reading the other thread, and it gives me some info about the res number, but what I really want to know is about the ME, so if anyone could give me some info i would be really grateful

 

[Miss Mo]

We've always flown to Sanford before but this time are flying Virgin to Orlando International. I didn't realise you had to book the Magic Express - I thought you just got on it! I take it I'm wrong. Our whole package was booked on the Disney website even though it's Virgin flights so I'm thinking there must be ME in there somewhere right??

mo x

 

[tracipierce]

We've always flown to Sanford before but this time are flying Virgin to Orlando International. I didn't realise you had to book the Magic Express - I thought you just got on it! I take it I'm wrong. Our whole package was booked on the Disney website even though it's Virgin flights so I'm thinking there must be ME in there somewhere right??

mo x

Hi Mo,
no you can't just get on it, it has to be booked. Last year I booked through Disney Uk and they sent me a link via email to book the ME so it was pretty straight forward.
Would have booked with Disney again this time if it wasn't for my tesco vouchers, had no choice but to book with Virgin

The ME is great though, so I would definitely recommend you use it! Just make sure you book it, you might have to give Disney a ring

 

[2Tiggies]

Hi guys. I am with you on the love for ME. I think it's great!!!

I booked with Disney UK and they asked if I wanted it added and I said yes. I noticed when I finally got my written confirmation (7 weeks and even more requests later) that it wasn't mentioned, so I rang them up and it hadnt been added so they added it after. Traci, did you read the posts about ringing Disney US? I would do it. Ask them for your US ressie no. Tell them you need it for dining and at the same time, ask about adding ME. You don't have to do it at the same time as you book. It can be added after. They just need your flight details and resort info. I don't know if they do this, but ask them if they can email you confirmation that it has been booked and print it out to take with you. Then you have it when you get to MCO if there are any hassles.

 

[VailaTigger]

We're going with Virgin in 8 weeks time from Glasgow direct to MCO, and have a package which includes a hire car. However, I loved using ME before, and didn't like having to drive, navigate, pay tolls etc after a long flight...

SO...

We rearranged with Virgin to pick our hire car up the morning after our arrival, and I've booked ME online for when we land. (On the way home we'll just drive to the airport and drop the car off - ME picks us up too early I find.)

Use this link to book ME (it's what I used, and then printed out the confirmation, you'll get an email)
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/reservations/dme/?bhcp=1

Then email this address with your requests to Virgin, using your booking reference, I have rearranged a couple of things and not had to call the call centre once!
Reservation.Services@VirginHolidays.Com

Hope this helps. I'll tell you in about 10 weeks time if it's all worked!!

As a Virgin customer, you also have access to the reps out in Orlando, email address
orlandorep@fly.virgin.com
This was all in my confirmation email I got when booking, so you're not doing anything you shouldn't.

 

[gilld]

I have only used ME once when staying at BCV last October, so it may have been unusual, but it was awful!

I was at the ME check-in less than 15 minutes of deplaning. Check-in was okish -a trainee so she took a long time - then I waited at the queue for my bus ages and ages and ages. Finally we were allowed to board the coach - about 20 of us - and the drived refused to move until he'd filled his coach - which took about 3/4 hour.

Then we went to CBR, PC, POFQ, POR before eventually arriving at BCV. It took nearly 3 hours to get to the resort from leaving the aircraft. Next time I'll get a cab.

 

[tracipierce]

Wow thanks so much for the replies! Vailitigger, a HUGE thankyou for the links, I'm so grateful! I'm off to try them out now
Gilld, so sorry to hear about your bad experience, we only waited about 10 mins at the most last year to get off the bus and we were the first drop off at POFQ. We went out for something to eat and when we got back, all of our bags were right there in the room, it was heaven not to have to drag everything about. Hopefully your experience was a one off

 

[2Tiggies]

From what I understand they no longer collect and deliver the bags for international flights. |That said, we were informed last time that this was the case, yet at ME check in, they offered and said it was my choice?!?! I would not likely write off ME on one bad experience based on all the great ones so far. However I can fully understand anyone feeling like gilld does if that was a first and only experience.

 

[tracipierce]

From what I understand they no longer collect and deliver the bags for international flights. |That said, we were informed last time that this was the case, yet at ME check in, they offered and said it was my choice?!?! I would not likely write off ME on one bad experience based on all the great ones so far. However I can fully understand anyone feeling like gilld does if that was a first and only experience.

