Calling all Magical Express users!!!!!

[inluvwithdisney]

Ok we have heard MANY reviews of this service in TR's and other areas! I want to know from those of you that have used it how long it actually took you to get to the resort and how was the experience in general!! Tell all the GOOD, the BAD and the Ugly!!

We have been told by a car service in Orlando that we will hate it and it will take us 3 hours to get to our resort!! We just want to see the range of times it has taken because we have Hoop Dee Doo tickets for the 5 Pm show on the day we arrive!

Thanks!!

 

[Lewisc]

It's been posted the average time from landing to arrival at your resort is 70 minutes. It took me about 90 minutes but AKL was the third stop and I just missed a bus. A towncar will take about 30 minutes to get to your resort plus 15-30 minute wait for your luggage. A towncar gives you personal service and a grocery stop. It probably won't save much time.

I wouldn't book HDD for the day I arrive. Your flight could be delayed. Your room may not be ready. Remember it may take up to an hour to get from your resort to the HDD.

 

[tjmw2727]

Arrived at MCO at 10pm on the 4th of October and waited about 20 minutes to get vouchers (mailing error by ME) and then waited over an hour for a ME bus to arrive at MCO to take us to AKL. Arrived at AKL just after 1am. (3 hours)

Return trip - 12:35 pm on the 10th of October, ME bus was on time with one stop at POP then to MCO (terminal B, then A), checked in with SWA about 2:15 for a 3:45 flight. The ME driver did mention to us how lucky we were as he usually made 3-5 stops! (1 3/4 hours)

I wrote a detailed account in a post yesterday if your interested.
HTH
TJ

 

[Nebsky]

When I used it back in June, we landed at 9:45 AM My son and I were on the bus by 10:00 (and we even stopped to change clothes). We were checked into Pop Century by 10:45. Dropped our bags in our room that was already ready for us then jumped on the bus and were in MK by 11:15. At 11:20 we were on our favorite ride, the TTA.
It took 1 hour from the time we landed until check in. 1 hour and 35 mins for us to be riding rides.

Our experience was great!!!!! We were the first stop on the bus and really enjoyed the movies. On the way home, we were picked up at the hotel 2.45 hours prior to scheduledflight departure and went straight to airport. No other hotel stops. Had plenty of time to eat and shop at MCO.

Magic Express is a great system. I will be using it again in 23 days and will provide another update on that experience. BTW, Im not expecting to be in the park in 1 hour and 30 mins again. I can live with 2 hours or so.

Jeff

 

[goofy4tink]

I have used DME twice now...In June I arrived at MCO at 11:55, was on the bus at 12:15, on the road at 12:30, checked in at BCV at 1:00ish. I was changed and sitting at the pool at 1:25. In my room at 2:30, bags delivered at 3:00. In August we had pretty much the exact same timing, except we had only carry-on bags and were able to get into our room immediatly....at Pop.
On the trip to BCV we were the third stop...CBR, YC, then us at BC. For the Pop trip, we were the first stop.

If you are concerned about not making your HDDR time, I would be sure to take whatever you will need in a carry-on bag...for all of you. Then you could freshen up, change and hop over to FW. Then you won't need to wait on your bags in case your room isn't quite ready yet.

 

[CleveRocks]

Used DME May 8, the 4th day of operation. 53 minutes from getting in line at DME counter to drop off at CBR (first stop). I think that is very good time.
Our luggage took about 3.5 hours or so, but we didn't care because no matter where and when I travel I bring supplies for the first 24 hours in my carry on, as airlines can delay luggage sometimes; better safe than sorry. So when our luggage arrived, we were in our village's pool enjoying the start of our vacation. It's surprising how little space these things take up: full change of clothes, PJs, bathing suit, "beach shoes" (walking to and from the pool), toiletries, medications, etc.

On the return trip, we got picked up 2 hours 45 minutes before our scheduled flight, and we needed every minute of it. We were the one and only stop (bus arrived empty), so we went right to MCO from CBR. But the lines at our ticket counter and especially at security were horrendous. In addition, we needed to eat at the food court due to the timing of our flight, so there was another long line. Bottom line, when we got to our gate they had already started pre-boarding.

