Experiences w/Magical Express?

[goofy&tigger2]

What have your experiences w/Magical Express buses coming & leaving from WDW? Good & Bad. How long of a wait to be taken to resorts?

 

[stitchlovestink]

Most of our ME experiences have been fantastic. Now last trip in Oct/Nov wasn't bad, but a little slow. We usually stay at POP and that has always been the 1st stop on EVERY ME trip we have been on. Last Oct, the bus was somewhat slow in departing MCO. Not really sure why, except that we think they were trying to fill the bus to capacity and someone didn't count very well. Our bus was completely full (not one empty seat) and they were still trying to load passengers. The driver didn't believe us and had to come on the bus himself and walk to the very back. After doing so, he scratched his head, and decided it was time to pull out. We probably sat there about an extra 15 min. but it does truly seem longer when you've been on a plane for awhile and just want to get to your resort. ME express p/u to return to MCO this past time was a little disorganized too. There were lots (I mean lots) of us at the bus stop for the return to MCO. I'm not sure if this was a scheduling issue or if other people missed their p/u times and just decided to try to hop on the next bus. I know that we were short on seats on our coach. The driver was checking everyone's tix to see what their p/u time was and if it matched correctly, then you were allowed to board. I think they did end up having to leave a few behind at POP. but again, I'm not convinced that this was ME's fault. I'm also basing this on conversations overheard (the were standing right there and talking loudly, there was no evesdropping involved ) of others stating that they didn't want to leave for MCO so far in advance of their flight times. I know ME likes to schedule pick ups really far ahead, but when people decide to change things on their own w/o consent, it really throws a wrench in the system for everyone. I know most people don't realize the large impact it can make for others, but ocassionally it happens.
All in all, I like ME. And even though last trip's ME experience was a little less than smooth, I will continue to use it. My FAV part is not having to haul the luggage thru the airport. That alone is worth it's weight in gold for me.
We have pretty much always arrived at POP w/in an hour of actually setting foot off of the plane. Once we were there in about 40 minutes, but YMMV.
I hope you try ME and have a wonderful experience.

 

[CleveRocks]

I've had 3 absolutely PERFECT experiences with DME.

The average reported time from airplane exit to resort drop-off is 70 minutes. My times have been 63 minutes, 56 minutes, and 57 minutes.

And going back to the airport has worked just as great.

We've also had perfect experiences with the luggage delivery as part of the in-bound DME service.

It's been around for over 4 years, and over 10 MILLION guests have used it. The vast overwhelming majority have had fine experiences with DME. No system is ever perfect, not even at Disney World, but DME has been an overwhelming success for both Disney and its guests.

 

[goofy4tink]

5 or 6 trips with DME to date. Is it perfect? No. Is it more than acceptable? Yes. I have had an average time of 70 mins, from deplaning to resort checkin. Most times have been right around 60 mins, but one trip was closer to 90..which messed up my times.
Here is a breakdown of the times it has taken me for various stages of DME...
1. 10-20 mins from plane to DME checkin (restroom stops, waits for tram)
2. 2-20 mins in line at the DME checkin counter (depends on number of guests)
3. 2-8 mins at counter
4. 1-20 mins in line waiting for bus.
5. 5-25 mins on bus, before leaving airport
6. 30-45 mins to resort (depends on which stop of 3 or 4 you are)

For the trip back to MCO...you will be picked up about 3 hrs. before your flight departure. Yes, I know..it seems like overkill. But you only end up with an addtl 30 mins or so at the airport vs using a car service.

 

[Figaro8398]

I've used ME twice now and both times have actually been similar. I actually wrote down the exact time line for my trip last week.
1:48 plane landed
1:54 plane at gate
2:09 at ME counter - 4 were open and there was no line in front of me (just people at each desk)
2:14 in line for a bus (stayed at POR...bus also had BC, YC, and BW, although no one on the bus actually went to BW)
2:24 on bus
2:45 bus left (about 2/3 full)
3:15 at resort online check-in desk (two were open, and one other family was there...I also asked to switch room assignments and was waiting for a case of water, so it took a little longer than it should have)
3:32 in room

My luggage was in my room when I returned from HS around 10:00.