Yes they do still collect and deliver the bags, they just no longer send out the packs with the luggage tags on, just checked on the Disney website and it says that they can still collect luggage, you just have to give them your luggage id numbers at the check in desk.
Last year I was a little worried about the bags because they didn't have the ME tags like the US customers, but got all my bags ok and pretty fast too

Just used the links from the pp, booked my ME no problems and received my confirmation email, it accepted it just using my virgin booking number!
Have also email reservations at Virgin to see if they can send me US reservation number, got a reply saying they will get back to me in 5 days

So glad I posted now! again for the links,,,, made my day!

 

[2Tiggies]

Yes they do still collect and deliver the bags, they just no longer send out the packs with the luggage tags on, just checked on the Disney website and it says that they can still collect luggage, you just have to give them your luggage id numbers at the check in desk.
Last year I was a little worried about the bags because they didn't have the ME tags like the US customers, but got all my bags ok and pretty fast too

Thanks for clearing that up. I prefer to take my own so we don't have to wait for stuff if we need anything straight away, but it is nice to know there is still the option.

Just used the links from the pp, booked my ME no problems and received my confirmation email, it accepted it just using my virgin booking number!Have also email reservations at Virgin to see if they can send me US reservation number, got a reply saying they will get back to me in 5 days

So glad I posted now! again for the links,,,, made my day!

Virgin is usually pretty good at getting back to you with emails sooner than they state. If you have no joy, phone Disney US directly.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Last February we booked through Thomas Cook but flew Virgin, had so many problems with Thomas Cook that I booked DME direct with Disney in Florida. Still in the days of pack being sent and had no problems at all. However, it was President's weekend and we waited for ages (almost an hour) before leaving. Bus was ful about thirty minutes before and DD was tired, hungry and feeling sick by the time we got to CSR.

This last trip we went with BA and booked accomodation separately. Booked DME direct again, walked through to the check-in desk who printed up our tickets there and then. We were on bus and off within 5 minutes. Actually at resort 90 minutes after landing (including security etc.) amazing service.

However, still prefer the transfer with Virgin and will be doing that again next trip.

 

[Miss Mo]

Hi Mo,
no you can't just get on it, it has to be booked. Last year I booked through Disney Uk and they sent me a link via email to book the ME so it was pretty straight forward.
Would have booked with Disney again this time if it wasn't for my tesco vouchers, had no choice but to book with Virgin

The ME is great though, so I would definitely recommend you use it! Just make sure you book it, you might have to give Disney a ring

Thanks Traci - turns out I was just being stupid - hubby informs me that we definitely ticked a box for ME whilst booking and that it is included with all the other stuff on the booking, so that's fine.

Thanks for the info though.

mo x

 

[2Tiggies]

However, still prefer the transfer with Virgin and will be doing that again next trip.

What is the difference? I didnt realise it mattered what airline it is. Does it .....?

 

[VailaTigger]

As far as I know, Virgin do have coaches they use to take passengers from airport to resorts, but it's not ME... (if anyone has more experience of them, then please post... I've not used them, this is just my understanding)

This will be your "transfer" if you have a package with no car rental.

If you have car rental, but want the airport transfer, they will charge you. One of the reasons we booked ME directly

tracipierce - you're more than welcome for the links Hope they helped!

 

[2Tiggies]

As far as I know, Virgin do have coaches they use to take passengers from airport to resorts, but it's not ME... (if anyone has more experience of them, then please post... I've not used them, this is just my understanding)

Thanks for the info. I never even knew they existed!! I love ME, but I also like to have info on all possible options so I will also be interested to see if anyone posts feedback on them. I wonder if they are as fast though. I can't see Virgin putting on more coaches than the no of flights (VA) that come in, so I am guessing they would go to many resorts and you could end up on there for a long time if your resort is near the back end of the list!

 

[tracipierce]

that's what I was afraid of, getting on the Virgin transfer and ending up on there for hours whilst they went all round Idrive, downtown disney, disney resorts etc. Plus they don't put your luggage in your room for you lol

Anyhow, quick update, I just got an email back from virgin, they have given me my US reservation number (even though my trip's not till December) and I have done a dummy run on Disney Dining entering the number and my reservation came up but the email also said that Disney won't let you get on ME unless you have booked through them, which I know is total rubbish, as thanks to vailatigger I have booked ME myself!

Would also be interested to know if anyone has used the Virgin transfers before?

 

[VailaTigger]

Disney won't let you get on ME unless you have booked through them, which I know is total rubbish, as thanks to vailatigger I have booked ME myself!

I'll find out on 2nd April whether it's booked and if they let me on or not!!