Disney's Magical Express - OFFICIAL FAQ

[DisneyCastMember]

OFFICIAL DISNEY'S MAGICAL EXPRESS FAQ

GENERAL INFORMATION

Disney's Magical Express is an airport transportation service available to select Walt Disney World ® resorts that offers hassle free transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport for Guests and their luggage. The magical part of this service is that if Guests utilize the Disney's Magical Express luggage tags provided to them, they do not have to claim their luggage when they arrive at the Orlando International Airport. Disney's Magical Express claims the luggage on their behalf and delivers it to their Walt Disney World ® Resort room.

All Walt Disney World® resorts offer this service for Guests arriving at the Orlando International Airport with the exception of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, Shades of Green, and Downtown Disney® Area resorts. This service is also not offered for Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. Disney’s Magical Express is not available for Guests arriving at other Central Florida airports.

HOW IT WORKS

Pre-Arrival
 Disney’s Magical Express requires a reservation for the service and it must be selected prior to arrival into the Orlando International Airport.
 An Airport Transportation Booklet containing general information and at least 2 luggage tags per person - to be attached prior to leaving home - will be mailed approximately 21 days prior to arrival.
 Guests are strongly advised to pack essential items in a carry-on bag (e.g. medications) or anything they would like to have immediate access to upon arrival into Orlando, such as a change of clothes or swimsuit for the kids.

Arrival
 The Disney Welcome Center is located on the A side on Level 1 of the main terminal.
 When guests arrive in Orlando, they will take the tram over to the main terminal and proceed to the Disney Welcome Center located on the A side, Level 1 of the airport.
 Disney representatives will be located on Level 2 of both sides of the main terminal to direct Guests to the Welcome Center.
 At the Welcome Center, the Disney representative will ask the Guest how many bags they checked with the airline and will also confirm their outbound flight information if they are utilizing Disney’s Magical Express for transportation back to the airport from their resort.
 Guests will board a themed motorcoach to their resort that may make up to 3 stops before arriving at their resort. The approximate travel time is 45-75 minutes.
 Luggage is collected from the airlines directly and delivered to the resort separately.
 The guest does not have to be present in the room to receive the luggage.
 The luggage delivery from the airport to the Resort may take up to 3 hours after the Guest has checked into the resort.

Departure
 Guests will receive a transportation notice the day prior to check-out advising of the motorcoach pick-up time based on the provided outbound flight information. This will generally be 3 hours prior to their scheduled flight departure time for domestic flights and 4 hours prior for international flights.
 Guests are responsible for bringing their luggage to the motorcoach pick-up location so that their luggage will be transported with them to the airport on the motorcoach.
 Additionally, Guests who are flying domestically on participating airlines may take advantage of our Resort Airline Check-In service.


FREQEUNTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the cost for Disney’s Magical Express?
Disney’s Magical Express is a complimentary service offered to select Walt Disney World® resort Guests during Disney’s Happiest Celebration on Earth event.

Do Guests have to fly on a participating airline in order to take advantage of Disney’s Magical Express?
No – Guests flying on any air carrier may utilize Disney’s Magical Express.

Can Guests book Disney’s Magical Express upon arrival at the airport?
No – In order to utilize Disney’s Magical Express, a reservation for the service must be booked prior to arrival.

What are the hours of operation for the Disney Welcome Center?
The hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., but those hours will be extended to meet the flights of all Guests who have booked Disney’s Magical Express, even if a flight is scheduled to arrive after 11 p.m.

Where do Guests go upon arrival if they arrive on the B side of the airport?
Guests should proceed to the A side before taking the elevator or escalator down to Level 1 of the main terminal.
Will there be signs at the airport directing Guests to the Disney Welcome Center?
No – The airport will not allow Disney to post directional signs. We will have Cast Members located on Level 2 on both the A and B sides of the airport if Guests need directions.

Can Guests book Disney’s Magical Express while on property?
Yes – Guests should contact their Resort Front Desk for assistance.

Can Guests book a “luggage-only” transfer?
No – To utilize Disney’s Magical Express, Guests must participate in both the motorcoach transportation and the luggage transfer services.

Who do Guests contact when they have a change to their flight information?
Before arriving to the Walt Disney World® Resort, Guests may call the same number used to make their room reservation. While at their Walt Disney World® resort, Guests should contact their Resort Front Desk for assistance.

What if Guests do not receive their Airport Transportation Booklet prior to leaving home?
Guests with confirmed Disney’s Magical Express reservations should proceed to the Disney Welcome Center located on the A side on Level 1 where they will receive all the necessary information for transportation to their resort.

Will the motorcoaches accommodate wheelchairs?
Yes – However, Guests need to indicate this at the time of booking.

Will Disney’s Magical Express provide wheelchairs at the airport upon arrival?
No – If Guests need wheelchair assistance upon arrival to Orlando International Airport,
they should arrange this directly with their airline.

Can Guests traveling with a crated animal use Disney’s Magical Express?
Service animals are permitted to travel on the motorcoach with their owner; but unfortunately, no other pets are permitted to ride on the motorcoach with Guests. Guests wishing to travel with their pets will need to make other transportation arrangements.

