Disney Magic Express from MCO process?

[RobInMD]

Hi all,

Could someone walk me through the process for getting on the Disney Magic Express at MCO? I'm hoping to get on one of the first buses so looking for some advice or tips. Staying at the Hyatt in the airport the night before also.

What time should I be down at the shuttle area? How are the cowds handled? Does everyone in my group need to be there to get checked in?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Maggie'sMom]

The Magical Express only operates from MCO to the WDW Resorts. Are you referring to that or to the DCL transfers?

If you are referring to the transfers, the shuttles start running at 9:00am. Since you want to be on one of the first buses, I'd recommend getting to the area by 8:30am. Whenever I've been there that early, the crowds haven't been too bad and people just sat around until close to 9:00 when they open up the check in area and people start lining up, but I've heard if the crowds are large, they hand out cards which reserve your place in line. The check in process happens as you go through the line to get on the buses so yes, everyone needs to be there to check in.

ETA: Since you are staying at the Hyatt the night before, they offer a luggage service where they will pick up your luggage from your room and deliver it to the DCL luggage people so you don't have to worry about any bags except your carry ons. There has been a change in this procedure recently. You need to call DCL at least 3 days before your cruise and let them know you will be staying at the Hyatt and want the luggage transfer.

 

[RobInMD]

Thanks for the info. I've already called DCL about the Hyatt too thanks to Disboards.

 

[gotomu212]

The last time we cruised the process was show up and go to a little kiosk. At that desk they make sure you have DCL transfers and then they give you a character card. We then milled around or sat and waited for them to call our character. When they called Peter Pan the whole character group stood up and entered the line. At the end of the line they scanned our info again (and if I remember right they also looked at our passports) and then directed us to a bus.

We were there early, but we still had to wait about 30 minutes for our character.

 

[jlemieu1]

An additional perk of Concierge is that they get called up to the kiosk first to board the DCL buses. Last trip we were the 2nd group on the first bus trying for the same port upgrade when we got talking on the bus to #1.