Magic Express or Rental? How Bad is it?

[slavike]

I don't know what to do...I want to take the Magic Express, but something tells me it's going to be bad. How bad is it now, with the increased crowds?

We took it back in January and there wasn't any problems but the parks are empty. With the Free Dining and all the toddlers...I am not so sure. Has anyone been there recently with all the stuff going on that took Magic Express?

We have a 2 1/2 year old and I am really concerned about waiting forever to get the hotel.

Should I just rent a car? Maybe a town car...any thoughts? I leave next Wednesday and I need to move on this.

Thanks so much -
Kelli

 

[blondeheroine]

I don't know what to do...I want to take the Magic Express, but something tells me it's going to be bad. How bad is it now, with the increased crowds?

We took it back in January and there wasn't any problems but the parks are empty. With the Free Dining and all the toddlers...I am not so sure. Has anyone been there recently with all the stuff going on that took Magic Express?

We have a 2 1/2 year old and I am really concerned about waiting forever to get the hotel.

Should I just rent a car? Maybe a town car...any thoughts? I leave next Wednesday and I need to move on this.

Thanks so much -
Kelli

We went during Labor Day Weekend and it wasn't bad at all. The bus was almost empty and we had no problems with our luggage.

 

[FlyingBelle]

We were there 2 weeks ago and it was a piece of cake! As soon as we checked in and walked over to the bus lines, they started loading our bus. Plenty of room.

We've done it twice now. 1st time we waited about 10 minutes for the bus. No biggie.

 

[FlyingBelle]

However... do be prepared. It was pouring rain when we arrived at the hotel and none of us had an umbrella or anything (POR - long walk to room).

Plus, it took several hours to get DH's bag. It got put on a different cart and ended up at a different hotel. We eventually got it. Fortunately DH & I always put a few things in each other's bags (just in case 1 gets lost), and I had a dry change of clothes for him.

 

[tiberius]

We took the Magical Express into WDW last Dec 28--a pretty crowded time period--with no problems. The bus was waiting when we walked into the receiving line at the airport. The ride was nice and comfortable. The luggae arrived to the hotel as expected.

Seeing as how you are travelling with a toddler, I would think it would be easier for you to take the Magical Express and not have to worry about luggage.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I took Magical Express this past Thursday (free dinning) and had absolutely no problems. We walked right to the counter, checked in, went to our section (POP) and got on the bus 2 minutes later. The bus pulled out of the terminal about 8 minutes after that and we were in Disney before we knew it. Our bus driver played a "Mommy and me" DVD during our trip to keep the kids entertained.

 

[tmt martins]

We have had so much success with ME that we are using it all the time . Then renting a car at a DTD location or the CCC whatever is cheaper.

 

[slavike]

Thank you everyone...

I travel a lot for business but I still couldn't get a break on a decent rental. I didn't want to pay 500 for something we would hardly use. Although...do they still let you park at Monorail hotels if you are staying at Boardwalk? We have stayed at monorail hotels lately because of the Baby, but before that we used to stay at YC/BC/BW and I remember us parking at Contemporary to walk over to MK, but I can't remember if it was because we had ADRs somewhere or not.

9 Days and I can hardly wait!

Thanks again!

 

[Stitch's O'hana]

I Loved the ME bus too, I used it when I went with some friends of mine in Sept. 2005 and it worked out great! We got on the bus right away and 10 min. latter we were on our way to our resort the Beach Club! My mom and I will be using it again this Dec., we are all signed up for and ready to go! I would never rent a car myself, since I only spend my time at Disney World and never go any where else while in FL.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I don't know what to do...I want to take the Magic Express, but something tells me it's going to be bad. How bad is it now, with the increased crowds?

slavike,

The tone of your question reminds me of another recent thread, Would you gamble on Magic Express? In that thread, the OP had a negative, preconceived view of Magical Express too. But the OP received a bunch of replies from people who liked Magical Express. Please take a look at that thread.

If you're convinced that Magical Express is going to be bad, then maybe you shouldn't use it — even though it's convenient, reliable, and free.

September and January are both very slow months at WDW. Disney has to rely on substantial discounting to get decent occupancy levels in their hotels during such slow months. The September 2006 discount program took the form of a Free Dining promotion instead of conventional room rate discounts. So the restaurants are likely to be busier than in January. But, overall, you should enjoy a uncrowded parks, not "increased crowds."

Magical Express is designed to get guests out of the airport and to WDW, where those guests can start spending money.

I leave next Wednesday and I need to move on this.

If you want to use Magical Express, and you haven't reserved it yet, you've waited longer than you should have. If you were to reserve Magical Express today, you might still get the DME packet with the yellow luggage stickers. If you don't get your luggage stickers in time, you can still bypass baggage claim; just take you airline baggage check receipts to the Magical Express Welcome Center when you arrive at MCO.