Magic Express...locating counter...

[schwoomp]

I read something that has me nervous about finding the ME check in counter when arriving at MCO. The poster listed directions from a brochure, which if I recall included something like 8 steps, and apparently there are not signs to direct you through MCO. So, (1) is it fairly easy to follow these steps & find your way and (2) how long does it typically take to walk from the flight to the desk. We're flying NW. This will be our first flight with our 6 yr olds and I don't want to get lost and stressed out the minute we get there!

 

[SnowWhite12]

From what I remember it was downstairs on the lower lever, right past the car rentals.

 

[schwoomp]

Here's what I read:

In Orlando, exit the jetway. You will be in the gate area of Terminal A.
Follow signs to the Main Terminal/Baggage Claim.
Board the "train" to the Main Terminal. Doors open automatically.
In the Main Terminal, you are on Level 3.
Follow signs to the B side of the Main Terminal.
Proceed down the escalator or elevator to level 1 (follow signs for Ground Transportation).
Disney's Welcome Center is in the opposite direction of the car rental desks.

Is it as challenging to find as it sounds? Board the train???

 

[tkldisney]

After you get off plane, take the tram/train to the terminal. Follow signs to baggage claim on B side and there should be someone standing with a sign to point you in the right direction. If not, go down to the transportation/rental car level, walk all the way to the right and that's where ME buses park outside the last door.

 

[tkldisney]

Here's what I read:


Is it as challenging to find as it sounds? Board the train???

No, it's really not difficult. I didn't know level #'s, but Terminal B is correct for ME.
You will be in A because of the airline your coming in on. After the short tram/train ride there is a sign for A or B so just go to the B side. You can google MCO and get a layout of the airport which might help you.

 

[schwoomp]

You can google MCO and get a layout of the airport which might help you.

Good idea. A mental picture will work better for me. Thanks!

 

[tjmw2727]

Steps - 1,2,3 and 4 are standard no matter what your mode of transportation is. Its the only way out of the terminal/gate area so it will be obvious.

So you really only need be concerned with steps 5 and 6.

Its not really a train - more like a monorail and many major airports now use them to separate the gates from the main area. So when you de-plane just follow the signs to baggage claim and then when you get off the "train" start using the rest of the DME directions.

Yes it is very easy and depending on your airline you may already be on the B side, saving yourself a step.

Your DME package will have specific directions and a map - if you get confused ask

TJ

 

[safetymom]

Arrival at Orlando International Airport. Upon arrival, please take the tram from your gate to the main Terminal
and proceed to the Disney Welcome Center which is located on the B Side on Level 1 and bypass baggage claim.
If you arrive on the A Side, please proceed to the B Side before taking the elevator or escalator down to Level 1.
You may follow the airport signs to Ground Transportation.
At the Disney Welcome Center, please present your airline baggage claim checks to the Disney representative
to confirm the number of bags* checked as well as your return flight information. You will then board a
complimentary motor coach that will take you to your resort. Your motor coach may make up to 3 stops before
arriving at your resort.

 

[jamstew]

Maybe I'm just directionally challenged, but I've had a hard time finding it all three times The last two times, there hasn't been anyone pointing you in that direction when you finally get to the lower level. The first time I used ME, there was either a person or a sign pointing the way--I don't remember which.

 

[dudspizza]

 

[aubriee]

The easiest way is to just follow the biggest crowd. That's where most of them are going. If you look around, I can almost guarantee you will see someone with those yellow tags attached to their 'carryon' luggage. I don't know why they do that, but I think we've always seen at least a few. If not, you will see people with those WDW luggage tags on their carryons. WDW tourists are usually very easy to spot in the airport. Just follow them.

 

[jamstew]

The easiest way is to just follow the biggest crowd. That's where most of them are going. If you look around, I can almost guarantee you will see someone with those yellow tags attached to their 'carryon' luggage. I don't know why they do that, but I think we've always seen at least a few. If not, you will see people with those WDW luggage tags on their carryons. WDW tourists are usually very easy to spot in the airport. Just follow them.

Hi, Vanessa I sure enjoyed meeting you, Mark & Betty! Tell them I said "hi." Thanks for sharing Mark so I'd have a ride buddy

 

[aubriee]

Hi, Vanessa I sure enjoyed meeting you, Mark & Betty! Tell them I said "hi." Thanks for sharing Mark so I'd have a ride buddy

Talk about a coincidence. Mark was up this weekend and he and my mom was talking about how much they enjoyed meeting all my 'DIS buddies'. They were so relieved that you guys weren't "weird or anything". They were asking if I had heard from any of you guys. I showed Mark Glenda's trip report and also the pictures Kat posted over on the singles board on the Glendamax trip thread. He loved them. I'll tell them you said hi. It really was a fun trip.

