Disney Magical Express

[Dizny Dad]

I would claim waiting is paying, as time is money. And my vacation time is a limited resource I only get so much per year, plus what I'm paying out of pocket to visit the world. So if I can add an hour on each end it's worth something to me.

This is one reason we only use DME to travel to the world in the evening when the parks are closed.

One of the best lines I have ever read about WDW is from Birmbauck's (sp) Guide to WDW book; if you are concerned about the cost of things and the time you may have to wait, don't go, you are guaranteeing yourself a disappointing time.

Relax - No company offering services can be 100% at 100% of the time. The magic is how close you can come to 100%, and the continued efforts to get there.

And what do the parks being closed have to do with ME?

 

[AnnaS]

We have used to a few times and no complaints from here (yet, lol). I love this service also.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would claim waiting is paying, as time is money. And my vacation time is a limited resource I only get so much per year, plus what I'm paying out of pocket to visit the world. So if I can add an hour on each end it's worth something to me.

This is one reason we only use DME to travel to the world in the evening when the parks are closed.

Here are my various times, with various modes of transport to my resorts..gate to resort.......

DME...70 min average

Mears shuttle...(a year ago)...80 mins

Towncar...with checked luggage, 60 mins
Towncar...carryon bag only, 45 mins

When leaving the resort, going back to MCO...
Towncar....leaves 2-2.5 hrs before flight time. I prefer the 2.5 time.

DME...3 hrs before flight departure.

I just don't see the sense in spending over $100 to get to the resort 30 mins sooner. Or, to leave for the airport 30-45 mins later. That breaks down to about $50 an hour. Believe me...that time spent getting to WDW (or back to the airport) is a huge non-issue for me. But, obviously, others disagree.
Just wanted to put out my times so far, with DME and car services.

 

[MamaCrush]

Thanks goofy4tink, that is very helpful.

 

[twinklebug]

One of the best lines I have ever read about WDW is from Birmbauck's (sp) Guide to WDW book; if you are concerned about the cost of things and the time you may have to wait, don't go, you are guaranteeing yourself a disappointing time.

That's a fantastic quote! I've seen so many people get worked up over wait times to, from Disney and inside the parks that I've pulled back on helping others to plan. Occasionally the finger is pointed back at me for "how bad it was".

In my opinion, bad is relative term. a 3 hour advance pickup for DMW might be "bad" to many, but to me I'd rather be at the airport early & sipping my coffee ready to go than being all worked up about a traffic delay or a late town car with only 10 minutes to make the gate.

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . I'd rather be at the airport early & sipping my coffee ready to go than being all worked up about a traffic delay or a late town car with only 10 minutes to make the gate.

Wow, I'm traveling with you! I have said the same thing many times in my life to those I travel with in business that always arrive in a rush, or after I take off!

Drinking mediocre coffee at the airport is much better than chewing fingernails in a traffic jamb.

 

[smjj]

The one question the OP ask and has not been answered is how far in advance do you get the tags sent to you? If I remember(over a year now) it varies from 3 to 2 weeks out. Is this still the norm??...smjj

 

[huey578]

The one question the OP ask and has not been answered is how far in advance do you get the tags sent to you? If I remember(over a year now) it varies from 3 to 2 weeks out. Is this still the norm??...smjj

I usually have gotten mine around the 3 week mark

 

[canopynut66]

We will taking our 1st DVC trip in October to SSR. We will using Magical Express for the 1st time also. Has anyone had any problems with the service? Have most experiences been good. How long does it take for the luggage to arrive at your room?

Any other suggestions to make sure it runs smoothly for us would be appreciated.

Thanks.

We have used ME many times since they started it and the only problem we have had and continue to have is ME does NOT send luggage tags soon enough and "when" they do arrive we are always short enough tags. So this trip I am calling ten days before and advise we need certain amount of luggage tags. So far we have been able to load the ME at airport and be at resort within hour. We like the video and just glad to be in Orlando so trip goes fast to us. We have taken our own luggage at times and others let ME take to the room but since Disney only picks up luggage so many times a day we often take luggage with us (but you have to leave ME luggage tags OFF if your going to do that) we like to "see"our room and settle then go to the parks..... for November

 

[FindTheMickeys]

