Magical Express

[ILYSWAK]

Arriving at MCO at 9:15pm on Wed..with a 2 yr old.
Do not want to prolong getting to OKW.
Might consider private transp.
Any feedback?

thanks
Marie

[stitchlover]

In my experience from the minute we walk off the plan to the minute we walk up to the check in at the resort is an hour max. If you did private transportation you would have to wait for baggage, etc. I would do DME.

But I would STRESS at check in that you do not want your bags delivered that evening. We stayed at POFQ this past trip and didn't check in until around midnight. Asked that our luggage please be held and they said no problem. 2:30am the phone rings...do you want your bags? I think this next trip we will look to see if we can block calls just in case!

[NHTikiBeckie]

I would just take Magical Express. All three times we have used it is has been so incredibly fast, no longer than a 10 minute wait. Its a great service, I would use it instead of private transportation.

[ilovepooh]

We used DME on July 22, and we had no problems! As soon as the plane landed I waited to check-in at DME desk maybe 5 minutes, and was directed to the "red carpet" where we went to our hotels line to wait for the bus. We waited there less than 5 minutes. We boarded the bus, waited about 5-10 minutes, and we were the first stop! I would definitely recommend it! We will definitely be using it again next year!

[byoung]

Take ME it's free

[excitedtraveler]

We went last week and did DME and it worked out really well. We have a 5 y/o and a 1 y/o and didn't want to be waiting around either. It's so nice that you don't have to worry about getting your luggage and all that and you're on your way to your resort before you know it. Just be sure to pack essentials into your carryon as there is often a delay of a couple hours between when you arrive in your room and your luggage does.;)

[CleveRocks]

Arriving at MCO at 9:15pm on Wed..with a 2 yr old.
Do not want to prolong getting to OKW.
Might consider private transp.
Any feedback?

thanks
Marie

First of all, :welcome: :disrocks:

You will arrive at your resort around the same time whether you take Disney's Magical Express, a car service, a rental car, or taxi. It's a common misconception that DME takes longer.

Choose your transportation by the level of service you desire and how much you're willing to pay.

Personally, I'm a huge DME fan. The first time we used it was when it was just a few days old ... our kids were 5 and 2. We did it again last fall when they were 6 and 4. The first time, we went from airplane to resort in 63 minutes, and the second time in only 56 minutes.

Best advice: pack smartly in your carry-ons for your immediate needs. Use the DME automatic luggage delivery, and when you get to your resort ask that your DME luggage be held 'til morning. You can easily and happily fit everything you need for the flight, the night and next morning in your carry-ons. Each ticketed passenger is entitled to a carry-on. My 2 year old felt like such a big girl having her own little backpack to be responsible for. She carried her own airplane snacks, airplane activities, bedtime buddy and jammies. One of us big people took care of the diapers and wipes, as that's no fun for a "big girl" to carry!

On our most recent trip, we landed around 10 p.m., were at our resort around 11 p.m. I had planned to ask them to hold our DME bags 'til morning, but I forgot. Our phone rang at 1:16 a.m., with an offer to bring our luggage if we wanted it. We had them hold it ... I called for it around 6:30 a.m. and they were right up to me in about 5 minutes.

Really, it was very simple to bring our immediate needs in carry-ons. It's a smart way to travel, anyway, as it means if your airline delays your luggage you'll still be able to start your trip off well.

[dburg30]

Seeing 2 posters saying they requested it not be brought up but got phone calls asking if they wanted it. If you took the phone off the hook, and they couldnt get hold of you, do you think they would investigate more or just let it go til they could get you?
Although I have a feeling everyone will be beat, so I guess just mumbling to them to bring it in the AM probably wouldnt wake young uns up too easily, and if it did, they'd probably be out pretty quick again?

[sassyat30]

Just so you are aware of this...you are able to use DME and get your own bags and bring them on the bus with you. :)

DH and I will be using DME for the first time on our next trip, and we are planning on getting our own bags and bringing them on the bus with us.

And yes, I am well aware it might take me 10 mins of my time to get my bags and walk back to the DME counter, but this is what we feel comfortable doing. :goodvibes

[chevblazer02]

Alright, I was reading and noticed that someone mentioned that, you could bring your luggage on the bus with you, can some one verify this becuase my g/f is very worried about letting someone else deal with her luggage, besides this anyone have any suggestions so I could ease her worrying...

