Disney Magical Express

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
Interesting article:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-bizmagical21022108feb21,0,4038110.story

Mick.

 

[Skallywag]

Very interesting. We are using this for the first time this year. Has anyone from the UK used it and any tips please.
Brenda

 

[mikki.young]

I have used it to get to the resort and it was very easy. I haven't used it to get back to the airport because I think they want to leave earlier than I would want to.

 

[DisneyJo]

We used it both ways last year and will do again this year, we were very pleased and not collecting your luggage is great.

 

[stal]

used it both ways, could not fault it. however i picked up the luggage and took it to the bus myself.

 

[disney13]

Hi,

I used it when I ran Goofy's Challenge in January. Had quite a wait when I checked in (40 mins) and then a 20 min wait on the bus BUT can't really complain since it was free! If you are on a direct flight from the UK then you will need to get your luggage and take it to the bus. It's only on internal flights that they pick up your bags and take them direct to your room. Still, now that you can take your bags on the monorail at the airport it says having to wait for them twice!

Andy

 

[PaulaSB12]

Hi,

I used it when I ran Goofy's Challenge in January. Had quite a wait when I checked in (40 mins) and then a 20 min wait on the bus BUT can't really complain since it was free! If you are on a direct flight from the UK then you will need to get your luggage and take it to the bus. It's only on internal flights that they pick up your bags and take them direct to your room. Still, now that you can take your bags on the monorail at the airport it says having to wait for them twice!

Andy

No you don't. You get your luggage from the first carosel go through customs put them on the next belt and they collect it from their. Thats how i did last 2 trips I went on once to POFQ and the first to Pop Century.

 

[lawlesslovewdw]

Always had great service from them. One tip, pack swim costume or change of clothes and sunscreen as it can take up to 3 hours to get your bags.
Last year i didnt pack swim stuff in hand luggage and kids still havent forgiven me
Only used them once for return to airport and prefer to return car at airport as you do have more time in the parks on your last day, that way can check in at dtd with virgin get rid of bags then try and forget it is time to go home.
Quick tip for those staying at SSR, if you phone bell services and be really nice they will take you to check in at DTD on their golf carts for a nice tip

 

[disney13]

No you don't. You get your luggage from the first carosel go through customs put them on the next belt and they collect it from their. Thats how i did last 2 trips I went on once to POFQ and the first to Pop Century.

Well sorry Paula but that's what happened to me. I took my cases with me on the monorail and went straight to the DME desk to check in. I was told that since I was on an international flight they couldn't/wouldn't collect my bags and send them straight to the hotel. The 4/5 times I've used DME this has always been the case. If this has changed, when I booked the service they didn't say!

Andy

P.S. Seems like things have changed! Here's the FAQ's on International Travellers from the DME website:

INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS

Q. As an international traveler, do I have to claim my luggage?

A. If the Orlando International Airport is your first point of entry into the United States, you will follow the U.S. Customs & Border Protection process and claim your luggage upon disembarking the airplane. Once you have completed this process, you will give your luggage back to the airport officials and proceed to the Disney Welcome Center located in the Main Terminal Building on the B side on Level 1. Your luggage will be transferred to the Baggage Claim area, where Disney will collect it. If you have already completed the U.S. Customs & Border Protection process in another U.S. city, you will proceed directly to the Disney Welcome Center; Disney will claim your luggage. Download Airport Map

Q. On my day of departure, how will I know what time a motor coach will pick me up at my Resort hotel to return to Orlando International Airport?

A. The day before you check out, you will receive a Transportation Notice advising you of your motor coach pick-up time and giving you other general information. Your motor coach pick-up time will be approximately four (4) hours prior to your flight departure time from Orlando International Airport. You are responsible for bringing your luggage to the motor coach pick-up location

Q. If I am departing for an international destination, can I still utilize Resort Airline Check-In Service?

A. At this time, the service is only available if you are flying domestically (including Puerto Rico). If you are flying internationally, you will need to check in directly with your airline at Orlando International Airport.

