disney magical express

[ebeth528]

Has anyone done this? Is it ok? I am afaird I am going to lose my luggage please help! How does it work? We were going to rent a car shoul we just take are luggage with us? Thanks

 

[LisaInNc]

I had a terrible experience with it. If you decide to use it. Take at least once suitcase with you on the bus. It needs to have stuff for your first day and night.

I am sure that lots of people have used it and liked it alot and I am surely in the minority but for my group we will not use it again. We are too excited to get going to wait and wait for the bus, wait and wait for the bus to leave and wait and wait as the bust stops at other hotels.

It is still worth the price of a town car to me to get there and get back as quickly as possible.

Lisa

 

[ebeth528]

Thanks thats all I needed to hear you answered my question

 

[Troy08]

Just make sure you order your luggage tags WELL in advance of your departure. Due to a death in the family, our trip was in jeapardy. I called for our tags 13 days in advance(wasn;t sure I was even going at that point). Well we went, had a great time but I received my luggage tags ONE WEEK AFTER I GOT HOME!!!! I shlepped over to baggage, picked up my bags, then boarded ME. We only had two stops, (GF, Poly)most of the bus passengers were for WL. The ride was fine and the pick up from the hotel was very smooth-right on time. It will take apx. 3 hours to get your bags so pack your carry on accordingly.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

We used the ME on our trip last month and enjoyed it and would definately use it again. OUr plane got in at 9:45 and we were at the POP by 11:15 or so. Now that is with getting off the plane, going to the Welcome Center, standing in line for the bus and getting to the resort. For us the POP was the 1st stop so we lucked out on that. They do play a video on the bus so it make the time go by and gets you more in the disney magic.

I did, however, have the kids put their swimsuits in their backpacks because when we first got to the resort I knew they wanted to swim, which they did.
We happened to be in the room when our luggage came which was about 4:00.

Whatever service you decide have a great trip.

 

[HockeyChick]

I was told by a CM last week that they send the luggage tags at 21 days out, so call before that if you want them. I was too late but she told me all I had to do was go to the Welcome Center and give them my claim numbers....I don't have to get the bags myself.

 

[Mykelogan]

I was nervous about using it my last trip and was pleasantly surprised. Had a great experience with ME!

Mike

 

[ajcolorado]

We were there in late June - about 30 people in our group used the Disney Magical Express and no one had any trouble. Southwest Air lost my uncle's bag and, although it wasn't Disney's fault, they still gave him a T-shirt so he'd have something clean to change into.

No one in our group had tags - we just walked to attendant just past the security check point and they directed us to the Disney welcome center. Some in our group claimed their own bags and checked them into DME, others just gave the attendant the claim tickets and let them do it. We advised every one to bring a change of clothes and a swimsuit in their carry on.

Just know that the luggage often travels in a seperate vehicle and may take several hours to arrive. If you are aware of that up front, you can plan accordingly. Every one from our group who came in on late night flights collected their own bags.

The bus service was very nice - no complaints at all there.

 

[WEDWDW]

I loved DME when I used it three weeks ago.I found it to be very efficient and convenient.I just went to a park as soon as I checked-in and my luggage was waiting in my room when I returned that night.The Disney "welcome" video when you arrive and the Disney "see ya' real soon" video when you leave were so cute.Oh yeah,did I mention it is FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[HockeyChick]

FYI, the CM told me I was too late to get my tags....but they came in the mail today!

 

[aubriee]

I was one of the early people who used it in May. I was traveling solo, so was a little nervous, but had a great experience with DME. I arrived at MCO on a Friday about 9:20am, was directed to the DME counter where the CM quickly stamped my travel voucher and then directed me to the right bus line. I wasn't in that line even five minutes, before we were loading. The bus was not even half full when we left and POP was the first stop. Because they knew we were coming POP had LOTS of CMs on duty to check us in. My room was ready, so I took my carry-on in and went to check it out. I was still able to be in the MK for lunch. When I returned that night my checked luggage was waiting for me.

Checkout was just as easy. I received the express checkout sheet, that had my DME departure time on it, the night before. That Sunday morning I took my bags down to the DME counter, checked both of them, got my boarding pass, and went off to the MK. I arrived back about 15 minutes prior to my 3:00pm departure, waited about 10 minutes, then stepped onto the DME bus. Again it was less than half full and we did not make any other stops on the way to the airport. Because I had checked my carry on bag for the return trip, I was able to just step off the DME bus and walk straight through security to my gate. Being able to just walk through the airport without dealing with any bags was great. When I arrived in Dallas that night my bags were waiting on me.

