Magic Express or hire car at the airport?

[lawsonsontour]

hey guys and gals

we are doing the "Big family trip" next year with 18 in the party as i am finaly tieing the knott with my partner, and need some advise on the Magic Express from the airport. we have always picked up the hire car from the airport in the past, as it's only been the 5 of my family, but with the numbers of people going this time do you think it would be better to take the express and then pick up the car from Down Town. i have always been a bit worried about how long it takes to get your bags and do they ever lose them? also do you have to take the bus back at the end of your trip or can you just drive back. this one small detail is giving me more of a headache than all of my ADR's.
paul

 

[OhMari]

If you are taking a wedding dress,
I would maybe at least get one car and put everyone else on the DME.
If it is after 10:00 p.m. I think you need to get your own luggage, or you will have to wait till the next day to get your luggage.
I would want a car, especially if something is needed last minute.
I've used DME twice now, and no luggage lost and it takes forever to get your luggage at MCO.

 

[danceintherain]

Also, if you are flying directly from the UK without stopping somewhere else, you have to go through customs at MCO. Then you will have to pick up your bags anyways, so you would be taking them on Magical Express with you.

You can take Magical Express just one way if you wish, you just have to specify your intentions in your reservation.
Also, are you planning on having the car for the majority of the trip, and for your whole party? If you are, then it would make more sense to just pick it up at the airport. Otherwise, it's just another stop to make along the way.
You could allow the others in your party to make their own decision about the car. Some may enjoy taking Magical Express, while others may prefer having a car the entire time.

 

[davidb69]

In the book, Disney express recommends to have supplies to last a day in case of an issue. When we used it 2 years ago, our bags showed up in our room that night without an issue. We made sure we had a carry on bag with supplies that would last us a day just in case. Just beware of the wait before getting on the bus could take a bit, but it's free and it's a nice service. We drove last year and this year we are doing the same but we have no issues with how Disney Magical Express works.