Disney's Magical Express (Air Transat / Canadian Traveller)

[biggroofy]

Hi everyone,

I am from Canada - booked a hotel + flight package with a local travel agent. We will stay at POFQ in March, and travelling via Air Transat Airline. The travel agent told me that transfer from airport to resort is included in the package - and no reservation is required.

However, when I surf the web, everyone is saying that DME requires advance reservation. I wonder if the default shuttle service = DME. The travel agent seemed to have no idea on that, and said the transfer is always arranged by tour package.

Any Canadian travellers can give me advice? Should I still make DME reservation on my own?

A BIG Thanks!

 

[safetymom]

I would call DME yourself and arrange it. The phone number is in a sticky at the top of the transportation board.

 

[SaraMc]

We booked a package with Air Transat a few years ago and transport was included because we opted out of the rental car. We had a ressie that came with our plane tickets ect. for Mears and we used them. However Magical express is using mears as well. Have you got your plane tickets yet? Your transfers should be with that when you get your tickets.
I would still make a ressie for Magical express just incase. But that's just me I like to have my options covered.

Sara

 

[biggroofy]

Thanks.

SaraMc, I haven't received my tickets yet. The whole package will be mailed to the travel agency in 3 weeks, for me to pick up. Sidetrack a bit, Air Transat allows 20Kg luggage per person - any idea if I can just check one 32kg luggage for two persons?

 

[IlovePiglet]

Mears = Magical Express. You will need a reservation so I would do what the other posters have recommended and call DME yourself. You'll just need your flight information, names of everyone travelling in your party, and your resort info. It's easy

 

[safetymom]

If your luggage is overweight you will be charged. You can't combine weight for 2 people in one suitcase.

 

[CleveRocks]

Have you got your plane tickets yet? Your transfers should be with that when you get your tickets.

It doesn't work that way with DME. They are sent to the TA separately from how the TA gets the airline tickets. The TA may send them all to a customer at the same time, by coincidence, but the two are in no way linked.

-- Eric

 

[Kelly5538]

I just received my package from the TA for our visit on the 25th to Disney (Skyservice out of TO, btw)....
It included the transfers from Mears - there weren't any big yellow (I think it's what everyone is saying) luggage tags for DME... I know that in the past (before the DME) we always recieved this same voucher for transfers (like you, I always turn down the car offer and just take transfers).
So once I get to the airport and get my luggage, I am to find the Mears booth - like every other year. If this is DME, then so be it - but I am just treating it as every other year, and picking up my own luggage and finding the Mears booth..... they will put me on a bus to the right place, they always have.

 

[ferris198]

We just got back from Disney and used the ME service. When you arrive in Orlando you can choose to pick up your luggage yourself, or have it delivered to your hotel.
If using the ME service you need to go down one level below the luggage pick up caresels to the Disney desk. Extremely easy to find, all kinds of staff there.
They will then ask for your baggage claim tickets if you want them to deliver your luggage, or you can pick it up yourself.
The buses are right near the ME counter and run very frequently. My only complaint was our luggage took about 3.5 hours to arrive after we did, but they were extremely busy as it was marathon weekend.

 

[runner26.2]

If you have received a Mears transfer and not ME tags I would contact ME directly (number is (866) 599-0951) give them your arrival dates, WDW reservation #, resort etc) and get reservations yourself.

ME is an excellent service getting you to the hotel without the hassle of worrying about your luggage. The only warning, it will take a few hours for your luggage to catch up, so take a carryon with what you need for the first 3-4 hours upon arrival.

 

[biggroofy]

Thanks everyone. I'd wait until I received the package. I was told that my (flight + resort) package is organized by NOLITOURS.

How frequent is DME (e.g every 30 min)?

I think I may want to take my luggages with me, since my flight arrives at 21:30, and I will need the luggage at the resort, since I need some bottles etc for my little infant before she can go to bed.

 

[CleveRocks]

Thanks everyone. I'd wait until I received the package. I was told that my (flight + resort) package is organized by NOLITOURS.

How frequent is DME (e.g every 30 min)?

I think I may want to take my luggages with me, since my flight arrives at 21:30, and I will need the luggage at the resort, since I need some bottles etc for my little infant before she can go to bed.

Please take those bottles and any other important items in your CARRY-ON! Even without having to wait for your luggage through DME, you still have to hope the airline doesn't delay your luggage. Better safe than sorry.

-- Eric

 

[CleveRocks]

I just received my package from the TA for our visit on the 25th to Disney (Skyservice out of TO, btw)....
It included the transfers from Mears - there weren't any big yellow (I think it's what everyone is saying) luggage tags for DME... I know that in the past (before the DME) we always recieved this same voucher for transfers (like you, I always turn down the car offer and just take transfers).
So once I get to the airport and get my luggage, I am to find the Mears booth - like every other year. If this is DME, then so be it - but I am just treating it as every other year, and picking up my own luggage and finding the Mears booth..... they will put me on a bus to the right place, they always have.

People with Mears reservations are, basically, put on DME buses with their luggage. If you received "Mears" transfer vouchers just like in the past , then YOU PAID MONEY FOR THIS. On the other hand, DME is free. With DME you'll get the same ride on the same bus and have the choice of having your luggage delivered for you, FOR FREE.

If it were me, a phone call would be worth saving money that does not need to be spent. I'm all for paying for a service that I use, but if it's being offered for free I sure as heck don't want to pay for it anymore!

I went to WDW on May 8, the 4th day of DME. My TA AUTOMATICALLY booked me with Mears transfers and charged me for them. I had to educate her about DME, and I had to hound her to get the Mears fee of my ressie.

All this being said, I'm assuming you're staying at a Disney owned and operated resort. If not, ... NEVERMIND!

-- Eric

 

[seashoreCM]

Don't forget, coming from Canada or other foreign country you must clear your baggage through customs before, not at, Disney. Although you can still use Magical Express it is suggested you do not put the yellow ME tags on baggage and those tags in your hands will serve as a reminder you have not yet cleared customs.

If you clear customs at Orlando Airport you can still re-introduce the baggage into the system for ME delivery. You can also carry the luggage to the bus yourself.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

 

[katypop]

Don't forget, coming from Canada or other foreign country you must clear your baggage through customs before, not at, Disney. Although you can still use Magical Express it is suggested you do not put the yellow ME tags on baggage and those tags in your hands will serve as a reminder you have not yet cleared customs.

If you clear customs at Orlando Airport you can still re-introduce the baggage into the system for ME delivery. You can also carry the luggage to the bus yourself.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

Actually, it is quite okay to put your luggage tags on ahead of time. I called ME before my Oct trip and they confirmed this. I had a flight change and had to go through customs in Detroit and had no problems.By putting the tags on ahead of time you have one less thing to carry and remember. No one cares about the tags until the luggage arrives at MCO and then the ME people use them to identify your bags and grab them for you. Of course, if you decide you want to collect your bags yourself then you will not want to use the tags.
katypop

 

[biggroofy]

So if I have one piece of hand-carry and one luggage case, can I simple take it myself onto the DME bus? I actually read that occasionally luggages may arrive your resort room 3 hours after arrival - we will arrive at 21:30, so I don't want any mid-night delivery that may wake up my little sleeping princess

 

[ferris198]

Yes, you can pick up your luggage, and take it with you to the resort yourself.
We used ME to transport our luggage to the resort and it took quite awhile for it to reach our room, it was about 3.5 - 4 hr wait.