Will Magical Express take me to a different hotel?

[Rainy29]

Hi, everyone! After months and months of searching I was finally able to snag a reservation at BOG!! The only problem is it's on the day we get there and about 3 hours after we land. Is there anyway for us to get Magical Express to drop us off at a closer hotel to the Magic Kingdom where we can try and pick up our tickets early and make our reservation? Or do we have to check in at our hotel as soon as we get there? We won't be using a dining plan so that's not a problem. Any advice or help would be appreciated!

I will be sooo sad if I have to cancel this reservation

 

[maxiesmom]

No they will only take you to the resort you are staying at.

Have you thought about not using DME? You can book a town car or rent a car, and then go wherever you wish!

 

[DebbieB]

Hi, everyone! After months and months of searching I was finally able to snag a reservation at BOG!! The only problem is it's on the day we get there and about 3 hours after we land. Is there anyway for us to get Magical Express to drop us off at a closer hotel to the Magic Kingdom where we can try and pick up our tickets early and make our reservation? Or do we have to check in at our hotel as soon as we get there? We won't be using a dining plan so that's not a problem. Any advice or help would be appreciated!

I will be sooo sad if I have to cancel this reservation

No they will only take you to the resort you are staying at.

Have you thought about not using DME? You can book a town car or rent a car, and then go wherever you wish!

If they don't do DME, they will have to take their luggage with them. They could ask the town car driver to stop at their resort, check the luggage, then take them to the Contemporary.

 

[goofy4tink]

You need to figure on it taking 90 mins from gate to resort. Yes, it can be less (and usually is) but safer to over judge. Then, get checked in at the resort...about 20 mins. Then get on a bus to MK..that could be an hour. So, you could feasibly make your BoG ADR...barely.
You don't say what resort you are staying at. There are ways around the whole issue...but I'm not sure I would recommend them. You could take the chance of tagging your bags and letting DME handle them, while you take a car service to the CR and then walk over to the MK. But, there could be baggage issues when doing that!!
Or, you could take DME to the resort, and then get checked in and then get a cab to the CR..walking over to MK (takes under 10 mins).

Here's my biggest issue....the one and only time I ever booked something important on my arrival day, I missed it!! There was a mechanical issue with our plane in Boston...so we had to get off the plane and wait for another one to be brought in!! I was taking off at the precise time I was 'supposed' to be landing in Orlando!! I thought I had plenty of time to make my activity...missed it by 45 mins!! I seldom recommend booking anything for the first 4 or so hours after planned arrival....it's just a nasty way to start your vacation..worrying and stressing over the time everything is taking!!!

 

[Rainy29]

No they will only take you to the resort you are staying at.

Have you thought about not using DME? You can book a town car or rent a car, and then go wherever you wish!

That sounds nice.. but it's one thing to spend some extra money on an adr that you really wanted and another thing to spend an extra 90 bucks to make the adr plus the amount of the dinner. I don't want to blow our whole budget over one adr >_<

 

[Rainy29]

You need to figure on it taking 90 mins from gate to resort. Yes, it can be less (and usually is) but safer to over judge. Then, get checked in at the resort...about 20 mins. Then get on a bus to MK..that could be an hour. So, you could feasibly make your BoG ADR...barely.
You don't say what resort you are staying at. There are ways around the whole issue...but I'm not sure I would recommend them. You could take the chance of tagging your bags and letting DME handle them, while you take a car service to the CR and then walk over to the MK. But, there could be baggage issues when doing that!!
Or, you could take DME to the resort, and then get checked in and then get a cab to the CR..walking over to MK (takes under 10 mins).

Here's my biggest issue....the one and only time I ever booked something important on my arrival day, I missed it!! There was a mechanical issue with our plane in Boston...so we had to get off the plane and wait for another one to be brought in!! I was taking off at the precise time I was 'supposed' to be landing in Orlando!! I thought I had plenty of time to make my activity...missed it by 45 mins!! I seldom recommend booking anything for the first 4 or so hours after planned arrival....it's just a nasty way to start your vacation..worrying and stressing over the time everything is taking!!!

We are staying at POR which is pretty far from the magic kingdom. That's why I was thinking that if we went straight to CR from the airport then we could bypass about a hour by not checking in and taking a bus from the resort. One of my biggest problems is that I have a split reservation and our package with tickets doesn't start till the next day. So, I know it will take a bit to get my tickets early to get in the park. I'm thinking that after dinner we could go check in and all our bags will just go straight there.

