Magical Express-Good or Bad?

[buffalogirl]

Please tell me about your experience with the Magical Express service.

How long did it take to get from the airport to your resort?

How long before your luggage arrived at your hotel?

How long before your return flight did the bus pick you up?

Any info. would be greatly appreciated.

 

[amarberry]

We've used ME twice. It's been a pretty positive experience both times. Knock on wood that we have the same luck on our trip in Sept. I really love that you don't have to pickup your bags at the baggage claim.

The first time we used ME, the trip from the airport was pretty quick because we were the first hotel to be dropped off. I can't tell you how soon after our bags arrived because we left for the parks shortly after arriving at the hotel. On the return, our bus left about 3 hours before the flight.

The second time we used ME, our drop off took longer. I think we stopped at 3 other hotels before ours. I also remember the check in process for ME (at the airport) taking longer the second time. There was a huge line. The first time we used it, there was no line. Again, I can't really tell you how long it took for our bags to arrive because we went off to DTD for dinner. Our bags must have arrived within a couple of hours because we weren't gone that long. Our pickup was about 3 hours before our flight. We needed the extra time on this trip because the security line was super long and slow that day.

 

[PaulaSue]

I Loved it and hope they keep it for when we go again!!! It was so nice not to worry about driving someplace new and park and not dealing with 3 car seats.

How long did it take to get from the airport to your resort? At the airport we only waited maybe 5 minutes in line (lines for each hotel) till our bus came.

How long before your luggage arrived at your hotel? Our luggage was on the bus with us. they delievered it to our room after we checked in. We went right to the park after check-in not stopping at our room first.

How long before your return flight did the bus pick you up? They gave us the time for pick up which I think was about 1 1/2 hours before our departure.

 

[tmt martins]

Another with nothing but positive things to say. This last trip We put 3 on ME and 2 went for a Bagless rental ( thanks to ME) . we both hit the resort within 5 min of each other.

We averaged 50min on our trips from touchdown to front desk check-in.

Not sure it was there when we came back from the parks

They give you a 3hr window before your departure tme. You need this because sometimes they have to make other stops and MCO is bad at security check lines .Now our last trip MOC was crowded but everything was moving SUPERFAST and we had little waits at both the SW counter and the Security lines.And it was the Sn before July4th so maybe they overstaffed.

 

[PollyannaMom]

We had a good experience also. I'm not sure how long the bags took, because we also went to a park the first day, but they were there when we returned, with no problems. And our bus driver was fun on the trip to the resort.

I had been told by someone, though, to pack swimsuits and nighttime essentials for little kids in the carry-on, because they had a later flight, planned on just the pool and an early night, and stuff didn't get there by their youngest's bedtime.

Also, be forwarned that there are 2 lines - one to check in for ME, and one for your bus. (But only one adult from the party has to get in the first line. The other can sit in a comfortable area with the kiddos.)

A plus I didn't know about was that a few airlines will let you check ME bags right at the resort. Otherwise, they go with you on your bus back, which is at least 3 hours ahead of your flight, and you check them in with your airline.

Have a great trip!

 

[KristiKelly]

We used it last year and loved it.

How long did it take to get from the airport to your resort?
From the time we got off the plane until we walked into the lobby of BWV, about an hour maybe 1-1/2 (can't remember for sure)

How long before your luggage arrived at your hotel?
We checked in around 12:30, went to Epcot got back around 5:00 and luggage was in our room.

How long before your return flight did the bus pick you up?
I think the busses run hourly and you need to be there about 1-1/2 hours before flight time.

Also there are Disney (of course) movies playing on the bus.

I hope this helps.

 

[buffalogirl]

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences I'm glad to hear

that the service is so great! One less thing to obsess over

 

[minniemousememories]

I am interested in more info as well... I know this sounds silly but can I have the magical express just worry about my luggage and I take a rent a car to the resort? We will be getting in late and I don't want to waste time on the bus ride...

 

[tjmw2727]

I have used ME twice now, first experience was fair and the second was great. The first time was to AKL and it took a long time for the bus to arrive and since we were the third resort to be dropped off it took a very long time from arrival at MCO to check in at AKL. Second time was to BWV and the bus was waiting, filled up quick and we were the second stop, probably just over an hour from touchdown to check in.

I was out when the bags were delivered so I don't kow the time frame. However, there is no need to wait for your bags, just pack what you need for the first 4-6 hours in a carryon and hit the pool or a park, when you return your luggage will be in the room.

