Comments About Disney's Magical Express

[*NikkiBell*]

I just got done listening to Kathy's comments about Magical Express and thought I'd chime in. I have used the service since it first began several years ago and absolutely LOVE it. The fact that I can drop off my luggage at my home resort and not have to worry about transporting it to my room is excellent. It makes flying less stressful and much, much more comfortable. I always cringe when I see people on ME getting their luggage in Orlando and struggling to put it on the ME bus. Why bother? Let Disney do it for you!

On a recent trip, my ex-boyfriend's luggage was delivered by ME. We called, and it was discovered that the airline actually lost the luggage. However, Disney's ME was able to locate it very quickly and deliver it before any issue came up. That goes to show how organized their system is.

While it is true that Disney picks you up three hours before your return flight, I have had no issues with this. You do not have to rush through the airport and can even browse in some of the stores before you leave. The only time that it became an issue for me was if my return flight was delayed. At that point, you spend quite a bit of time in the airport. Again, though, Orlando's airport has so many wonderful stores and food options that it isn't that painful.

I am disappointed that ME does not exist out in California. It's something I am definitely going to miss this August when I visit DLR. The service is excellent, and I will continue to recommend it to anyone visiting the World.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'll add our experiences. Unfortunately they aren't always so positive. Understand first that Val & I usually prefer to rent a car when going to WDW because we so often go off property or from resort to resort. With that out of the way I'll restrict the rest of my comments to our approximately 10 ME experiences.

We've had fairly poor overall experience with the length of our wait at the airport on arrival. In about 25% of the time we've spent more than 20 minutes waiting for the bus to leave. Combined with stops at other resorts on the way has us referring to ME as Magical Eventually. Of course the other 75% of the time we were just fine. Also, luggage service has been pretty much as advertised for us, the bags got to our room just fine.

On the return trip, Val & I are the type to be early for everything so we had no problem with being at the bus stop on time. The one gripe I have on the return to the airport is when the bus driver traps you on the bus while he unloads the bags from under the bus. We seldom travel with any kind of roll-aboard so we would be able to just walk off the bus and off to our gate. But in several cases, the driver insisted that everybody had to stay on the bus while he unloaded the roll-aboards and then started letting people off.

Also, we've never had any issues with RAC at the resorts when heading home (which I know is different from ME) and find that's a great service to use even if we have a car.

Overall I'd rate ME about a 7 on a scale of 1-10.

 

[k5jm]

We have done ME, but after we used a car service, I do not think we could go back to ME. It is always a good feeling when the drivers know us by sight and do not need a sign when we get to MCO. I guess we have been to Orlando a little too often the past few years.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I think the people who are used to using a town car or limo service are the ones who don't enjoy ME as much. I much rather spend that money on other goodies at WDW though.

 

[jpeka65844]

DFamily and I will probably never use ME. We began going to WDW before they had it and, agreeing with k5, nothing beats seeing that driver holding that sign with your name on it RIGHT THERE by the baggage claim.

I do wish they'd bring it to DL, though. I WOULD use it there. We had a horrible experience with the Grey Line bus and town cars/shuttles there are so much more $$$ than at WDW.

As for the discussion about taking ME to the airport even though you're not flying out, I had a friend that, when booking his DME for a trip, initially mentioned this to the agent. She specifically said "La la la...I don't want to hear this. Disney isn't into giving away free rides." After finishing a week at Disney, they wanted to take ME to the airport to rent a car and continue on to Tampa. She acted as if it's frowned upon. However, when they ultimately booked they just said they're on a flight and did it anyway. One of those things that if Disney doesn't ask, you won't tell.

 

[k5jm]

I think the people who are used to using a town car or limo service are the ones who don't enjoy ME as much. I much rather spend that money on other goodies at WDW though.

It is not that we did not enjoy ME, it is that we enjoy the car service more! Plus we always stop at Publix (the nice, newer one) and get a case of water, Dr. Pepper (except the ones we bring for Teresa), munchies, and any last minute items that are easier to pick-up than to bring along. When traveling with a kiddo, we found it so much easier with the car service plus the fact that we had a car seat for him made Christy and I feel much more secure about our choice of transportation. We do not think twice about it.

 

[msteddom]

As a solo traveler I love ME! The expense of renting a car or hiring a town car for just myself is to much money! Sometimes the wait for the bus can be a little long, but I am willing to invest a few extra minutes to save quite a bit of money!

