Disney's Magical Express

[disneyworldnewbie]

Hi. Has anyone had any experience with Magical Express service from the airport to the resort hotel? This will be our first time, my question is does it really live up to what disney claims it does. Do they pick up the luggage at the airport and does it arrive at the resort when you do or does it freqently get lost? I'm debating whether to pick up my luggage and then board the Magical Express bus. I am afraid of losing my luggage. I would love to hear from anyone who has used it and what they think of it. My trip isn/t until July but I was just wondering about this service. Thanks.

 

[lady_hlh]

We used it last year and everything made it to our room with no problems. However we got to the resort early (11 AM) and couldn't go to our room yet so we picked up our passes and hit the parks. I'm not sure how long it takes for the luggage to get to the room, I don't think that they guarantee that it will be at your room as soon as you get to it if you are already able to check-in.

 

[LK03]

Well last May DH and I flew Airtran which at the time was not participating in ME luggage pickup so we had to pick up all our luggage along with a wedding dress and tuxedo. Gosh was that a mess to lug all that with us around the turnstiles. This time we are flying American so we are just going to let them pick up our luggage and I'll pack swimsuits in the carry on. I like the idea of just walking off the plane and going to the resort. Some of our family members were on airlines that were included and from what I understand they waited hours for their luggage to get to their resort.

 

[Robo]

Hi. Has anyone had any experience with Magical Express service from the airport to the resort hotel? This will be our first time, my question is does it really live up to what disney claims it does. Do they pick up the luggage at the airport and does it arrive at the resort when you do or does it freqently get lost? I'm debating whether to pick up my luggage and then board the Magical Express bus. I am afraid of losing my luggage. I would love to hear from anyone who has used it and what they think of it. My trip isn/t until July but I was just wondering about this service. Thanks.

We are used to hiring a private Towncar for service from/to airport.
This last trip we tried DME and it worked great.

BUT, the luggage does NOT normally travel WITH you (not even on the bus you are riding in.)

They collect it and put it on (usually) another truck and deliver it after you have checked-in.
They bring it and put it in your room, even if you are not there at the time.

So, knowing this, we made sure that any change of clothing and other items we wanted to take to the park right after we checked in was in carry-on.

I'm sure that "mistakes" do happen with such a huge number of guests being served, but I have not seen any posts regarding lost bags with DME.

And yes, I will be using it again in a month for our next trip.

(Disney has extended the arrangements with the airport to continue this service for the next several YEARS. I guess its been a big success.)

BTW, this post may be better served on the "TRANSPORTATION BOARD".

Perhaps a moderator will "move it" for you.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh, LK03 - we wish you'd asked about Magical Express before you used it last year!
'Participating airline' has always only come into play for the trip home! All Disney Resort Guests flying TO Orlando have always been able to use all the benefits of this transportation service!

Disneyworldnewbie - Magical Express absolutely lives up to all the hype! You need to register in advance; Disney will send you yellow luggage tags (similar to the white destination ones that the airline attaches to your luggage) that you attach per included instructions. Go to the airport, check in with the SkyCap or at the counter, check your luggage and don't worry about it - it'll magically appear in your room a little while to several hours after you get your assignment. DME-handled luggage never, to the best of my knowledge, gets lost by DME. On the other hand, the airlines misdirect three million bags a year, and permanently lose 200,000 of those. Therefore, ANY time you fly it's recommended that you pack a carry-on with medications, travel documents, valuables and whatever clothing/toiletries you might need for your first day/night at your destination.

 

[tjmw2727]

Well last May DH and I flew Airtran which at the time was not participating in ME luggage pickup so we had to pick up all our luggage along with a wedding dress and tuxedo. Gosh was that a mess to lug all that with us around the turnstiles. This time we are flying American so we are just going to let them pick up our luggage and I'll pack swimsuits in the carry on. I like the idea of just walking off the plane and going to the resort. Some of our family members were on airlines that were included and from what I understand they waited hours for their luggage to get to their resort.

