Disney's Magical Express - OFFICIAL FAQ

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

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?

Construction happens mostly at night... so they'll close down one lane during the overnight hours. During the daytime, the only impact is the speed limit reduction on parts of the road. (Not that it changes how fast a lot of the town cars and taxis go anyhoo...)

Quite frankly, ANYTHING is better than I4.

 

[100AcreWood]

Sorry if this has already been discussed but, are car seats required on the ME bus? We are staying only onsite this trip so if we don't need a car seat on the bus we can leave it at home!

 

[Lewisc]

Sorry if this has already been discussed but, are car seats required on the ME bus? We are staying only onsite this trip so if we don't need a car seat on the bus we can leave it at home!

No seat belts on the bus so you can't use a car seat. Do you need the car seat on the plane?

 

[100AcreWood]

Nope, dd is 3 so it will be great to leave it at home this trip!

Thanks!

 

[LoriZH]

Question for the experts. How long approximately would you say it will take to get to the GF? Is that the last stop and do you know what other resort it is shared with? Thanks!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

It has been my experience that guests going to the GF will arrive shortly after 1hr from landing. The GF is supposed to be 1st stop, unless the coach is scheduled to stop at the Poly, then it will be #2.

 

[bluedog20166]

While we looked at the long line upon arrival at the airport and thought “no way” and "this is going to be a hassle," it actually wasn't. The CM's were very fast getting us squared away and we had but a short wait for the bus that took us directly to our Resort (POFQ). Rating -- Worth it!

 

[100AcreWood]

One more question, I called our TA last week to set this up and I thought she mentioned an email from ME confirming the reservation.

How will I know it was set up? Do they send an email confirmation?

 

[FCutaio]

What happens if you miss your ME reservation back to MCO? Do you get put on the next bus or do you have to take a cab? And if you do miss it, is your luggage sent anyway or do they hold it for you?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

At that point, you would need to take a cab. Since DME is based on reservations, the next bus might not be for another hour... and when it does arrive, it could be full.

That's why its always advisable to arrive to the bus pickup area 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure time.

As for your luggage, it's long gone by the time you board the motorcoach. Besides, you can take advantage of the Resort Airline Check In Desk regardless of if you are taking DME or not. It's a separate entity.

 

[betterlatethannever]

...As for your luggage, it's long gone by the time you board the motorcoach. ...

,,,providing you are flying a participating airline.

If you are not flying a participating airline, the luggage goes with you (e.g. taxi, if you miss the bus)

Ed

 

[Junebugwv]

My kids and I are driving to FL and staying at POFQ. My DH has decided to fly to join us and we will change to WL when he arrives. How do I get an ME reservation for him? He will only need a one way trip to the resort.

 

[Andrew_Lubow]

How many intemediate stops does the ME Pop Century bus make before it arrives there usually. Are there intermediate stops on the return?

 

[FCutaio]

As for your luggage, it's long gone by the time you board the motorcoach. Besides, you can take advantage of the Resort Airline Check In Desk regardless of if you are taking DME or not. It's a separate entity.

Thanks, and that answered another question about luggage. We are on JetBlue, so that's covered.

 

[kimmbagley]

How many intemediate stops does the ME Pop Century bus make before it arrives there usually. Are there intermediate stops on the return?

We went directly to and from Pop.

 

[shoes99]

How many intemediate stops does the ME Pop Century bus make before it arrives there usually. Are there intermediate stops on the return?

We took DME this past Sunday. We landed at 10:30AM and were checked into our room at Coronado at 11:30AM.
The bus stopped at Pop, Coronado and Animal Kingdom Lodge.
On the return trip to the airport we rented a car from National at the Dolphin (for 48 hrs) . We did use the airline luggage check-in at the resort on Wednesday, so we only had carryons when we returned the car at MCO.

 

[clkelley]

I've posted this elsewhere and havn't gotten much of a response.

I'm flying Southwest and will have my luggage with me on my return. I've read reports that skycaps are scarce at the place where DME drops you off at the airport. I HAVE to have a skycap to help me get to Southwest checkin for this particular upcoming trip.

(Flying solo, 3 checked bags, 1 carryon, 1 Personal item, 1 ECV). (I'm camping at Ft. Wilderness)

Anybody got any suggestions or personal experience with finding a Skycap.

Thanks,

Carol

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

It's a 50/50 thing. In my personal experiences, half the time they surround the motorcoach... half the time they can't be found. Unfortunetly, there is no way for the driver to go and get one for you. They are not allowed to leave thier coach, and there's no phone or anything to call one.

 

[allaboutmm]

Question...sorry if it's been asked. My 2.9 yr old did not recieve a DME pass to get on the bus. Our AAA agent said not to worry b/c she is under 3yrs. Is this the case or should I get her one? Thanks

 

[waltdisneyworlddreamer]

My 2yo did not have one either. When we checked in, she asked us how many were in our party. We had 4 people and only 3 passes. We told her DS was only 2. She went ahead and printed new passes to include his name. Honestly though, I don't think we even showed the passes to anyone. They just sent us to the line and we boarded the bus. It was no big deal that his name wasn't on it.