Grand Floridian Villas + Magical Express Questions

[forevercruising]

Hello, all!

We will be staying one night, post Disney Fantasy cruise, at the GF villas. We have used Disney transportation to and from Port Canaveral, but this will be our first time going to a WDW resort following the cruise, then taking Magical Express the next morning, back to the airport (we will be paying for Disney transportation to transport us from Port Canaveral, after the cruise, to WDW). I have already submitted our request for Magical Express services through the DVC Member website.

So, a few questions for those of you who have actually stayed at the GFV and have used ME to return to MCO (we will be flying Southwest, which the Disney website lists as a participating airline for luggage services from the Magical Express):

1. Can someone explain the entire process for me, from check in the night before, to check out the next morning? I assume we will receive written information upon check-in, but I wanted to confirm.

2. Is it true that, once the luggage gets put on the ME bus, we will not see it again until we arrive at our home airport?

3. I have read a few recent reviews here on the DIS boards of the ME ride to the airport taking approximately 1.5 to 1 hr. and 40 minutes; anyone have this experience lately? That sounds pretty risky to me and makes me nervous about having enough time to get through security, etc. before our flight leaves at 11:00 am. We will be traveling on Sunday morning, Nov. 16.

4. Where, exactly, will the boarding area be at the Grand Floridian, to board the Magical Express upon departure? Is it a far walk from the villas?

5. Overall, would you "veterans" who have actually done this recommend the ME? I used it once, years ago, from the Beach Club, but I was solo and everything ran smoothly during that time period. I am wondering if the program has deteriorated. It is such a great, appealing program and I really hope it works for us, but I want to be confident about the process.

Thanks, in advance, for any insight you can provide!

Happy Friday, everyone!

-forevercruising

 

[nalajms]

5. We use it for most trips, because it's convenient.

1. DME will mail you a booklet with paper tickets to your home. Or you may get it at check in, but concierge desk can print it out for you. Be waiting for it 15mins prior to assigned bus. If you're flight's at 11am, you will be taking an 8am bus.
2. Luggage needs to go to the airline check-in, in front of the hotel lobby. You won't see it till you get home. We've never left that early, so I'm not sure if you'll need to drop off the luggage earlier for this to work. Other option is to take it with you on the bus - but this means lugging it to the check-in counter at MCO.
3. Yes, could be over an hr. Bus stops at multiple resorts. In our experience VGF was the last stop, with WL and CR prior.
4. Bus picks up in front of the main lobby. It's a short walk from the villas.

 

[disneynutz]

Between 5 AM and 1 PM you get your luggage to the RAC desk in front of the GF, they will check your luggage and print your boarding pass. Your luggage is sent by truck to MCO.

3 hours prior to your flight, you board the DME bus in front of the GF for your return trip to MCO, there may be other pick ups at other resorts along the way.

Bill

 

[DebbieB]

When you check-in, ask what time your bus will pick you up. It may not be exactly 3 hours, could be between 2:45 and 3:15. They will give you a confirmation paper that you will need to hand to the bus driver. Normally the confirmation is hung on your door the day before check-in but since you are checking in the night before, I would get it from the check-in desk.

I took DME from WL a couple of weeks ago, my bus was at 5:30 for an 8:35 flight on Sunday night. WL was the last stop for the bus, I was at the airport around 6:00.

 

[kristin08]

Not to hijack, but I have a related question. I have a flight leaving at 8:30. Can I still check luggage at the resort that early? It would be before 5:30. And if so how does this process work? Just go up to the outside ME desk? And does it matter if I have already checked in online (Southwest)? Thanks everyone!

 

[bumbershoot]

Not to hijack, but I have a related question. I have a flight leaving at 8:30. Can I still check luggage at the resort that early? It would be before 5:30. And if so how does this process work? Just go up to the outside ME desk? And does it matter if I have already checked in online (Southwest)? Thanks everyone!

On the transportation forum there is a "sticky" thread all about DME and RAC. There it states:

"Bags may be checked the day of departure, up until no later than 3 hours prior to flight departure time. (Bag check process must be COMPLETE by the 3hr mark, regardless of what time the guest gets in line) Please note that this information is subject to change without notice.

"Desk is open from 5am-1pm, daily."

So that would work for you. And it's fine if you already did the checkin process.