Magical Express- First Time User

philadelphiadad

Earning My Ears
Joined
Aug 11, 2009
Messages
35
:surfweb:Going to WDW for the first tme in 6 years!!! How is Disneys Magical Express transportation working out? Should I rent a car instead? Any opinions?
 
Used it in July and had no issues we had a late night flight getting in at nearly 11pm amd we were only waiting on the bus for about 10 minutes before leaving the airport. When we returned to MCO we had a 12:15 flight and we were told to meet ME at 9:20 it worked out well, we had plenty of time to get through security, pick up some lunch then head over to the boarding area. We were there for 3 weeks and a 3 week car rental was out of the question. I did a one week rental with pick up at a DTD hotel, drove to Port Canaveral and turned it back at exactly one week, went on a cruise and picked up a one day rental to get back to WDW where I stayed another 2 nights. I'd do it again. I do like having a car though. If you owuld jsut be parking or taking a town car I'd say use ME unless you needed to make a grocery stop or something.
 
It is SO super easy.. I've used it about a dozen times at least and have NEVER had any issues.. never waited more than 5 minutes at the airport for a bus, and have always been at my hotel within 1 hour of touching down in the plane... there is NO NEED to rent a car unless you plan on doing lots of stuff off site... I LOVE magical express..:thumbsup2
 
Yeah, it's extremely easy and I've never had any problems on it either. For at least the past three visits there we've used it and loved it, I wish every vacation was that easy when it comes to transportation. Unless you do plan on going off Disney property, I would just stick with the Magic Express!
 

A car is like your first balcony cabin on a cruise - once you try it...you will never want to go back.

We always have a car. Cannot beat the flexibility and speed you can travel thruoghout WDW.
 
A car is like your first balcony cabin on a cruise - once you try it...you will never want to go back.

We always have a car. Cannot beat the flexibility and speed you can travel thruoghout WDW.

I was the other way around. I always rented a car, then a few years ago we gave Magical Express a try.

I am not renting again if I can help it. I may be bias since I am the one that does most of the driving at home and on vacation, but it was nice to let someone else do the driving and just sit back and relax.
 
We went for the last 2 yr. and rent a car. But we used ME as much as possible to save on gas. We called around for the best car deal to rent. if you let each company know the bottom dollar u r getting the car for most will go lower or match price w/add perks. Ask for specials!! U have to ask to get them! We were there 2 weeks last year and got a SUV very cheap!:cool1:
 
The ME from the airport is super-convenient - anything to not have to handle your baggage. I am always a bit paranoid about losing bags (two places to loose them, your airline and then ME), so we tend to pack more carry-ons for these trips.

I LOVE NOT having a car. Why anyone would want a car on-site is beyond me, unless you spend a lot of time visiting the various resorts. In our experience: 80 % of the time, the wait time for buses is very short (< 10 minutes). Every once in a while, (seems like once per trip) you get stuck waiting for a bus for 30 minutes - but overall, it is nice. To me, being tied to car would be much worse than not having one. If I drove to Epcot, and then wanted to hop over to The studios, I just take a boat. With a car, I have to take a tram out to the parking lot, drive around to DHS, find a parking spot, wait for the tram to the front gate. Plus, 8 entire days without having to drive anywhere! Sign me up. The only negative again is if you want to go from one resort to another...we typically only do this once or twice a trip, and therefore we simply take a cab - it's still a huge savings over renting a car for a week.

SkierPete
 
We have used it twice with polar results.
The first time we were at the Contemporary and our flight arrived after noon, The line for check in was very short. Then a short line to get on the bus that stopped at a couple of resorts. The trip back again no issues to speak of.
The second trip was not as good. We planed to arrive early to get the most of out first day………….. so did everyone else. The line for check in at the airport rivaled any E-ticket ride. I wish I did not delete the picture I had on my cell phone. It was huge were not talking the switch back lines no this one ran the length of the lower concourse. I remember this child screaming at the top of her lungs “I want to be first I want to be first” all the way back to the end of the line. It was like when was being escorted to the gallows. I remember thinking how bad I felt for the mom and how I wished I could get away with screaming like that. The kicker it they want only one person in line per group so the 10K of people were just the tip. Our luggage was another issue, its nice not having to keep up with it but it arrives later than you. One of the night we got back to our room someone else’s luggage was in out room. We were out late so I know the owners were distressed about it and none of the shirts in the luggage fit me……. OK OK :rotfl2: just kidding guest serves came and picked them up as soon as we called.
We had a line to get on the bus but not as bad and the ride is always nice. The ME is ran by Mears so don’t be surprised if it not a WDW bus you get on.
The departure both trips was fine always sad but fine.
All in all I highly recommend the ME just remember your luggage may arrive late.
This trip we will have a car and see how it works out.
 
I love Magical Express but I get my own luggage and take it with me to the buses. I would rather have them with me then wait for them to get delivered to the hotel. I don't travel with a lot of luggage so grabbing my one checked bag is just how I prefer to do it.
 
I've used ME the last few years and haven't had any problems. It's very nice to check your luggage at the airport and not worry about it again until it shows up in your room. The longest wait to get on the ME bus was about 15 minutes and there were some very big crowds and long lines that day.

If you're planning on going off site for a day or two, you can always go to Downtown Disney and walk over to a nearby hotel (don't remember the name off the top of my head :confused:, you'll have to search). There is a car rental place at the hotel and it was cheaper then renting at the airport. I'm sure someone on here can give you the rental company and hotel name.

Have a good trip no matter what. :thumbsup2
 
:cheer2:ME is the only way to go! We're going in exactly 2 months and I can't wait. Its nice not to have to rememebr, "now where did we park the car?" "Were we in Goofy or Sleepy?" And service right to the front door of the resort, or almost to the front door - you can't beat it! I agree, the only reason to have a car would be if you're going to Sea World or to a mall or something like that. Stay with the ME and let us know what you think.
 
ME is great if you don't want to leave WDW, used it past three trips NO problems at all, our luggage arrive within a couple hours...

Welcome to the DIS, this isn't really rumors or news but it's your first post lol
Try the trasportation board, Im suprised this hasnt been moved there in a week...
 


Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE








DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom