How many people use Magical Express? Pros/Cons?

[edk35]

We have never used ME. We have always hired a car service that we LOVE. However we have just decided to book a 5 day trip in Jan. and are considering using ME. We are taking an extra teen and maybe two extra teens. We are a family of 5. We are thinking it might be easier to just take ME with a larger group.

We arrive to MCO around 5:00 p.m. and wonder how long it would actually take to get to OKW? Is an off time of year easier/faster to get aboard and on the way?? I am used to a car service waiting for us in baggage claim and we are off and on the way pretty fast. Not to mention we stop for a 30 min. grocery stop. So we can keep that deal or we save some money and try ME but use a grocery service instead.

When we use the car service we always get picked up 2 hours prior to flight. I hear that you have to leave 3 hours prior to flight. Is that because you have to stop at the other resorts? How many resorts does one ME bus stop at going and coming?

THANKS


I would love to hear the good, the bad and the ugly with ME?

 

[kathie859]

We decided to give ME a try this trip. It worked well!!

We arrived Sunday around 1:15 and we were checking in to the Boardwalk Inn around 2:45 after a 15-20 minute wait for a bus. We did stop at 2 resorts before the Boardwalk Inn--but it was quick. Our bags showed up by 5:30. What I really liked was the return trip. You call the day before to pay for any baggage handling fee that your airline may charge. The day you leave, you take your bags to the airline check-in desk and pick up your boarding passes. Your bags are not to be seen or handled by you again until you reach your final destination. Our flight was at 4:10 and we were picked up at 1:10. We stopped at one other resort and got to the airport in time to line up for the most excruxiating TSA line EVER! We got to our gate by 3:15 so we had plenty of time. I'd use ME again in a heartbeat.

 

[edk35]

We decided to give ME a try this trip. It worked well!!

We arrived Sunday around 1:15 and we were checking in to the Boardwalk Inn around 2:45 after a 15-20 minute wait for a bus. We did stop at 2 resorts before the Boardwalk Inn--but it was quick. Our bags showed up by 5:30. What I really liked was the return trip. You call the day before to pay for any baggage handling fee that your airline may charge. The day you leave, you take your bags to the airline check-in desk and pick up your boarding passes. Your bags are not to be seen or handled by you again until you reach your final destination. Our flight was at 4:10 and we were picked up at 1:10. We stopped at one other resort and got to the airport in time to line up for the most excruxiating TSA line EVER! We got to our gate by 3:15 so we had plenty of time. I'd use ME again in a heartbeat.

Thanks....that sounds good so far. I think it is probably like rolling the dice. Some people probably have good experiences and others not so good. I know when we flew Airtran we were able to check our luggage in at the resort and not worry about baggage either until we got home. That was great too.

 

[edk35]

Bump Bump

 

[GRUMPY D]

we love ME , when you get to Orlando you can just take your time getting off the plane because you don't have to run to baggage clam and fight for a spot , when you get to your resort you dont have to fight with bags at check in and too make check in even easer use the on line check in 10 days before

 

[edk35]

we love ME , when you get to Orlando you can just take your time getting off the plane because you don't have to run to baggage clam and fight for a spot , when you get to your resort you dont have to fight with bags at check in and too make check in even easer use the on line check in 10 days before

How long does it take to get your luggage. Our flight gets in before 5:00.

 

[goofy4tink]

There truly is no 'ugly' when it comes to DME. Is it for everyone? No, absolutely not. Does it do a good job of transporting thousands of WDW from MCO to various WDW resorts? Yes.
If you arrive, on-time at 5pm, you should be at OKW by 6:30, at the latest. Your DME tagged checked bags can be expected, in your room, within 3 hrs of resort checkin (not arrival at MCO!)..so probably around 10pm, but most likely sooner than that.
Here are my transportation experiences....
1. DME....average of 70 mins from gate to resort, but times usually closer to 65-70 mins. Had one trip that was 85, but that was not the norm at all. No idea what time my bags arrived since I wasn't in my room waiting for them.

2. Car service...with carryon bag only, it was about 45 mins, from gate to resort.

3. Car service....with checked bags, took about 60 mins.

4. Mears shuttle...carryon bag only, took about 75 mins since it makes several off-site stops as well as WDW ones.

So, what should you do??? I like to do DME, check my bags and let them take care of them, and bring a carryon bag with anything I may need for the first 6 hrs of my stay. If I find that I am going to need any groceries, I use a grocery delivery service. Yes, they have a delivery fee but it's less than $20, and you aren't wasting time wandering around an unfamilier store. They deliver right to you, and Bell Services will store it if you aren't in your room yet.

But, sometimes it's nice to have that private car to yourself. It's a nice way to go and I still sometimes use one. It's all about what you want to spend on any particular trip. I would say that I've used DME 10+ times and a car service about the same, and the Mears shuttle once (just to know what it was like). I've rented a car several times and been picked up at the airport by family several times.

