A few Magical Express questions

[CheriePenguin]

We have never utilized Magical Express before, and I had a few questions. Hopefully some of you Disney experts out there can give me some input, and we can decide whether or not to use it, or part of it, on this trip.

Background: My parents are flying into Tampa several weeks before our WDW vacation, then driving to Orlando (meeting me/DH/DS4/DS<2), and flying back from Orlando when we do to go home. They're not sure yet if they are keeping their car, or will be returning it in Orlando.
We are not positive if we are renting a mini van, but are leaning towards it.

1. I presume there is no way my parents could utilize ME from the Orlando airport to the resort (after returning the car), as they are not on an incoming flight to Orlando. (?)
But after reading the AllEars notes on ME, it looks like they WILL be able to use ME one way, i.e. upon departure, if desired. Is that correct?

2. Will we be able to eat in the airport prior to boarding ME? (Sounds like a stupid question I suppose, but will they be expecting us shortly after our flight lands and give up on us if we aren't there soon?)

3. Can you eat/drink ON the ME bus? (I would hope at least little snacks and sippy cups for the kids would be allowed [correct or no?], but would, say, a McDonald's meal be allowed?)

4. [Not likely to do it this way, and I know there are some strong feelings against this, but...] If one person (DH) collects his own luggage and gets a rental vehicle, and the rest of us take ME, would he (DH) still be able to take ME back upon departure?

5. We're staying at POR, and our flight should arrive ~11:00am (Midwest Airlines). About how long would you guesstimate it would take to get to the resort? And at that time of day, is the luggage most likely to really make it to our room within 3 hrs from landing?

Thanks so much for any answers and input any of you can provide!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

1. I presume there is no way my parents could utilize ME from the Orlando airport to the resort (after returning the car), as they are not on an incoming flight to Orlando. (?)
But after reading the AllEars notes on ME, it looks like they WILL be able to use ME one way, i.e. upon departure, if desired. Is that correct?

Yes. There's no problem using Magical Express one way... whether it's inbound or outbound.

Also, guests can use Magical Express to travel from Orlando International to their WDW resort regardless of how they arrive at the airport. Most guests arrive by air, but I've also arrived by rental car shuttle. Some guests spend the first night at a hotel in or near the airport.

2. Will we be able to eat in the airport prior to boarding ME? (Sounds like a stupid question I suppose, but will they be expecting us shortly after our flight lands and give up on us if we aren't there soon?)

Yes. You can take as little or as much time as you want at Orlando International before checking in for Magical Express and catching a ride to your resort. You're not assigned to a specific motorcoach departure until you check in at the Magical Express counter.

3. Can you eat/drink ON the ME bus? (I would hope at least little snacks and sippy cups for the kids would be allowed [correct or no?], but would, say, a McDonald's meal be allowed?)

They request no eating or drinking on the motorcoach. That keep the bus clean for the next group of guests, and it avoids the smells that many foods have. The ride is short, about 30 to 50 minutes depending on the number of stops.

4. [Not likely to do it this way, and I know there are some strong feelings against this, but...] If one person (DH) collects his own luggage and gets a rental vehicle, and the rest of us take ME, would he (DH) still be able to take ME back upon departure?

Yes. As noted earlier, it's perfectly okay to use Magical Express one way. Also, if one or more of you is using Magical Express to get from the airport to your WDW resort, there's no reason why your DH needs to waste time waiting for bags at baggage claim; simply put yellow DME tags on everybody's bags. I don't think anyone has "strong feelings against this."

5. We're staying at POR, and our flight should arrive ~11:00am (Midwest Airlines). About how long would you guesstimate it would take to get to the resort? And at that time of day, is the luggage most likely to really make it to our room within 3 hrs from landing?

Plan on around 70-90 minutes from deplaning until you arrive at POR. Of course, plan on more time if you'll eat lunch at the airport before checking in for Magical Express. The Magical Express package says to allow up to three hours from your resort check-in, not three hours from landing. Also, keep in mind that your room might not be ready when you arrive at POR.

If you pack carry-ons with items you'll need the fist day, it really doesn't make a difference. You'll probably be out having fun when your bags are delivered to your room, so you might never know when they actually arrived.

 

[CheriePenguin]

Thanks so much to Horace Horsecollar for the quick and detailed reply!

Maybe we'll be able to have my Mom take Magical Express down with me and the kids after all! My Dad and DH can return my Dad's rental car and pick up a mini-van rental.

Do people agree it should not be a problem if we put the yellow ME tags on DH's bags? I don't want to cause any problems. Have people done it this way before without any problems?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I agree that it will not be a problem for you to put the yellow tags on your husband's luggage; this is perfectly acceptable with DME, since one or more members of your party IS using DME.