Magic Express AND car rental

[fspbt2]

This may be a crazy plan, but we're thinking about using Magic Express to have our bags delivered to OKW on 5/14 but still rent a car for the day to go to SeaWorld. We were hoping to go to SeaWorld at least 1 day of our 7 night visit to OKW. Will Magic Express deliver our bags without us arriving at the resort until the evening (around 8:00 pm)?

Separate question--If we decide NOT to rent the car on the arrival date, we may consider taking a taxi from OKW to SeaWorld for a 1 day trip. Does anyone have any idea which taxi service to use, and approximately how much would it be round trip with tax/tip?

Yet another option might be to rent a mid-sized car for the whole week as I just received a National quote for only $116. Amazing!

All thoughts & suggestions are always appreciated.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

This may be a crazy plan, but we're thinking about using Magic Express to have our bags delivered to OKW on 5/14 but still rent a car for the day to go to SeaWorld. We were hoping to go to SeaWorld at least 1 day of our 7 night visit to OKW. Will Magic Express deliver our bags without us arriving at the resort until the evening (around 8:00 pm)?

Disney doesn't want to pay to handle your luggage if you're renting a car. It probably costs them more to handle the luggage than to carry guests in motor coaches. The luggage will require handling at both ends, but guests will "load themselves" onto the coaches.

The Magical Express program is costing Disney a bundle. But the plan is that Magical Express guests won't have rental cars (and probably won't bother to rent cars after they get to WDW), so those guests will spend more money on site.

According to the Magical Express FAQ for Travel Agents in the thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=703882:

Can a Guest book a “luggage only” transfer?
No.

There will have to be a computerized cross reference between Magical Express reservations, luggage tags, motor coach rides, and room check-ins. After all, they have to know what room to send the luggage to. They'll know if they scanned your luggage tag but didn't scan your motor coach ticket. In other words, they'll know if they carried your luggage but they didn't carry you.

I don't know how what they'll do to discourage "luggage only" transfers. I bet they've thought of something. At the very least, they could cancel your return reservation. And, perhaps, your luggage would go to a central "unclaimed luggage" holding area, from which you'll have to retrieve your own luggage.

There's nothing to prevent you from renting a car after you get to WDW, but most people won't bother to do so.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Luggage only transfers on Magical Express are not permitted, according to the FAQ.

I would recommend getting a car on site if you want one and if it's a good deal (which it appears to be). Definately handy if heading to SeaWorld! Also handy for the grocery shopping we DVCers tend to do. Resort to resort commutes work well with the car too. But for the most part, we have found OKW bus service to be pretty good, all in all.

 

[Lewisc]

I haven't read anything about a computerized cross referencing between bus boarding and luggage transfers. Disney may wind up doing it but I haven't read about it. Are you speculating or do you have any real inside information?

Not really sure what Disney would do with someone who didn't take the bus but had their luggage transferred. They're not in business to make customers mad. Suppose the customer said, I saw a long line of people waiting for a bus and decided I'd rather take a cab or rent a car than wait. If I were Disney I'd consider joining the offsite hotels that charge guests for parking. Prehaps have a credit for guests that don't use Magical Express.

According to the Magical Express FAQ for Travel Agents in the thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=703882:
<blockquote>Can a Guest book a “luggage only” transfer?
No. </blockquote>
There will have to be a computerized cross reference between Magical Express reservations, luggage tags, motor coach rides, and room check-ins. After all, they have to know what room to send the luggage to. They'll know if they scanned your luggage tag but didn't scan your motor coach ticket. In other words, they'll know if they carried your luggage but they didn't carry you.

I don't know how what they'll do to discourage "luggage only" transfers. I bet they've thought of something. At the very least, they could cancel your return reservation. And, perhaps, your luggage would go to a central "unclaimed luggage" holding area, from which you'll have to retrieve your own luggage.

There's nothing to prevent you from renting a car after you get to WDW, but most people won't bother to do so.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I haven't read anything about a computerized cross referencing between bus boarding and luggage transfers. Disney may wind up doing it but I haven't read about it. Are you speculating or do you have any real inside information?

