Decided on Flying instead of Driving, tell me about ME

[AC7179]

I just decided to fly to Orlando from Texas instead of fly on our September 14-21st trip.

Now, of course, I have tons of questions.

First, is it too late to add Magical Express?

Secondly, if I add a room to my Free Dining at Pop, would I still get free dining for the extra day?

Thirdly, we depart Orlando at 635 AM. Does Magical Express exist that early?

 

[skipperkim]

It's the best. The magic part is when your bags magically appear in your room.

Maybe this will answer the rest of your questions:

http://allearsnet.com/acc/mexpress.htm

 

[DisneyNotes]

We, too, are flying from Texas. We arrive on the 22nd, the day after you leave.

Magical Express will get you anytime.

I don't know about the free dining question.

You have time to add Magical Express. I added mine online by pulling up my reservation and adding it to that.

 

[LMO429]

I cant say enough goods things about the ME!!! We have used it 2x in the past year!!! Everything was as smooth as can be! and it is great to come back to your room and your bags are all there!!

p.s. dont be discouraged when you get to MCO airport the long line to check in for ME...it goes extremely fast!!!!!!! even if the line is very long

 

[grgich]

You have time to add Magical Express. I added mine online by pulling up my reservation and adding it to that

.

Hey, how did you do that on-line? I pulled up my reservation and couldn't find any link where I could add ME to it... I didn't originally include it when I booked on-line. I'm doing the same thing as the original poster, I planned on driving, but then got a good airfare, so decided to fly, and now want to add ME.

And I would prefer to NOT have to call..... it seems like I wait on hold for a long time... and if I can do the same thing on-line, that would be much more efficient.

 

[DisneyNotes]

I'm glad to hear that the lines move quickly. We are arriving on a Saturday around noon. That seems like a very busy time to me, but it's the only time that we could work out.

 

[simonkodousek]

Our experience with ME wasn't excellent, but it wasn't awful either. The bus picked us up on time, however we didn't get our bags until about 8 hours later. The bus on the way back was packed.

 

[DisneyNotes]

Thanks for the tips/warning about the ME. I'll toss pajamas in my carry on bag so that we won't need our suitcases for the afternoon or night. I hope the bus doesn't get so packed that they won't let us on.

 

[Kiddeokee]

The trip to Disney was wonderful on the magical express...

The trip back... not so great!

We lugged our luggage to the check in place at the pop, and then were told that they could not take our luggage as we were "randomly" selected to be searched. They then told us we had to deal with our luggage for the rest of the day. (I got pretty upset, as we had planned to go to the parks until our flight)

Fortunately, POP was kind enough to hold our luggage in the back - but this meant that it was unattended with our stuff. We did what we could, left it at POP, and went to the park... then we had to deal with our own luggage getting to the airport.

The part I didn't understand was the PRE-WARNING that we would be searched. This is wrong, as what if I was a bad-gal & knew that ahead of time... They need to search people randomly, and without warning. Why would you give someone time/warning to get rid of contraband??? I hope they have changed this up a bit.

We survived (but not without me getting upset), went to the parks, and dealt with lugging our luggage again.

Will I use it again? Yes. It's a great service, and the most cost effective option. I'll be riding it again... I just hope I am not randomly selected again.

 

[mandypandy818]

We used it this past May and it was very efficient. We arrived on a Sunday around noon and flew back out the following Saturday mid-afternoon. Both our trip to Disney and returning to the airport went very smoothly.

 

[DisneyNotes]

That is very nice to hear. I expect everything to go smoothly, too, but I guess we can just catch a cab if needed.

 

[AC7179]

Thanks, guys! I am still not finding where I can add the DME on the website? I log into my reservation but don't see that option anywhere.

Also, anyone know if you can add a day to your free dining package, and if so, if the extra day includes free dining as well?

Thanks for ALL of your help!

 

[WildGrits]

Can someone add info about luggage and leaving WDW. Our flight is at 6:30pm so we are planning on one last lunch in the parks before we leave.

At the CBR. Can't we just call the Bell Hop to come remove our luggage from our rooms at the check out time? We won't have a ton of luggage but I can't see lugging it all the way to the customs house. 50% of it has no wheels. Old bright red Marlboro bags

 

[DisneyNotes]

I'm sure the bellhops would help you carry your luggage to the Resort Airline Check-in desk when you check out of the hotel @ 11:00. After you check your luggage and get your boarding passes, then you can go to the parks until your ME pickup time.

 

[WildGrits]

After you check your luggage and get your boarding passes, then you can go to the parks until your ME pickup time.

Sadly we are Southwest Passengers. No Resort Check in for us.

 

[sklimuck]

We have a bunch of those same suitcases! The red ones from Marlboro!

 

[WildGrits]

We have a bunch of those same suitcases! The red ones from Marlboro!

That's awesome. And all it cost us was our lungs.

 

[DisneyNotes]

WildGrits - Even without Resort Airline Check-in, the bellhops will still get your luggage for you and store it until you are ready to leave later that day.

 

[SharonLowe]

We've used ME in the past but never again. Last time, we landed at 11:40 am and we didn't get to our resort until almost 3pm! Not only did we wait in a queue for a very long time, they ended up putting a bunch of resorts on the same bus - think we had 5 resorts. And, of course, ours was the last one dropped off. Also, if you use it going back the the airport, it picks you up really early. We had a late flight back so we decided to use a car service. Picked us up just 2 hours before our flight so we had a full day at the park. Each time we used it, it seemed like it took longer to get the resort than the last time. I would rather pay a bit and get to my resort faster and more relaxed.

As for luggage, if your airline doesn't offer resort check-in, you can store your bags with the bell staff. I would make sure it is locked (or secured with ties like we do for any time we fly).

 

[DisneyNotes]

Sharon,
What day of the week did you arrive? I hope it wasn't Saturday as that's when we arrive and I've been a little anxious about the crowds.