Is Magical Express pretty reliable these days?

[Deb in IA]

We've always been pampered with a limo service (Atlantis Limo) whenever we go to Disney. But we can't ignore the savings with Magical Express!!

I heard that there were some bugs in the service when it first started . . . luggage arriving 3 days late, etc.

Are all these issues worked out?

Any compliants/concerns about ME these days?

 

[CleveRocks]

oops -- double post.

Nothing to see here ... move along ....

 

[CleveRocks]

We've always been pampered with a limo service (Atlantis Limo) whenever we go to Disney. But we can't ignore the savings with Magical Express!!

I heard that there were some bugs in the service when it first started . . . luggage arriving 3 days late, etc.

Are all these issues worked out?

Any compliants/concerns about ME these days?

I think the supposed widespread problems with DME were mostly the stuff of a modern urban legend. On these boards, I think I've read only a small handful of serious complaints, but I've read lots of posts like yours, expressing anxiety about DME and claiming to have heard of all kinds of problems. I think a lot of people's anxiety is fueled by reading posts expressing anxiety but not about actual bad experiences.

I used DME on May 8, its 4th day of operations, and had no bugs bothering me or anyone I spoke with during that week.

DME serves between 6,000 - 10,000 people per day. Over the past approximately 240 days (since May 5), that means between 1.44 million and 2.40 million passengers so far. Millions of people and only a few major complaints? Sounds pretty great to me.

-- Eric

 

[Kae]

Worked great when we went in June. I never heard about the 3 day lost luggage. Just carry on on you must have-on arrival or first few hours & you will be fine.

Kae

 

[DISNEY4FUN]

We used it over Thanksgiving and it worked great. The problem we had was on the trip back to the airport. The bus was to pick us up at SSR at 5:30AM. The bus came and left at 5:20 (before we made to the pickup location)leaving my family and another couple behind. The transportation person at the hotel called cabs for both families and we made it to the airport in plenty of time. Disney paid the cab fare. I'm not telling you this story to scare you from using ME. I'm telling it to show that even when there are problems Disney does a good job of compensating. We are using ME again this weekend. It's a great service and you can't beat the price!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

We are going to be using it before our cruise. Will be arriving around 10:30 pm Thursday night and going to Riverside. Leaving Saturday for the ship. Hope our luggage doesn't get delayed - maybe we will have them bring it directly to the port if they can.

 

[tiggeroo13]

Does anyone have the number for DME. We leave tomorrow and our tags never showed up. Or does anyone have a link to the site? Thanks

 

[cyndibelle]

so when using the bus service how long does it take to get to your resort from the time you arrive at the airport and how far in advance do they pick you up on the day you leave ??

 

[CleveRocks]

so when using the bus service how long does it take to get to your resort from the time you arrive at the airport and how far in advance do they pick you up on the day you leave ??

I got to CBR in 53 minutes. Less than an hour is pretty good timing no matter how you go.

DME picks up 2.75 - 3 hours prior to departure. For us, we needed every minute. Our flight left on a Saturday at 6:45 p.m., and DME picked us up at 4:00 p.m. We had a long wait at the airline desk, followed by a HUGE wait at security. Due to the timing of everything, we also had to get dinner for our pre-schoolers, and it didn't hurt us to eat, either. The lines at the little food court in the area of the departure gates (i.e., after going through security and taking the monorail) were crazy long, as well.. By the time we were done dinner and walked to our gate, our flight had already started boarding.

I would be nervous to be picked up 90 minutes before flight time. Travel itself takes about 30 minutes. Boarding nowadays starts 30 minutes before departure. That leaves you just 30 minutes to check your luggage/wait at the ticket counter, AND to get through security. For my taste, that's too close a call -- I'd get nervous that we'd miss our flight. On Saturday May 14, 2005, I didn't time it but I'm certain we spent more than 30 minutes combined at Spirit Airlines and at security; it had to be at least 30 minutes just at security.

To each's own. I was happier to get to the airport and not worry about the timing. We had a great final day, and just made sure we were back at CBR by not later than 3:45 p.m., 15 minutes before our scheduled pick up. For my personality type, that extra ride on Dumbo just wouldn't have been worth it.

