Can I use magcal express without actually using magical express????

[skiwee1]

By the way, where do you folks find the bellmen to haul this luggage. For example, on my one and ONLY stay at the GF I could not find anyone to park the car much less deal with the luggage! LOL!

I've always had a bellmen and valet come and greet us at arrive at the Poly. They are all hanging out there like flies waiting for anyone to come up!

 

[CarolA]

I do see them at other resorts, but my point was I would not count on them. (Of course this is why I won't stay at the GF again. No service)

 

[Brian Noble]

That seems odd for the "flagship" resort! I wouldn't stay there either if that had been my experience.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

There is an implicit agreement that by taking ME you're agreeing to eat all your meals in Disney restaurants. If too many people take this loophole depriving Disney of some of your money Disney will be forced to have security escort you from the gate directly to the bus.

LOL

And maybe Disney could put security guards on all planes with buy-onboard meals to make sure that Magic Express-bound passengers don't buy such meals.

Once you put your Magical Express tags on your luggage at your home airport, your wallet belongs to Disney!

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

Once you put your Magical Express tags on your luggage at your home airport, your wallet belongs to Disney!

 

[CarolMN]

This idea didn't bug me too much until it was mentioned that the bus would probably wait around for the passengers whose names were on the list, but didn't show up at the bus because they'd gone to rent a car.

I don't think the buses will wait much either - bet they have some kind of schedule. If someone takes too long, they will just have to wait for the next coach to leave.

Since the luggage doesn't go on the same coach, it would be easy enough not to load luggage for transport until the owner gets on the coach. I also think they will be using scanners and some type of PDA tool to organize all this at the terminal. If the owner doesn't board a bus, his/her luggage just stays at the airport. JMHO. The actual practice may vary!

Best wishes -

 

[eddieras]

If you are renting a car, doesn't it take a little while for you to get the car? Wouldn't it make sense to have someone get the car while others waiting for your luggage at the claim area?

ah, but what if you're taking a limo? plus, with a limo you're still tied to the property.... so maybe they would transfer my bags

 

[lilhopper]

Here is what we are doing. We are renting a car and we are also using the ME. instead of dragging the kds along to wait to get the car i decided to take them with me on the ME and we are going to get checked in and tour the resort while hubby gets the rental car. I think it will make it a little easier. This way we can get a little smaller car and not have to worry about fitting our luggage in it. All the luggage will go to the hotel and hubby does not have to pack a car and kids. It sounds smooth I hope it goes this well.

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

I wonder if there is going to be some kind of time limit to check in at Magical Express. It seems kind of expensive to have buses sitting around waiting for passengers to decide when they want to get on the bus. They would know your flight number and be able to calculate your exact arrival time and know how many have registered for ME from that particular flight. If it is a popular flight, they would need more than one bus or if they only have one bus and you end up missing it then you mess up the people scheduled for the next one.

I personally don't picture this as being similiar to grabbing the bus at a resort to get to a park with busses running every 15 minutes. Maybe I am just naive, but the accountant in me thinks it will be more focused. I also think the paperwork that will be sent out will be able to give more detail.

We tossed around splitting up our group, but didn't want to. So we currently have 2 car rental plans reserved. One where we don't use ME and get the car rental at the airport and another where we use ME and then pick up the rental car the next day onsite and then return it to the airport directly. We are actually there for more than a week so by picking it up the next day, we save a couple bucks. I don't think you save any money on the car rental if you are only renting for a week. We are waiting to see what the initial ME reports say. We aren't going until June.

If you don't check in at ME, then Disney would not be responsible for your luggage. Also if you check in and then don't show up on the bus, that would delay the bus and wouldn't be really fair to the passengers.

I guess all of these questions are why Disney is only doing this temporarily for now. If there are alot of problems, then its a service that can easily be discontinued.