What do Guests do if they miss their flight into Orlando? What happens to the Guest’s luggage if it should arrive on another flight before the Guest arrives?
Guests are advised in their Airport Transportation Booklet to call Disney’s Magical Express Guest Services if they experience flight delays on their day of arrival. Disney Representatives will retrieve their luggage and confirm the Guest’s arrival before transferring it to their resort.

How is delayed luggage handled?
Disney’s Magical Express tracks all tagged luggage. When Guests arrive at the Disney Welcome Center, they will provide the number of items checked with the airline. This information is used to confirm that all of the luggage has been received by the airline.

Where are the motorcoach drop-off locations at the airport for Guests traveling back to the airport?
There are motorcoach drop-off locations in all four quadrants of the airport (Gates 1-29, 30-59, 60-99, and 100-129).

Are car seats allowed on the motorcoaches?
No – Car seats are not permitted on the motorcoaches and must be stowed underneath the motorcoach.

Do international Guests have to claim their luggage?
If the Orlando International Airport is the first point of entry into the United States, Guests will follow the U.S. Customs & Border Protection process and claim their luggage upon disembarking the airplane. Once they have completed this process they will proceed to the Disney Welcome Center located in the main Terminal building on the A side on Level 1. Their luggage will be transferred to the Baggage Claim area, where Disney will collect it if tagged with Disney’s Magical Express luggage tags. If Guests have already completed the U.S. Customs & Border Protection process in another U.S. city or before entering the U.S., they will proceed directly to the main Terminal building; and Disney will claim their luggage.


RESORT AIRLINE CHECK-IN SERVICE

Resort Airline Check-in is a service offered to Guests staying at select Walt Disney World® resorts departing on participating airlines from the Orlando International Airport. This service allows Guests to check their luggage and receive their airline boarding passes at their Walt Disney World® resort. At this time, the service is only available to those Guests flying domestically on the following airlines:

 American Airlines
 Continental
 Delta Air Lines/Song
 Jetblue
 United/Ted

How it Works

 A valid government issued ID and Key to the World Key are required to participate.
 All members of the party must be present.
 Guests can check-in up to 12 hours prior to their flight departure time, but no less than 3 hours prior.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost for Resort Airline Check-In?
Resort Airline Check-In is a complimentary service offered to select Walt Disney World® resort Guests during Disney’s Happiest Celebration on Earth event.

Which resorts offer Resort Airline Check-In?
All Walt Disney World® resorts offer this service with the exception of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, Shades of Green, and Downtown Disney® Area resorts. This service is also not offered for Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. Disney’s Magical Express is not available for Guests arriving at other Central Florida airports.

Is the Resort Airline Check-In service operated by the Walt Disney World® Resort?
No – A third-party company approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operates the Resort Airline Check-In on behalf of the participating airlines.

What are the hours of operation for Resort Airline Check-In?
Seven days a week, 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. If Guests cannot check-in during these operating hours, they will need to check in directly with their airline upon arrival at the Orlando International Airport.

Do Guests have to utilize Disney’s Magical Express transportation service to participate in the Resort Airline Check-In?
No – This service is available to select Walt Disney World® resort Guests who are flying domestically on participating airlines departing from the Orlando International Airport. They may take any transportation back to the airport they choose.

Can Guests departing for an international destination utilize Resort Airline Check-In?
At this time, the service is only available to Guests flying domestically (including Puerto Rico). Guests flying internationally will need to check in directly with their airline at the Orlando International Airport.


What services can be provided to Guests at the Resort Airline Check-In Desk?
The Resort Airline Check-In desks can provide some of the same services as the airline ticket counters at the airport, including checking seat assignments, and verifying flight information and status. The Resort Airline Check-In Desks cannot make any changes to flight arrangements or make new flight reservations.

How does the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) contact Guests if questions arise during the luggage screening process at the airport?
The TSA will contact the guest via the air carrier.

 

[Jorge Lomeli]

Wow!!! Thx. this is the info i was looking for.

Crystal Clear!

Jorge Lomeli
Monterrey, MEXICO

 

[Servants of Evan]

Deserves to be "stickied" way up the list!

Servants of Evan

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

Thanks! This is very helpful and informative!!!

 

[Rags]

This info is just what I needed!! Thank You!

 

[willis]

We leave on Nov 4th and have a Magical Express Reservation. My travel agent has not received the ME booklet yet! Disney told him we can use the service without the information but without the luggage tags how would the pull the luggage? Has anyone had this happen?

 

[Pattymouse]

Frequent Flyer miles question:

If you check yourself in via computer Continental rewards you with 500 miles. If I check in via the service offered at the hotel will I forfeit these miles?

Please let me know.

Thank you!

 

[CleveRocks]

We leave on Nov 4th and have a Magical Express Reservation. My travel agent has not received the ME booklet yet! Disney told him we can use the service without the information but without the luggage tags how would the pull the luggage? Has anyone had this happen?

