Ways to Resort NOT Using Magical Express?

MadameGaston

MadameGaston

Member
We have a vacation planned for 9 days, 3 of which my boyfriend is flying down for. We can't add him to our package without adding him for the entire 9 days so he is unable to take the Magical Express. I was wondering if anyone has used another method besides the Magical Express to get to a resort? To rent a car would be about $120 for the three days not including the gas to and from the airport, a taxi would cost as least as much. We tried looking into a Mears shuttle but since the Magical Express is a Mears operated bus it keeps directing us to the Magical Express directions. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
 
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unkadug

unkadug

Follower of "Saget"The Cult
Brianne Allain said:
We have a vacation planned for 9 days, 3 of which my boyfriend is flying down for. We can't add him to our package without adding him for the entire 9 days so he is unable to take the Magical Express. I was wondering if anyone has used another method besides the Magical Express to get to a resort? To rent a car would be about $120 for the three days not including the gas to and from the airport, a taxi would cost as least as much. We tried looking into a Mears shuttle but since the Magical Express is a Mears operated bus it keeps directing us to the Magical Express directions. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
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He had to get tickets and a room too. Just add ME to his own package.
 
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MadameGaston

MadameGaston

Member
Original Poster
unkadug said:
He had to get tickets and a room too. Just add ME to his own package.
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Unfortunately there are no rooms left at our resort for him to book. He has tickets and the concierge said he can stay in the room as long as it isn't over capacity, we just need to get him there.
 
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Disneydreamer23

Disneydreamer23

Well-Known Member
I'm shocked they told you that since they charge a daily fee for an additional adult when I used to go partial trips they made my mom add me the whole time. A cab both days with tip is around 70 each. I would just rent a car.
 
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unkadug

unkadug

Follower of "Saget"The Cult
If you can't get him on the ME bus then a taxi is probably your best bet.

According to TaxiFareFinder it should cost about $50-60.00 depending upon your final destination.
 
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MadameGaston

MadameGaston

Member
Original Poster
Disneydreamer23 said:
I'm shocked they told you that since they charge a daily fee for an additional adult when I used to go partial trips they made my mom add me the whole time. A cab both days with tip is around 70 each. I would just rent a car.
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Maybe that's because her rate was lower to begin with for the room? We already have three people staying so it wasn't additional cost for the added person. Plus, if they did want to charge extra for him how would they know he was staying there? I'm just curious about if they actually check or anything. The guy I spoke with over the phone was really nice about it all since it would be like $900 to add him to our package when he'll only be there for a couple of nights :)
 
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Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Brianne Allain said:
We have a vacation planned for 9 days, 3 of which my boyfriend is flying down for. We can't add him to our package without adding him for the entire 9 days so he is unable to take the Magical Express. I was wondering if anyone has used another method besides the Magical Express to get to a resort? To rent a car would be about $120 for the three days not including the gas to and from the airport, a taxi would cost as least as much. We tried looking into a Mears shuttle but since the Magical Express is a Mears operated bus it keeps directing us to the Magical Express directions. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Click to expand...
Which resort are you staying at? I had a similar situation when staying with a friend for a few days; she and her kids were on a special ticket package and since I have an AP and did not need tickets I could not be added to the reservation (and was therefore not eligible for Magical Express.)

Mears runs a shuttle to the Swan and Dolphin that cost me between $30-40 round trip. (Swan and Dolphin do not have DME). I used the shuttle and walked over to Beach Club, where my friend was staying.
 
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MadameGaston

MadameGaston

Member
Original Poster
Tuvalu said:
Which resort are you staying at? I had a similar situation when staying with a friend for a few days; she and her kids were on a special ticket package and since I have an AP and did not need tickets I could not be added to the reservation (and was therefore not eligible for Magical Express.)

Mears runs a shuttle to the Swan and Dolphin that cost me between $30-40 round trip. (Swan and Dolphin do not have DME). I used the shuttle and walked over to Beach Club, where my friend was staying.
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We're staying at POP this time, Swan and Dolphin have regular shuttle service to parks though right? So he could take the Mears shuttle to Swan, then the shuttle from the resort to a park and then over to POP?
 
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Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Brianne Allain said:
We're staying at POP this time, Swan and Dolphin have regular shuttle service to parks though right? So he could take the Mears shuttle to Swan, then the shuttle from the resort to a park and then over to POP?
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Yes with a caveat ~ he cannot bring a suitcase onto a Disney bus. But perfectly fine to bring a backpack or small duffle bag ;).
 
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Disneyhead'71

Disneyhead'71

Well-Known Member
It's times like these where I want to say, "Dang, I'll just go pick him up and deliver him safely to your resort". I drove past OIA 3 times today. Disney twice. I was in Orlando, Cocoa Beach, Winter Park, Kissimmee, and Orlando again, in that order.

A hop from OIA to Disney is not even a thing. The transfer rates are mind boggling.
 
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Rob562

Rob562

Well-Known Member
As far as I know, Mears will still take a paying customer from the airport to the hotel for the same price that you'd pay to get to the Swan and Dolphin. The DME agreement with the airport is that they'll only transport passengers that have pre-booked with them. If you don't schedule DME before your trip and just show up at the counter, they're (theoretically) not supposed to take you.

So in that instance you can walk over to the Mears desk and pay to be brought to the Disney resort, just like in the old days pre-DME.

-Rob
 
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MadameGaston

MadameGaston

Member
Original Poster
Rob562 said:
As far as I know, Mears will still take a paying customer from the airport to the hotel for the same price that you'd pay to get to the Swan and Dolphin. The DME agreement with the airport is that they'll only transport passengers that have pre-booked with them. If you don't schedule DME before your trip and just show up at the counter, they're (theoretically) not supposed to take you.

So in that instance you can walk over to the Mears desk and pay to be brought to the Disney resort, just like in the old days pre-DME.

-Rob
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My only worry is that they'll say no for some reason and he'll have to rent a car anyway and now we won't be able to get it for the discounted price I found through AAA and then it'll be almost three times the price. But maybe we'll take the chance! Thank you :)
 
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zeebs758

zeebs758

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
Yes
Last time we went, we used a limo service that took us to the airport. I believe it cost around $70. I think this is the quickest and most hassle free way to get him to the park. I think its worth the extra money to know he won't have to worry about transportation when he gets there
 
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WendyTinkerbell

WendyTinkerbell

Active Member
I joined up with someone that was already there for a convention, before we moved to a separate reservation. I was able to be added to the room without having to be added to their package. I think when he checked in, they were able to get it situated that he only had to pay the additional adult cost for the two nights I was staying in the room. This was important since his work paid for the package and my addition needed to be accounted for separately. I then had to call Magical Express directly and was able to book the Magical Express one way on that reservation and the return only on the other reservation. Maybe convention packages are handled differently than regular vacation packages.

I think this is why I prefer to book discounted room rate and tickets separately. I think it gives much more flexibility in changing or altering the plans without as much penalty or fees. I believe you can change or cancel your room up to 5 days before the stay.
 
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