No, I don't have inside information. But how else would it work? Disney will send you luggage tags and instructions on where to go for the coach service. Those luggage tags (which are tied to your Magical Express coach reservations) have to be cross-referenced to your room reservations in some way. Otherwise, how would you ever be reunited with your luggage?

You could say I'm speculating, or your could say I'm making a reasonable assumption based on today's technology.

 

[localdriver]

Another thought would be to catch the LYNX route 50 city transit bus from MK TTC. I've heard it takes less than 30 min and would save you a hefty cab fare.

It takes you right next to the Sea World parking lot.

See www.golynx.com for more info.

 

[Lewisc]

No, I don't have inside information. But how else would it work? Disney will send you luggage tags and instructions on where to go for the coach service. Those luggage tags have to be cross-referenced to your rooms reservations in some way. Otherwise, how would you ever be reunited with your luggage?

You could say I'm speculating, or your could say I'm making a reasonable assumption based on today's technology.

I agree your luggage will be coded with your reservation information but doesn't have to be scannable. Your name, resort and confirmation number would work fine. I'm not as sure as you are are that the bus driver will be scanning your ticket. Reallly not important for Disney to know which guests wind up on which bus.

I know Disney won't let you book luggage only reservations but I can't see what they'd do if a guest said the line at Alamo was shorter than the line for your bus.

Long term I think Disney will either wind up charging for this service or prehaps use it to justify charging for parking.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I agree your luggage will be coded with your reservation information but doesn't have to be scannable.

True. The luggage tags don't have to be scannable. However, the use of scanning technology would make the whole system faster and cheaper to operate. And scanning would capture the bag and guest status data to facilitate the tracking of missing or misdirected bags.

So it's likely that Magical Express will include scanning. But that's only an educated guess.

Disney can set the rules and they can enforce the rules. I'll be interested to see how they do it. Disney is providing something of value (the Magical Express service) to gain something of value (a more-or-less captive audience). The business case won't work out for Disney if guests only use the luggage portion of the service.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I can't see Disney using this as an excuse to charge for parking. Tons of people drive in rather than fly in so flyers alone wouldn't be a sufficient excuse. I also don't think Disney is bearing the sole burden for this service...the airlines are probably sharing in it as well.

One option is to put everyone except one adult on the bus and have that adult go get a car and meet everyone else at the hotel.

PS. If a guest said the line at Alamo was shorter than the Magical Express bus line but I want to put my luggage on the bus...I can see Disney saying fine but we wont take your luggage. Disney says no to people for a lot of things. They could easily use the same reasoning as the airlines...make it a security issue. In fact on the return trip they would have to enforce this limitation for just this reason.

 

[Lewisc]

True. The luggage tags don't have to be scannable. However, the use of scanning technology would make the whole system faster and cheaper to operate. And scanning would capture the bag and guest status data to facilitate the tracking of missing or misdirected bags.

So it's likely that Magical Express will include scanning. But that's only an educated guess.

Disney can set the rules and they can enforce the rules. I'll be interested to see how they do it. Disney is providing something of value (the Magical Express service) to gain something of value (a more-or-less captive audience). The business case won't work out for Disney if guests only use the luggage portion of the service.

I agree scanning luggage tags, similar to what FEDX does, will make it easier to track bags but I doubt Disney will be going to the expense of putting in sorting machines to automate the sorting process BUT

I can't see any reason for Disney to go through the expense of scanning bus tickets.

What do you think Disney will (or even should) do if a guest skips the bus? Assume a CM asks the guest whey he didn't take the bus and he says he saw a big mob by the bus stop and no line at Alamo. His family wanted to make sure they got to their hotel in time to make the PS for dinner so they rented a car. The FAQ says you can't reserve or book luggage only transfers. It's silent on what happens if a guest decides not to take the bus.