When you check in at the DME counter at MCO, tell them your bags are NOT DME-tagged. They'll ask you some information, and then THEY can get your luggage for you and it will be transported just like the other DME luggage (that is, you won't see it until it "magicaly appears" in your room). Lots of people have done this; DME has a system set up for this.

I was one of the first to use DME. I didn't receive my DME booklet until the day before departure, so we prepared to do without the DME tags. My wife went to the fabric store and bought about the brightest and ugliest ribbon she could find. We tied pieces of that ribbon to each of our checked bags, and were going to bring a swatch of the ribbon to the DME desk, as well, to help them more easily identify our checked suitcases.

-- Eric

 

[seashoreCM]

If you check yourself in via computer Continental rewards you with 500 miles. If I check in via the service offered at the hotel will I forfeit these miles?
you!

Not absolutely positively sure but I don't think you get the miles.

Homebound check in at the resort ME desk resembles an airport check in as opposed to a home PC check in. A commercial grade computer screen. A hired agent behind the desk. No logging into your frequent flyer account with your PIN or password. If it looks like Donald, quacks like Donald, it's gotta be ...

I didn't receive my DME booklet until the day before departure, so we prepared to do without the DME tags. :

Let's start a fad!

Plaster 3x5 cards (fluorescent orange or green?) on your baggage, each card with the same 3 digit number of your choice in big digits. You should still tell the ME welcoming agent (or whoever needs to find your baggage if you are not going to Disney) a description of the baggage in case the garish ribbon or the card fell off.

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

 

[scubamouse]

great great info

one question. we're a family of 4 and we have reservations on ME. we were thinking of splitting up. DH would go on the ME with the kids while I picked up the rental car and got groceries.

Can we do this - have 3 of 4 members use ME?

 

[disney's daughter]

Our departure flight (right now...it has changed twice) leaves a 9:30 in the morning..which means we are to check our bags at our resort at 6:30 AM...Is Magical Express open at that time to be able to do that?

 

[betterlatethannever]

Our departure flight (right now...it has changed twice) leaves a 9:30 in the morning..which means we are to check our bags at our resort at 6:30 AM...Is Magical Express open at that time to be able to do that?

From the OP above

What are the hours of operation for Resort Airline Check-In?
Seven days a week, 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. If Guests cannot check-in during these operating hours, they will need to check in directly with their airline upon arrival at the Orlando International Airport.

Ed

 

[disney's daughter]

Thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

 

[kimmbagley]

Here's one for you. My yellow tags have the wrong date. CRO told me to just take a marker and change it. Will that be okay?
DME just told me to do the same thing.

 

[LoriZH]

Great info thanks!

Can anyone tell me if they truly do pick you up 3 HOURS before your flight time? YIKES that's early! I thought it only took about 1/2 hour to get to MCO from Disney, do they allow you to take a later motor coach?

 

[Servants of Evan]

Under the circumstances, three hours is probably appropriate. DME states that the buss may stop at two different resorts beyond your own, plus they (DME) must budget some extra time for potential highway back-ups, etc. We've got the inevitable lines at security with the TSA, and lets remember that DME will be carrying international passengers in addition to domestic so a little extra time may be required for them.

Servants of Evan

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Great info thanks!

Can anyone tell me if they truly do pick you up 3 HOURS before your flight time? YIKES that's early! I thought it only took about 1/2 hour to get to MCO from Disney, do they allow you to take a later motor coach?

Remember, you're not arriving to the airport 3 hours prior to the flight, you're leaving the resort 3 hours prior to flight. Depending on what resort you are at, even if the coach leaves directly, it can take up to 45 minutes to get to the airport. In order to avoid all the traffic on I4, coaches take route 417 to get to the airport. From some resorts, it can take 15 minutes just to cross Disney property to get to 417.

Right now 417 is under construction, and for some parts, the speed limit has been reduced from 65mph to 55mph. The only way it takes taxis and towncars 25 minutes is when they exceed the speed limit. Disney's Magical Express values your safety, and plans ahead timewise so that the coaches can do the speed limit, and still get you there on time.

Once at the airport, there are two stops, Terminal A and Terminal B. Due to luggage, it can take a few minutes to make both stops.

DME is set up so that you will arrive to the airport at the reccommended 2 hours prior to flight. This is what Orlando International recommends, and for good reason. There might be lines for sky caps or to check your luggage. Security can sometimes back up. I remember one time, I was waiting in line for a good 45 minutes. No fast passes for this line!

So when you take everything into consideration, including the fact that some airlines start boarding 30-45 minutes prior to flight departure, it really isn't as so bad like it sounds. Being able to relax is so much better than running and worrying if you're going to make your flight.

 

[erikthewise]

Tyler,

Thanks for the info. It sounds like the 417 construction isn't too bad and it's still a better choice than 528 and I-4. Am I right?

 

[LoriZH]

Thanks for the info! When we use TTC or some other hired transportation we usually leave about 2 hours prior to our flight and end up at our gate about an hour before flight time. Someone else said they were at their gate two hours before their flight time. However, if there is construction going on then it would probably be in our best interest to leave 3 hours prior.