How many people use Magical Express? Pros/Cons?

[Jestocost]

Well, realistically, any part of the transportation experience can be a roll of the dice. I've waited nearly two hours for luggage to come off of the carousel, I've arrived at a rental car counter only to find that they didn't have a vehicle that matched my reservation or that would work, I've had a car service go MIA and I've had lunatic cab drivers going 30 mph+ over speed bumps in a parking lot. I've also had great experiences with DME.

Have guests have less than great experiences with DME? Of course, but there are no guarantees and all kinds of things can happen.

 

[Jestocost]

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.

And, yes, you can use RAC no matter what means you use to get to the airport.

 

[EmpressBubbles]

We stopped at one other resort and got to the airport in time to line up for the most excruxiating TSA line EVER!

OH, I don't think so!!! Imagine my experience yesterday flying out of Chicago O'Hare with the heightened security surrounding the UPS explosives, the new pat-down procedures and the full body scans in use , it was the MOST FUN EVER!!!
Wait...I forgot to tell you that Obama was flying in to O'Hare yesterday too....

Remind me why I wore an underwire bra through the metal detector?

 

[goofy4tink]

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

I have tipped the DME bus drivers on occasion. And I have also had one experience with a driver who actually told us that 'gratuities are always gratefully accepted'...total turn-off. Especially since that was the only thing that driver said the entire trip other than to announce which resort we were at. No hello, no welcome to Orlando, no have a nice day, no thanks for riding with us...nada, zip, bupkis. And I had one piece of luggage that had to be stowed which ordinarily would have meant tipping. But not that time. I kept that $5 bill in my pocket.
On the other hand, I've had only a tote bag, kept with me on the bus, and nothing else to be stowed. But, the driver was a complete hoot..he was cheerful, told us a lot of interesting stuff about the area, all the while safely driving. I gave him a nice tip when I got off and he looked really surprised..thanking me profusely. But, he really added to the start of my WDW stay.
I usually tip about $2 bag....but only if you feel it's appropriate.

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.

Anyone that is flying home on a participating airline is able to check their bags with RAC at the resort. You do not need to ride the DME bus back to MCO, you can take a rental car, car service or a yak.

 

[Brian Noble]

Out of my dozen or so trips, about half have been onsite. Of those, I rented a car for all but one. That one was a super-budget "extra trip", our second-ever onsite stay. Just the two of us, bonus timeshare week for lodging, frequent flyer miles, etc. so we decided to give ME/Disney Transport a try.

Honestly, it wasn't that bad. It costs maybe an extra 30 minutes on average getting to the resort, and maybe an extra hour on average getting back vs. a towncar or quick rental (e.g. Emerald Aisle, etc.) It was a little bit of a drag to be waiting around for a bus, and then waiting around to leave, on the way in, but still kind of fun with the "we're already *at Disney*" sort of vibe on the ME bus. The way back? Think prison bus. A full load of sunburned, broke, exhausted tourists headed back to the "real world".

Since then, we've always rented a car. If we needed to cut a corner or two, I'd rather drop a TS meal than skip the rental car in most cases. But, I'm going to take ME for a solo trip this upcoming February. With just me, I can afford to be a little more leisurely about getting where I'm going, and the expense of a rental car for just one person seems a little over the top.

 

[edk35]

Think prison bus. A full load of sunburned, broke, exhausted tourists headed back to the "real world".

NOW that made me laugh.


I am not even sure where I am yet on whether to try this. I like the analogy of having ONE less TS meal and JUST use the wonderful car service we have used for years. I think a lot will depend on whether our son has 2 friends come or 1.

 

[Minnesota!]

We LOVE DME!

Everytime we land at MCO, we head right to the Burger King in our concourse. We eat dinner/lunch there to unwind from the flight, and then are on our way. Even with this (usually) 25 - 30 minute delay, we have always been at our resort within 2 hours of landing.