Most people aren't going to rent a car for the week when they get free transfers. If too many people use this loophole I think Disney would just start charing for the transfers when the free trial expires. There may be some families that will use the free luggage transfer so they can rent a smaller car but otherwise I'd think people renting a car would just take their own luggage.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

What do you think Disney will (or even should) do if a guest skips the bus? Assume a CM asks the guest whey he didn't take the bus and he says he saw a big mob by the bus stop and no line at Alamo. His family wanted to make sure they got to their hotel in time to make the PS for dinner so they rented a car. The FAQ says you can't reserve or book luggage only transfers. It's silent on what happens if a guest decides not to take the bus.

I don't know what Disney will do to prevent people from cheating the system. But I do think Disney has thought of something. We might have to wait until May 5 to know what it is.

The folks at Disney are smart. Disney will not allow a situation where arriving guests can easily use Magical Express to burden Disney with the expense of handling luggage while those guests go from their arrival gate straight to their rental car. In such a case, Disney ends up with most of the expense without getting the major business benefit.

Otherwise, I could just imagine the advice on Web boards: "Anyone who plans to rent a car should sign up for Magical Express anyway! That way, you can skip baggage claim; you don't have to worry about fitting your familiy's luggage in the trunk; and there's no luggage to carry when you get to your resort! And Disney even pays the tips! And you're free to spend your money at offsite restaurants, go shopping at the outlet malls, and visit offsite attractions as much as you want!"

I don't know what will happen when a family that didn't take the motor coach checks in at a WDW resort hotel. Perhaps the desk clerk will say, "Oh, Mr. Smith. We're glad to see you here. You didn't check in at the Orlando Airport Disney Welcome Center, so we were concerned you wouldn't be staying with us. Your bags have been sent back to the Disney Baggage Office at the airport. You can pick them up there. Or, even though you didn't use our Magical Express coach service, we can still have the bags sent to your room for a processing fee of just $6 per bag."

Looking back at the previous paragraph, my guess is that Disney has thought of something better.

 

[fspbt2]

I've found the comments on this thread to be really interesting. I hadn't considered most of the things mentioned. Even though I first thought I'd try to have our luggage checked directly to OKW via Magic Express while I visited Seaworld for the day, I realized that it's probably the type of thing that, in the long run, would cause the Magic Express program to fail or be discontinued. So instead, we've decided to take Magic Express to DW on day 1, and then we'll rent a car on day 2. The 1 day car rental is about the same through National (about $35). I can't wait for our May trip!!!!!

 

[Lewisc]

1) Disney will never admit the purpose of Magical Express is to keep you from leaving property. I certainly agree that's one of the reasons, perhaps the major reason, do you really think you'll see anything official stating that?
2) With Magical Express it doesn't make a lot of sense to rent a car for your entire stay. Just rent a car for 2-3 days. I'd think that's what most of the Web boards would suggest. The reality is not that many people will scheme that way.
3) Even you don't think Disney would try the lines you suggest. Is your proposed $6 charge disclosed when you make your reservation. NO. My answer, I'm not looking for any credit for not using the motor coach portion of the transfers but I certainly expect my luggage in my room as promised. No I'm not going to the airport, I expect my luggage deliverd as promised.

Even you don't believe Disney would do that.

What do I think Disney would do: start charging ASAP or make you pick up your own luggage at baggage claim and bring it to some drop off point.

I know people who pay for cruise line transfers but skip the bus and take a cab to the port.

I don't know what Disney will do to prevent people from cheating the system. But I do think Disney has thought of something. We might have to wait until May 5 to know what it is.

The folks at Disney are smart. Disney will not allow a situation where arriving guests can easily use Magical Express to burden Disney with the expense of handling luggage while those guests go from their arrival gate straight to their rental car. In such a case, Disney ends up with most of the expense without getting the major business benefit.

