Is Magical Express really that magical?

[MikeWD]

We are using the magical express transportation to and from airport/resort. What have been your experiences (both positive and negative) and do you have any tips/suggestions?

 

[JennyMominRI]

We are using the magical express transportation to and from airport/resort. What have been your experiences (both positive and negative) and do you have any tips/suggestions?

Lets see... I think it's a pain to have to check in with ME at the airport when I already have my ticket in hand.. That's the only con I can think of.
I love saying goodbye to my luggage at my home airport and saying hello to it when it appears in my room.
I like not paying the 120$ or so I was paying for transportation.
I like getting on the bus and knowing I'm *already* at Disney. I get that Disney feel as soon as I get on the bus

 

[Kimmielee]

Lets see... I think it's a pain to have to check in with ME at the airport when I already have my ticket in hand.. That's the only con I can think of.
I love saying goodbye to my luggage at my home airport and saying hello to it when it appears in my room.
I like not paying the 120$ or so I was paying for transportation.
I like getting on the bus and knowing I'm *already* at Disney. I get that Disney feel as soon as I get on the bus

I completely agree!!! I didn't understand the check in process either. We have tickets, we can read signs... must someone direct us? Is it possible that they are alerting someone in the baggage area to check for our luggage?

As stated by JennyMominRI - it's soooo nice not spending the $$$ on other transportation and the luggage "magically" appearing was awesome! Another fine feature is the airline check in for the "participating" airlines! I flew Spirit and had to check in at MCO, handle my luggage, etc... with the resort check in and luggage handling.... your luggage magically appears at baggage claim in the airport at home!

 

[SassyLassy]

I have no complaints. We left our luggage when we checked in at Manchester Airport, took our flight, waited about 10 mins for the bus, checked in (wasnt a big deal to me----they just verified that we were who we said we were) and then hoped in the bus! It was so cute on the outside and the inside was very comfy and they played a disney welcome movie that played all the way to POR.

Oh, plus you save a lot of $$$!!

 

[Luv4Disney]

We liked it. It was nice not having to lug our luggage through the airport. We hopped on the designated bus, checked in, headed to the parks, and when we came back - BAM - our luggage was sitting in our room. All of it (I was a little nervous). But yeah, it was great.

 

[JennyMominRI]

I have no complaints. We left our luggage when we checked in at Manchester Airport, took our flight, waited about 10 mins for the bus, checked in (wasnt a big deal to me----they just verified that we were who we said we were) and then hoped in the bus! It was so cute on the outside and the inside was very comfy and they played a disney welcome movie that played all the way to POR.

Oh, plus you save a lot of $$$!!

Don't get me wrong. My con barely even counts as a complaint.. I never waited in that line for ME for more than 5 minutes..I'm just impatient. I want to be at Disney NOW,lol.. The service is fast,polite and fun.
I thought of another con.. watching my DS try not to cry and seeing on tear slip down his cheek on the ME going back to the airport

 

[YCFAN]

Actually checking in with ME at the airport does have a purpose. They key into the system that you have arrived and are getting on the bus and it alerts your hotel that you're on the way.

 

[NewJersey]

wow. i guess i didn't read ME documents that closely but we don't even have to get our bags and bring them to the ME desk??? that's awesome!!!

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

wow. i guess i didn't read ME documents that closely but we don't even have to get our bags and bring them to the ME desk??? that's awesome!!!

That is correct. You check your bags in at your departing airport and then they magically arrive in your WDW hotel room.

We used ME last fall and thought it was great. We are definitely using it again this fall.

 

[kimmikayb]

What about us control freaks? Do you have a problem wondering where your luggage is?

 

[StrwLady]

What about us control freaks? Do you have a problem wondering where your luggage is?

Hmmmm I'm a major control freak and I don't think it crossed my mind about where my luggage is! After all it's handled by Disney

I agree that It's a pain to have to check in when you already have your vouchers. But luckily when we used it there were a lot of CM's checking people in. Other inconvenience I can think of is it taking 3 hours to get your luggage. Having to put some items in the carry on that you might need as soon as you arrive. And until recently I would unpack everything as soon as I arrived. (now I just set up the luggage on the stands and pull clothes out as I need it. Use to hate doing this but I guess I mellowing as I get older ).

But even with those issues the positives out weight the negatives. It's so wonderful if you are lucky enough to be using an airline that will check your luggage at the hotel and give you a boarding pass. I can not tell you how nice it is to get to the airport and walk right into the security line!!! Especially when It's just me and my son as it will be in June!

Take Care
Jamie

 

[goofy4tink]

wow. i guess i didn't read ME documents that closely but we don't even have to get our bags and bring them to the ME desk??? that's awesome!!!

Just be sure to attach those yellow luggage tags to all checked luggage!! Otherwise DME won't pull them before they get to the public baggage claim.

I have no problem with them keeping track of my bags. I have more of an issue with any airline connections along the way. My dh and dd are flying down the day after me and they aren't taking any checked luggage because they have a connection at JFK. I'll be taking their things with me and using DME to take care of it. But once it gets to MCO, I have no problem whatsoever with them taking control. They (DME) seems to have a very good handle on how they track the bags. So...pack a carryon with anything you may need for the first few hours at WDW....change of clothes, swimsuit, meds. You'll be just fine.

 

[Bowen9475]

We have used ME 4 times since it began last May, including the official first day of operation May 5, 2005. We have had no problems in any of our experiences. Every time we were at our resort very quickly and most times the luggage was there in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[MikeWD]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my question. Now -- a related question -- how long did it typicallly take you to get from the airport to your resort? I hear that ME stops at several resorts along the way.

 

[CleveRocks]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my question. Now -- a related question -- how long did it typicallly take you to get from the airport to your resort? I hear that ME stops at several resorts along the way.

Each bus will stop at no more than 4 resorts. The one I was on from MCO to CBR made 3 stops, and mine was the first. I timed it from the time I got into the DME Welcome Center line at MCO until the time I was dropped off at CBR -- 53 minutes. On the sad way back from CBR to MCO at the end of our trip, CBR was the one and only stop -- the bus was empty when it arrived, it got maybe one-third full, and then went directly to MCO.

I loved using DME. If I go back to WDW in November, I'll absolutely, definitely use DME, no question about it.

 

[tkitty]

Used ME last trip, I feel it's the only way to go. Once you reach MCO, your vacation has begun. Your bags apear in your room, like magic. And theres no wondering where to go, how to get there, etc. CMs are at the airport to point you in the right direction, hop on the bus, watch the video, and you're at your resort! No negs for me.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I completely agree!!! I didn't understand the check in process either. We have tickets, we can read signs... must someone direct us? Is it possible that they are alerting someone in the baggage area to check for our luggage?

Close... as someone else mentioned, when you check in, the computer sends a message to your resort to let them know you are arriving. This way, if it's before 3:00, they can check to see if they have any clean and available rooms for you before you arrive. In regards to luggage, it also verifies that you did indeed tag your luggage, and if you didn't, they take care of it there.

It's also used to confirm your round trip information, and to answer any questions that you might have about DME.

It's a very important process, that thankfully is very quick

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

What about us control freaks? Do you have a problem wondering where your luggage is?

I am also a control freak and I have no problem saying goodbye to my luggage in New York.

 

[dsneygirl]

What about us control freaks? Do you have a problem wondering where your luggage is?

You can just bring it with you to load on the bus. We have used ME twice and both times brought our own luggage (second trip we only had carryon). We prefered to have it with us.

 

[MNborn]

Do you tip the bus driver for Magical Express? If so, how much? There are two of us...