 

[CleveRocks]

Here's what I read:

In Orlando, exit the jetway. You will be in the gate area of Terminal A.
Follow signs to the Main Terminal/Baggage Claim.
Board the "train" to the Main Terminal. Doors open automatically.
In the Main Terminal, you are on Level 3.
Follow signs to the B side of the Main Terminal.
Proceed down the escalator or elevator to level 1 (follow signs for Ground Transportation).
Disney's Welcome Center is in the opposite direction of the car rental desks.

Is it as challenging to find as it sounds? Board the train???

No, it's not as challenging as it sounds. First of all, look at what I highlighted in red ... EVERYONE has to do that, whether they're taking Disney's Magical Express, renting a car, or getting picked up by crazy Cousin Seymour in his old VW bus. In other words, don't count the number of steps and let your head spin.

You'd have the same or more number of steps to go find baggage claim and then go find a rental counter or hook up with your car service.

It can be broken down to this, very simply ... walk across the main level (Level 3) of the terminal until you get to the other side (the B side), get downstairs to the bottom floor any way you wish, and keep walking 'til you get to the end of the building, and that's where DME is. If you are on the correct side of the terminal (side B), on the bottom floor, you can't miss DME because it is at the end of the building ... it's not like you could mindlessly walk past it on your way to something else.

No worries!

 

[goofy4tink]

It really is simple...if my direction-challenged dh can find the DME counter, just about anyone can.
When you get off the tram, from the gate area, walk past security, into the main terminal area. As you can see from duds map, the airport is laid out like a fat X, over on it's side (sort of). Just about the only time I get messed up is when I'm arriving at MCO and having to find my way from level 1 up to level 3 and look for the 'correct' side..either A or B. Somehow I always get turned around. So..last time I spent some extra time just wandering around, trying to get things into my old brain. But, I digress....
When you get to that main terminal area (with all the trees and such), you will see big, neon As and Bs. You want to head to the B side. By the way, you are on level 3 at this point. You will go down, usually by either escalator or stairs, to level 2, baggage claim. I always just hop on the elevators that are right there, in front of me. You can head off to the right and take the next bank of elevators if you wish. When you get to level 1, ground transportation, you will go to the left, with the rental car counters on your right, the outside drive area to your left. You will find the DME all the way down, on the right.
It takes about 8-10 mins to get from the gate to the DME area. It really is simple.

 

[nhl66pens]

I don't know if anyone is still confused, but here is a link to the Orlando Airport map that shows all the levels of the airport, the gates and which airline is assigned to them, and the location of the Disney Magical Express.

http://www.orlandoairports.net/images/diagrams/terminal_layout_l.jpg

 

[Lewisc]

The easiest way is to just follow the biggest crowd. That's where most of them are going. If you look around, I can almost guarantee you will see someone with those yellow tags attached to their 'carryon' luggage. I don't know why they do that, but I think we've always seen at least a few. If not, you will see people with those WDW luggage tags on their carryons. WDW tourists are usually very easy to spot in the airport. Just follow them.

The majority of passengers will be going to the baggage claim area not the DME desk. Just follow the map that's in your DME booklet, and was posted in this thread.

 

[aubriee]

The majority of passengers will be going to the baggage claim area not the DME desk. Just follow the map that's in your DME booklet, and was posted in this thread.

Sorry, but I disagree. I have a very poor sense of direction and do not always use the same airline. I go to WDW 3-5 times a year and use DME every time. The way I find it is to just follow the crowd. They always get me there.

 

[goofy4tink]

Only one problem...if you are arriving on Side A, the 'crowd' could be heading down to Side A baggage claim. So...you have to be sure you are heading over to Side B. Yes, there is usually a good sized crowd heading in that direction..but, I have seen many people have to stop and ask someone how to get to DME.
I still go by my directions...head to the overhead neon Side B sign, go down the escalator/stairs to the baggage claim area. Then, take the elevators right in front of you to level 1. Get off, go left..all the way down to the end..there's DME.

 

[Lewisc]

Sorry, but I disagree. I have a very poor sense of direction and do not always use the same airline. I go to WDW 3-5 times a year and use DME every time. The way I find it is to just follow the crowd. They always get me there.

SW baggage claim in the opposite side of the airport as the DME desk, wrong side and wrong end. Passengers that fly SW, and follow the crowd will probably wind up going to the wrong place. Instead of "following the crowd" ask a couple of pax. I'm sure you're not the only pax going to the DME desk.

Alternately follow the signs to Terminal B baggage claim then ask.