I found DME to be easy, efficient, and effective. I love DME, I'm a big cheerleader for it, I'd use it again in a heartbeat if it's still free. But I think if they begin charging for it in 2007 (if it still exists) I'll probably go the towncar route for my family of 4: let's just wildly guess and say if they charge $25 per person, that'd be $100 for my family, and if that were the case I'd probably shell out the additional $20 or so for a private ride. In fact, I booked my May 2005 trip in October 2004, and fully intended to have a limo ride from Murray Hill rather than pay for Mears, but once DME was announced in January 2005 to begin May 5, 2005, it was a no-brainer for me, and I have no regrets.

-- Eric

 

[inluvwithdisney]

Thanks for the replies so far! We arrive at MCO at 1:30 and HDDR is at 5. Hoping to have plenty of time to get there!! We are not planning to have our luggage there before we have to leave for the show! So I will have a change of clothes and camera's etc.. with us.!!

Keep the reviews coming!

 

[inluvwithdisney]

Anyone else??

 

[Lewisc]

Anyone else??

Not sure what else you need to know?

The average DME time from landing to your resort is just over an hour. Almost everyone is posting under 90 minutes.

My concern would be weather related airline delays. None of us can help you with that. That really depends on your airline, what city you're leaving from and the weather.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

Thanks for the replies so far! We arrive at MCO at 1:30 and HDDR is at 5. Hoping to have plenty of time to get there!! We are not planning to have our luggage there before we have to leave for the show! So I will have a change of clothes and camera's etc.. with us.!!

Keep the reviews coming!

You will have plenty of time!!

we landed at 1, got to Poly by 2 (we were the third stop after CR and WL) or maybe 2:15...swam, got luggage around 4 and ate at CM at 6, even had time for swimming and long rides in the Monorail and shopping at the CR!!

Take ME, you will love it, really puts you in the Disney mood and the busses are cool! Plus save the extra money!!!

you will have time to get to HDDR...just take a carry on with clothes or make up and camera...

have fun

 

[CarnotaurDad]

JMHO, but that is cutting it pretty close to HDDR. There are a lot of factors that could go into you not getting there on time; not the least of which is if your flight is late coming in.

We have used DME twice and it was fantastic both times. From the time the wheels touched down to the time we were in our room, was never more than two hours.

However, since you would then need to go from Disney transportation to HDDR, personally, I might rethink that time. It will be cutting at close and cause some possible conflict early in the trip.

If you can't change it, it might be worth the extra money for a towncar. We loved DME, but we also had absolutely no plans for those first days so we had no stress.

 

[annie1995]

We loved DME! We had a total of around 1 hour from the time our plane touched down to the time we got to our hotel! The only thing that stinks in my opinion is seeing that white envelope hanging on your door the day before you leave giving you your departure time We will definately use it again if its still offered in 2007! Also, my son lost his homework folder on the airplane. We didn't realize it till we were getting on the DME bus. I told one of the agents, who made some calls and said if they were to find the homework, they would send it on another bus to our hotel, sure enough, that evening there it was sitting on our bed! They went out of their way to get that folder for my son. Great Service!

 

[lenore1]

We just got back on Saturday and I think DME is good. One issue we had - we arrived on 10/1 at MCO 4:05pm. We checked into CBR at 5:30pm. The bus service was great with no problems. I was traveling with hubby and my two boys 7 5. Upon checking in we were told our room was not ready. We ate at Old Port Royale and by the time we were done our room was ready - about 6:45pm. Our luggage was not in our room yet. No big deal, we were heading over to MK to watch Spectro and wishes. We got to watch all of Spectro and it downpoured at the end so we left - DRENCHED! We got back to CBR at 9:15 freezing and guess what NO LUGGAGE! To make a long story short we went to sleep in towels and there was a knock at the door at 2:00AM. It was finally our luggage. This does not happen to everyone but I would suggest carrying an overnight bag on the plane just in case.
And by the way, I would use DME again.

 

[OntFamily]

60 minutes from airport check in, until arrival at resort.