[CleveRocks]

Seeing 2 posters saying they requested it not be brought up but got phone calls asking if they wanted it. I only count one. I said I forgot to request the bags be held 'til morning.

[CleveRocks]

Alright, I was reading and noticed that someone mentioned that, you could bring your luggage on the bus with you, can some one verify this becuase my g/f is very worried about letting someone else deal with her luggage, besides this anyone have any suggestions so I could ease her worrying...The DME luggage tags have barcodes. Tagged luggage is pulled behind-the-scenes and taken to a Disney luggage sorting facility on the airport grounds. The bags are scanned once upon arrival, and a second time when grouped by resort. Resort-sorted luggage is then loaded into locked cages and scanned a third time. The cages are loaded onto DME luggage delivery trucks, and these trucks are tracked by GPS. The bags are scanned a fourth time when they are unloaded from the cages at the resort, and then scanned a fifth and final time when they are brought into the inside of your resort room. Bottom line: Disney knows where your luggage is at all times, and resort CMs can track its real-time location by computer.

Disney's been doing this for well over 2 years now, and there are no widespread DME luggage problems. You have a MUCH better chance of an airline-based luggage problem.

Will this help???

[dburg30]

I only count one. I said I forgot to request the bags be held 'til morning.


Ok yea, you were the 2nd one, sorry. Anyway, can you answer my question?

[dburg30]

Alright, I was reading and noticed that someone mentioned that, you could bring your luggage on the bus with you, can some one verify this becuase my g/f is very worried about letting someone else deal with her luggage, besides this anyone have any suggestions so I could ease her worrying...


Cleve gave you a good answer that hopefully will ease some of her worries, but yes, you can get your own luggage and still ride the busses, just dont put the yellow barcoded tags on your luggage and they will go just like normal luggage.

[CleveRocks]

Anyway, can you answer my question?I don't know the definitive answer to your question. I don't know if they'd take a hint from the busy signal or they'd come a knockin'. You can take control of that by telling the front desk AND Bell Services that you would like your DME bags held 'til morning. That way it doesn't matter what they would do, since they would know what you want them to do.:goodvibes

[anbouk]

sometimes, I believe it works much quicker. I know cause I travel with a young child too!:goodvibes

[3mickeys&me]

Just so you are aware of this...you are able to use DME and get your own bags and bring them on the bus with you. :)

DH and I will be using DME for the first time on our next trip, and we are planning on getting our own bags and bringing them on the bus with us.

And yes, I am well aware it might take me 10 mins of my time to get my bags and walk back to the DME counter, but this is what we feel comfortable doing. :goodvibes


We did this too! And it worked out great for us as well. Just remember not to put the DME tag on your luggage. We hardly had a wait at all!! I highly recommend the DME!!:thumbsup2

[lttlmc3]

I loved the DME. It was like, as soon as you are at the airport and then on the bus, you are in the magic. They have little videos to watch as you ride and it makes it all the more exciting to know that you are about to be there.

[lighttech]

Alright, I was reading and noticed that someone mentioned that, you could bring your luggage on the bus with you, can some one verify this becuase my g/f is very worried about letting someone else deal with her luggage, besides this anyone have any suggestions so I could ease her worrying...

First of all, its so nice of you to share her concern for her. I'm a worrier too, and sometimes all I need is for DH to try to understand.

A little more detail would help with answers... Is she worried about luggage being lost, damaged or rifled through? or stolen?

I used to travel a lot for work, and there were a couple things I did to ease my own mind.

Be sure to pack necessities and one change of clothes in your carry-on. (Although, necessities mean diff't things to diff't people, and hair-care, make-up, etc. is out these days w/ airline restrictions). This way, if the luggage is delayed at the airport, you can still wakeup and put on a fresh change of clothes and start your day.

I used to get skeeved out by the thought of someone rifling through my, eh-hem, unmentionables. So, I would sometimes pack all my undies and socks in my carry-on. (I was only traveling for a day or two, so they'd fit in a baggie at the bottom.)

Also, ziploc baggies are your friend. Separate and bag away when traveling. Shampoos in a bag, socks in a bag, make-up in a bag, etc. That way, if anything bursts or gets bumped and broken, you've lost only that item, and the mess is self-contained.

If the worry is with DME, I'd look to the other posters comments (I haven't used them myself yet, but will on our trip this fall) and see how careful everyone said they are. In my opinion, its Disney. They are going to do their darndest to keep you happy. And are probably a heck of a lot more considerate than some of the airlines. (Some are great... others... not so much.)

