Disney Magical Express Service

[FLSmith1987]

Hi everyone,
Just a quick query, am travelling from the UK to Orlando International and we're using the Disney Magical Express service. I know that as a UK traveller I'll have to collect my baggage and then, as far as I can work out, "hand it back" to a member of airport staff. Anyone have any more specific information regarding what we do with our bags in between collecting them and making our way to thd DME check-in? I've heard mention of a conveyor, but I'd quite like to know exactly what I'm doing when we touch down in Orlando.
Thanks guys!

 

[Sundancer UK]

I'm trying to remember now! We went downstairs, and there was someone there with a huge Mickey hand waving. They showed us where to go and what to do, then someone took our luggage to the Magical Express

We did get a little lost not knowing where to go to get downstairs, but I asked in the Disney store and all was sorted

 

[queendisney]

When you land at orlando int'l you go through immigration then collect your luggage. You then go through customs, after that you have a choice..You can either place your bags on the conveyer belt and you then proceed up the escalator to the monorail. The luggage will go straight to the main terminal side A if arriving by VA and you get off the monorail and proceed across the terminal and go down to A to collect it again and go to ME. Or you keep your luggage with you and go to A and make your way straight to ME..they will then take your luggage and tell you which bus to get on. Personally I would keep you luggage if you can as it can save a lot of time. I can't remember now for sure but I think we went down to level 1 to ME (our ground floor)..

 

[FLSmith1987]

Ah fantastic so you just drop your bags off at the ME desk? Brill, thanks

-Frankie

 

[seashoreCM]

Method 1: After clearing customs, put the bags on the other conveyor belt and then exit customs, take the airport tram, and go to the Magical Express welcoming area. For bags without yellow tags, show the claim checks to the welcoming desk CM.

Method 2: After clearing customs, put the bags without yellow DME tags on the other conveyor belt, then take the airport tram and go to the baggage claim carousels in the main terminal to pick up your bags again.

Method 3: After clearing customs, carry the bags out of the customs station and onto the airport tram. Go to the welcoming area. The bags will be loaded on the DME bus at boarding time.

Bags cannot be simply dropped off at the welcoming area DME desk. For methods 2 and 3, at your resort you will need to tip the driver and bellhops and others who handle the bags when you get off the bus.

Note: Method 1 does not work after 10 PM. All bags go to the carousels.

 

[starrysky]

ME is on level 1 B side of the airport.
I have personally and have heard of others who have not been allowed to take their bags with them after clearing customs etc. We were told they had to go on the second belt and it took ages for them to appear at the other end.

If you do choose to present your luggage claim tickets and get ME to deliver the bags to your ressort this can take 3+hours and so you will need to plan for this if arriving late in the day i.e packing a change of clothes of pjs etc in your carry on. As a seashorecm said after 10pm bags have to be taken with you.

Personally while it sounds great not to have to take your bags I would rather not have to wait for them to arrive.

ME staff will keep you right as to which bus you need to get and then the driver informs you of the route he/she will be taking so you might be the first or last off so again see above about taking bags.

 

[2Tiggies]

Take a look at this. It may help because it's a visual guide. I used it the first time we went and was most impressed

http://www.orlandoairports.net/arrive/index.htm

 

[seashoreCM]

It is not mandatory to wait in your room, for example to tip the bellhop, for bags to be delivered by Magical Express.

The operational goal is for the DME bags to get to your room within 3 hours after you can.

At the All Stars and Pop Century and Art of Animation resorts, DME baggage deliveries that would occur after 10 PM are deferred until around 7 AM or so. Guests at other resorts can request such a deferral.

 

[wifey]

We prefer to collect our cases and take them to the ME bus and hand them over to the driver, simple and quick . It's no bother getting through MCO with them and once you reach your hotel your driver hands them back to you so no hanging around for them and you can soon get checked in and settled into your room or head to a park for a while If the Jet lag isn 't awful.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

I agree with Wifey in the above post, this is exactly what we do!