Disney's Magical Express

[Regina]

You'll want to check this new program out if you're staying at a Disney owned resort starting on May 5, 2005: Disney's Magical Express

[Geoff_M]

Wow, that's a nice plus!

[ganggreen4jc]

OK! I've already bought and paid for my Dreamaker Package (via AAA) for July of "05 and part of includes ground transportation for Mears to and from WDW. Does this mean that AAA will now deduct this from my package price?

[n2mm]

Thanks for reporting. This is the first I've seen on this and I was just on the portal this AM.

[caribbeanme]

My wonderful DU rep just sent me this info. Just gives me another excuse to take a fall trip to the WDW!

[swilphil]

In case anyone has really slow dial up internet like I do, here is what Magical Express is:

If you're visiting Walt Disney World and staying at a Disney owned resort during the Happiest Celebration on Earth commencing on May 5, 2005, you'll be able to take advantage of complimentary airport shuttle service, luggage delivery and airline check-in.

Starting on May 5, the Disney's Magical Express service will allow guests to check their luggage at their hometown airport and have it taken directly from the Orlando International Airport to their Disney Resort. (This service is patterned after the luggage system used by Disney Cruise Line guests who use DCL transfers.)

In addition, there will be a Resort Airline Check-in Desk where departing guests can check their bags and receive their boarding passes when leaving their Disney Resort.

While the inbound domestic airlines are not restricted, as of now the outbound pre-flight check in at the resort is limited to guests flying on American, Delta, Song, Continental, United or Ted. Guests using these airlines can check their bags and receive their boarding passes between 6:00am and 2:00pm at the Resort Airline Check-In Desk located in or near the lobby of their Disney resort.

The Disney's Magical Express complimentary shuttle service will be provided by Mears Transportation. Upon arrival at the Orlando International Airport, guests are greeted by a Disney representative. They will then be directed to the Disney Welcome Center which will be located on the Level One/A side of the airport and be scheduled for the next available shuttle.

When returning home, guests will be notified the day prior to their departure of the pick-up time. The Motor Coach will be scheduled to pick up guests approximately 2 ¾ hours prior to their flight departure. Guests will be picked up from their Disney resort.

Transportation is provided round the clock and is available seven days a week. Guests using the Disney's Magical Express service should anticipate sharing transportation with vacationers staying at the other Disney resorts.

These services are provided through a partnership with the Orlando International Airport, Mears Transportation, BAGS Inc., ARINC Incorporated, the Transportation Security Administration and American, Continental, Delta, Song, United and Ted airlines. (Other airlines may be added in the future.)

Starting on January 2, 2005, Disney's Magical Express can be booked with any new package or room-only reservation with arrivals beginning on May 5. Disney will need to be provided with the Originating/connecting city into the Orlando airport, the departure destination, the Airline carrier and the flight numbers.

If the flight has not been booked when the Disney resort reservation is made, it can be added up to 10 days in advance.

This service is also being offered to guests with existing reservations with arrival on May 5 and beyond.

Documentation will be provided twenty-one days prior to arrival. Guests will receive an Airport Transportation Booklet which will provide an overview of the service and will also have the luggage tags which are to be attached to the checked bags prior to departure. If the Disney's Magical Express service is added inside of 10 days of arrival, alternate arrangements will be made.

This service is for domestic travel only and will not be offered to guests staying at the Swan/Dolphin hotels, the seven hotels in the Hotel Plaza Boulevard vicinity and Shades of Green.

[plutospup]

Originally Posted by swilphil

Starting on January 2, 2005, Disney's Magical Express can be booked with any new package or room-only reservation with arrivals beginning on May 5.

I know it said "complimentary shuttle" offered by Mears, but I still think there might be a charge in there somewhere! As mentioned, Disney will make more money by keeping visitors on WDW property.

[chyam]

I just posted this info on the theme parks and stratagies board........all the info is there under.."News from Disney, now they have all the angles covered, I received it in my email.....I believe it says the service starts Jan. 2

[john2u]

Thanks for the info. Will keep this in mind when planning our next trip.

[Regina]

Chyam, it can be added to your reservation starting on January 2, but the actual program begins on May 5, 2005. :D

[Liz]

I wonder if you can do this just one way, like from the airport to WDW? We always rent a car and visit family in Florida, but during our time at Disney the car just sits there. If we could do this just one way then we could rent a car at the Dolphin or something for the rest of our stay in Florida.

[DrTomorrow]

This has been tried, in various foms, in Las Vegas for years. Lots of potential for unpleasant surprises: luggage missing or arriving very late to your resort; long shuttle trips to/from airport; issues with changing flights; lots of time lost waiting, waiting, waiting....

[Leota]

Sounds great to me at first glance - then reality sets in & the logistical nightmares form......

Think I'll be sticking with Tiffany.... I like knowing where my bags are, I like going directly to & from my resort & I need the grocery stop for bottled water. This new service wouldn't really be a perk for me.

[Regina]

I'm thinking of the carry-ons. What are they going to do with those? Will there be room on the bus or will they be stowed underneath? Then there are the strollers. This is all going to add to travel time.

I don't have little kids, but if I did, I know that I'd be concerned about being on the highway without child safety seats.

I guess we have to wait and see how this is going to work.

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally Posted by dvcreg

I'm thinking of the carry-ons. What are they going to do with those? Will there be room on the bus or will they be stowed underneath? Then there are the strollers. This is all going to add to travel time.

I don't have little kids, but if I did, I know that I'd be concerned about being on the highway without child safety seats.

I guess we have to wait and see how this is going to work.

From what I am to understand, they will be using VanHool C2045 motor coaches, which have storage underneath, and small overhead bins.