The whole plane thing has me worried too! Though I've had a lot more delays on my way back from Orlando than going there. I'm planning on having lunch with my sister today and ask her if she wants to take that gamble. It's like a 40 dollar bet on whether we can make it to BOG in 3 hours or not.

 

[goofy4tink]

We are staying at POR which is pretty far from the magic kingdom. That's why I was thinking that if we went straight to CR from the airport then we could bypass about a hour by not checking in and taking a bus from the resort. One of my biggest problems is that I have a split reservation and our package with tickets doesn't start till the next day. So, I know it will take a bit to get my tickets early to get in the park. I'm thinking that after dinner we could go check in and all our bags will just go straight there.

The whole plane thing has me worried too! Though I've had a lot more delays on my way back from Orlando than going there. I'm planning on having lunch with my sister today and ask her if she wants to take that gamble. It's like a 40 dollar bet on whether we can make it to BOG in 3 hours or not.

As long as you understand your options, and you're okay with losing that deposit money. You may very well make it. Good luck!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Honestly, I don't think you will make it unless you spend money for private transportation. Getting your tickets early is not something every CM does regularly and it can take a while. Then you have bag check and still have to make it to the back of the park.

 

[goofy4tink]

Even private transport from mco isn't going to make a big difference.......unless they tag their checked bags with the DME tags, let DME take care of the bags but they take a car service..
If you use a car service, and you don't have to go to baggage claim, it will take you about 45-50 mins from gate to resort. And that will cost you about $60 plus tip.
If you leave tags off and head to baggage claim, it will take about an hour or so. Using DME will take about 75-80 mins.
When you do get to MK, it's about 10 or so mins from the front gates to BoG.

It's up to each family to decide what's important to them. Will you make it to BoG for an ADR 3 hrs after you land? You 'should'....but that isn't etched in stone. There is plenty of stuff that an add to the total time. As I said..if you are willing to lose that deposit money, give it your best shot.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Did you call ME and explain the request? I have found them to be accommodating for various needs they did not need to do. If you pre check in and request to take a bus they feel would accomadte a closer route to your ADR, you would check in later after the park time. Being a travel day it would likely be an early night.
Just a thought.

 

[Rainy29]

So, I talked to my sister today and she squealed when I told her and pretty much demanded that we try. So I guess we are on a mission! In the mean time I will try and hunt down a different reservation that will work better. But, if nothing else I will try to come up with a plan!

 

[Rainy29]

Did you call ME and explain the request? I have found them to be accommodating for various needs they did not need to do. If you pre check in and request to take a bus they feel would accomadte a closer route to your ADR, you would check in later after the park time. Being a travel day it would likely be an early night.
Just a thought.

I never thought to do that... I think I will call tomorrow. I already did on-line check in and I know it will be an early night since MK closes at 7pm for MNSSHP. Though we leave in 9 days so I doubt they will have time to send us new tickets.

Thanks for the help everyone! I will let you know how things turn out. I'm hoping for some major pixie dust!

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I never thought to do that... I think I will call tomorrow. I already did on-line check in and I know it will be an early night since MK closes at 7pm for MNSSHP. Though we leave in 9 days so I doubt they will have time to send us new tickets.

Thanks for the help everyone! I will let you know how things turn out. I'm hoping for some major pixie dust!

If they will allow it, all you have to do is stop at the counter and they will accomadte your pixie dust magic if its given! Sometimes people decide on Sunday to travel on Thursday. I think I remember doing that! You at least will have luggage tags. I just wonder what you can do with carry on's?

 

[Gracie09]

I never thought to do that... I think I will call tomorrow. I already did on-line check in and I know it will be an early night since MK closes at 7pm for MNSSHP. Though we leave in 9 days so I doubt they will have time to send us new tickets.

Thanks for the help everyone! I will let you know how things turn out. I'm hoping for some major pixie dust!

I wouldn't get your hopes up. Not to be debbie downer but if they did this for you they would have o do it for everyone who asked and suddenly all the me buses would be running to the contemporary, the epcot resorts and akl. I honestly haven't heard of anyone getying dropped off or picked up at a resort that wadnt theirs regardless of the reason ( excpt for the few from port orleans taking part in the dtd experiment).

 

[goofy4tink]

I wouldn't get your hopes up. Not to be debbie downer but if they did this for you they would have o do it for everyone who asked and suddenly all the me buses would be running to the contemporary, the epcot resorts and akl. I honestly haven't heard of anyone getying dropped off or picked up at a resort that wadnt theirs regardless of the reason ( excpt for the few from port orleans taking part in the dtd experiment).