Actually participating airline only applys on the return trip, from the resort to the airport. Anyone can use ME, including the luggage delivery service that goes with it from MCO to the Resort.

Here is a great FAQ from the transportation board.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=944813

You need to make arrangements ahead of time through WDW and you will receive information in the mail about 2 weeks prior to the trip.

If you use the luggage delivery service you will attatch the bright yellow luggage tags you will get with the ME package to your luggage and check in at your home airport like you always do. Your luggage will be pulled at baggage claim and sent to the resort. You check in at the ME desk and board a motor coach to your resort. You may stop at 1-3 resorts prior to yours. Sometime that day your luggage is delivered to your room, my information said to allow up to 3 hours for luggage delivery.

If you wish to bring your luggage with you on the ME motor coach you must go to the baggage carosel and claim it like you always do. Do not put the yellow tags on the luggage if you plan to get it yourself. Then check in with ME and proceed to the bus. The driver will load the luggage in the compartment under the bus, I tipped for this service.

On the return trip if you fly a participaing airline you can check in and check your luggage through to your home airport from the resort. Otherwise you just bring your bags on the motorcoach with you and check in yourself at MCO.

HTH
TJ

 

[disnut1149]

Hi!
We used ME last October and it was great. Using it again this August. It was so easy. Our room was ready when we arived. Took about an hour from airport to Pop. Then we went to Epcot and when we got back, our luggage was in our room. We flew Airtran, so we had to take our luggage with us on the return flight. We had really good luck with it Hope you do too! Have fun!

 

[TDS373X]

We used DME last Dec and will be using it again in 2 weeks it was VERY easy. The only problem we encountered was they delivered a bag to our room that was not ours. We called them and it took a while for them to come and get it. I felt sorry for the people to whom it belonged. I have not flown a participated airline but from the looks of the check in lines in the lobby in the mornings it looked kind of crazy so I really didn't mind doing it myself at MCO when we got there. AS the other posters suggest be sure to pack swimsuits or whatever you think necessary in your carryon as your bags arrive in the room after you do. Have a great trip

 

[Cory's Gal]

DH and I used ME last December. It was great because it saved us $$ not having to get a rental car. We arrived about 5pm, checked in to the hotel (POR), went to DTD, and came back about 10pm. Our bags weren't in our room but a quick call down to luggage services and we had our stuff in less than 10 minutes. I think you should allow at least a few hours for your bags to arrive to your room and I think it depends how quickly your bags are taken from the airport. We thought it was a great service and are so glad they are extending it!!!

 

[LK03]

Oh, LK03 - we wish you'd asked about Magical Express before you used it last year!
'Participating airline' has always only come into play for the trip home! All Disney Resort Guests flying TO Orlando have always been able to use all the benefits of this transportation service!

So even though we flew Airtran last year, we didn't need to pick up our luggage before boarding the bus?! I wish I had known that! Good god! Trying to carry two suitcases each, a carry on AND a wedding dress and tuxedo, I was exhausted! LOL! Thank god I don't have to get married this trip, bwahahahah!

 

[kmebee]

DME is Awesome! Used them last October and everything went very smooth. Our rooms were ready even though we had an early arrival time so we dropped off our carry ons and went on our way. Our luggage was waiting in the room when we returned.
DSis and DN had a slight problem but it was the resort's fault, not DME's fault. Their room had to be changed because they couldn't get in to the orig. room they were assigned to (something wrong with the lock & NO ONE could get it open). And although ASMu said there wouldn't be any problem with the luggage, when whoever delivers it couldn't get in the room, they took it back to their warehouse. ASMu did allow them to go into the gift shop though and purchase contact solution, nightshirts, etc. for which they were reimbursed. They had packed some things in their carry on but not everything. Their luggage was delivered to their new room at about 11 or 12 that night.