Question about Disney's Magical Express

[theBIGyowski]

I have used Disney's Magical Express on my last 3 trips and will be using it again on my upcoming trip next month. The first two times I remember having to go through the Welcome Center check-in there at the airport...which was not a problem because it was January and not crowded. When DW and I went last year (Aug/Sept) it was very crowded and a CM let us bypass the Welcome Center check-in since we already had our passes in hand. We had passes on the other trips as well...but this time we got to bypass the long lines...not sure why.

My question is...what is the standard protocol? DW and I do not want to wait in long lines when we arrive at MCO...and I'm hoping since we have already scheduled DME ahead of time we will be able to bypass the long lines at the Welcome Center again. I have a feeling it will be crowded again since we'll be getting there on June 10th.

Thanks!

[Wizzard419]

I'm guessing the situation did not merit you needing to check in since they scanned your bags (unless you're the type that sends your luggage on vacations) and that is enough to confirm you are coming. That and one person or eighty, they bus still has to make a stop at the resort.

[Amy]

I have used Disney's Magical Express on my last 3 trips and will be using it again on my upcoming trip next month. The first two times I remember having to go through the Welcome Center check-in there at the airport...which was not a problem because it was January and not crowded. When DW and I went last year (Aug/Sept) it was very crowded and a CM let us bypass the Welcome Center check-in since we already had our passes in hand. We had passes on the other trips as well...but this time we got to bypass the long lines...not sure why.

My question is...what is the standard protocol? DW and I do not want to wait in long lines when we arrive at MCO...and I'm hoping since we have already scheduled DME ahead of time we will be able to bypass the long lines at the Welcome Center again. I have a feeling it will be crowded again since we'll be getting there on June 10th.

Thanks!

We had our passes out and they scanned them and sent us into the proper resort line, but we still waited in the huge long line
The only lines that weren't very long were the deluxe resorts...

[theBIGyowski]

yeah I'm not talking about the bus lines...I'm talking about the line to get to the DME counter there at the airport

I thought it was for people that hadn't already gotten DME prior to arriving at MCO...but when reading from The Unofficial Guide to WDW (ding) I read that you get DME...then a few weeks before your trip you will get the luggage tags in the mail...then when you get to MCO you go to the DME Welcome Center...then from there into the lines for your bus...then to your resort.

I just want to make sure DW and I can bypass the Welcome Center counter at MCO and can go straight to our bus line since we have already taken care of setting up DME.

Hope that make more sense. I know we will wait in line for the bus and that it could take 45-60+ minutes to get to our resort because of other stops...but I am ok with that because we will have the DME video playing to entertain us!

[Wizzard419]

I would imagine so since the bags are already picked up and on their way. It's not like your entire reservation is cancelled because you didn't check in at the desk.

So the lines can get really bad during the high season?

[theBIGyowski]

I would imagine so since the bags are already picked up and on their way. It's not like your entire reservation is cancelled because you didn't check in at the desk.

So the lines can get really bad during the high season?

When we were there on August 28, 2011 (most schools were back in) we saw a line for the DME counter that was between 30 and 60 minutes long. We were not very happy as we made our way to the line...then a CM saw our DME voucher/tickets in my hand and told us we could go straight to our bus line (once the CM checking the tickets stamped us of course).

You know Disney...love them lines!

[Amy]

yeah I'm not talking about the bus lines...I'm talking about the line to get to the DME counter there at the airport
I thought it was for people that hadn't already gotten DME prior to arriving at MCO...but when reading from The Unofficial Guide to WDW (ding) I read that you get DME...then a few weeks before your trip you will get the luggage tags in the mail...then when you get to MCO you go to the DME Welcome Center...then from there into the lines for your bus...then to your resort.
I just want to make sure DW and I can bypass the Welcome Center counter at MCO and can go straight to our bus line since we have already taken care of setting up DME.
Hope that make more sense. I know we will wait in line for the bus and that it could take 45-60+ minutes to get to our resort because of other stops...but I am ok with that because we will have the DME video playing to entertain us!

Hmmm, I don't remember any stops between the gate and the bus stop other than when we walked up to the area where the bus lines were split up and they looked at our passes. Maybe we lucked out and just didn't know we were to stop somewhere first?!

[Wizzard419]

Hmmm it might be a timing thing, when I got there it was about 4 or 5 so the area was dead. Anyway, depending on your airline you will will have 1 or 0 stops (2 terminals for pickup) unless the bus is totally packed, I'd imagine. I wonder what the drivers think when they have to do a shuttle run to pick up on the private terminal? "Cheap bastard can pay to fly here but won't shell out for a service?".

[Amy]

Hmmm it might be a timing thing, when I got there it was about 4 or 5 so the area was dead. Anyway, depending on your airline you will will have 1 or 0 stops (2 terminals for pickup) unless the bus is totally packed, I'd imagine. I wonder what the drivers think when they have to do a shuttle run to pick up on the private terminal? "Cheap bastard can pay to fly here but won't shell out for a service?".

I bet the bus drivers don't give it a second thought. It probably is just simply one more pick up for them. I wonder how many people would have the means to fly in by private jet, but wouldn't have a town car take them to the resort though?

[mindflipper]

Hmmm it might be a timing thing, when I got there it was about 4 or 5 so the area was dead. Anyway, depending on your airline you will will have 1 or 0 stops (2 terminals for pickup) unless the bus is totally packed, I'd imagine. I wonder what the drivers think when they have to do a shuttle run to pick up on the private terminal? "Cheap bastard can pay to fly here but won't shell out for a service?".

...or could probably think, "Dumb bastards spent the huge wad on the private plane and now can't afford the car service"

[theBIGyowski]

the more I think about it...the more I think that DME Welcome Center is for people that don't already have DME added to their stay...and they are getting it upon their arrival at MCO

If DW and I were doing a short trip we would just take a cab or a limo to our resort...but since we're going to be there for 9 days we're fine taking DME.

[mindflipper]

What's the cost involved in DME over using taxi/shuttles?

[Amy]

What's the cost involved in DME over using taxi/shuttles?

DME is free! so that is a big savings over any sort of taxi or town car. As BIG pointed out, you might save a little time taking a taxi and not having to wait on the bus. One of the sites I checked has an approximate cost of $55 for 2-4 adults one-way, plus an additional $10 for MK area resorts. We've always taken the free transportation except for the one or two times we had a rental car because we were doing other things while we were in Florida. DME is a great service and you can't beat the price!

[Brian845]

the more I think about it...the more I think that DME Welcome Center is for people that don't already have DME added to their stay...and they are getting it upon their arrival at MCO

If DW and I were doing a short trip we would just take a cab or a limo to our resort...but since we're going to be there for 9 days we're fine taking DME.

That's good to know, since we're using it for the first time on our next trip. I'd hate to have to wait in line for it!

[mindflipper]

Free compared to $55-ish one way - I think I could be patient enough to wait in line! Money saved could be better spent at the parks...