Virgin now charging for coach transfers?

[Hobbes]

Just got this years brochure (we have been booked for a year already, just like to keep the anticipatory juices flowing!) and noticed that a coach transfer to orlando hotels from MCO is £19. Now we weren't told of this when we booked last February so does anyone know if its been snuck in recently or did I just not notice it? And if so how easy is it to book now with DME?
We don't even pay coach transfers with TC or Thomson to go to our hotel on our Non Disney holidays in Corfu!

 

[laalaa]

If you are staying in a Disney hotel, I would book DME. Very easy to book!

 

[OhanaSam]

I think i got an email not long ago from them about something to do with transfers. Will see if I still have it

 

[Hobbes]

Just had a reply from them as follows:

"I'm truly sorry if the extra cost for the transfers was not advised to you at the time of booking the holiday. I've checked your booking and I can confirm that we've charged an extra of £38.62 in total both ways for the transfers. If you'd like to take them off the booking, we'll be able to do it without any admin fee and the cost would be deducted from your total price."

So its off the Disney web site to book DME-how do they do it for Brits? I remember seeing something to say they don't send the literature out overseas? Also do i need my long Disney reference number *** Virgin say i can't have it until 180 days!

next time I think we might be booking direct with Disney and just flying with virgin...

 

[OhanaSam]

We used this link when we booked it, but you do need the hotel reservation number.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/reservations/dme/index?bhcp=1

 

[Claire Bear]

Sorry for hijacking your thread but how far in advance do you need to book DME? And can you just book it one way as we'll only need it from YC to MCO as we're staying on int drive first? Thank you

 

[Hobbes]

Just booked it and left the reservation number blank! Do you think it worked-it said at the end it was now booked! Do they email you to confirm? Now I'm panicking!!

if it didn't work, how did you get your number? Did you have to wait for the 180 day date? I must say I am really annoyed with Virgin-nowhere on the invoice does it say they are charging us for this.

 

[OhanaSam]

I got an email when we booked saying "Thank you for your request for Disney's Magical Express". Then the day after I got a confirmation email, with instructions on what to do when you get to the airport.

Not sure how far in advance you can book, we only did ours last month as we were possibly going to have to change our dates. And we got the reservation number when we rang to make our ADRs, not sure if you can get it before then as we didn't try.

 

[tinkerpea]

Sorry for hijacking your thread but how far in advance do you need to book DME? And can you just book it one way as we'll only need it from YC to MCO as we're staying on int drive first? Thank you

I did 1 way when we went in October

 

[Claire Bear]

I did 1 way when we went in October

Thanks Tinkerpea.

 

[crabbie1]

One year they could not find our booking as we did a split stay but still got us on no problem.

 

[darthtatty]

Last time we used the Virgin transfers, DME picked us up anyway.

thanks for pointing this out, will have to double check when we book (if we book with them) Hoping to book direct with Disney this time, depends on who has the best price/offer.

 

[TinkerbellW]

So when does this charge kick in?

We fly out in July and although I have received an updated invoice (after adding park tickets) with the transfers mentioned on it, there is no breakdown of charges so I can't see if they have charged me for them.

If they have I will cancel and book ME! We always get transfered back to MCO by ME anyway - although our booking in through Virgin.

I'm already very disillusioned with Virgin and have vowed not to go with them again and this has just confirmed I've made the right decision.

Need to start looking at the pros and cons of indirect flights for our next trip.

 

[gemmybear83]

I don't think it matters about the reservation number on the ME aim pretty sure they search you via surname.

We went with VH last year (only because we got a better deal than DIY!) and used the ME with no problems at all

 

[queendisney]

Good ol' VH's are certainly charging where ever they can now which I can understand as they are a business but they are expensive in the first place..!

Just a note for anybody staying down I-drive and booked with VH..there is a Lynx Bus no.42 (cost $2) that goes from the Airport to I-drive. I wouldn't suggest it with little kids after a long day travelling but handy for adults that can cope with an extra 50 mins or so added to their journey!

 

[2Tiggies]

Last time we used the Virgin transfers, DME picked us up anyway.

That's a bit sneaky of VH! Perhaps less so at the time, but if they are charging now for their transfers .......

Good ol' VH's are certainly charging where ever they can now which I can understand as they are a business but they are expensive in the first place..!