Arriving internationally to Orlando - any difference with Magical Express?

[CrossOverGuy]

Orlando and WDW is actually going to be the 2nd leg of an international trip I'm taking next month. My first leg will be from from NYC to Central America, but I will be arriving Orlando from Central America, then back to NYC. (I'm a US citizen.)

When I use ME, I guess I'll have to clear customs and possibly immigration with my bag. Where does this happen? On the 2nd Floor? Do I need to go back up to three and cross over to B side if necessary? I'll be arriving on Copa Airlines. So I guess I'll not put my ME tag on my bag and take it on the ME bus myself. When I check-in at the hotel, will there be porters to assist me with my bag (though it is on wheels, I may not know where I'm going to locate my room).

My flight is scheduled to arrive at about 3:00 p.m. and I'm staying at Pop Century. I've scheduled an ADR for the 8:30 Hoop-Dee-Doo show over at Fort Wilderness. Is that going to be a problem? At least there shouldn't be snow delays coming from Central America.

Thanks in advance for your assistance. I'm really looking forward to my Disney trip.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I can't speak for Central America but in the past when I flew from Toronto - Orlando it was treated like any other US domestic flight that lands at MCO. The reason is we clear US Customs in Toronto so once we land we can go right to baggage claim and those who used Magical Express can go right to their check-in counter.

 

[lpereira]

You may not have time to do this but consider it for the future.

http://usa.immigrationvisaforms.com/travel/global-entry-pass

A simplified explanation is it allows you to "clear" customs in advance and bypass the lines.

 

[CrossOverGuy]

Thanks, though I was more concerned about the order of passing through immigration and customs and getting my bags through the airport and over to Disney's Magical Express. I don't travel too often to make the expense of the service you linked worthwhile. However, I thank you for the information and for pointing it out as a possible alternative.

I actually called Magical Express - they said my Copa flight would probably arrive on the A side, so I would get my bag right after getting off the plane, go through customs and immigration, then after that put it on a conveyor belt or something like that. Then I would take the tram to the main terminal, gather my bag again downstairs on level 2, then go back up to level 3, cross over to the B side, then go downstairs to level 1 and to Disney Magical Express. I can check in and have them bring the bag on the bus. It's a little complicated, but I've written it down and attached it to my Magical Express booklet to prepare myself. The very helpful lady at Magical Express said I'd probably be at Pop Century within an hour and a half or so from arrival in Orlando.

Hopefully that info will be helpful to others.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Disney describes the Magical Express process international traveler in writing at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/airport-service/

As an international traveler, do I have to claim my luggage?

If the Orlando International Airport is your first point of entry into the United States, please follow the U.S. Customs & Border Protection process and claim your luggage upon disembarking the airplane. Once you have completed this process you will give your luggage back to the airport officials and proceed to the Disney's Magical Express Welcome Center on B side, Level 1. Disney's Magical Express service will recollect your luggage and deliver it directly to your Walt Disney World hotel room within 4 hours after you check in at the resort. For international Guests arriving after 10:00 p.m., please retain your luggage with you or pick it up in the baggage claim area and then proceed to the Disney's Magical Express Welcome Center. Your luggage will accompany you on the motorcoach.

If you have already completed the U.S. Customs & Border Protection process in another U.S. city, proceed directly to the Disney's Magical Express Welcome Center on B side, Level 1. For airport arrivals after 10:00 p.m., collect your luggage for transport on the motorcoach.​

As far as having a scheduled arrival at 3:00 p.m., a reservation at Pop Century, and an 8:30 p.m. Hoop-Dee-Doo show over at Fort Wilderness is concerned, it should not be a problem if your flight arrives on time. (You don't have to be in your room when your bags are delivered.) However, if your flight is delayed or cancelled, you could lose the entire cost of the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue dinner for everyone in your party. Personally, I would avoid any prepaid, nonrefundable events on arrival day.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Then I would take the tram to the main terminal, gather my bag again downstairs on level 2, then go back up to level 3, cross over to the B side, then go downstairs to level 1 and to Disney Magical Express. I can check in and have them bring the bag on the bus. It's a little complicated, but I've written it down and attached it to my Magical Express booklet to prepare myself.

Magical Express will not "bring the bag on the bus" for you. You can either use the process described in the FAQ, in which case your bags go on a truck to your resort, where they are turned over to bell services / luggage assistance for complimentary delivery to your room. Or you can carry the bags yourself to your Magical Express motorcoach and have the driver stow them in the luggage hold.

If you use the process described in the FAQ, you save tip money because Disney takes care of gratuities -- and you don't have to carry your bags all over the airport and all over your resort (or pay people to do it for you). If you take your bags on the motorcoach, then it's customary to tip anyone who "touches" them, at completion of service (airport porter, Magical Express driver, resort bell services).

The very helpful lady at Magical Express said I'd probably be at Pop Century within an hour and a half or so from arrival in Orlando.

It would probably be safer to plan on an hour and a half or so after completing the U.S. Customs & Border Protection process.

 

[Hootiss]

Are you flying out of Costa Rica? SJO to MCO

 

[seashoreCM]

If you clear or reclear customs when arriving in Orlando, then you do that almost immediately after you get off the plane.

In the customs station you have these choices:
1. Give the bags back to the customs agent or put them on the other conveyor belt (which depends on time of day), for automagical delivery to your room.
1a. If you leave the customs station after 10 PM you must reclaim the bags at the carousel for your airline, and then carry them to the Magical Express welcoming area.
2. Carry the bags out of the customs station then onto the airport tram, then down to the Magical Express welcoming area.

When going home be sure your DME reservation is for leaving your resort 4 hours in advance of your flight (optionally more than 4). Last minute changes can be made morning of the day before checkout if your reservation confirmation is incorrect or missing.

 

[CrossOverGuy]

Or you can carry the bags yourself to your Magical Express motorcoach and have the driver stow them in the luggage hold.

Actually, that's what I meant. Though you do make good points about my not having to deal with my bag up and down through the airport; I also didn't realize that tips were included in having DME take my bag directly to my room. I guess as long as I have my necessary stuff in my carry-on that will hold me until later that evening, perhaps I might put that Disney tag on my bag after all. Thank you.

Are you flying out of Costa Rica? SJO to MCO

I do love Costa Rica and have already been there twice. But this trip I'll be coming from Panama City, Panama. Hopefully no snow there or in Orlando (or other problems), so being that it's only me, I think I'll chance my 2 TS ADR for Hoop-Dee-Doo that evening.... Though now I'm reconsidering moving it to another free night. Decisions, Decisions.

When going home be sure your DME reservation is for leaving your resort 4 hours in advance of your flight (optionally more than 4). Last minute changes can be made morning of the day before checkout if your reservation confirmation is incorrect or missing.

I'm actually going to be leaving Orlando for NYC, not internationally. So I thought it was 3 hours, not 4 that I needed to leave? Is that correct?

 

[LWQuestie]

It's 3 hrs for Domestic, 4 for International. They will provide your pickup time based on the departure time of your departing flight.

 

[Hootiss]

I do love Costa Rica and have already been there twice. But this trip I'll be coming from Panama City, Panama. Hopefully no snow there or in Orlando (or other problems), so being that it's only me, I think I'll chance my 2 TS ADR for Hoop-Dee-Doo that evening.... Though now I'm reconsidering moving it to another free night. Decisions, Decisions.


OK , if you were I just wanted to remind you of the exit tax you have to pay at the airport. Sometimes that line can be really long. Not sure if Panama has an exit airport tax. Have a great trip, we leave in about a month