Melissa

 

[WaltD4Me]

I use a town car service and just can't imagine using ME. Often times I see people on our flight who are also going to Disney who are still in line waiting to check in with ME while we are already in our town car and pulling out on our way to WDW. I chatted with a lady on a return flight who used ME and she said it took 2 1/2 hours to get to their resort. Maybe that doesn't happen often, but I'm not interested in taking the chance. Plus we really, really love the grocery stop. We get water, fruit, snacks, breakfast food and pop, that saves us alot and really helps to offset the cost of the town car. The last time we went, from the time we got to the baggage carousel at MCO to Publix for our grocery store to the time I was at the standing at the check in desk was 38 minutes. That's worth every penny of the town car to me.

 

[Sphyrna]

I've had good luck with ME the few times I've used it. I remember the first time I used it. My best friend was driving up from Miami to join me for my vacation. He pulled in 5 minutes after I got dropped off by ME. Perfect timing! The early departure to the airport when leaving can be annoying. I try to pick an afternoon flight that way I don't have to get up too early or rush around before going to catch the ME bus. That gets me home in the early evening, so it's not too bad. I just use the time at the airport to do some shopping and grab some lunch.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

We've used ME only once, and it was a mixed bag for us. ME's bag service "forgot" to pick up our luggage and our bags were "missing" for about twelve hours (Delta kept them after no one picked them up). As sure as I am that it was a fluke thing, we will ALWAYS pick up our own luggage from now on.

On the other hand, having free transportation is great, and worth the extra time it took to get there, and the movie they show made me excited for WDW in a way a car service wouldn't.

 

[k5jm]

...and the movie they show made me excited for WDW in a way a car service wouldn't.

There is a movie on ME? We never saw a movie when we took Magical Express. That would have helped with a very excited 3 year old.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

There is a movie on ME? We never saw a movie when we took Magical Express. That would have helped with a very excited 3 year old.

Here's part one (the other parts will come up on YouTube after part one ends)

 

[*NikkiBell*]

There is a movie on ME? We never saw a movie when we took Magical Express. That would have helped with a very excited 3 year old.

I adore the movie both going to WDW on ME and coming back to the airport on it. It definitely adds a little pixie dust.

 

[Spaceace5150]

The luggage delivery on ME isn't very convenient if you're coming in late (like I usually am). Because of the delay in getting luggage, it would normally arrive in the middle of the night. Since I don't want to be waken up for this, I usually have Disney hold it until morning. So that would mean having night time in your carry on.

I've since changed to getting my bag and putting it in ME to avoid this problem.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Disney made a change to this about a year ago. If you arrive after 10 p.m., you must retrieve your luggage from baggage and bring it with you. They will not hold it at the resort or wake you up to deliver it.

 

[Spaceace5150]

Thats a good change. If I was even coming in the evening before 10, I would consider taking my luggage with me...just due to the time it takes to get it.

 

[Kimberle]

I love ME, too. I like experiencing the Disney "magic" while at the airport. I don't mind when the bus makes a stop or two cause then I can see other resorts, too.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I've only used ME twice because we normally drive. But both times were positive experiences.

The first time, DD10 and I got off the plane, picked up our luggage ourselves, went down to DME, and were at POP within 45 minutes.

The 2nd time I was solo. I let them deal with my suitcase which was wonderful. I was able to get off the plane and was on the bus to POR within 20 minutes. It was the 2nd stop on the bus and it was fast as well (I didn't mark the time down in my notebook on this trip.)

I had no luggage issues and using RAC when leaving was great. I'll use ME again when I fly to Disney.

 

[SusanWasHere]

I'm also a big fan of ME! I have used it almost 10 times and have never had a problem! To be honest, if it wasn't for ME, I probably wouldn't go to WDW as much as I do bc the rental car or town car would just be an added expense. We've always had nice, helpful drivers and I don't recall ever waiting too long at the airport. The one time I forgot to order the tags and contacted DVC less than a week ahead. They emailed me a letter to bring to the desk there and said to just have my luggage tags ready to give to the desk and the ME workers would find our bags. Everything went smoothly and they were in our room after returning to BCV after lunch at Epcot! I love the service, hope they keep it forever

 

[FireDancer]

I've used ME every time I have gone if I wasn't renting a car and have had no bad examples. I always get my own luggage first (I have only gone solo when taking ME) so waiting for it isn't an issue. I also don't have any plans on arrival day so the little bit longer it takes doesn't bother me. The only thing I do that day is go tour some resorts and then go to DTD so what do I care if it takes a little longer.

Whether or not it works for you depends on your expectations and so far they have always met mine.