 

[DisneyJo]

Last summer we collected our bags from the first carousel, you then have to give the bags back and that is when we then didn't go and get them again. The bags were then delivered to our room several hours later!

 

[Skallywag]

Seems to be some differing advice on whether you collect and take your luggage with you or if it is automatically sorted out.

According to the information I received when I booked you had to collect yourself from International flight and take with you. Will check again nearer time.

If you take it with you does it get to the room quicker perhaps?
Brenda

 

[poggs]

Seems to be some differing advice on whether you collect and take your luggage with you or if it is automatically sorted out.

According to the information I received when I booked you had to collect yourself from International flight and take with you. Will check again nearer time.

If you take it with you does it get to the room quicker perhaps?
Brenda

I used it in December. You collect your luggage off the first carousel and then clear customs. Before getting on the monorail, you put it back onto another baggage belt ,making sure they have those Disney ME tags on each and every bag. You never see it again until it pops up in your room.

2nd option is to not put it back onto the belt and carry it onto the monorail. Then lug it over to the ME bus, where the driver will stick in the bus 'boot' The only advantage of that is that you get you luggage with you. But its a pain having to lug all those bags onto the monorail.

3rd option - after clearing customs put the bags back on the belt, without any disney ME tags. Then go on the monorail and proceed to the baggage reclaim. Wait about 45 minutes for it to reappear again and them hump it over to the ME for the driver to load it.

 

[stoner2009]

Yes I've heard from someone that uses it alot that you have to take luggage through customs from the UK.

 

[aprilsky]

If you have the later flight from the UK, and land around 4-5pm, do they still deliver your bags to your room that night? Seems a bit late if you want to get an early night. Is it mandatory to let them collect the luggage?

 

[Hollytigs]

So let me get this right....we have to book the DME in advance, but it is free. The luggage we collect to take through customs and then give it to Disney who will take it to our hotel, then we have to go and check in for the bus? Is that right?
I have read somewhere that it's not easy to navigate your way to DME at the airport. Is that true?

 

[paulh]

So let me get this right....we have to book the DME in advance, but it is free. The luggage we collect to take through customs and then give it to Disney who will take it to our hotel, then we have to go and check in for the bus? Is that right?
I have read somewhere that it's not easy to navigate your way to DME at the airport. Is that true?

If you can find the car hire desks at mco you can find DME
Yep its easy to use,pre booke with disney.
You will get a book of yelow tags for lugage with vouchers for the bus
if getting a direct flight put lugage tags on before checking them in,if indirect you pick your bags up and put yelow tags on the flight to MCO (orlando airport)
Myself we dont use the yelow tags,we collect our owm bags and take them on the bus ourselfs.this is becuse were usaly landing around 6pm and as bags can take up to 2-3 hours to arive in room,and if flight later can be next morrning as they dont like to wake you.
The bags to room option is great if youarive in mornning and have a caryon bag with some cloths in,so you can go to the parks straight away
Paulh

 

[PaulaSB12]

So let me get this right....we have to book the DME in advance, but it is free. The luggage we collect to take through customs and then give it to Disney who will take it to our hotel, then we have to go and check in for the bus? Is that right?
I have read somewhere that it's not easy to navigate your way to DME at the airport. Is that true?

I have never found it hard to find (and I have the homing instincts of a dead dodo)

 

[OrlandoMagic]

Is it ok to use DME only one way? We are doing a split stay so we are only at disney for one week then we move on to I-Drive for the second week.

 

[OrlandoMagic]

Anyone?

 

[Twinkly-Tink]

Is it ok to use DME only one way? We are doing a split stay so we are only at disney for one week then we move on to I-Drive for the second week.

From what I understand and have read on the Dis and WWW - yes - but I'm sure there'll be an expert Dis'er along shortly who will confirm (as we're using it for the first time ourselves in June!!)

Anyone?