I used DME in May and will be using it again in Sept, Dec, and again next spring. It was very easy, hassle free, and most important FREE. By using it in May and also for my next three trips, I'm saving well over $400.00. I used a towncar this past January and while happy with them, DME got me to my resort just as quickly (if not more quickly because we didn't have to wait for luggage).

 

[purplevalentine]

FYI, the CM told me I was too late to get my tags....but they came in the mail today!

I was also told that I would probably not get my luggage tags for Magical Express but low and behold they came last night. 3 DAYS PRIOR TO MY TRIP!!! I'm so glad that I got them but man that's cutting it close. I was already prepared not to have them in time. Less stress for me!! So for all of you folks out there that don't have tags yet, don't give up hope until at least 3 days before your trip!

KAREN


3 days til Port Orleans Riverside!

 

[deltachi8]

OK, maybee a sily question. We are flying Southwest. Our return flight is at 4:20, so I assume we will need to catch the bus around 1:30. We plan on visiting Animal Kingdom that morning, going to Donald's at 8:20 and the par k until around noon.

DO we check out at say 7:30, will they store our bags for us at ASMu until we return to go to the airport?

Thanks!

 

[jacksonjohn]

I am leaving Sunday and have not gotten tags yet. I called Disney and they said to just hand your baggage claim tags to the DME people with the big white hands who will be near the gate and they will handle it. Oh Boy. I did see on another thread though that someone did this it and it worked out fine.
Or the other option I see is to pick it up at the baggage claim and bring it to the DME counter and they will load on the bus for you. I will play it by ear (no pun intended) when I get to Orlando and see what method I choose.

 

[purplevalentine]

I was told the same thing and I also leave on Sunday. I was going to let disney get my bags. Lucky for me I received my tags yesterday via Fedex Overnight service. They are shipped from a company in NY. If you decide to let disney handle your bags I suggest packing a carryon bag with the things you will immediately need. With or without tags it seems that your bags don't arrive in your room until a few hours later.

KAREN

I am leaving Sunday and have not gotten tags yet. I called Disney and they said to just hand your baggage claim tags to the DME people with the big white hands who will be near the gate and they will handle it. Oh Boy. I did see on another thread though that someone did this it and it worked out fine.
Or the other option I see is to pick it up at the baggage claim and bring it to the DME counter and they will load on the bus for you. I will play it by ear (no pun intended) when I get to Orlando and see what method I choose.

 

[jacksonjohn]

Thanks

 

[jacksonjohn]

We had a great trip. The tags never showed up. I just checked my baggage with the airline. When we got to Orlando, I picked up the bags at baggage claim. They are plenty of people with the big white hands. I just hauled bags over to the Magical Express counter and then placed them on the bus. Reversed process on way back.

 

[purplevalentine]

I also just got back and had my tags. Everything went perfectly. We flew Delta so we didn't see our bags until we arrived at Port Orleans Riverside. By the time we check in at the Magical Express Desk at the airport, boarded the bus, and check into POR our bags arrived about 15 mins. later. Perfect timing. I couldn't have asked for better service. Things went just as smooth with the check out. Checked out luggage and received our boarding passes. The only problem (which I wouldn't blame Disney ) is that we have no luggage! Delta was horrible with our transfers. Short time span to get from one plane to another. My luggage now is still in Atlanta somewhere. Hopefully it will make it here tomorrow. Not to happy about that one.


KAREN

 

[Mich Mouse]

PurpleValentine...

In which order did your ME bus stop at the resorts? We are leaving for POFQ and using ME, and I am wondering about the amount of times the bus will stop.

 

[jacksonjohn]

It was raining so hard when we got there last Sunday and the windows were so fogged up I could not see. I could not understand bus driver either. It was about a 45 min ride from airport to POFQ though. I am looking at a map now I think the route was Old Key West, Saratoga Springs and then POFQ. It was pouring so I am sure this added to trip time. One thing bugged me about our driver and I thought it was very un Disney like he asked for tips. That he made very clear. Enjoy!