Magical Express Documents

[nhpennington]

Howdy y'all...
First post on this board but it has been a huge help on planning my first trip to WDW! My wife will be going down on Aug 7. I booked my trip to AAA travel and have determined today that I have not recieved my Disney Magical Express Documents (luggage tags etc). I spoke with the travel agent and she said that it wasn't a big deal that Disney just didn't sent it. She stated that I will have to speak with the Disney people at the airport and explain the situation and then wait for my bags to show them because they will not be tagged. First, this seems to defeat the purpose of the Magical Express and two, I don't remember her ever asking for my flight information so it seems to me that she may not have booked it. Should I be worried? Any hope for getting this resolved one week out?

 

[mousefan1972]

You need to have a reservation to use ME... can she at least confirm for you if she made the reservation? And yes, she would need your airline and flight numbers in order to book ME. Sigh... this is one reason why I book all my WDW trips myself!! (the other being I'm a control freak!) :lol:
You can also try calling 407 WDisney yourself to see if they have your ME reservation, but I've heard that if you used a travel agent then they have to call on your behalf? I'm sure someone else here will know for sure. Good luck and I hope you get this mess resolved!

 

[nhpennington]

I tried to call WDW and you are correct that they will not speak to you about your reservation if booked through an agent. This is the last time I ever do this. Now my TA is not returning my calls. Alas... Any other suggestions on a good way to get from the airport to Port Orleans Riverside?

 

[barbara]

Last year one of the parties we were going with also didn't get their ME packet-their first time dealing with ME so they didn't know about it. Anyway when we got to Orlando, and signed in to ME, it wasn't a problem, They took the numbers from their luggage so that theu would pick it up, and they were able to use the transportaqtion to the resort. But it does sound like your TA didn't book it for you. I would call him/her and tell them to call Disney with your flights and make sure you are signed up for it. I think if it was booked it should say so in any of the paperwork you got form Disney from when you booked it. Or check on line and see if you can pull up your reservation.

 

[EMThompsen]

Calling your T/A would be the best thing to do. Ask them to call Disney to confirm. If there are any confirmation numbers ask your T/A for them so ,if you have to you can show them to the ME staff at the airport. I bring a print out of the confirmation numbers for my hotel & all my dinner reservations.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey NH, I would contact the owner of the agency you booked through. Even if your agent isnt returning your calls, her boss should be able to make it right for you!!!!! If you have no luck there, Ill see what numbers I have at the office for DME specifically. I am not sure that you can do this yourself but it doesnt hurt to try!!!! Let me know how you make out, and I will help if I can!!! Belle

 

[nhpennington]

Aren't y'all sweet! I just recieved an e-mail from her stating that this "is not a big deal" and that "these things happen all the time." I wish that people would understand that what may be and "all the time" thing for them is a one time surprise for each person on the business end of it. Ok, off the soapbox, she gave me her word that it is booked and not to worry and gave me a number to call so that I could verify "that she did her job." At least now I know who not to book my next vacation through.

 

[lilclerk]

Aren't y'all sweet! I just recieved an e-mail from her stating that this "is not a big deal" and that "these things happen all the time." I wish that people would understand that what may be and "all the time" thing for them is a one time surprise for each person on the business end of it. Ok, off the soapbox, she gave me her word that it is booked and not to worry and gave me a number to call so that I could verify "that she did her job." At least now I know who not to book my next vacation through.

Ouch, that was unnecessary of her! Did she give you the confirmation number?

 

[Monty]

Not to worry!

First off, don't worry!
Contact Disney's Magical Express Guest Services at (866) 599-0951 to confirm they have your DME reservation [don't wait until you get to MCO, they will not take you if you haven't reserved]. They may be able to FedEx you a DME package with luggage tags in time. If not, so long as they have a reservation you're still OK!

Prior to leaving, if you have a digital camera, take a quick photo of your luggage and print it off on your printer - plain paper is fine, to identify what it looks like [this speeds your DME check-in a lot - you won't have to pick out your various bags from the big laminated sheet they have]. When you get to MCO, go direct to the DME check-in counter on the lowest level of concourse "B" and check in. They'll ask if you tagged the luggage say no and hand over the pics you printed and your luggage claim tags from the airline. They'll send staff to claim your luggage and take it to your resort room for you. The only portion of this process that takes longer than regular check-in is the identifying your own luggage types [which your handy-dandy prints speed up ].

They'll assign you to a bus, provide you with a barcoded printout and you're off to WDW! I have done exactly this myself and it was smooth as could be.

EDIT: NB - This was on a vacation I booked with a TA long before I started using the excellent services of Marie from Kingdom Konsultants!

 

[nhpennington]

She said that the confirmation number was on my intenary which I don't have with me at the moment. When I am back home this evening I'll check and hopefully, find it there.

 

[lilclerk]

She said that the confirmation number was on my intenary which I don't have with me at the moment. When I am back home this evening I'll check and hopefully, find it there.

Ah, hope it's there, and if so you should be all set because it does happen all the time. Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[wannabeBelle]

First off, don't worry!
Contact Disney's Magical Express Guest Services at (866) 599-0951 to confirm they have your DME reservation [don't wait until you get to MCO, they will not take you if you haven't reserved]. They may be able to FedEx you a DME package with luggage tags in time. If not, so long as they have a reservation you're still OK!

