Current State of Magical Express

allegracristina

Mouseketeer
Joined
Mar 11, 2006
Messages
297
We stayed at the WL last Nov. and chose Magical Express for our transportation to and from the airport. We had a great experience with Magical Express. Lately I have heard that Magical Express has not been very reliable with luggage being brought in a reasonable amount of time, etc. We are considering a towncar this time.

Any recent Magical Express opinions you wish to share?
 
Well, I am not sure what you would consider a reasonable amount of time. When we used it in October, our bags arrived about 45 minutes after we checked into our room. In February, our guests used it (we were coming from Vero Beach), and they checked in about 1:00, the room was ready after they had finished their lunch on the Boardwalk, then they freshened up in the room before meeting us at MGM, and their bags arrived then - basically as soon as the room was ready. A colleague used DME going to POFQ two weeks ago, and her bags arrrived promptly too.

I believe it is different for those arriving on late evening flights, but for most folks DME has worked great. YMMV.
 
allegracristina said:
We stayed at the WL last Nov. and chose Magical Express for our transportation to and from the airport. We had a great experience with Magical Express. Lately I have heard that Magical Express has not been very reliable with luggage being brought in a reasonable amount of time, etc. We are considering a towncar this time.

Any recent Magical Express opinions you wish to share?

I was wondering....Is the time effective enough? Like do you get there and have to wait like 1 hour after your flight to get on the bus? Are the busses hot and crowded? Does it take a while on the bus if your stop isn't first?? Does luggage come in one piece to your room?? Sorry for all the questions but I have gotten mixed results about this and I had a few questions.

If you aren't acutally renting a car, just need a transfer from airport to your hotel, try happy limo service. Very well done, we have been impressed every year. They stop at a grocery store if needed.
Thanks for the help.
 
I have used DME three times now (June, August, Dec), and every time I have been in my resort check-in line within 70 minutes of deplaning. It took about 5-10 minutes in the DME checkin line....usually closer to the 5 mins. Then, over to the bus line. Once we had to wait for about 10 minutes because we had just missed the bus that would have gone to our resort. Otherwise it's been really quick, again about 5 mins. Then, once on the bus we have usually waited about 10 minutes to leave. Once it was about 20 minutes but we were the first ones on the bus. The bus itself is new...very clean, cool. Not hot and sweaty at all. Very pleasant.

As far as timing for your luggage to arrive...it depends on when you can get into your room. If your room isn't ready yet, then you can't get your luggage. We have routinely gotten our luggage delivered to the room about 15-30 minutes after being able to get into our room.

I will continue to use DME. I love not having to stop and collect my bags at baggage claim and then lug them with me. Sure, a towncar service may fit your needs better. But, the only time I have used a towncar service that was faster than DME was when I had only carryon luggage with me..didn't have to stop and wait at baggage claim before the driver went to get the car. The grocery stop?? Well, if you use DME you are saving about $100 (at least)..I would use a grocery delivery service. Yes, they charge a delivery fee..but that's around $15 or so. You don't have to spend that 30 minutes in the store buying your groceries. And you can get pretty much exactly what you want delivered, right to your room.

If DME starts charging $25 pp, then maybe it will make sense for me to use a towncar again. But that would be the only reason I would make the switch.
 

Thank You very much. I have finally gotten all my info to prove that this is easier than a towncar. And i have heard that you have to wait up to 30 minutes to get on the bus after your plane arrival but i guess i was wrong.
 
While that scenario is not impossible, NJ2, it's much more likely that it will take thirty minutes from when you step off the jetway into the terminal, until your bus heads off for The World!
 
NJ2Boardwalk said:
Thank You very much. I have finally gotten all my info to prove that this is easier than a towncar. And i have heard that you have to wait up to 30 minutes to get on the bus after your plane arrival but i guess i was wrong.

A 30 minute wait is possible. Towncar customers might have to wait 30 and even 60 minutes for your luggage, particularly if you land right before an afternoon thunderstorm starts. Chances are your wait for a bus will be less than your wait for your luggage.
 
Me too! We're using ME for the first time next weekend! I'm glad to save the $120 we usually spend on a town car. I'm sure it will be busy with Easter break but figure they have that figured into their planning. Woo hoo--WDW here we come! :cool1:
 
Here's our experience, from a couple of weeks ago:

The break-down of the wait was approximately this:

Time from touchdown to going through DME Welcome Center line: 25 minutes
Time waiting for bus: 25 minutes
Time to drive from MCO to WDW: 35 minutes
Time to drop off other DME passengers at Poly and Grand Floridian: 20 minutes
Time to go through check-in line at VWL: 15 minutes

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1060033&page=1
 














Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE









DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top