On the way back to the airport, I actually got on a bus at 8:30am as opposed to the 9:00 departure time. I had used the RAC earlier in the morning (no one was in line). The bus made stops at POFQ, OKW, and SSR, and we were on our way to the airport at about 9:05. We were at the airport by 9:40, and I was through security by 10:00. My flight was at noon, so I didn't feel rushed. My suitcase met me like it was supposed to when I arrived home

It is wonderful to arrive at the airport and not worry about getting luggage or figure out how to get to the resort.

 

[wdwgypsy]

First time the expereince was bearable but a little wait to leave the airport.
the second time we had the chance to be travelling on the plane with a family going to the same resort we were. We were taking DME, they rented a car. We parted at the gate and went on our way. We were checked in our room and on our way to our bus for the park when they pulled up to check in. And I didn't have to carry any bags or fight traffic.

So I will use DME everytime. If I need a car I will rent one in the area.

 

[ntsammy5]

7 trips on DME and nary a problem. Always a very good experience.

 

[mooneyda]

My response will be the same been using Magical Express for the last five or so times and never had a problems. OUt side of the wait for the bus but and even then it was not like you had to wait very long

 

[Missytara]

I had a great experience a few years ago when I took a few friends with me; one of whom had never been before. A little girl, about five or so, was standing in line next to us, and she got a real case of the giggles. My friend started giggling, at her giggling - and the little girl finally said, I am so sorry, but I am so excited this is my first time.

My friend turned to me, and giggled, and said - ME TOO!

I get tears every time I think about it.

 

[tinkerbell313]

I noticed people mentioning they had to stop a few minutes at the DME counter. We were there last week and we did not have to stop at the counter. I had my DME book ready and showed the women at the end of the rope line in front of the counter. She sent us straight to the line for the bus. No stopping at the counter for us. From the time we got off the airplane to the hotel...60 minutes exactly. Our luggage showed up later in the day (not sure when as we were at Epcot).

Our return trip was just as smooth...but a little longer as we got down to the resort DME pick up area early (we were told to get there 30 minutes early as the bus leaves as soon as it is full). We did the resort airline check in so our luggage was already at the airport.

 

[Missytara]

I have only seen a few people have a bad experience, but it is their own making.

One year, a young couple with two young children got pretty huffy, but it turns out they didn't read the information packet ahead of time. They blew it off and said they didn't have time to read such trivial things. Needless to say, they had to root in their bags for ten minutes to even find it, got irate when they had to tear out the coupons for the bus ride, didn't use their baggage tags and when they found out their luggage wouldn't be there for a few hours, because it was the end of a holiday weekend - they said they needed their bags right away because they had medication in them. As Disney always does, they dispatched someone down to where their luggage would have been offloaded, tagged it for them, and put a rush on it back to their resort.

I did think it was VERY appropriate that the CM said if they had planned to do the Disney experience again, they might get a lot more enjoyment out of it if they read the informational packet before they left home. Needless to say, they took it the wrong way and stated not only would they ever go to Disney again, they would tell their friends never to go to a place where people were so rude and inconsiderate to their guests. I was floored.

 

[Jestocost]

I noticed people mentioning they had to stop a few minutes at the DME counter. We were there last week and we did not have to stop at the counter. I had my DME book ready and showed the women at the end of the rope line in front of the counter. She sent us straight to the line for the bus. No stopping at the counter for us.

We had exactly the same experience flying on on 5/31. We were stopped by a CM at a podium at the entrance to the DME Welcome Center queue and sent directly to the bus queues. I've posted that in a couple of threads, but no one has reported a similar experience until now. On all of our previous trips via DME we've had to check in at the actual counter, so this may be a new procedure or something they are trying out.

