How long do you wait at MCO before leaving on Magical Express

[sberlepsch]

We are going to use Magical Express for the first time the second week in September, and was wondering how long it usually takes from the time you get off the plane to actually getting to your hotel?

We want to see if renting a car is better.

Thanks.

 

[abner1776]

We took ME in January which will be similiar to Sept as far as crowds, etc.

We walked down the stairs to ME walked right up to the counter and it took about 30 seconds to check us in. We then walked over to the line(non existant) for the bus, waited 10 seconds and then walked right onto the bus. Once on the bus we were on the road within 10 minutes max.

Having rented at MCO before, it would have taken me far longer to get to my car especially if you are using the discount car rental firms which are off property.

Also consider that you do not have to wait for your bags which can really slow you down.

Unless you want to have a car or need to have a car, ME is the way to go.

Even using a limo would probably be slower cause you have to wait for your bags.

 

[5wdwfans]

DD and iI went last October and the line to check in at ME was really really long. However, it moved quickly probably 20 minutes then another 20 to board the bus. I think we got to boardwalk about 1 1/2 hours after we landed which is about what it takes for us to claim bags and rent a car.

 

[GoingtoSeeRella]

We went during Easter week (April 8-13) and the crowds were incredible. We were worried and DH asked me if we should try and get a cab, but the lines moved fast and we weren't disappointed.

The line to check in was about 3 or 4 rows deep. It took about 15 or 20 minutes to check in. Then we got in line for the bus. We waited about 5 or 10 minutes over there, and was pleasantly shocked. I thought we'd have to wait much longer than that because there were just people EVERYWHERE! Once the bus loaded (maybe 5 minutes) we were off. We were staying at the Contemporary, and we made a stop at the Wilderness Lodge first. Contemporary was next, and then I think they were going to Poly and GF after that.

All told, we were at the hotel about an hour to an hour and a half from landing (with a potty stop in there )

So...that was the busiest time of the year. I'm sure you won't have as long a wait or as long of lines.

Have fun!!

 

[angel's momma]

We went 9/25, and were in our room at Pop an hour after landing.

We didn't hurry. It was our first time at MCO, so we had to find our way, and we stopped to use the restroom.

Pop was the first stop.

 

[jackmac]

The time really varies based on a number of factors. The line at the ME counter can be long, I've taken from 5 to 15 minutes to go through the line. The bus line can also be long, I've waited up to 40 minutes this past January when no busses were available, other times 5-10 minutes. ME can stop at up to 3 hotels when they are going to Disney. In general a time from getting to the counter to getting to the resort will be between 1 - 1 1/2 hours most of the time, maybe up to 2 hours at really busy times. Magical Express shines at getting you back to the airport. They do pick you up 2 hours before your flight time but the convience of walking up to security and just going through that is well worth it, no bags to check.

My average time in renting a car is not much different, by the time you pick up your luggage, go to the rental counter and get everything into the car and then off to the resort it takes about the same time. The big thing is that ME saves you lots of money. Cab fare is $50 each way, limos are $100 or so and car rentals would be more.

 

[ameraumi]

Our times were about the same as others. We landed at MCO at 10:30am on 4/2. We got to the ME counter and I waited about 10 minutes for check in, then headed over and waited another 10-15 minutes in the bus line. We were at CSR buy 11:45 and had our KTTW cards and on our way. Our room was not ready so we checked back in around 4pm and given our room number, went to freshen up and our luggage was there waiting on us.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Magical Express shines at getting you back to the airport. They do pick you up 2 hours before your flight time but the convience of walking up to security and just going through that is well worth it, no bags to check.

Um, I thnk actually DME picks you up more like two and three quarters to three hours prior to your flight, so that you're at the airport about two hours in advance (the recommended time at MCO). And the 'no bags' perk only applies if you're flying home on a participating airline and have checked in at the Remote Checkin Counter at your Disney resort.

 

[jackmac]

I think that you are correct about the 3 hour pick up, my mistake. I do know that the pick up is earlier than I would have liked, but we worked around it. On my last trip the lines at MCO security were very long (even on the far side). We still made it in plenty of time.
The benefit of flying on a participating airline for the return is very nice. I love checking our bags and not picking them up again until we returned to Logan. Now if only Delta in Logan would figure out a way to get your bags to you in a reasonable time the whole trip home would be perfect.

 

[paulmc80]

My experience with ME last September went well. Arrived at the airport around 9:30a.m. and was at Pop Century before 10:30a.m. Luggage was in the room very soon after checking in as well.

I thought ME did their job very well.

 

[Gary M]

We used DME three times last winter. After walking off the plane it took 1 hour to be checking in at the WL (2 trips same times). When we stayed at the YC the time was 1 hour 15 minutes. Our arrivals and departure times were a little before noon.

 

[annie1995]

We got off the plane and were sitting on the bus in about 20 minutes. We only were on the bus about 5-10 minutes before it left MCO. I can't remember how long of a drive it was, but they show a video, and it really passes the time!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

My 18yo DD and I did DME in January and it worked very well. We were to our hotel in less than an hour after landing--faster than renting a car and getting our bags.

I wasn't so crazy about it going back to the airport, though. We had to be ready 3 hours before, which we were (a little early to make sure that we were there in time) and the bus driver was late. We didn't leave until probably 2 1/2 hours before the flight, which was plenty of time, but I felt bad for the people sitting outside waiting with squirmy little kids and it would be especially hard doing that in the heat of summer.

I am trying it again next week with my 6yo. At least that is my current plan (unless I decide to take a town car instead or rent a car).

 

[Suzanne74]

It worked fairly well for us. We went in Sept and landed in the evening and I was surprised the line was about 3 rows deep. It took about 15min to get to the counter but ugh, the man was SO slow and kept repeating the same questions to us. Once we got in line for buses, it was about 10min to the bus and then another 10min before we took off. I think ours was the 2nd to the last stop. They did POP first, I think All Stars and then CSR. They were on their way to AK after. We were a little surprised that value went first, mod second and deluxe last but oh well.

On the way back we were flying SW so we checked out of our room and had CSR check our bags right near the ME terminal. Well we arrived with about 25min to spare before the bus arrived and DH went to retreive our bags and they couldn't find them The bus came and they still couldn't find them and told us they were going to send ME off and we could wait for the next one in 45min. The rest of our extended family was on the bus already. DH said, no way, this isn't our fault. You find our bags and put us in a cab. So just as the bus was driving away a man came running out with them and DH literally ran and hit the side of the bus so they would stop and then we got on It was nerve wracking to say the least but it all worked out.

We are using them again this time in Aug and hope it will run a little smoother....

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think ours was the 2nd to the last stop. They did POP first, I think All Stars and then CSR. They were on their way to AK after. We were a little surprised that value went first, mod second and deluxe last but oh well.

The DME routing has nothing to do with the 'level' of the resort and everything to do with distance from the airport. Whichever resort on a given bus is closest to the airport gets dropped off first, next closest second, etc. For example, on a bus with Pop Guests and AKL Guests, Pop will always be the first stop and AKL will always be the last stop - because Pop is closest of all Disney resorts, and AKL is always the furthest from the airport.