Lisa

 

[PatMcDuck]

I asked about just using the luggage transfer part of ME too. Why? We have 6 people, and we can barely FIT in a minivan with the luggage and one wheelchair............ it would be a dream to send the luggage on to the hotel. We need to rent the car, it is a pain using busses all the time with the wheelchair......... My son can walk short distances, and is way too frightened to stay in the chair while it is "lifted" onto the bus (he is autistic too) So we have to fold up the chair each time, and carry it on and off the bus......... Let's just say we usually drive, it is just too stessful to use the busses too much....

But I was told we cannot use ME for the luggage. Sigh. Thats ok, we will manage!

 

[Julia M]

I'm one of those who was trying to work out a way to rent a car and use Magical Express.

So, our plan is to use ME to get to our hotel....POR. The next day, we'll take the busses to our first park, and then a bus to the Dolphin, where we have a rental car reserved for a 2 pm pickup (our afternoon break). We transfer to the Poly the next day, and will keep the car until the day before we leave. Then it's using ME back to the airport.

It seem like it will work fine for us, and save us a few bucks.

But, I'm keeping both car ressies (Dolphin and airport pick up) until I hear how ME goes.

Julia

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm one of those who was trying to work out a way to rent a car and use Magical Express.

So, our plan is to use ME to get to our hotel....POR. The next day, we'll take the busses to our first park, and then a bus to the Dolphin, where we have a rental car reserved for a 2 pm pickup (our afternoon break). We transfer to the Poly the next day, and will keep the car until the day before we leave. Then it's using ME back to the airport.

It seem like it will work fine for us, and save us a few bucks.

But, I'm keeping both car ressies (Dolphin and airport pick up) until I hear how ME goes.

Julia

I'm curious, having never rented a car before....is it cheaper to rent a car on-site at Disney than renting at the airport? I know that at some point my dh is going to want to do 'other stuff' in Orlando. I like not having to navigate from the airport but was just curious as to any pricing differences.

 

[Lewisc]

Some guests are going to chose to go to the food court or even a restaurant before checking in for ME. Some may even decide to shop for a few minutes.

I can't picture ME holding a bus, maybe late at night, for a particular passenger. Look how many planes land in a 15 minute period. I'm sure Disney will have more than enough guests to fill the buses.

I wonder if there is going to be some kind of time limit to check in at Magical Express. It seems kind of expensive to have buses sitting around waiting for passengers to decide when they want to get on the bus. They would know your flight number and be able to calculate your exact arrival time and know how many have registered for ME from that particular flight. If it is a popular flight, they would need more than one bus or if they only have one bus and you end up missing it then you mess up the people scheduled for the next one.

Lisa

 

[*Fantasia*]

For anyone who is renting a car... Why not just grab the bags and put it in the trunk of the car and everyone ride the car. Simple.

I usually rent a car even staying on sight. Why would I want ME bus to take my luggages. The rental company is downstairs and the baggage claim is downstairs as well. It's not so hard to pull the bags from the conveyer.

Same thing. When we do a split stay, I just take the cab (this is when we don't rent a car) to the other resort. I got my kids and our bags with us when we check in. Rather than having someone else transfer the bags. And your room may be ready right away, but your bags are still at the other resort. Then of course, you wait.

 

[Lewisc]

Some of the compact cars are big enough for a family but not big enough for all the luggage. Particularly true if you wanted to rent a convertible.

For anyone who is renting a car... Why not just grab the bags and put it in the trunk of the car and everyone ride the car. Simple.

I usually rent a car even staying on sight. Why would I want ME bus to take my luggages. The rental company is downstairs and the baggage claim is downstairs as well. It's not so hard to pull the bags from the conveyer.

Same thing. When we do a split stay, I just take the cab (this is when we don't rent a car) to the other resort. I got my kids and our bags with us when we check in. Rather than having someone else transfer the bags. And your room may be ready right away, but your bags are still at the other resort. Then of course, you wait.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I'm curious, having never rented a car before....is it cheaper to rent a car on-site at Disney than renting at the airport? I know that at some point my dh is going to want to do 'other stuff' in Orlando. I like not having to navigate from the airport but was just curious as to any pricing differences.