I have used ME for every trip I have taken in the last 5 years except for the one trip I decided to drive down Boy was that a crazy idea Anyway, the only issue I have had with ME is on my May trip this year. The CM at MCO asked which resort I was going to visit. I replied SSR. They put me in line 1. I was pretty sure that was the wrong line. I asked 3 different CMs and all insisted I was in the correct line. When we went to get on the Mears Bus, the lady driver informed me that SSR was not on that bus's list of stops. I wasn't happy to have to wait more, especially because I tried to tell them that I was in the wrong line. They let me sit since it was their error that made me wait longer and then I was the first passenger allowed on the bus when it loaded. The bus sat for 15 minutes as others boarded and then we were off to our resort

I'm using ME in 38 days when we go to the World again and have no worries They will get me there and I don't have to drive. As far as the luggage, I pack what I need immediately in my carry on and the rest shows up by the time we get back from the grocery...

 

[codysmom1990]

We used the Magical Express twice, first time was good, second time was awful. We will not be using it ever again!!! Much better topay for a cab or limo. If you do use the bus make sure to take with you any clothes or anything else you need for your first day there with you, don't leave it your luggage or you might end up waiting all day for it. And after waiting for the bus for over 2 hours and waiting another 5 hours for our luggage, awful!!!!

 

[WDWBabe]

This is making my carry-ons more complicated. We don't get in until 10pm-ish. That pretty much guarantees bags in the morning, correct?

PJs, next days' clothes, etc. - ALL of it should come carry-on, shouldn't it?

ETA: We've taken it from WDW to the airport, but never from the airport there, so I don't know what to expect.

 

[codysmom1990]

Going from WDW to airport works good, it's just the other way. I would be on the safe side and have what you will need for that night and next day's clothing in carry on. Have a safe and fun trip!!!

 

[adminjedi]

This is making my carry-ons more complicated. We don't get in until 10pm-ish. That pretty much guarantees bags in the morning, correct?
PJs, next days' clothes, etc. - ALL of it should come carry-on, shouldn't it?
ETA: We've taken it from WDW to the airport, but never from the airport there, so I don't know what to expect.

We are on the west coast and usually arrive late or later! There is never a crowd or a wait for a bus at this time of night. Usually the instructions are that if you arriving late (do not recall the specific time they note) it is best to get your bags and take them to ME yourself.

 

[Cee]

I love it!

We only had one long wait at the airport which prompted DH to ask the driver,
"So....when does the convenience start??"

 

[jpolak]

Friends of ours have used it, but only for their luggage which I thought was a little crazy. What's from ME leaving your luggage at the airport if your not on the bus?

 

[MamaCrush]

I love it!

We only had one long wait at the airport which prompted DH to ask the driver,
"So....when does the convenience start??"

LOVE IT!

 

[speicher46]

Like most everything with Disney, the Magical Express service is excellent. Just check in at the Magical Express counter and everything will be taken care of. It is fast and efficient and a great way to begin your Disney vacation. The videos on the bus really get you prepared for what is to come. We love it.

 

[dburg30]

Have used it 5 times now I think... And only 1 time did it take a while to get to the resort. Here's the thing though, it never really felt like we were waiting, my timing was just off.. 4 of the times probably about 80-90 minutes after walking off the plane I was off the bus at my resort. Our first trip our plane landed at 10am and we were on a bus driving under the epcot sign by 11:30, after checking into our resort (csr). That was a fast trip! Was a saturday AM, and we had few on the bus and only had 3 resorts I think. 1 time that took a while was about 2 hours, but again, it didnt seem like it was that long. Pretty sure some of that was where a ton of people brought their bags and it had to be offloaded at the resorts. That probably added about 15-20 minutes to the trip. Luggage has always been there within 3 hours after landing.. well I shouldnt say that as I was only in the room for 3 of the 5 times. But it was within 3 hours on 2 of the occasions, and our room wasnt ready til later in the PM on one trip, but about 20 minutes after we had our room available, the luggage showed up.

 

[lucyem]

We have never used it until this next trip. My husband and son will be taking it and meeting me at WDW. We got the tags in the mail at 5 weeks out. That was earlier then we expected to get them according to everything I have read.

We received 4 tags - one for each of us in the family even though like I said only my husband and son are signed up to take it I am driving down earlier.