How late does Magical Express run?

[lpoeppelman]

If we fly our flight will get in late... around 9:45p.m. How late does this service run?

[dburg30]

The passenger transport part runs 24/7 as buses are needed. Luggage delivery stops at 10pm. Arriving at 9:45 I would be very tempted to just pick up my luggage and take it on the bus to the resort with me. The driver will load and unload your luggage under the bus, and will expect a tip when you retrieve it at your resort.

[goofy4tink]

If you decide to get your own bags at baggage claim, do not put those yellow DME luggage tags on your bags! Just leave them off, and head to baggage claim and get your bags. As already noted, you can take them to the bus with you.

[puffkin]

We almost always come in late on a Friday night. When we use DME, we just go collect our bags and take them with us. Just leave the yellow tags off of them!

They will deliver your bags the next morning if you prefer, but we like to have all our stuff and get settled in that night so we always get our bags. It really isn't that big of a deal unless you have tons and tons of stuff.

[Lewisc]

SW baggage claim and DME are in opposite corners of MCO. A car service would get me halfway to WDW in the length of time it would take to walk over to the DME desk.

I'd generally save a few dollars and stay at a MCO area hotel if my flight was scheduled to arrive after 10p. I'd probably pay for a car service rather then having schlep my luggage around MCO. Alternately I'd see if I could go with carryon only bags.

[lpoeppelman]

Originally Posted by Lewisc

SW baggage claim and DME are in opposite corners of MCO. A car service would get me halfway to WDW in the length of time it would take to walk over to the DME desk.

I'd generally save a few dollars and stay at a MCO area hotel if my flight was scheduled to arrive after 10p. I'd probably pay for a car service rather then having schlep my luggage around MCO. Alternately I'd see if I could go with carryon only bags.

Thanks for all the info!

I need some more advice... what would you do?

Here's the situation... we are staying at BCV on Sunday, but I want to arrive on Friday night (again, it will be late... after 9:30p.m.).

Friday: I'm thinking of staying off-site. Springhill Suites Lake Buena Visa for 1/2 to 1/3 of the cost of a Disney hotel that will accommodate my family.

I will use some of that money though to rent a van for two days and can drop it off at the rental place onsite Disney. I'm hoping this will actually be quicker than transporting via DME from the airport to Disney which usually takes 2-3 hours from what I recall. What do you think? Plus, we can get food or other necessities for the week since we'll have the van which would be nice.

Saturday: I'm thinking of staying at Port Orleans or All-Star Music so we will be on Disney property... but again, for only 1 night. Reason #1: So we can use Disney transportation, get our dining ressies made early for this day, and so we can have our luggage transferred to our final resort for Sunday.

Sunday: Our BCV ressies start. Yea!

To make things easier, I am packing a separate bag just for these two days so we are not scattering luggage everywhere.... but curious what you think... is this crazy? Is there an easier way? I just can't afford a Fri/Sat stay at BCV... so that's out of the question.

Would love some input if you have any to offer.

Thanks!

[Lewisc]

I wouldn't move hotels 3 times in 3 days. Will you be visiting Sea World, Universal etc Saturday or Sunday. Rent a car/van and stay at the Spring Hill Suites Friday and Saturday night.

Just a Disney vacation? Stay at a Value Resort Friday and Saturday night. Use DME.

[puffkin]

Originally Posted by Lewisc

I wouldn't move hotels 3 times in 3 days. Will you be visiting Sea World, Universal etc Saturday or Sunday. Rent a car/van and stay at the Spring Hill Suites Friday and Saturday night.

Just a Disney vacation? Stay at a Value Resort Friday and Saturday night. Use DME.

We always come in on a Friday night with a DVC stay starting on Sunday. WE always go straight to Disney either on DME or with a rental car. Stay at either a moderate or a value depending on deals/codes those first two nights then check into DVC on Sunday. I like to get the whole headache of travelling over with Friday night and wake up in Disney ready to start my vacation.

We'll be doing exactly this next Friday. We are staying at ASMo Friday and Saturday (2 rooms, yeah!) and then checking into a 1 bedroom at AKV on Sunday