 

[AlexDurrani]

I am a strong supporter for DME for sure. The only reason why I am not using it this trip probably (not for sure will have the reservation for it on stand by) is because I am planning on renting a minivan for the trip. 11 day trip only on property will be hard this trip. Anyway for the OP's size of party and considering you are taking the lives of non family members in your hands I would be more inclined to take the DME. I have never actually gotten my tags in time to use them on my trips because of one reason or another, so I can't make suggestions or answer how long it takes to get your bags. Good luck and have fun on your trip.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The "unknowns" with DME are how long you have to wait at the airport before your DME coach departs to your resort and how many stops you'll make before you get to your resort.

I've had a case when I boarded the DME coach (which was less than half full) immediately after checking in at the DME welcome counter at the airport. The doors closed. The coach started. And OKW was the first stop, just 30 minutes later. It's possible that I arrived at OKW while other people on my flight were still waiting at baggage claim. Our room was near the Hospitality House. Our bags were delivered to our room less than an hour after we checked in at OKW. In other words, it was a perfect DME experience.

I've also had a case when it took two hours. It was late at night. SSR was my destination. After a half-hour wait at the airport, the coach went to GF first. Then it went to the wrong Port Orleans resort (where nobody got off). Then it went to the right Port Orleans resort. Finally, it went to SSR. With tinted glass at night, I couldn't tell what route the driver took within the WDW property, but I don't think he knew where he was going.

The two experiences above are extremes.

Disney says to allow 3 hours after resort check-in for bags to be delivered. A couple of times we received our bags in less than hour. Other times, I had no idea when the bags came because we weren't in the room. That's the beauty of DME. Disney covers the inbound bell services tip, so bell services will leave the bags in your room even if you're not there.

One time, in the early days of DME, we returned to the room at 10 PM, and our bags weren't there yet. I called bell services. They had our bags and brought them up. I don't know if the delay was the airline's fault or Disney's fault. (It was a very busy travel day.) No big deal either way.

If you take anything you need the first day in your carry-ons, it really doesn't matter if your bags arrive 1 hour or 3 hours after you check in (or even longer, especially if the airline delays your bags). You can be out having fun or having dinner.

I am a big fan of DME. I will gladly use it again.

 

[maxiesmom]

How long does it take to get your luggage. Our flight gets in before 5:00.

Depending on the time of year and how busy the resorts are, they tell you to expect your luggage 3 to 4 hours after you check in at your resort. The good thing is you don't have to be in your room for them to deliver your luggage. So you are free to have dinner or go to the parks.

 

[dvc at last !]

we love ME , when you get to Orlando you can just take your time getting off the plane because you don't have to run to baggage clam and fight for a spot , when you get to your resort you dont have to fight with bags at check in and too make check in even easer use the on line check in 10 days before

DME is the BEST !

 

[CleveRocks]

I say this as a way to help you think of the situation differently, I DON'T say it to be sarcastic or aggresive:

By calling using DME a "roll of the dice," you make the assumption that there are equal experiences of good and bad, equal chances of a positivbe experience and a negative experience.

That reasoning is flawed. It's not a 50/50 proposition. It's more like a 99/1 proposition. The overwhelming majority of people who've actually used DME liked it and would use it again.

 

[helenk]

I have used ME for almost every one of my trips since ME started, and there have been a lot of trips. I have never had any problems or delays using ME.
For most of my trips I travel solo, to keep myself amused I take along a note book and start taking notes from the time I get to the airport in Phila.
On all of my trips it has been 70-85 minutes from the time the plane landed to the time I am dropped off at my resort, the longer times are when I've been the last resort on the trip.
I used ME on holiday weekends, during the week, regular weekends and evenings. I am generally not in my room when the luggage arrives, because I check in and then go straight to a park.
Twice though I was in my room and the luggage arrival varied, when we stayed at the WL, our room was ready and we went right up and decided to relax a bit and our luggage came within the hour. My last trip to the BC, I was not feeling well and decided to take a nap before going to the parks and I was in the room about 2 hours when my luggage came.
I don't know if I have been extremely lucky but honestly I think ME is the greatest.

 

[edk35]

There truly is no 'ugly' when it comes to DME. Is it for everyone? No, absolutely not. Does it do a good job of transporting thousands of WDW from MCO to various WDW resorts? Yes.
If you arrive, on-time at 5pm, you should be at OKW by 6:30, at the latest. Your DME tagged checked bags can be expected, in your room, within 3 hrs of resort checkin (not arrival at MCO!)..so probably around 10pm, but most likely sooner than that.
Here are my transportation experiences....
1. DME....average of 70 mins from gate to resort, but times usually closer to 65-70 mins. Had one trip that was 85, but that was not the norm at all. No idea what time my bags arrived since I wasn't in my room waiting for them.