This is my issue as well. I love pixiedust...I truly do. I believe in all sorts of wonderfully magical things happening at WDW. BUT...here's the issue. If DME allows one or two people to do this, it spreads like wildfire. Many of us would love to stay at one resort but be able to go to a different destination via DME upon arrival! Once it 'gets out' that DME is allowing a few people to take the bus anywhere they want, everyone is going to want to do it. You see stuff like that all the time here on the boards. And once it's out there, it becomes 'fact'....'well, I've seen people do this, so I know it can be done. So, I'm planning accordingly and expect it to be done for me as well'. Then? It's not so magical anymore when a guest is told no.

I really wouldn't count on being able to take the bus anywhere but your own resort. I would then take a cab to the CR, as soon as you checked in and dropped your bags off. Then walk over to MK. Your ADR should be available for a little bit....they hold them for 20 mins or so.

 

[CarolMN]

Hi, everyone! After months and months of searching I was finally able to snag a reservation at BOG!! The only problem is it's on the day we get there and about 3 hours after we land. Is there anyway for us to get Magical Express to drop us off at a closer hotel to the Magic Kingdom where we can try and pick up our tickets early and make our reservation? Or do we have to check in at our hotel as soon as we get there? We won't be using a dining plan so that's not a problem. Any advice or help would be appreciated!

I will be sooo sad if I have to cancel this reservation

Assuming your plane lands on time, I think you have a pretty good chance if you take a taxi from POR to the CR.

I'd keep trying for a different day for the dinner ADR, though. Also, you could try for a lunch FP+ on a different day. You still get to see the caste and there is no penalty that I know of if you cannot make the FP+ time. I was just lucky enough t get a FP+ for lunch for the end of November. Maybe you'll be lucky, too.

 

[Rainy29]

If they will allow it, all you have to do is stop at the counter and they will accomadte your pixie dust magic if its given! Sometimes people decide on Sunday to travel on Thursday. I think I remember doing that! You at least will have luggage tags. I just wonder what you can do with carry on's?

When I talked about it with my sister I told her we couldn't have any carry-ons. Just her purse and my backpack. So, anything real important will be taken with us. Since we are flying southwest and I got extra luggage tags this shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Rainy29]

This is my issue as well. I love pixiedust...I truly do. I believe in all sorts of wonderfully magical things happening at WDW. BUT...here's the issue. If DME allows one or two people to do this, it spreads like wildfire. Many of us would love to stay at one resort but be able to go to a different destination via DME upon arrival! Once it 'gets out' that DME is allowing a few people to take the bus anywhere they want, everyone is going to want to do it. You see stuff like that all the time here on the boards. And once it's out there, it becomes 'fact'....'well, I've seen people do this, so I know it can be done. So, I'm planning accordingly and expect it to be done for me as well'. Then? It's not so magical anymore when a guest is told no.

I really wouldn't count on being able to take the bus anywhere but your own resort. I would then take a cab to the CR, as soon as you checked in and dropped your bags off. Then walk over to MK. Your ADR should be available for a little bit....they hold them for 20 mins or so.

Taking a cab from POR to CR sounds like an awesome backup plan thanks! I will ask ME when I get there. But, if the answer is no this will save some time and not be overly costly.

 

[Rainy29]

Assuming your plane lands on time, I think you have a pretty good chance if you take a taxi from POR to the CR.

I'd keep trying for a different day for the dinner ADR, though. Also, you could try for a lunch FP+ on a different day. You still get to see the caste and there is no penalty that I know of if you cannot make the FP+ time. I was just lucky enough t get a FP+ for lunch for the end of November. Maybe you'll be lucky, too.

See... this is one of my problems. I've been trying to get a lunch FP+ for months now with no luck. Every time I put my reservation number in I get an error. Heck, at one point I had a ADR at 180 +10... but then my dates changed and I lost it >_< I think all the problems have made this even more of a mission for us.

 

[CarolMN]

See... this is one of my problems. I've been trying to get a lunch FP+ for months now with no luck. Every time I put my reservation number in I get an error. Heck, at one point I had a ADR at 180 +10... but then my dates changed and I lost it >_< I think all the problems have made this even more of a mission for us.

Sorry you are having trouble. Regarding the FP+ for lunch, if you are using the MDE app, go online with your computer to the special website for BOG lunch FP+.

https://beourguestlunch.disney.go.com/Login.aspx

I did not have to put in my reservation, just sign in with my Disney account email address and password. But I am within 60 days of arrival. AFAIK, there are no FP+ available for December dates yet. The late November dates for this just became available this morning. Good luck!