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

We are at AKL any idea of where we are on a bus stop ... i.e. first stop, or the bus goes to XXX resort and then AKL etc.... Not that it really matters as our room won't be ready (we land at 6 AM!) but just knowing I am at my resort and can check in and have breakfast will start our vacation off right. We usually rent a car but this time we are stying ME for a change and to save a few $$$

 

[CleveRocks]

We are at AKL any idea of where we are on a bus stop ... i.e. first stop, or the bus goes to XXX resort and then AKL etc.... Not that it really matters as our room won't be ready (we land at 6 AM!) but just knowing I am at my resort and can check in and have breakfast will start our vacation off right. We usually rent a car but this time we are stying ME for a change and to save a few $$$

There are no pre-set routes and no pre-set order or drop-offs.

The resorts are arranged by geographic zones, but they are not always grouped that way on buses ... it all depends on what will be most efficient based upon how many people are going to which resorts at which times.

And as far as the order of drop-offs, that is 100% at the discretion of each bus driver during each run (with an exception for Polynesian and Grand Floridian, but that won't apply to you most likely).

 

[Jestocost]

We are at AKL any idea of where we are on a bus stop ... i.e. first stop, or the bus goes to XXX resort and then AKL etc.... Not that it really matters as our room won't be ready (we land at 6 AM!) but just knowing I am at my resort and can check in and have breakfast will start our vacation off right. We usually rent a car but this time we are stying ME for a change and to save a few $$$

As CleveRocks noted, there are no set groupings and no set order of drop offs, but there are groupings that are fairly regular. Because of that, you can at least make an educated guess about what a probably scenario might be. We've taken DME to POFQ a few times, for example, and always have gone to OKW and/or SSR before stopping at POFQ.

Anecdotally, we stayed at AKL earlier in the month and were the last stop after POP, CSR and CBR, which got us to AKL about 90 minutes after we got off of the plane. I haven't stayed at AKL before, so I don't know if this is a common grouping/route or not, but if you can get the experiences of a few other AKL guests perhaps a pattern will emerge.

 

[mooneyda]

I went in May and did not have to stop at the counter either to think about it. The time before that we did but the line was very long at the counter mostly because instead of just having one person from the party go to the counter they had the entire traveling party wait in line .So I am wondering if it is a new policy not to have to go to counter and just show your book and direct you in the correct bus line.

 

[dis_guy]

Last time we came in very late (11:45 pm- delayed in Denver), but the bus was still better than half full. The driver went to Old Key West, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans (all) and finally on to Caribbean Beach. Been different each time.

 

[Joolish1313]

My DH & I have used it 2 times. I think it is pretty efficient - it properly delivres tons of people all day. The first time was the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend. We waited for a while in the bus loading line; I think they filled 2 or 3 buses from our line before got on one (the line you wait in is specified by resort). Maybe 45min. When we went in December midweek, we got on the first one that pulled up. From those experiences, I assume that time volume of people traveling during that time affects your wait. We've never really waited at the counter to confirm our Magical Express. Like 5min tops.

Now the way home is another matter. Then, in my term, it becomes the "Not so Magical Express". Going home is never magical - but that's because I don't want to leave. Not because it is a bad experience. The buses have been on time and we got to the airport on time. Even checking our bags at the hotel was a breeze.

 

[goofy4tink]

I noticed people mentioning they had to stop a few minutes at the DME counter. We were there last week and we did not have to stop at the counter. I had my DME book ready and showed the women at the end of the rope line in front of the counter. She sent us straight to the line for the bus. No stopping at the counter for us. From the time we got off the airplane to the hotel...60 minutes exactly. Our luggage showed up later in the day (not sure when as we were at Epcot).

Our return trip was just as smooth...but a little longer as we got down to the resort DME pick up area early (we were told to get there 30 minutes early as the bus leaves as soon as it is full). We did the resort airline check in so our luggage was already at the airport.

We're seeing more and more of this happening. I think it's becoming commonplace. I wonder how they decide who gets to skip the line and who doesn't.

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

thank you...
I guess I will see what happens and have not expectations. Then I can post back what happened to me ...