-- Eric

 

[Gary M]

We used DME two times recently, 11/29-12/6 and 12/25-12/30. The service was very good. The buses were very efficent and clean. The drivers were friendly. On our first trip we were checking into the WL about 1 hour after our plane landed. The second trip to the YC it took maybe 1 hour 15 minutes. We were picked up on-time for our trip back to MCO.

We have used Tiffany TC several times before.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We are going to be using it before our cruise. Will be arriving around 10:30 pm Thursday night and going to Riverside. Leaving Saturday for the ship. Hope our luggage doesn't get delayed - maybe we will have them bring it directly to the port if they can.

I'm thinking no, that's not possible. DME and Disney Cruise Line's transportation are two separate entities I'm reasonably certain you have to have your luggage transported from the airport to Riverside by DME (if you choose to ride that bus), and then bring it to wherever the DCL bus picks you up on the day of your cruise.

Does anyone have the number for DME. We leave tomorrow and our tags never showed up. Or does anyone have a link to the site? Thanks

866 599 0951

so when using the bus service how long does it take to get to your resort from the time you arrive at the airport and how far in advance do they pick you up on the day you leave ??

I got to CBR in 53 minutes. Less than an hour is pretty good timing no matter how you go.

And I eventually stopped pouting over the fact that Eric wouldn't call me from the bus - something about wanting to spend time with his family - to relate his almost-live DME review and experience.
Getting from the airport to your resort should take about an hour to an hour and a half - depending how many stops, if any, before your resort. I think I made it from the plane to Pop Century in 59 minutes!

 

[vicb]

My friend just returned this week from WDW and advised me to avoid ME. It took about 3 hours for their luggage to arrive at the hotel. Luckily she had packed the kids swim suits and shorts in a carry on bag so they could hit the pool/parks upon arrival. She didn't say it was awful, just not what she'd hoped for and said she would go back to towncar service.

FYI-FWIW

 

[MamaQuack]

We took ME on Jan 3 for the first time. We too were spoiled by limo service but could not resist the free service. Our flight arrived at 11:25 a.m. We were in line (no wait) by 11:40 and on a bus at 11:45. We were destined for the YC. We waited for our bus to load and left around 12:10. We stopped at the CBR first and then were in the YC all checked in and in our room by 12:30. I realize this was somewhat of a slower time and we only took our carry ons. We left for the parks at 1 and our bags were in the room and waiting at 5 upon our return. We opted for a taxi back to the airport because we did not want to give up time - the Marathon was run on the 8th and we had a lakefront room so we were able to watch and cheer on the runners - something we have never done before but would have missed had we taken our scheduled 10:30 a.m. ME bus back to MCO.

 

[CleveRocks]

My friend just returned this week from WDW and advised me to avoid ME. It took about 3 hours for their luggage to arrive at the hotel. Luckily she had packed the kids swim suits and shorts in a carry on bag so they could hit the pool/parks upon arrival. She didn't say it was awful, just not what she'd hoped for and said she would go back to towncar service.

Your friend is obviously someone who did not do her homework. Disney NEVER advertised that luggage would arrive the same time as the guests. Heck, I used DME on its 4th day of operations on May 8 and even back then I knew the luggage was going to take a few hours. You plan for it, and it's no problem. The whole good part about it is you don't need to wait for your luggage, it "magically appears" in your room. So for instance, when mine arrived 3.5 hours later, my wife and I had our kids in the pool and we were having a great time. We were happy to see our luggage in our room when we returned, but we always pack for the first 24 hours in carry-ons anyway, just in case the AIRLINE delays our luggage.

So in short, your friend hoped for and expected something that was never offered by Disney. If she had done her homework, either she wouldn't have been disappointed, or she could have decided she did not want that kind of wait and took a towncar from the get-go.

I'm a huge supporter of DME. I think it's a great addition to the WDW experience.

-- Eric

 

[vicb]

Your friend is obviously someone who did not do her homework. Disney NEVER advertised that luggage would arrive the same time as the guests. Heck, I used DME on its 4th day of operations on May 8 and even back then I knew the luggage was going to take a few hours. You plan for it, and it's no problem. The whole good part about it is you don't need to wait for your luggage, it "magically appears" in your room. So for instance, when mine arrived 3.5 hours later, my wife and I had our kids in the pool and we were having a great time. We were happy to see our luggage in our room when we returned, but we always pack for the first 24 hours in carry-ons anyway, just in case the AIRLINE delays our luggage.

