Flying to Miami first, how to use Magical Express?

[msdroz]

We are flying into Miami (husband has a business trip for a few days) and then renting a car to drive to Orlando Airport. We will be staying at an Orlando Airport hotel the evening before our stay at Disney Resorts. I was told by ME that we just come to the ME desk in the am and will be able to use the bus for transportation to Disney. However, this concerns me as we won't have a reservation, and I don't want to have to wait around to see if they can "fit us in" on the bus. We plan on dropping our rental car off at the airport first thing in the am and then taking the Magical Express. Any thoughts on the best way to do this?

Or, are we better off taking a cab from the airport? I wasn't sure what Disney properties do with your luggage before check in time.

Thanks so much for any insight!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

If you want to take DME just call them and arrange it. You'll be staying at a disney resort the day you want to use it so that's fine.

If the cm you spoke with acted like you needed a flight, you don't. Call back. Or if you want to play the game, pick a flight that arrives a bit before you want to get the bus and tell them that. But that's really not necessary.

 

[winthropf]

You must make a reservation for magical express at least 24 hours in advance of using it. Call ME directly at 866-599-0951. You cannot just show up for ME. Disney's/Mears agreement with MCO is that everyone must have an advanced reservation.

You can either explain to them that you are arriving by rental car and an approximate time, or find a flight that arrives about the time you think you will arrive at the airport. ME busses are not assigned ahead of time, you can show up at any time as long as you have a reservation for that day. Busses leave the airport when they are either full or nearly full.

 

[msdroz]

I'm so glad I asked! Apparently I was told the wrong thing by the reservation agent and it just didn't seem right to me.

Thanks so much, I will call 24 hours prior to our estimate time of arrival.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm so glad I asked! Apparently I was told the wrong thing by the reservation agent and it just didn't seem right to me.

Thanks so much, I will call 24 hours prior to our estimate time of arrival.

I suggest calling now. There's no reason not to.

Alternatively, have you checked what it would cost to drop the rental on (or close to) Disney property?

Drive from Miami to your resort. Drop off your luggage, then return the rental car. They can then shuttle you where you need to go (park or back to resort)

Sent from my Kindle Fire using DISBoards

 

[msdroz]

I suggest calling now. There's no reason not to.

Alternatively, have you checked what it would cost to drop the rental on (or close to) Disney property?

Drive from Miami to your resort. Drop off your luggage, then return the rental car. They can then shuttle you where you need to go (park or back to resort)

Sent from my Kindle Fire using DISBoards

You are a genius! That's why I love this board, people that think outside the box

We originally thought we'd drive up to Orlando the evening my husband's event ends. Then we'd stay by the airport so that we don't have a 3 hour drive on our first day at Disney. I think we'll still do something like that so we can wake up and go but now with your idea we have other areas to check into staying for that one night, as I hadn't thought of a shuttle from the rental car place. Thanks for the idea!!

 

[puffkin]

You are a genius! That's why I love this board, people that think outside the box

We originally thought we'd drive up to Orlando the evening my husband's event ends. Then we'd stay by the airport so that we don't have a 3 hour drive on our first day at Disney. I think we'll still do something like that so we can wake up and go but now with your idea we have other areas to check into staying for that one night, as I hadn't thought of a shuttle from the rental car place. Thanks for the idea!!

Thats what I was thinking too. The Swan or Dolphin has rental agencies right on property, so they would probably be easy too. Or, have you checked to see what it costs to return the rental in the morning? That way you can stay anywhere, check in and put bags with bell storage then return the car and head straight to the parks. There are a lot of options....I wouldn't go through the hassle of Magical Express.