Has anyone use the Disney Magical Express

[3mickeys&me]

What did you think? How did it work for you??

TIA!!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Haven't used it yet and am also curious.

I was warned by a friend (who had a late evening arrival) that she didn't get her bags until the next morning...so make sure and pack what you will need immediately in your carry-on

 

[KristiKelly]

We have not used it but will next month. I have also read about delays with the luggage. We plan on picking our luggage up ourselves before getting on ME. We will be traveling with a 3 month old and will need to get our stroller so we may as well pick it all up. I have read that we will have to tip the bus driver for helping us with our luggage but that's no big deal to me. I'm eager to hear what others have said.

 

[cruiserkaren]

We're going to be using it in a couple of weeks. We are going to pick up our luggage also. I know that is one of the main "selling" points of ME (I've read it over and over on the transportation board) but our DD 2 will be with us and as those of you with 2 year olds know that they have LOTS of things that are very special to them. There is no way I could pack everything in a carry on. We'd just feel better knowing all of her things are right under us on the bus on our way to the resort. Now if it was just DH and me going then I wouldn't even consider picking up our luggage.

 

[anabelle]

We used it in June and will be using it again in October. I think that they have all the kinks out. We got our last set of tags about 15 days before we left. The only complaint was that I was not sure that they would stay on, so we stapled them above the barcode. We did pack a carryon bag with bathing suits in case our bags took a while. We got our room right away and the bags arrived in stages but within a 2 hour time frame.
Just note that they are only in one terminal. We didn't pay attention and went to the wrong one at first, but we figured it out. Just look for the CM's with the big Mickey Glove at MCO.

 

[eddieras]

We're going to be using it in a couple of weeks. We are going to pick up our luggage also. I know that is one of the main "selling" points of ME (I've read it over and over on the transportation board) but our DD 2 will be with us and as those of you with 2 year olds know that they have LOTS of things that are very special to them. There is no way I could pack everything in a carry on. We'd just feel better knowing all of her things are right under us on the bus on our way to the resort. Now if it was just DH and me going then I wouldn't even consider picking up our luggage.

can you pick up your own bags and use the service? i thought that with the bags specially tagged that disney grabs them and they don't even go on the same bus with you--

 

[cantondisneyfamily]

We used the ME in July and it went smooth. Just make sure you have a carry on bag. Your bags will not get to your room until around 2-3pm if you have an early flight. We packed swim suits and anything that we wanted right away. If you tag your luggage with the yellow tags you will not be able to pick up your bags, you do not see them.

 

[cruiserkaren]

can you pick up your own bags and use the service? i thought that with the bags specially tagged that disney grabs them and they don't even go on the same bus with you--

It's my understanding that if you want to pick up your bags you just don't put the yellow ME tags on them. When you get off your flight you go to baggage claim like usual and pick up your bags. You then have to drag them to the ME check-in. The driver will put them on the bus in the underside storage and then unload them once you get to your resort. Tipping the driver is needed if doing it this way. Also if your room is not ready the resort will store them with with the bellman, so I think tipping them is also required/recommended. DH and I keep going back and forth. I mean you'd think this wouldn't be such a big decision! But with us it seems everything is a big decision. I'm just worried DD will want to take a nap and our luggage won't be delivered yet. She is very particular about what she needs to sleep. She is not one of those kids that naps in strollers, on our shoulders, etc...too bad for us, I know! She pretty much sleeps in a bed and that's it. There is no way I could put everything in a carry on. Yes, I do think she's a bit high maintainance. (pretty sure that's not spelled right!)

 

[CleveRocks]

DH and I keep going back and forth. I mean you'd think this wouldn't be such a big decision! But with us it seems everything is a big decision. I'm just worried DD will want to take a nap and our luggage won't be delivered yet. She is very particular about what she needs to sleep. She is not one of those kids that naps in strollers, on our shoulders, etc...too bad for us, I know! She pretty much sleeps in a bed and that's it. There is no way I could put everything in a carry on. Yes, I do think she's a bit high maintainance. (pretty sure that's not spelled right!)

Anytime you check luggage with an airline, it's best to put in your carry-ons anything you can't do without. Airlines can delay or lose luggage; this has happened for many years before DME came into play. At least with DME you know there can be a 2 -4 hour delay and you can plan for it. Remember that each ticketed passenger can have one carry-on bag, and you'd be surprised how much you can fit. We just did this May 8 - 14 with our 2 year old and 5 year old. My 5 year old had his LITTLE rolling suitcase as his carry-on, and in there were his bedtime buddy (a mouse about as big as my 2 year old), favorite stories, 24 hours' worth of change of clothes (including PJs and swimsuits), etc. In my 2 year old's little backpack we had her first day's clothes as well as a couple favorite dolls. In our carry-ons we had our changes of clothes, medications, swimsuits, portable DVD player, medications, snacks for the kids, etc. It's just always wise to plan ahead to prevent a possible problem from affecting you. I'd kindly suggest this to you even if you plan to personally pick up your checked luggage and take it on the bus to you. Like I said, I do this everywhere we fly, so for me DME has nothing to do with it.

But the OP also asked for DME experiences. Mine were great. I loved DME!!!