2. Car service...with carryon bag only, it was about 45 mins, from gate to resort.

3. Car service....with checked bags, took about 60 mins.

4. Mears shuttle...carryon bag only, took about 75 mins since it makes several off-site stops as well as WDW ones.

So, what should you do??? I like to do DME, check my bags and let them take care of them, and bring a carryon bag with anything I may need for the first 6 hrs of my stay. If I find that I am going to need any groceries, I use a grocery delivery service. Yes, they have a delivery fee but it's less than $20, and you aren't wasting time wandering around an unfamilier store. They deliver right to you, and Bell Services will store it if you aren't in your room yet.

But, sometimes it's nice to have that private car to yourself. It's a nice way to go and I still sometimes use one. It's all about what you want to spend on any particular trip. I would say that I've used DME 10+ times and a car service about the same, and the Mears shuttle once (just to know what it was like). I've rented a car several times and been picked up at the airport by family several times.

So do we tip the driver of the bus?? Is that the norm? I am use to tipping 20 each way for my car service. THANKS

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

So do we tip the driver of the bus?? Is that the norm? I am use to tipping 20 each way for my car service. THANKS

No need to tip the driver just for driving a busload of people.

It you have the driver stow any bags (such as larger carry-ons) in the baggage hold, then it's appropriate to tip $1-2 per bag when the bags are returned to you.

Also, if the driver provides exceptionally pleasant service, then you may want to consider a tip, even if you don't have bags to stow (or rounding up the baggage tip if you do).

Disney has approved a sign inside the coach saying that gratuities are permitted for exceptional service. Some drivers also hint that they appreciate tips. That's okay.

But I've also had drivers who let their passengers know in no uncertain terms that the sign says to tip for exceptional service, and that they have provided exceptional service to you. It's heavy-handed and unprofessional. Such a lecture has the opposite effect on me from what the driver intends.

 

[edk35]

No need to tip the driver just for driving a busload of people.

It you have the driver stow any bags (such as larger carry-ons) in the baggage hold, then it's appropriate to tip $1-2 per bag when the bags are returned to you.

Also, if the driver provides exceptionally pleasant service, then you may want to consider a tip, even if you don't have bags to stow (or rounding up the baggage tip if you do).

Disney has approved a sign inside the coach saying that gratuities are permitted for exceptional service. Some drivers also hint that they appreciate tips. That's okay.

But I've also had drivers who let their passengers know in no uncertain terms that the sign says to tip for exceptional service, and that they have provided exceptional service to you. It's heavy-handed and unprofessional. Such a lecture has the opposite effect on me from what the driver intends.

WOW that would TURN ME OFF to tip someone that says we need to or they expect that we tip.

 

[OKW Lover]

I say this as a way to help you think of the situation differently, I DON'T say it to be sarcastic or aggresive:

By calling using DME a "roll of the dice," you make the assumption that there are equal experiences of good and bad, equal chances of a positivbe experience and a negative experience.

That reasoning is flawed. It's not a 50/50 proposition. It's more like a 99/1 proposition. The overwhelming majority of people who've actually used DME liked it and would use it again.

Not to be argumentative, but haven't those people who have actually used DME pre-disposed to liking it? After all, they did decide to use ME in the first place.

OK, so I'm just in a philosophical mood today.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Not to be argumentative, but haven't those people who have actually used DME pre-disposed to liking it? After all, they did decide to use ME in the first place.

OK, so I'm just in a philosophical mood today.

I suppose there's some truth to that. People who absolutely hate buses aren't going to sign up for DME. Then again, if such people use a towncar service, how are they going to get around WDW after they get to their resort?

I do find it interesting that some of the harshest critics of DME are people who have never used DME.

Somehow, it seems to me that an opinion about DME from someone who has actually used the service (or who has used multiple times) carries more weight than the opinion of someone who has never used it.

 

[maxiesmom]

Not to be argumentative, but haven't those people who have actually used DME pre-disposed to liking it? After all, they did decide to use ME in the first place.

OK, so I'm just in a philosophical mood today.

I kind of agree using ME is a roll of the dice. I have had great experiences with it, and I have had some not so great ones. The good has outweighed the bad, but there has been a few bad things.

Like the time there were too many people for the bus to hold and our driver asked us to "watch his back" while he went to talk to the people that wouldn't fit on the bus. Or the weird driver who insisted we play triva games, or else he would shut the air conditioning off. He also had us say Abracadabra before he would go thru any gate. Or the time where it took us 2 hours from the time we boarded the ME bus until we were at our resort check in desk.

The good outweighs the bad, but there is some bad out there.

 

[Mommy_Jen]

Can I still take advantage of checking my luggage in at the hotel if I'm not using DME? We are flying out on Airtran and are not sure if we will have a rental car or will be using DME. We will be in another part of Florida for a few days prior to Disney so we will have a rental car. We are just not sure if we are turning the rental car back in before disney.