Good luck!

[MomWith2Cinderellas]

Arriving at MCO at 9:15pm on Wed..with a 2 yr old.
Do not want to prolong getting to OKW.
Might consider private transp.
Any feedback?

thanks
Marie

We have taken DME with a late arrival and our experince was pleasant. Our little ones were so excited to be in "Mickey Country" that they were very excited to be on the bus. It probably took us an 1 hour/ 1hour 15 minutes to get to the resort from MCO. We took a private service last time and the service was good, but by the time we located our driver and we got to the car it took us almost 2 hours to get to WDW!!

[bulah1]

You know, it was a free service - so I'm all on board! LOL

This will be our first trip to DW together AND first time to use Magical Express.
Weighing the options for just the two of us, I think it was the best way to go. We're going in the end of October, so I'm not too worried about it being busy or taking long.

My question though, is in regards to how long it will take our bags to reach us. I plan to carry as much as possible on our carry-ons. I'm not even sure we can check in right away... our plane lands at 11:30... so that will get us there around noon or 12:30... I don't think our check in is until 3 or 4 pm (All Star Music). So I guess we'll have to blow some time. Will we be able to pick up our park tickets and stuff early even though check-in isn't until that time?

Then - how long does it really take the bags to get to the room? I guess I'm confused on the whole thing. If my plane gets in that early the bags should be there by the time I would need to check in around 3 or 4 wouldn't they? Or do they really take that long?

We won't be getting back to the hotel for bed-time until late anyways, we'll be doing MNSSHP that evening and won't leave there until midnight... think my bags will be up by then?

Thanks for the input!! :hug:

[CleveRocks]

You know, it was a free service - so I'm all on board! LOL

This will be our first trip to DW together AND first time to use Magical Express.
Weighing the options for just the two of us, I think it was the best way to go. We're going in the end of October, so I'm not too worried about it being busy or taking long.

My question though, is in regards to how long it will take our bags to reach us. I plan to carry as much as possible on our carry-ons. I'm not even sure we can check in right away... our plane lands at 11:30... so that will get us there around noon or 12:30... I don't think our check in is until 3 or 4 pm (All Star Music). So I guess we'll have to blow some time. Will we be able to pick up our park tickets and stuff early even though check-in isn't until that time?

Then - how long does it really take the bags to get to the room? I guess I'm confused on the whole thing. If my plane gets in that early the bags should be there by the time I would need to check in around 3 or 4 wouldn't they? Or do they really take that long?

We won't be getting back to the hotel for bed-time until late anyways, we'll be doing MNSSHP that evening and won't leave there until midnight... think my bags will be up by then?

Thanks for the input!! :hug:Disney doesn't make you wait until the 3:00 p.m. check-in time to check-in ... if your room is ready, then you can get it any time. If you get to the front desk at 7:0 a.m. and your room is available, then BINGO, you have your room at 7:00 a.m.

If your room isn't ready when you arrive, you'll still get checked in and get your park tickets and any other package components, as well as your actual room key. The key won't open your room door yet, and you won't even know the room number yet. They'll give you a phone number to call to learn your room number, so that way you don't have to stop to wait in line at the front desk again, you can just go directly to your room once it's ready.

Expect your DME bags to be delivered by abut 3 hours after you arrive at your resort. SO if your plane lands at 11:30 a.m., expect to be at the resort by between 12:30 - 1:00 p.m., and expect your luggage to be delivered to the inside of your room (whether you're in there or not) by 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.

ENJOY!:woohoo:

[chrismb22]

I love ME so much that when I traveled for work recently I was very upset that I actually had to wait for my luggage! I didn't understand :rotfl2:

Seriously, it worked out great for us. We got off the airplane at @10:30 went RIGHT to ME and were on the bus for EPCOT by 12:30. It was the BEST!!

Don't tell the folks at disney vacations but I would pay for this service. That's how much I love it.

[bulah1]

Disney doesn't make you wait until the 3:00 p.m. check-in time to check-in ... if your room is ready, then you can get it any time. If you get to the front desk at 7:0 a.m. and your room is available, then BINGO, you have your room at 7:00 a.m.

If your room isn't ready when you arrive, you'll still get checked in and get your park tickets and any other package components, as well as your actual room key. The key won't open your room door yet, and you won't even know the room number yet. They'll give you a phone number to call to learn your room number, so that way you don't have to stop to wait in line at the front desk again, you can just go directly to your room once it's ready.

