Disney Magical Express

[disfam61]

Has anyone used the Disney Magical Express. I am planning a trip and would like thoughts on the subject. How was check-in, how long did it take to get to the resort, how quick was luggage delivered and would you use it again? Any thoghts on the subject would be appreciated.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

IMHO ME is wonderful! Basically you check your luggage at your home airport (with the yellow ME tags on them) and then you won't see it again until you get to your hotel. We were at SSP last week and it took just over 2 hours to get our bags, it only took that long because bell services was running behind at the hotel.

Depending on what airline you are using you can even check your bags at your hotel when you leave to go home. We flew Continental and they checked our bags and printed our boarding passes for us at the hotel. A few things to note about this:
1. You must check your bags in at least 3 hours before your flight. We checked ours about 3.5 hours before our flight and they just made it on the truck.
2. Airline check-in/baggage checking is only open from 6am-2pm? at the resorts (I might be slightly off on that as I dont have the paper in front of me). But if you have a later flight you will have to check your bags and get your boarding pass earlier - or you could just check them yourself at the airport.

I've used ME twice and plan on using at as long as it is available. A CM from bell services mentioned that disney plans to continue ME past the happiest celebration but he didn't know if they would ever charge for it.

I recommend ME for everyone, it saves quite a bit of money on getting your own transportation and its so easy to use.

I do suggest bringing anything you might need within a few hours in your carry-on bag (like a change of clothes, meds, toiletries, etc.) so that way you don't even have to wait for your luggage.

Have a great trip - when are you going?

 

[goofy4tink]

to the DISboards. You'll find a lot of great info here on the Transportation boards regarding DME. But, I'll try to give you an overview...
You will need to book your reservation before you get to Florida. You can no longer just show up at DME Welcome desk and get a free ride. So...that's the first thing.
Now, as to the quality of service. I have used it three times now...June, August, and then late Nov. I have yet to spend more than 1 hr. 15 mins getting to my resort after touching down at the airport. I have had both carry-on only and checked luggage with me. I have flown on participating airlines and non-participating airlines.
When I had checked luggage....I got to the checkin line at my resort about 70 minutes after touchdown. That was at about 1:15 p.m., at BCV. I got into our villa at 2:30 (a surprise in itself!!) and my luggage was at my door at 2:55. Not too shabby. When I had only carry-on bags, I just handed them over to the bus driver who stowed them under the bus. Again...about 70 mins to the resort (Pop this time).
Now, as to the return to the airport.....
anyone may use DME for the bus ride to MCO...anyone! If you are flying one of the 'participating' airlines, then you will be able to check your luggage ahead of time, right at your resort. It is the exact same thing as doing it at the airport. You will be given your boarding passes and your luggage will be taken to the airport. Now, as was said before...you have to do this no less than 3 hrs before your flight. I had a 10:15 flight and was in line at 6 a.m. at Pop to check my bag. You then can go about your business. In some cases this will be just a few hours, for others it might be some extra park time. YOu will be told what time to be at the bus stop for your return to MCO...usually about 3 hrs before your flight.
DME has worked out quite well for me on all occasions. The one thing I always suggest to people using DME....be sure to have your swim suits or anything you might need in case you can't get into your room as soon as you check in. I have my meds, swim suit, change of clothes, book, passes, toothbrush/toothpaste...that sort of thing. I have always gotten very hot/sticky upon arrival and appreciate being able to either swim or at least change into something cooler and freshen up.