Magic Express

[gojoe]

Hi all! It's 70 day 23 hrs. 8mn. 30 sec. till my first trip home. I'm a new DVC member. My question is this. I've used Magic Express 3 times now. Every time I listen to DIS Pod Cast they make reference to how horrible it is. I over pack and I don’t care. I keep my bags under 50 lbs, carry on the max number (2 day change, meds and valuables) and the max number of checked pcs. I put my things in the kid’s bags, I'm so bad. Magic Express is the best thing they every did. I read the boards and see many more for it than against. I’m also sure if people had a good experience they are less likely to write. Have I just been lucky. Please let me know how it was for you.

 

[DVC Grammy]

We've used DME since it began, multiple times per year, and we've never had a problem.

 

[CleveRocks]

I've never listened to the DIS podcast, and now I have even less reason to want to do so, if they say DME is so horrible -- I guess that means that my tastes are very different from theirs. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's absolutely wonderful for millions of us!

I wonder -- are the podcast folks Orlando locals? If so, how would they know about DME first-hand???

 

[goofy4tink]

I think the negative reports are vastly overstated. I started using DME about 2 months after they started up. Have used it about 4-5 times and have yet to have any issue. You are correct in thinking that mostly those with less than magical experiences will be the ones to report back. And I have to think that a lot of those 'bad' experiences are due to the guest not understanding the guidelines, or having different expectations.

 

[ntsammy5]

I think the negative reports are vastly overstated.

I completely agree! We've used it three times without a problem. the only problem I have with it is it's not available to SoG where we stay occasionally.

 

[2ScottishPrincesses]

We used it this year for the first time and thought it was FAB. We had the trans atlantic flight from hell and were stressed to the max by the time we reached the Magic Express checkin, everyone was so lovely and it went realy smoothly I just completely chilled and got into my Disney groove....big thumbs up!!!

 

[wildzootv]

geepers we've used it and loved it. I guess maybe if one is use to personal exclusive service where youre the only family being picked up and carted away I guess I wouldnt care for it - but we loved the experience and it just added to the excitement.

The only complaint I have is that they don't go to Shades of Green!!!

 

[junebug88]

This will be our first trip to Disney with the kids in May 08 and have read different things about the Magical Express both good and bad, wondering what everyone thinks. Thanks

 

[pumpkinboy]

DME works great for us. As with anything, there are a few hiccups (in our case usually with wheelchair access to DME vehicle - not all buses are properly equipped), but we use it again and again.

Some of the negative comments are self-serving (written by folks who might have an interest in keeping you off of DME), others have trouble with any shared transportation (these ones don't like the resort to park buses either), others have an irrational fear of letting go of their stuff (not that they haven't already done this when they checked bags with the airline), some others had unrealistic expectations, and some actually had really bad experiences using DME.

The overwhelming majority of users found it a great improvement over other ways of getting them and their stuff from their flights to their resorts and back again. YMMV

 

[Patty3]

We are using ME for the first time the end of October. It only took a week for us to get the packet. Has anyone had any problems with lost luggage? How long does it really take to get your bags? Is it better to grab them yourself and take them to the bus? Thanks.

 

[Hopefully]

We will be using DME for the fifth time in 3 weeks. We love it.
I have had rental cars, used a Town Car Service with grocery stop and taken DME. Of all we prefer DME the most.
It has taken us about 60 -90 minutes from touch down to check in, really no longer than any other method. We usually arrive late morning and check in around noon. We then head off to Epcot for the afternoon. On each occassion our bag has been in our room already when we arrived.
I think the stated guideline of 3 hours After Check in is usually accurate.
We pack any essentials in our carry ons.
Enjoy

 

[pumpkinboy]

We are using ME for the first time the end of October. It only took a week for us to get the packet. Has anyone had any problems with lost luggage? How long does it really take to get your bags? Is it better to grab them yourself and take them to the bus? Thanks.

The airlines are more likely to lose your bags than DME (mainly bcs DME is all in Orlando, while the airlines go all over).

As for arrival time on your bags, it is usually within three hours of landing (in my experience - 5 time user). Late night arrivals are touchy though, and if that is your case, and you have your Jammies and toothbrushes in your checked luggage, then you will want to skip the tags. But otherwise, use the tags, skip the baggage carousel (DME tagged bags will be taken out before the carousel anyway), and just check in with DME, board your bus and check in to your resort. It is really easy.

Good luck!

 

[CarolA]

Hi all! It's 70 day 23 hrs. 8mn. 30 sec. till my first trip home. I'm a new DVC member. My question is this. I've used Magic Express 3 times now. Every time I listen to DIS Pod Cast they make reference to how horrible it is. I over pack and I don’t care. I keep my bags under 50 lbs, carry on the max number (2 day change, meds and valuables) and the max number of checked pcs. I put my things in the kid’s bags, I'm so bad. Magic Express is the best thing they every did. I read the boards and see many more for it than against. I’m also sure if people had a good experience they are less likely to write. Have I just been lucky. Please let me know how it was for you.

Hmm..... The DIS pod cast is broadcast by people who mainly LIVE in Orlando so how often do they use it?

And.... the DIS has transportation sponsors.... hmm......

I listen to several other podcasts (Inside the Magic, WDWRadio, WDW Today) and don't hear bad reviews.

I have used DME several times with no issues.

 

[angwill]

We used DME for 2 trips both ways and absolutly love it. The first time to the resort there were no lines at the ME desk at the airport and no lines at our resort so it only took 45 minutes from getting off the plane to check in and the second time despite a huge line at the airport ME desk that moved way fast and about 3 people in front of us at the resort to check in it was 1 hour exactly from getting off the plane to check in. We also had busses that stopped at our resort first and left shortly after we got in line for it. I was surprised when my husband said he saw our check luggage was being delivered to the resort as we got off the ME bus this trip. Too bad the room wasn't ready but when it was our luggage was in the room when we got in both times.

 

[Raenstoirm]

Same here. Arrived at 9am, checked in to POR went right to the park. Bags were in the room when we arrived granted in was 3 am (MK EMH night).

My only issue was not with the bus, but rather with the airline check in. WDW checked us in on the plane in two seats as far away as possible, so when we got to the airport we had to beg them to move us together. We learned that we need to only use an airline that lets you chose your seats when you buy!

 

[Patty3]

Thanks pumpkinboy, it was just what I needed to hear.

 

[DisneyNotes]

. . . I’m also sure if people had a good experience they are less likely to write. Have I just been lucky. Please let me know how it was for you.

We used ME last week and loved it. As we left the counter from getting our tickets validated, they were calling for Grand Floridian guests. They took us right to the bus and it left immediately. This was Saturday @ noon. I thought we would have a wait. We were the first stop. We may have been the only stop. I got off the bus and never looked back to see if it emptied out or only a few got out. We checked right in and went to Magic Kingdom. All of the luggage came while we were gone, so somewhere between 4:00 and 8:00. I also thought we would have to wait in line to check our luggage at the resort for departure, but no one was in line and I had the bags checked and boarding passes in hand within 5 minutes. We went to the bus stop at our assigned time and the bus pulled up right on time. We were the last stop, so it headed right to the airport. It dropped just at the right spot and we were through security quickly. Incredible service. Felt like it was meant for us.

 

[gojoe]

I have posted the same question on a couple of other boards and received similar responses. I e-mailed the pod cast once. They read my e-mail and I won a tee shirt. They laid into me for not agreeing with me their bias view. I just wanted to see if they had a leg to stand on. I feel bad for anyone who does not use Magic Express because of their very one-sided reports. I plan to reply to anyone who wants an honest opinion. Thanks again to all of you.