Most rental car companies have a surcharge if you are picking up your rental at a preferred location, i.e., the airport. I know that Budget does this. I had originally booked a car at MCO, but with ME available, we are going to use ME and early the next AM, go pick up a rental from the Budget counter at the Doubletree in DTD. My rental was cheaper that way for an SUV than if we'd rented a smaller car at the airport.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[Bill From PA]

Concerning the tossing of luggage in a rental or, in my case, a TC, I hope to use this service for baggage transport only so we can save the time at the carousel, hop the TC to our resort, check in quickly and capture the first day at the parks. Not waiting for the luggage saves 15-20 mins. at least, getting picked up immediately by TC gets us to the resort ahead of those on the bus we would've ridden at the very least, so no matter how you figure it, we'll get in more first-day park time. I figure with an 8:53am landing, we'll easily get to WS before it opens. The only detail to be learned is, do you just sign in at MCO at a central desk, releasing your luggage delivery at that point, or does the 'release' not get triggered until you actually board. If the former, count me in, if the latter, the bags travel with us in the TC.

Bill From PA

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Concerning the tossing of luggage in a rental or, in my case, a TC, I hope to use this service for baggage transport only so we can save the time at the carousel, hop the TC to our resort, check in quickly and capture the first day at the parks. Not waiting for the luggage saves 15-20 mins. at least, getting picked up immediately by TC gets us to the resort ahead of those on the bus we would've ridden at the very least, so no matter how you figure it, we'll get in more first-day park time.

Another benefit of using Magical Express is that Disney pays bell services gratuities to carry your bags all the way to your resort room -- you don't even have to be in the room when the bell services attendant arrives because he or she get the gratuities anyway. That's much better than having to deal with your luggage at check-in, either with bell services or by dragging the luggage to your room yourself, especially if you have a lot of luggage.

But that raises the bigger question -- why would Disney want to pay for all of the baggage handling from the airport to your room if you're not riding on a Magical Express motorcoach?

Disney's FAQs say that they don't provide luggage-only transfers. It remains to be seen how Disney enforces this rule, how strictly they do so, and whether the rule can be circumvented by guests who want luggage transfers but don't want to ride the motorcoach.

 

[Lewisc]

But that raises the bigger question -- why would Disney want to pay for all of the baggage handling from the airport to your room if you're not riding on a Magical Express motorcoach?

The purpose of ME

more convenient transportation, and more magic all-round. It's the most relaxing way to enjoy your Disney vacation.

Since the stated purpose is to provide magic why should Disney care if we decide to reduce Disney's costs by not riding the bus?

The reality is most people, including myself, are just going to grab the bus. I rent a car because it generally isn't much more expensive than ground tansfers. Since ground transfers are free I'll just rent a car for the days I think I need one.

Show me anything form Disney that says the purpose is to prevent guests from renting a car or making a grocery stop. Some of us cynics may think that. There is a limit to what, in the interest of guest relations, Disney can do if a guest simply says they saw a long line at the bus and grabbed a cab so they wouldn't be late for dinner. Disney can't, or chose not to, even enforce rules on mugs, pool hopping and room occupancy. I find it hard to believe they'll make a guest go to the airport to get their luggage or charge them. I guess they might delay delivery or even make you meet a bellhop in the lobby.

 

[goofy4tink]

To each his own I guess. I just can't see obsessing over getting to WDW 45 minutes sooner. But, maybe that's because I've been multiple times. Relaxing is much more important to me. I just can't get all worked up over getting to my resort before those people using a shuttle bus. I think that sometimes we lose sight of the fact that this is a vacation....WDW will be there when we get there. I am not going to rush around in order to be further up the line at Maelstrom!!

I'm eager to find out how Disney handles the 'no-shows' tho. If they have a certain number of buses, waiting to pick up a predetermined number of people, going to predetermined resorts at a predetermined time, then what happens if several parties decide to opt out and use a rental car or towncar service? Would Disney then move someone who might be there already, but was assigned to a different bus, onto the soon to leave bus? Lots of little 'what-ifs' here. Can't wait to see what happens.