 

[mikey13v]

We had a group of 15, and everything went well on arrival, about 75 minutes from arrival to check-in.
Our problem was at departure. We had a flight on an airline without resort baggage check-in. Our flight was to leave MCO at 6:00pm. Our bus time was set for 3:05pm.
We were at the bus stop at ASSp at 2:40pm. There wasn't many people there at that time, but as time went on the crowd began to grow.
I had heard people talking,and knew that they were waiting for the 3:05, 3:35, and 4pm pick-ups.
A bus finally arrived at 3:40. I went straight to the driver and told him that there were people waiting for multiple bus times, and that the 3:05 people were in jeopardy of missing their flights if they didn't board a bus soon. He said that there was another bus coming, and that everything would be fine.
Getting to the point of this post, our group was not allowed on either of those two busses, because of the amout of luggage space that we needed(15 people, 23 pieces of luggage). Complaining to the drivers did no good at all, there are no reps for Magical Express at the hotel. So I called for taxis.
Another bus arrived at 4:10, all of the 4:00 people were already on the other busses, so there was room for us.
The bus made stops at the ASMo and ASMu. The bus arrived at the airport at 5:10pm. We checked luggage, ran to security, got to the gate, and our plane was 3/4 boarded. We were lucky that the plane was a little late.

I know that this may have been an exception to the way the system operates, but it sure is easy to get lost in the mix when this service is dealing with so many people. With no accountability and insufficient rescources I just can't trust this service.

They say that first impressions, and the way you say goodbye are the things that people remember most. I don't think that Disney realizes just how important this service is when it comes to the overall Disney experience.

 

[stemikger]

We used ME last August. I was so impressed with this service I can honestly say there was not one negative thing I experienced. In the past we have always used Mears and there were times I had to wait over an hour to get on a Mears bus. We arrived at MCO airport and from the time we got off the plane to the time we got on the ME bus was about 30 minutes. Although the ME line at the airport looked long, I was only waiting for about 10 minutes before I got my passes. After that we got on the appropriate line for our resort and we were on the bus in about 15 minutes.

After we arrived at the airport, our luggage was in our room about 2 hours later. In my opinion, the car service companies in Orlando have a lot to worry about, because it was so smooth, I can't imagine ever usng Mears or any other service again. Also, they show a really cute movie that gets you in the vacation mood for Disney. It is a total vacation experience.

 

[eeyore45]

JUst back... used ME - got to the airport at 12:30 pm. There were plenty of Disney CM's at baggage claim, not identified promenatly mind you, they had carts looking for yellow tagged ME luggage, they saw we were Disney tags, and I was holding my ME voucher, 2 or 3 asked if they could help me, take my luggage, did I know where the counter was... very helpful, very unobtrusive... many people were confused and did ask questions, because of the Dis, I felt well informed, and just replied, I was too much of a "control freak" to give up my luggage...

Went downstairs... 100 people in line (yep, I counted!!) that line was full!! It took 40 minutes to get to one of the 5 CM's to check in... from there directed to the next maze of lines... and waited for a ME bus to take us to our resort - - another 40 minutes...

However, frustrating check in was... it paid off in terms of check out - we flew AA and i loved getting my luggage tagged, and my boarding passes in hand before leaving for the airport.

I do not appreciate the heavy handed "gratuities" appreciated motto by the ME drivers... I would think the every day Bus Transporters would also deserve a $1 for every transport, etc etc...

 

[MamaQuack]

Wow, was your room at least ready when you checked in? We are arriving Jan 3 on a Delta flight from Atlanta that arrives at 12:30 p.m. - I am wondering if this is what we have to look forward to???? Did it take a long while to get your bags in your room or did you get them when dropped off at your resort?

thanks

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I keep hearing that you can take your own luggage on the bus if you want but then I hear that you cant . Has anyone else taken your own on the bus?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, you can't literally take your checked luggage ON the bus with you. If you choose not to use this (wonderful) feature of Magical Express, you don't put the yellow luggage tags on the bags you're checking before you leave home, you do go to the baggage carousel in Orlando and wait for your bags to come out, then drag them down to Level one or if you came in on the B side UP to Level three then down to Level one... then through the check-in line, then through the bus maze, then to the bus, then give them to the driver to load UNDER the bus...

I'm genuinely surprised too that eeyore's experience included encountering Cast Members with luggage carts looking for yellow tagged ME luggage - given that yellow tagged ME luggage never makes it out in public. Once it's taken off the plane in Orlando, all the yellow-tagged luggage is pulled BEFORE any luggage is placed on the luggage carousels. While the white-gloved-or-not CMs may have had carts to help with carry-ons, since I know some travelers are really bogged down, they weren't/aren't there for DME-tagged luggage.