Otherwise, I could just imagine the advice on Web boards: "Anyone who plans to rent a car should sign up for Magical Express anyway! That way, you can skip baggage claim; you don't have to worry about fitting your familiy's luggage in the trunk; and there's no luggage to carry when you get to your resort! And Disney even pays the tips! And you're free to spend your money at offsite restaurants, go shopping at the outlet malls, and visit offsite attractions as much as you want!"

I don't know what will happen when a family that didn't take the motor coach checks in at a WDW resort hotel. Perhaps the desk clerk will say, "Oh, Mr. Smith. We're glad to see you here. You didn't check in at the Orlando Airport Disney Welcome Center, so we were concerned you wouldn't be staying with us. Your bags have been sent back to the Disney Baggage Office at the airport. You can pick them up there. Or, even though you didn't use our Magical Express coach service, we can still have the bags sent to your room for a processing fee of just $6 per bag."

Looking back at the previous paragraph, my guess is that Disney has thought of something better.

 

[Julia M]

Well, I'm someone who is planning on using the luggage transfers, but also renting a car.

Our tentative plan (since we're going in December, who really knows??) is that dh will go and rent the car. The kids and I will take the motorcoach to our resort.

It's not that we have big plans to go off site (although a visit to Steak and Share is likely). But, we do need to get to Xmas mass.I wasn't too impressed with Disney transportation during our 2001 trip. I just prefer to have a car.

Since I was able to book something for 10 days for about $225, I'm okay with the price.

DH was talking about only using the busses....I guess we'll see.

Julia

 

[mkymouse4ever]

On our August trip, we plan to rent our car at the dolphin (national) the day after we check in, and keep for partial time of trip, not sure how long now (depends on prices). And then return to dolphin. The dolphin is easier than the car port at the magic kingdom / ttc parking area, you have to get the van, walk or cab out there.

This way you can get your grocery stop, eat off property a few times, and hit the outlets & malls.

Mky

 

[Lewisc]

doubletrouble--The way Magical Express is supposed to work your luggage never even makes it to baggage claim but goes directly to trucks/vans that will take the luggage directly to your resort.

Horace--The cynic in me causes me to agree with you 100% regarding the reason Disney came up with Magical Express I can also see Disney using this to reduce the pressure to have rooms ready early. It wouldn't be a reach to think Disney might also drop you off directly at a theme park. Might need some type of checkin desk at the airport to issue a room key with park passes but that's already being done in Vegas. BUT the stated reason is:

We are extremely excited to add Disney's Magical Express to the extensive list of ways we make Disney guests' vacations easier and more enjoyable," said Al Weiss, president of Walt Disney World Resort. "In essence, this benefit provides a hassle-free experience for our guests from the airport to our hotel room door and back again."

"Disney's Magical Express service will set new standards for convenience, value and comfort for guests traveling between the airport and Walt Disney World Resort," Weiss added. "Orlando International Airport is one of the premiere airports in the world. We believe Disney's Magical Express will not only transform the airport experience for Disney hotel guests, but will further enhance the world-class status of OIA and drive additional visitation to Central Florida."

Shipping luggage back to the airport doesn't really fit this description. BTW I think most people who want to rent a car will take the bus and rent a car for fewer days. I suspect this won't be a "loophole" that's used as often as we think. I hope some people do follow up with the idea of splitting the family and having some take the bus and some get the rental car. I'd be curious who gets to the resort first.

I'd think a bigger concern would be if some of the towncar companies suggest Magical Express for luggage transfers. Make picking up families a lot more efficient if they didn't have to worry about people waiting for their luggage.

MY OPINION too many luggage only transfers will increase the probability of a fee being imposed.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Hmmmm - very interesting thread. We were considering using the Magical Express for luggage and renting a car - but for the convenience. We love having a car....especially this last year being our first with a stroller that was too big folded to set on the floor on the buses between the seats...we ended up driving to and from the parks unexpectedly. Our thoughts were that we would have the ease of someone else getting our luggage to our resort and we only had to mess with the stroller, carseat, camera, digital camera, camcorder, diaper bag, and a small carryon of toys. I wonder how they will handle it - I personally would gladly pay for luggage transfers only.