So in short, your friend hoped for and expected something that was never offered by Disney. If she had done her homework, either she wouldn't have been disappointed, or she could have decided she did not want that kind of wait and took a towncar from the get-go.

I'm a huge supporter of DME. I think it's a great addition to the WDW experience.

-- Eric

My friend is not as experienced as those on the DIS but fortunately had read a link I sent her the day before so she packed the swim suits in carry on. She did not like being lined up to wait for a bus in the airport and having to stop at 3 resorts prior to her own. Also did not like the very early pick up time going back to the airport.

The whole point of the boards is to share info and experiences. I was just sharing hers, no need to get so defensive.

I'm glad ME works for you.

 

[poohbear7]

We used the DME in May and again in Dec. Each time we were at the hotel in under an hour. Our room wasn't ready and when it was our bags were already at bell service waiting for us. I noticed a truck arrived shortly after we did and they were unloading luggage from it including ours. I'm using them again in Feb and next May.

 

[lsteadman]

My friend just returned this week from WDW and advised me to avoid ME. It took about 3 hours for their luggage to arrive at the hotel. Luckily she had packed the kids swim suits and shorts in a carry on bag so they could hit the pool/parks upon arrival. She didn't say it was awful, just not what she'd hoped for and said she would go back to towncar service.

FYI-FWIW

You have over 2,000+ post on this board so you spend a lot of time out on the DIS. Why didn,t you share the information with your friend regarding ME luggage delays with your friend prior to his/her trip. Or better yet give him/her this DIS board website for tips. You apparently post a lot so I am sure you are aware of the DME service and its luggage delay.

Not trying to start an argument just my opinion of the post.

Please don't take this personal but sometimes I think towncar company come to DIS boards to post negative about DME because it is obviously hurting their business.

 

[vicb]

You have over 2,000+ post on this board so you spend a lot of time out on the DIS. Why didn,t you share the information with your friend regarding ME luggage delays with your friend prior to his/her trip. Or better yet give him/her this DIS board website for tips. You apparently post a lot so I am sure you are aware of the DME service and its luggage delay.

Not trying to start an argument just my opinion of the post.

Please don't take this personal but sometimes I think towncar company come to DIS boards to post negative about DME because it is obviously hurting their business.

No offense taken lsteadman. I have been to WDW 3 times myself but not since ME began, haven't been in almost 2 years. I shared info with my friend on a variety of subjects and gave her links to these boards, mousesavers and allearsnet. Not everyone is as "into it" as we are. Can't force info at people who don't want to plan that much.

Just wanted to say I am not affliated with any towncar service and I don't spend much time on this transportation board.

 

[bigmerle1966]

I am also a huge supporter of the DME. When we went this past month, my cousin and I left from BWI airport at 7:10am. Got into Orlando on time, went to DME, had a little bit of a wait due to the amount of people coming in at the same time (didn't honestly think anyone would want to get up at the buttcrack of dawn in December to get on a plane, other than us two idiots) and made it to Pop Century by about 11:30. We got checked in, took awhile, again because of a lot of people, went to the room, then had to change the rooms because they weren't the ones we requested, got in the new room by 1:00 and had only been there for about 15 minutes when there was a knock at the door. Our bags had arrived. I thought for sure they would be delayed because of the change but they were on the ball.

 

[pips]

We took ME on Jan 3 for the first time. We too were spoiled by limo service but could not resist the free service. Our flight arrived at 11:25 a.m. We were in line (no wait) by 11:40 and on a bus at 11:45. We were destined for the YC. We waited for our bus to load and left around 12:10. We stopped at the CBR first and then were in the YC all checked in and in our room by 12:30. I realize this was somewhat of a slower time and we only took our carry ons. We left for the parks at 1 and our bags were in the room and waiting at 5 upon our return. We opted for a taxi back to the airport because we did not want to give up time - the Marathon was run on the 8th and we had a lakefront room so we were able to watch and cheer on the runners - something we have never done before but would have missed had we taken our scheduled 10:30 a.m. ME bus back to MCO.

We are looking at ME for our arrival transportation (can't beat the price!) but I am also considering taking a taxi back to the airport for our return flight for convenience sake - just grab a cab and go when we're ready without waiting (or missing) a scheduled pick up from ME or towncar service. Any reports on the cost of a one way taxi fare from Boardwalk to MCO would be appreciated!