Expect your DME bags to be delivered by abut 3 hours after you arrive at your resort. SO if your plane lands at 11:30 a.m., expect to be at the resort by between 12:30 - 1:00 p.m., and expect your luggage to be delivered to the inside of your room (whether you're in there or not) by 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.

ENJOY!:woohoo:

OOO! Very cool - that all makes me a happy camper! I can't wait!
Thanks again for your help!

I'm so glad other people remind me of all the questions I forget to ask on here! :rotfl:

EDIT! -
It just ocurred to me I have another question! LOL
So when your happy time is all over at Disney and you are catching your return flight...
Do you need to get your bags to the bus, or is that taken care of for you? Do you need to get the bags off the bus at the airport, or are they taken directly to your flight for you?

Thanks again!

[kaytieeldr]

To triple-ensure your luggage (which will be at your resort within a few hours of your check-in) is not delivered in the middle of the night:
… Let the Front Desk know when you check in that you’d like it held until morning.
… Call Bell Services/Luggage Assistance from your room and let them know you’d like it held until morning.
… Place the “Privacy Please” card in the key slot on your door.

[bzbostonmom]

We're leaving in a few days and are staying at the Royal Plaza in Downtown Disney -- I can't find anything online or at the hotel site that says DME services the hotel. Does anyone know if DME services DTD hotels?:confused:

[stitchlover]

I don't believe DME services that hotel. It is not a Disney property.

[MisMikiNikiLynne]

DME will not service offsite hotels. Your hotel is considered offsite. Sorry.
We went through the same thing a few years ago when we opted to stay at the Grovsner.

[princess_sexton]

I was curious about ME on the way back to the airport. I heard that you have to be back at your hotel like 3 three hours before your flight. Is this acurate? Also has anyone used a private service just for the way back. I will be in the parks that day and really like to get the most for my ticket and if i have to leave at 3 it will stink:sad2:

[dburg30]

You can use a personal service, how close are you planning on cutting it? There are posts in the transportation forum where people have waited 90 minutes to get thru security. Now not always, it's probably quicker almost all the time, but do you want to chance it? Even if you went with 2 hours before your flight, you might get an extra 30 minutes? Just seems a little silly for 30 minutes more. I guess I'm one of those that would rather get there early, get thru security and not worry about it.

[BigGreen73]

When we went this past May, we waited about 30mins before getting on the bus and the total time from off the plane to the resort was about an hour. I would go with DME over anything else.

[FancyBrat]

DME worked great on both our trips. Went straight down to the DME Counter and checked in each time and wasn't long before we were on our way to the Resort. We let DME handle the bags for us and had no problems what so ever. Actually when we came back to the Resort in the afternoon for a nap we found all our Checked bags as well as our Carry on's that we left with the Bell service already in our room waiting for us. Wasn't expecting that at a Value but it was awesome.

[crissichef]

DME is the best thing going...........I wish they had it years ago when we had to pay a pretty penny for Mears to pick us up at the airport and drop us off. We used it last October with my DH, DD8, DS1 and they did not have time to be impaitent. The employees there went out of their way to keep the kids busy ! Just like everything else Disney does it right !

[Pirates4me]

The Magical Express is the way to go. All of the time that we have taken it, the driver did his/her best to get us loaded, our luggage loaded and get to our home resort within an hour.

Our kids don't even mind the bus ride as it has Disney movies playing on the bus. With the kids happy, it gives me time to think about how I can move down there and make a living and also keep my wife speaking to me. She;s not sold on moving to Florida. She has agreed to NC,SC or Virginia. I just need a few trip tp Disney and I think I will have her changing her mind.
IT'S GOT TO BE DISNEY TO BE MAGICAL FOR ME!

[GofFreak]

DME was very fast for us. (Nov 07) We got off the plane right on the bus. Left right away. Total trip time was about 40 minutes. The bus played some Disney clips for the kids and the kids at heart. ;)

DME all the way:thumbsup2

[mrincredible2008]

I would like to say that we have never had a problem with the pick up from the airport. quick! no problem! BUT wait..... on the trip home. (yes, i called early 1 morning before leaving) the next day i got in line at the hotel early check my bags and waited for the bus. right on time no problem.... i had my tickets out and turned so the bus driver could see... i was first in line of about 20 people. the bus driver said sorry we only have room for these 3. boy if i had been next i would have missed the flight! so better check your seat!