DME is so nice - no needing to drive, no needing to gather luggage, just head straight there and you are on your way. After a long day of travel, who wants to deal with hurried people at the baggage claim, traffic in a new area, etc. Just hop on the DME and off you go. Big comfy seats, happy people, etc. Nothing beats it! And....It's FREE!!

 

[edk35]

We LOVE DME!

Everytime we land at MCO, we head right to the Burger King in our concourse. We eat dinner/lunch there to unwind from the flight, and then are on our way. Even with this (usually) 25 - 30 minute delay, we have always been at our resort within 2 hours of landing.

DME is so nice - no needing to drive, no needing to gather luggage, just head straight there and you are on your way. After a long day of travel, who wants to deal with hurried people at the baggage claim, traffic in a new area, etc. Just hop on the DME and off you go. Big comfy seats, happy people, etc. Nothing beats it! And....It's FREE!!

That reply sounded SO HAPPY. So you are not assigned a block of time that you have to get to the DME when you have a ressie??

 

[helenk]

That reply sounded SO HAPPY. So you are not assigned a block of time that you have to get to the DME when you have a ressie??

No you do not have an assigned time to take the bus to WDW. You can stop in the airport eat shop if you'd like and then go on over to the ME loading area.
I assume that they ask the time of your flight so that they have a general idea as to how many people are arriving during certain timeframes. Flights can be early or delayed so you do not need to worry about getting to the ME bus at an assigned time.
The only time that is assigned is your return to the airport, that one is important. You will need to be at the bus stop at least 15 minutes prior to your assigned pick up time.

 

[edk35]

No you do not have an assigned time to take the bus to WDW. You can stop in the airport eat shop if you'd like and then go on over to the ME loading area.
I assume that they ask the time of your flight so that they have a general idea as to how many people are arriving during certain timeframes. Flights can be early or delayed so you do not need to worry about getting to the ME bus at an assigned time.
The only time that is assigned is your return to the airport, that one is important. You will need to be at the bus stop at least 15 minutes prior to your assigned pick up time.

Oh that is good to know...in case your plane is late or you take longer getting to the bus stop. THANKS

 

[Lewisc]

It's been reported that Disney's contract with MCO calls for passengers getting to MCO about 2 hours before their flight. The 3 hour pickup allows about 30 minutes for the drive and about 30 minutes for traffic and pickups at other resorts.

All goes well and you'll get to MCO with enough time to spend any remaining funds at the Disney store in MCO. Unless something has changed the video shown on your trip to MCO makes mention of the Disney stores in the airport.

 

[edk35]

It's been reported that Disney's contract with MCO calls for passengers getting to MCO about 2 hours before their flight. The 3 hour pickup allows about 30 minutes for the drive and about 30 minutes for traffic and pickups at other resorts.

All goes well and you'll get to MCO with enough time to spend any remaining funds at the Disney store in MCO. Unless something has changed the video shown on your trip to MCO makes mention of the Disney stores in the airport.

THANK YOU!!!

 

[enyaj40]

Remind me why I wore an underwire bra through the metal detector?

I snipped your post.

Just funny because I told Charlie to remind me to wear the non-underwire bra when we flew. I'm also planning flip-flops, capris, and as little as possible carry-on as I can do.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I like DME. I've used it twice and have it scheduled for a 3rd time.

It's totally worth it to me to get off the plane with my carryon and walk right to the DME area without messing with my luggage or getting lost trying to find my way to WDW using a rental car.

The first time I used it, I was with my DD and we arrived at POP within 40 minutes. I sure was surprised.

The 2nd time I used it, I ate before going to DME and was still at my resort within 70 minutes of the plane landing.

I don't know when my luggage got in my room since I went to the parks after checking in and putting my carryon in my room.

 

[budbeerlady]

We have done car service 2x and the bus the others. Dd will tell you she likes the bus, the movies get her so excited about Disney!

