Magic Express or FL Tours

[momtolittlered]

Have never used either, so your opinions matter. I like free but I also like to have my luggage with me, also going from airport right to resort without any stops sounds appealing to me also. Maybe I have already made my mind up

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Have never used either, so your opinions matter. I like free but I also like to have my luggage with me, also going from airport right to resort without any stops sounds appealing to me also. Maybe I have already made my mind up

If you use a towncar service, you'll have to go to baggage claim at the airport. There, you'll wait for your luggage (and wait, and wait, and wait...) Also, you'll have to wait while the driver retrieves the towncar (because towncar drivers can't leave their cars parked at the curb).

If you use the Magical Express, you'll bypass baggage claim. You'll have to check in at the desk, board your motorcoach, and wait for it to be dispatched. You might travel non-stop from the airport to your resort, or you might have one or two stops (possibly even three stops) at other resorts near your resort.

On average, neither service is much faster or slower than the other in getting you to your hotel.

I like letting Disney handle my luggage at the airport and at the resort (with Disney even paying the bellman gratuity). I like comfortable motorcoach seats for all four us in the family (rather than three of us stuffed in the back seat of a towncar). I don't mind the possibility of briefly seeing another resort (or two or three) on the way to our resort. And I like free.

Some others prefer the personal service of a towncar. They don't mind waiting at baggage claim. They don't mind tipping everyone who touches their luggage. And, presumably, they don't mind the cost for the towncar service.

It's a matter of personal preference.

 

[CleveRocks]

I agree with Horace.

Both will take about the same amount of time.

You need to decide on the type of service you want. Do you want to pay for personalized and private service, or do you want a shared service for free?

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

Since you are from Canada, if you don´t go through immigration in another US airport, you will have to go through immigration in Orlando, then you will have to get your bags (which in our experience are already waiting outside, since last time we had a 45 min. line at immigration during the low season - sept. 1st), go through customs with them, and here is when you attach the yellow ME tags and say bye bye to them.

You won´t have to retrieve them again at the central hub (for lack of the real name) of the airport and carry them to the car, to the hotel, and to your room. They will just appear in your room. We have used them twice and we have never had a problem.

We always rent a car, but usually dh goes to the rental counter and dd and I ride the ME for the luggage convenience, the first time we arrived at the WL about 20 min (got to the bus and left right then) before than dh, and the second time we arrived at the CR about 10 min earlier than him (we were the first in the bus, so had to wait awhile).

HTH

Julie

 

[momtolittlered]

Thanks all for posting.
We fly out of Detroit so customs is taken care of. I went on the FL tours site and I believe gratuity is taken care of unless you order a limo, and we're not.
Has anyone used FL Tours, just so I can compare all the info. Thanks again.

 

[GSLand]

... and we opted for the town car.
Two reasons -
Traveling with my mom and we think the private car is a nicer ride for her.
And second, we get a grocery store stop so we can pick up some snacks.

And maybe too ... I had read on these boards about luggage being delayed by hours, even next day with Magic Express.

Have a good trip whatever your choice.

 

[CleveRocks]

And maybe too ... I had read on these boards about luggage being delayed by hours, even next day with Magic Express.

The next day??? I don't recall reading any posts like that, unless you're talking about people with plans like mine, who arrive late at night and want to request the bags be held until the next morning so we don't get awakened by Bell Services at 1:00 a.m.

About 3.5 million people have used DME so far. If there have been 2 or 3 stories here on the DIS about luggage being delayed until the next day, then it truly is a "one in a million" occurence.

Also remember that bad news tends to get posted about, whereas good experiences usually don't get reported, unless it was some incredible above-and-beyond-the-call-of-duty pixie dust. For example, when I got back from POFQ 8 weeks ago I didn't start threads like "There were no bugs in my room!" or "Mousekeeping cleaned our room EVERY DAY!" or "There was no food poisoning at the food court today!"

 

[VAgal76]

Thanks all for posting.
We fly out of Detroit so customs is taken care of. I went on the FL tours site and I believe gratuity is taken care of unless you order a limo, and we're not.
Has anyone used FL Tours, just so I can compare all the info. Thanks again.

FL Tours web site states "Driver gratuity NOT included." You'll need to tack on 20% gratuity to your price.

I'm using ME for the first time this month. I typically use a towncar service. There probably isn't much difference in time. I've used ME on my return leg and it worked out great. I have no complaints at all. I also know a few friends that have used ME as well and love it.

 

[momtolittlered]

FL Tours web site states "Driver gratuity NOT included." You'll need to tack on 20% gratuity to your price.

I'm using ME for the first time this month. I typically use a towncar service. There probably isn't much difference in time. I've used ME on my return leg and it worked out great. I have no complaints at all. I also know a few friends that have used ME as well and love it.

Thank you, you are right about the gratuity. I'm still undecided, but thank you all for your opinions