Prior to leaving, if you have a digital camera, take a quick photo of your luggage and print it off on your printer - plain paper is fine, to identify what it looks like [this speeds your DME check-in a lot - you won't have to pick out your various bags from the big laminated sheet they have]. When you get to MCO, go direct to the DME check-in counter on the lowest level of concourse "B" and check in. They'll ask if you tagged the luggage say no and hand over the pics you printed and your luggage claim tags from the airline. They'll send staff to claim your luggage and take it to your resort room for you. The only portion of this process that takes longer than regular check-in is the identifying your own luggage types [which your handy-dandy prints speed up ].

They'll assign you to a bus, provide you with a barcoded printout and you're off to WDW! I have done exactly this myself and it was smooth as could be.

EDIT: NB - This was on a vacation I booked with a TA long before I started using the excellent services of Marie from Kingdom Konsultants!

Absolutely perfect MontyMon!!! And NH I would double check just to make sure that you really are booked. There is NOT A separate confirmation number given for DME so that isnt true. Please call as soon as possible and let us know what happened. As Monty Mon said it isnt too late for a booklet to reach you!!!! Best of luck and let us know how it goes!!!! Belle

 

[CleveRocks]

I agree with what everyone's said. MontyMon gave you the correct phone number and correct procedure to follow. wannabeBelle gave you great advice to speak to your TA's supervisor to try to get yourself some help. As a side-effect of that, if your TA ends up getting reprimanded by her supervisor for not helping you as much as she could, you could always e-mail her to tell her that getting chewed out by her boss "is not a big deal" and that "these things happen all the time." :ROFLOL: :ROFLOL:

 

[wannabeBelle]

I agree with what everyone's said. MontyMon gave you the correct phone number and correct procedure to follow. wannabeBelle gave you great advice to speak to your TA's supervisor to try to get yourself some help. As a side-effect of that, if your TA ends up getting reprimanded by her supervisor for not helping you as much as she could, you could always e-mail her to tell her that getting chewed out by her boss "is not a big deal" and that "these things happen all the time." :ROFLOL: :ROFLOL:

:lol: :lol: :lol: Belle

 

[wannabeBelle]

So do we have a happily ever after?? Belle

 

[nhpennington]

To make a long story short, everything is all set.
As for the whole story...
I finnaly got a hold of my agent last night. She reassured me that everything was booked and that if I had any other questions between now and the time we left to give her a call. After that phone call, I started getting a bit nervous so I called the Disney's Magical Express number and guess what...we were NOT booked for any transfer. Furious, I called her back only to get her voice mail that stated that she would be out of the office for vacation starting Aug 1 until Aug 7. Seeing as how we leave on Aug 6, that makes it rather hard to contact her with questions. I called Disney back and they were able to locate my reservation and book the DME transfer. Very dissapointed in AAA travel and very happy with Disney to get eveything figured out. Thanks also for all y'all's help in this issue!

 

[mousefan1972]

Glad it worked out... but definitely stay away from that TA next time! :brick:

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!! :wave:

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

I'm glad it all worked out. We had problems with our AAA Agent too. We decided to add a night. We were booked at POFQ from a Sat to Sat but wanted to stay till Sun. My sister checked and there were rooms available. The AAA lady added it but for POR. All our tags said that. When we found out she couldnt' get us the extra night at POFQ. Luckily when we checked in they were able to let us have our 4 rooms for 1 more night. It took some work from the CM but it was doable. We were really angry with AAA. My sister swears she will never use AAA again for a Disney trip.

 

[KnK]

Glad it worked out... but definitely stay away from that TA next time! :brick:

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!! :wave:

I don't think all TA's are bad. The folks at Kingdom Konsultants have been great. I am an overly detailed person, and this year gave them a try......never again will I book on my own! They have made the process much easier and a lot less stressful!

Thanks KK (Elizabeth)!

 

[wannabeBelle]

To make a long story short, everything is all set.
As for the whole story...
I finnaly got a hold of my agent last night. She reassured me that everything was booked and that if I had any other questions between now and the time we left to give her a call. After that phone call, I started getting a bit nervous so I called the Disney's Magical Express number and guess what...we were NOT booked for any transfer. Furious, I called her back only to get her voice mail that stated that she would be out of the office for vacation starting Aug 1 until Aug 7. Seeing as how we leave on Aug 6, that makes it rather hard to contact her with questions. I called Disney back and they were able to locate my reservation and book the DME transfer. Very dissapointed in AAA travel and very happy with Disney to get eveything figured out. Thanks also for all y'all's help in this issue!

Hey NH, You are most welcome!!!! Thanks to all my cohorts on this thread as well for the great time and information for NH!!! As usual WE ROCK!!!!!!!!! I would still speak with the agent's boss and see what kind of attitude she takes with this. I find it hard to believe that someone in the service industry would behave like that without fear of reprecussions!!!!! Was DME able to get you a booklet as well?? I hope you have an AMAZING trip to make up for all of this!!! Belle