Travel time they were very similar by the time we got our luggage and made a quick stop for groceries the car might have taken a little longer by 15 min. But that was do to me trying to find my wine...

This trip we are taking the bus, it works, its free and I hate waiting for luggage. Its a huge pet peeve with me to get my luggage and deal with dodging people who dont seem to understand that IF you miss your bag it will be back. Really, you will see your bag in about a minute when it comes back around. And does that whole family of 6 need to block everyone else's way? I prefer Disney to leave the bags in my room instead of fighting for them. I guess I fly too much...

 

[Lewisc]

Biggest con with DME. Some guests don't want to end their trip at their own resort. They want to go from their lunch at Kona or from their final visit to DHS directly to MCO. A car service will pick you up at a location you chose about 2-2.5 hours before your flight. A person relying on Disney transportation would have to leave POLY more then 4 hours (probably 4.5) before their flight in order to be sure of getting to their resort in time for the DME bus.

A car service or rental car lets you end your trip at a location other then your own resort.

 

[UncleRay]

We use ME for the last few trips to DW and it was great.
Unless there is a need to go "off property" for something
really important, i would recommend the ME.
As an added bonus, it puts you in the vacation mood-----
spending money----right away.

 

[crashbb]

I snipped your post.

Just funny because I told Charlie to remind me to wear the non-underwire bra when we flew. I'm also planning flip-flops, capris, and as little as possible carry-on as I can do.

Just a point about wearing flip-flops (or other sandals). Do you really want to walk on the airport floor in bare feet? I am far from a germaphobe (I've never cleaned my hotel room with lysol, but the TV remote in a sandwich bag, or had housekeeping lock away the bedspread - which is, according to the DIS, going to lead to my early death), but walking barefoot through security is not something that I'd willingly do.

Biggest con with DME. Some guests don't want to end their trip at their own resort. They want to go from their lunch at Kona or from their final visit to DHS directly to MCO. A car service will pick you up at a location you chose about 2-2.5 hours before your flight. A person relying on Disney transportation would have to leave POLY more then 4 hours (probably 4.5) before their flight in order to be sure of getting to their resort in time for the DME bus.

A car service or rental car lets you end your trip at a location other then your own resort.

Just a caveat - this is only true if you fly an airline/routing that participates in RAC. Unless I fly with no checked luggage, I have to go back to my resort anyway (I don't live in the US).

Plus, even if I were on an airline/routing that participates in RAC, I'd have to carry my carry-on with me at the park (this may be worth 2ish hours extra, but not to everyone).

Anyone that is flying home on a participating airline is able to check their bags with RAC at the resort. You do not need to ride the DME bus back to MCO, you can take a rental car, car service or a yak.

Okay, I KNOW I'm being pedantic, but...you need be flying on a participating ROUTING on a participating airline to use RAC. My last trip I was on United (a participating airline), but because my final destination wasn't in the US, I couldn't use RAC.

I *know* that you know this and that it likely applies to only a small segment of posters on the DIS, but I thought I'd add that little detail.

 

[FireDancer]

I've used them 4 or 5 times and have never had a bad experience. I do get my own bags and bring them with me in both directions so can't speak for the luggage service but I always make it to the resort in a reasonable amount of time and to the airport in plenty of time to clear security and make my flight.

 

[Minnesota!]

Just a point about wearing flip-flops (or other sandals). Do you really want to walk on the airport floor in bare feet? I am far from a germaphobe (I've never cleaned my hotel room with lysol, but the TV remote in a sandwich bag, or had housekeeping lock away the bedspread - which is, according to the DIS, going to lead to my early death), but walking barefoot through security is not something that I'd willingly do.

Eh...never have given it a second thought. We fly out of MSP in the dead of winter and I wear capris, a t-shirt, a hoodie and flip flops. The less clothes I have to deal with, the better. I put my kids in crocs and my DH does the same thing. A little dirt never hurt.

SOOOOO excited b/c my DME stuff should show up in the next few weeks!!