Magical Express going to the resort?

[disneyfanUSA]

I read on another post that there is no line at the counter anymore. So you just go right to the bus line? Is this correct?! I hope so!!

 

[KatMark]

I read on another post that there is no line at the counter anymore. So you just go right to the bus line? Is this correct?! I hope so!!

Yep, that's what my son and his girlfriend did today!

 

[disneyfan21]

That's correct...it was pretty fast boarding the bus. Last time I used the ME service 4 years ago we had to check in at the desk, well I was confused last week when using the service again. No one told me we didn't have to check in at the desk any more. As long as you have your ME booklet and you put your luggage tags..you go straight into the boarding area

Have a great trip!!!

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

We used magical express this pass Monday and walked up to bus lines where someone looked at our vouchers and told us which line to stand in. From walking off plane to the Polynesian was just under an hour

 

[disneyfanUSA]

Thanks for your responses. This is good news!!

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

great news! I always wondered why we had to go through the line if we have the vouchers in the booklet

 

[stitch34]

Woohoo! that is great news! Never understood why you had to go in that line anyway... though, luckily on our past trips we never waited long, only 1 or 2 people ahead of us.
But still... we're the type of family that gets off the plane and makes the mad dash to the DME area - can't wait to get going and on that bus. Always worry in the back of my mind that if we don't move fast enough, a bus for our resort will have just filled up and pulled away and we'd miss it and have to wait forever for the next bus to load up (our first trip, sat on that bus for almost 40 minutes soooo impatiently waiting to leave!)

 

[Marquibiri]

I'll be arriving at 12:45 am! Don't tell me I have to wait until a bus gets full at that time! I'd be there till morning. From what I understand, not too many flights come in this late, especially if I'm going during low season.

 

[dopeyone]

That's so cool! When we went this past Pres. week we stood in that line 15 minutes at least! As soon as we were done in line we got right on the bus! This should speed things up some, especially during busier times

 

[PaulaSB12]

How will that affect over seas visitors? They have decided to stop sending out the vouchers and the luggage tags to us.

 

[dopeyone]

Hopefully they start sending them again. That would be so unfair if you had to stand in a line.

 

[Lynne M]

Moving to the Transportation board.

 

[seashoreCM]

Originally everyone got in line for the welcoming area counter and then went to one of a half dozen lines going to the bus platform.

Quickly they decided that only one person should get in the welcoming counter line and the rest of the family/party go sit down or stand somewhere else.

Recently the CM's have been culling people needing minimal treatment from the welcoming line and sending them to the bus linesso the welcoming line would be shorter for those needing unusual treatment.

This is going in the opposite direction from the idea of being able to check into your room at the airport which would increase the manpower requirements at the welcoming area and also hold up people just wanting to get on a bus so others can choose poolside views and connecting rooms.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/magicx.htm

>>> ... if we don't move fast enough, a bus for our resort will have just filled up and pulled away and we'd miss it and have to wait forever for the next bus ...

I hate it when no matter how fast I run or how slowly I walk, the bus or subway train always closes its doors and leaves when I am almost there. I wish Disney would put up some kind of signing system, both at the bus platforms and at the park exits and resort front desks that tells when the next bus will leave for each destination.

 

[goofy4tink]

While I don't particularly enjoy standing in lines, it is nice that the DME CMs can take any special departure info from you. They can't do that, at least I don't think they can, when you go right to the bus lines.
There are always going to be people that need to go to that line. I wonder if the resort is still alerted that you are on the way if you bypass the counter line. I know they still scan your voucher but that is for bus use, it doesn't connect with a resort. When you checkin at the counter, you are plugged into the computer as 'arrived' and you can usually get into a room sooner...simply because Disney knows you are now there.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Has anyone bypassed the counter to the bus lines recently with a wheelchair? When we checked in at the counter in the past they would always walk us over to the other desk by the doors, tell the CM's that we needed an accessible bus, and have us sit by the windows and wait. I was just curious as to how they handle the wheelchairs now.

 

[rflorek]

I'll be arriving at 12:45 am! Don't tell me I have to wait until a bus gets full at that time! I'd be there till morning. From what I understand, not too many flights come in this late, especially if I'm going during low season.

Don't forget that you have to allow time for getting your bags before going to the bus. I think any arrivals after 10pm have to get their own luggage first.

 

[CleveRocks]

I'll be arriving at 12:45 am! Don't tell me I have to wait until a bus gets full at that time! I'd be there till morning. From what I understand, not too many flights come in this late, especially if I'm going during low season.

By official policy/procedure, DME doesn't wait for a bus to fill up. From the moment the first guest boards a bus, they wait a certain amount of time (maximum of 20-30 minutes) and then the bus must leave the airport.

In two of my three DME experiences, we left the airport with about a dozen people on the bus. Both were at slow off-peak times, landing at MCO at around 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., on relatively slow off-peak travel periods (Disney's "Value" season).

 

[gracie1]

Since this is my first trip I want to make sure I'm following what you guys are saying! When I flew to orlando in May I saw the DME counter next to the mears counter (I was using mears for another trip). I don't have to go to the dme counter at all? What are they there for if you don't have to use them??

 

[goofy4tink]

Since this is my first trip I want to make sure I'm following what you guys are saying! When I flew to orlando in May I saw the DME counter next to the mears counter (I was using mears for another trip). I don't have to go to the dme counter at all? What are they there for if you don't have to use them??

Don't count on it. Some people have been able to bypass the counter but I doubt that goes for everyone. You still need to head to the counter....but there may very well be a CM standing at the entrance to the counter line telling people they don't need to do the counter. I prefer to checkin at the counter. That way they can put in how many bags I'm expecting to be delivered, they can confirm my departure plans, they can alert my resort to my arrival.