It took me 53 minutes from the time I first got into the DME desk line until we got dropped off at CBR. Under one hour, that's pretty good in my book. Plus we arranged a grocery delivery that didn't have to be scheduled (the grocer I used delivers to Bell Services, and Bell Services delivers to you only when you're in your room, and they even keep your cold stuff cold in case you're not in!).

When my luggage arrived around 2:00 p.m., my wife and I were with our kids in CBR's Trinidad North pool; the bags "magically arrived" in our room without us there and without us knowing it. We had already started our wonderful WDW vacation and really didn't care when our checked luggage arrived because we were well-prepared. For me, vacation is all about being stress-free, and by making the proper plans ahead of time we were successful in having a stress-free vacation.

ENJOY!

-- Eric

 

[ZanneMarie]

It took me 53 minutes from the time I first got into the DME desk line until we got dropped off at CBR. Under one hour, that's pretty good in my book. Plus we arranged a grocery delivery that didn't have to be scheduled (the grocer I used delivers to Bell Services, and Bell Services delivers to you only when you're in your room, and they even keep your cold stuff cold in case you're not in!).

Ok...the statement about not having to schedule an exact time for your grocery delivery really peaked my interest. Everything I have read about Wegoshop says delivery need to be scheduled for a specific time...So, who did you use so you did not have to wait and is this service available at all WDW resorts (staying at POP)?? Any other info (costs..etc.) would be also much appreciated! Thanks...this might be a great solution for us.

 

[CleveRocks]

Ok...the statement about not having to schedule an exact time for your grocery delivery really peaked my interest. Everything I have read about Wegoshop says delivery need to be scheduled for a specific time...So, who did you use so you did not have to wait and is this service available at all WDW resorts (staying at POP)?? Any other info (costs..etc.) would be also much appreciated! Thanks...this might be a great solution for us.

There's a local grocery store called Gooding's (www.goodings.com). You can order groceries on their website. The website's grocery selection is a little limited, but you can special order anything that's on their shelves, you just have to request it. I'm told it's more expensive than the other local markets. There is a $10 fee and a $50 minimum order.

They were very nice. You place your order no later than 48 hours before your arrival. They'll call you for your credit card info (they don't do that on the website), but your CC won't be charged until the time of the actual purchase; an employee will actually walk around and shop using your list, and then wait in the checkout line where the order is rung up and only THEN is your credit card charged. You'll get your cash register receipt and your CC receipt with your delivery.

They told me they deliver directly to Bell Services, and then it's Bell Services' responsibility to get it to me. Bell Services won't deliver it to an empty room, so they'll call first and if you're not in they'll leave a message for you to call them when you get in so they can bring you your groceries. In addition, Gooding's separately labels and bags items that need to stay in the fridge and items that need to stay in the freezer, so ALL of your groceries arrive at your room in good condition even if you don't take your delivery for many hours. Most of my stuff was stuff that needed refrigeration, such as deli-sliced cheese and meats, yogurt, cheese sticks, milk, cream cheese, etc. We also got fresh fruit, bread, PB&J, fresh bagels, junk food, etc. This was great and saved us a lot of money as well as time (especially breakfasts).

Now here's my question that I suggest you call Gooding's about and ask, since I think they'd know better about it than anyone you'll get on the phone at WDW. I have read that the value resorts do not have Bell Services; if that's the case, can you still get a Gooding's delivery to Pop and will CMs at Pop be able to keep your cold stuff cold??? Like I said, I think Gooding's delivery people will know a lot more about this than Pop people (just a hunch). E-mail them or call the number on their website.

Good luck!

-- Eric

 

[gradtchr]

My experience with DME was great! We got off the plane found the mickey hands went downstairs to the check in did that walked straight onto a bus and left within 10 minutes. Our flight landed at 1:30 and we were in our room by 2:45 (that's the next time i looked at a clock) We went to DOwntown Disney, and then Hoop De Doo Review and when we got back our luggage was in the room waiitng for us. I had been worried after reading allt he bad reviews but was more htan impressed with how it worked for us and would do it again, now if I can convince hubby we need another Disney trip soon.

 

[ZanneMarie]

There's a local grocery store called Gooding's (www.goodings.com). You can order groceries on their website. The website's grocery selection is a little limited, but you can special order anything that's on their shelves, you just have to request it. I'm told it's more expensive than the other local markets. There is a $10 fee and a $50 minimum order..........

-- Eric

Thank you so much for the info. I will check into this further. If they will store it at POP until we could get it this would be perfect for us. We will be headed to the parks right after we get there so I don't want to have to wait around and I don't know if Wegoshop will deliver late in the evening (need to check that out also). Thanks again!

 

[Hodder]

We don't get in untill after 11pm (Oct 2) and were told not to put the luggage tags on as they probably wouldn't get delivered untill the next AM. I am taking everything that I will absolutely need in a couple of carry ons.

If anyone has any other experience with late arrivals let me know as we have 2 kids and want it be as smooth as possible.

 

[twojo21]

does anyone know who's used the dme service, do the shuttles make one stop like directly from the mco airport to say allstar music? or does the shuttle make multiple resort stops? are there multiple shuttles ready to go? or only every 20 minutes like the park buses from the resorts? thanks.

 

[WeluvDisney2]

Our flight is due to land at 5pm. Do you think we will have any problems having our bags delivered to our rooms that night? Thanks!