Magical Express (some ME UK info incl.)

[stuart]

We arrive into Orlando July 1st and thinking that our travel agent wouldnt know about the Magical Express as they had not informed us of it i called up the number yesterday and got told to see our travel agent.

So, the part some UK members mite find useful. Went into Thomas Cook (travel agent) today and asked if they could book it so they phoned up Thomas Cook Signature who are booking the service but only for summer 06 at this time. Reason they said was that it was not in the brochure for this summer so no-one will know about it. Not sure about other UK tour companies as to whether they are booking the service, though at least they know about it. Just a shame they cant arrange it for us for this year.

Well phoned up Magical Express just there and spoke to someone called Kim, who i told my story to and then she said they cannot bring up reservations outwith a 45 day window. We arrive July 1st which is within 45 days so she said called back end of the month to sort someting. Im thinking that is a little late on in the day to be booking it.

I thought that you could not book it within 10 days, yet she says end of the month....surely i should be able to arrange it just now. Im thinking bout phoning up again in the hope ill speak to someone else (and also so i can hear the Illuminations 25 music as i did yesterday) and see what they say. Anyone here working with reservations/magical express have any ideas on what i should do?

 

[JPVonDrake]

We arrive into Orlando July 1st and thinking that our travel agent wouldnt know about the Magical Express as they had not informed us of it i called up the number yesterday and got told to see our travel agent.

So, the part some UK members mite find useful. Went into Thomas Cook (travel agent) today and asked if they could book it so they phoned up Thomas Cook Signature who are booking the service but only for summer 06 at this time. Reason they said was that it was not in the brochure for this summer so no-one will know about it. Not sure about other UK tour companies as to whether they are booking the service, though at least they know about it. Just a shame they cant arrange it for us for this year.

Well phoned up Magical Express just there and spoke to someone called Kim, who i told my story to and then she said they cannot bring up reservations outwith a 45 day window. We arrive July 1st which is within 45 days so she said called back end of the month to sort someting. Im thinking that is a little late on in the day to be booking it.

I thought that you could not book it within 10 days, yet she says end of the month....surely i should be able to arrange it just now. Im thinking bout phoning up again in the hope ill speak to someone else (and also so i can hear the Illuminations 25 music as i did yesterday) and see what they say. Anyone here working with reservations/magical express have any ideas on what i should do?

I'll be happy to help...

If you booked through a travel agent, then you must book your DME through the same agent. You cannot book this on your own, as your travel agent has full control of your reservation until you arrive and check-in.

Disney's Magical Express should be booked at least 10 days in advance and can be booked for any confirmed travel dates through December 31, 2006. It is possible however to book DME up to 2 days in advance but you will not be sent your luggage tags. Also technically you can book your DME up to the day before arrival, but the luggage service will not be provided.

All your travel agent needs to do is obtain your Flight Info, and call the designated Travel Agent line to the Disney Reservation Center, and we take care of the rest. If your travel agent states otherwise, rethink using that travel agent in the future.

Hope this helps! :sohappy:

 

[stuart]

Hi, i was hoping you would help having done so after another query of mine lol. Well yeah the travel agent called up the folk the company whose brochure we booked through and that was Thomas Cook Signature and they said tehy are bookin it but not till next year. The woman we usually deal with in the travel agents wasnt there so we will go in again and tell her what you have said and hope she can do it. Cheers again!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Stuart - sounds to me like Disney are quite willing to "play ball" and just need a phone call from Thomas Cook - Its the British Travel Agent who are playing "well it says here that we can't do that until next year".
If you get no joy from TC ask for head office details and take your complaint up to the next level.
Here's hoping you get sorted.

 

[stuart]

Well we are either phoning the woman that we normally deal with or go in and see her and just get her to phone up direct. The girls in there today didnt know and so its a Thomas Cook shop and tehy just phoned up TC Signature and it was them that said they are booking it for next summer. As JPVonDrake suggest we will just go see Lynne (usual woman we deal with) and get her to call direct. I hope i get it sorted too because we want to use the service. The thing is though there isnt many people over here that are going to know about it as it has not been well publicised. And not to mention its not going to be many requests as there are not going to be a great deal of Brits flyin with Continental (like we are) or American or United.

 

[gibsonc]

I've just got back from WDW with Thomas Cook, they booked us with Mears but on arrival at Orlando International Mears transfered us to the Magical Express. I would phone and book the magical express direct and try and get a refund from Thomas Cook for the Mears transfer.

From www.disneyworld.co.uk

Disney's Magical Express Service

NEW benefit to Disney Resort Guests only!

This service is available to UK Guests staying in a Disney Resort Hotel only. The service starts the moment you land at Orlando International Airport only*, for arrivals from 16th May 2005 to coincide with Happiest Celebration on Earth.

• Don't bother picking up your luggage when you arrive; Disney takes you from Orlando Airport to check- in, while your luggage goes straight from the plane to your room.

• Save on transportation costs, tolls, parking and more

• Enjoy comfortable transportation to and from the airport in theme air conditionned motorcoaches.

• When your holiday is over, you and your luggage are whisked back from your Disney Resort to the airport.

• All you do is attach the personalised luggage tags we send you - we do the rest!

To Book this service or to add to your Walt Disney Travel Company existing booking, please call our Disney Experts on 0870 24 24 900.

* Service not available from Orlando Sanford International Airport.

 

[JPVonDrake]

I've just got back from WDW with Thomas Cook, they booked us with Mears but on arrival at Orlando International Mears transfered us to the Magical Express. I would phone and book the magical express direct and try and get a refund from Thomas Cook for the Mears transfer.

Note, you can only book Disney's Magical Express if you have an active reservation staying at a Disney owned and operated WDW Resort. If you booked your resort stay with a travel agent, only your travel agent can add the Magical Express. This is due in part to the commission your travel agent receives from Disney for their services.

At the Disney Reservation Center, we can not retrieve, review, or modify any travel agent booking for a guest, the guest must go through the travel agency.

Hope this helps! :sohappy:

 

[gibsonc]

There clearly is a problem if the travel agent won't book the Magical Express. If Mears are going to transfer people to the Magical Express at the airport (as they did for my transfer) at Terminal B (for at least BA and Virgin flights), then send them over to Terminal A for the Magical Express. They then need to phone the resort, check you are staying there, sort out the paper work/records for the Magical Express it starts getting a little messy and not that magical especially since its not pre-booked with the Magical Express and you have your luggage with you. But good to see all the CMs at the airport with Mickey Mouse hands pointing you in the right direction.