Late arrival time/Magical Express question

[TravellingCanuck]

We just got news from our travel agent that our flights have been changed (why is it they're allowed to do that 2 weeks before you leave anyway?) and we're now arriving later on than originally planned. We're now arriving after 9:00. My concern is twofold. One, we'll get stuck with a room that's undesirable (ie noisy and without the fridge we requested) b/c we're arriving so late in the evening and two, our luggage will not arrive until midnight since we'll be arriving via the Magical Express. I've read that we can wait 3 hours to get our luggage delivered. Has anyone picked up their own luggage and brought it on the bus themselves? Has this proved to be a problem at all? We may just rent a car, but am concerned about the drive from the airport to the resort - does anyone know if this is an easy drive? With 2 young children after a long flight, the last thing we'd need is for us to get lost!

Thanks so much! Getting anxiety attacks...especially with the weather outlook for our arrival in less than two weeks - rainy and cold!!! (But still excited nevertheless! )

 

[twoeeyy]

we do not use ME but as far as the room goes we ALWAYS check in late, this past Oct is was actually 1:15 in the AM . We have never gotten a bad room.

Good luck to you, and have fun on vacation

 

[gvanlare]

take a look at this thread it should help.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1682430

 

[goofy4tink]

Getting a good room shouldn't be an issue. There really aren't all that many 'less desireable' rooms at the resorts anyway.
As for DME, yes, you can bring your bags to the bus with you. Just don't put the yellow luggage tags on the checked bags. Then, when you get to the airport, just head to baggage claim, get your bags and then head to level 1, Side B, and look for DME counter. It is way down at the end. The driver will stow your bags underneath the bus and then bring them out to you when you get to the resort. Be prepared..the driver will expect a tip for doing this...$1 per bag is normal.
You could rent a car, but if you haven't driven to WDW before, it may be hectic for you...with the kids, the baggage, reading signs...etc.

 

[MicNut713]

The drive is very easy. What we have done in the past is rent a car from MCO to WDW and then return it at the Dolphin. We then take Magical Express back to the airport at the end of our trip. U can get very easy directions off of mapquest prior to your arrival at MCO. We have found this very easy and have done it several times. See as how you have a fridge in your room you might want to stop at the super walmart which is 5 minutes outside of WDW and stock up. Hope this helps have a great trip

 

[CanadianGuy]

I've moved this question over to the Transportation board.

Thanks!

Knox

 

[tinkerbell60]

You can either not use the yellow luggage tags, pick up your bags from baggage claim and take them on the bus with you OR pack a small carry on with what you will need for the night, and leave a message with Bell Services that if the bags arrive after ____ time to wait and deliver them in the am. We arrived after midnight at Thanksgiving and they just held our bags till we called in the morning.

 

[clkelley]

As the previous poster stated, just have in a carryon what you need to go to bed that night and get up the next morning. That way, you are not waiting at baggage claim with possibly tired grumpy kids, you can go straight to DME, board a bus, and get on your way.

Then, when you get to your resort, just ask that your bags are held, and go to bed. Since you have what you need to get dressed, get on out the door and enjoy your day!!

The next day while you are at the parks, your bags will be delivered!!