You will receive paperwork under your room door the evening prior to your departure with your pick up time. It is usually 3 to 3 1/2 hours prior to your flight time and honestly I needed every minute of it on both occasions.

I am interested in more info as well... I know this sounds silly but can I have the magical express just worry about my luggage and I take a rent a car to the resort? We will be getting in late and I don't want to waste time on the bus ride...

Not on the inbound leg, from MCO to the resort. You must check in and ride the ME bus for your bags to be delivered to the resort. On the outbound flight you can check in at the resort and send your bags but only if you are flying a participaing airline.

FWIW there is a ton of information and a few sticky FAQ posts on the transportation board for those who need/want more information.

HTH
TJ

 

[lauritagoddess]

How long did it take to get from the airport to your resort? From landing to checking in it was about an hour.

How long before your luggage arrived at your hotel? About 2 or 3 hours.

How long before your return flight did the bus pick you up? About 3 hours before.

I loved, loved ME!!!! It was so nice to arrive at the airport and not have to worry about the luggage especially since I was on my own with my DS who was 3 at the time and I had the stroller to manage with too. And also being able to do check-in at the resort was a huge plus. Again, no having to deal with an exuberant child and luggage at the same time. And we since we got the boarding passes at the resort we didn't have to deal with that at the airport.

 

[StephMK]

Weighing the pluses & minuses of ME, we'd choose to use it again. I think it was about 11/2 hrs from landing to get to POR. The check in line at POR is a whole 'nother story! In any case, we had a Friday evening check in & our luggage took about 3 additional hours to get to our room. Not the greatest since the kids were trying to sleep but we managed.

We were picked up 3 hours before our flight & were able to change pick up from the Contemporary instead of POR since we had an ADR ending around pick up time. The security lines were long so it was good to have the extra time.

Not quite as easy as jumping in a car but nice not to deal with traffic or following directions in an unfamiliar city. Neither of our buses were crowded so we were able to spread out a little. Plus the kids thought the Disney TV show on the bus was their personal welcome & goodbye!

 

[glass slipper girl]

we used DME for the first time in May. It was my mother and I and my sons (6 & 4). I should say we used DME from MCO to BWI but not back again.

How long did it take to get from the airport to your resort?

We arrived on a Thursday evening around 5:30 or so. There was NO line for check in. CMs just chatting waiting for people to get there to check in. Last December when we arrived on a Saturday around 9:15 am there was a HUGE check in line (we had a limo pickup but we had to walk past the DME lines). So we checked in quickly but then waited about 20 - 30 minutes to get on a bus because no one else that was arriving was going to any Epcot area reorts and they were trying to "group" the resorts. When we did get on a bus, it stopped once at one of the Port Orleans resorts (don't remember which) then on to BWI. OVerall, I guess we got there about 1.5 hours after landing. Even with the waiting I was fine with that...worked well for us.

How long before your luggage arrived at your hotel?

We checked in and went for dinner on the Boardwalk. When we came back to the room about 2.5 hours later the luggage was there.

How long before your return flight did the bus pick you up?

This is the one thing I did NOT like. Our flight left at something like 6:30 PM on a Monday. DME had us scheduled for a 1:50 pick up! I called because I was sure it was a mistake. The CM confirmed "yes ma'am, 1:50 PM." I said "5 HOURS before my flight??? I'm flying to Atlanta, not international or anything." She said yes, that they needed that time to get us to the airport without rushing. I don't know what happened with that schedule but we decided if that was the case we were just going to do a towncar and had the BWI concierge CMs arrange one for us. The towncar picked us up at 4:00. I much preferred spending the extra 2 hours and 10 minutes at the pool at BWI with my kids rather than at MCO! Our experience isn't the norm though. I don't know what happened with it. We're planning to use DME again in January and will do the same thing, we'll book DME and if they tell us that we have to leave early early like that, we'll do the same thing and just call for a towncar and cancel the DME.

 

[SarahKate]

Please tell me about your experience with the Magical Express service.
We absolutely LOVED it. It was all very organized. As soon as we got to the Disney area of the terminal, it was totally streamlined and they got us into the appropriate lines. The busses were very, very comfortable and they are retro looking on the outside. I can't say one negative thing about the trip there or back. Only drawback is having to take our own luggage to load on the bus going back since they do it automatically coming - but there are only a few airlines who participate in the return trip.

How long did it take to get from the airport to your resort?
From the moment we landed to the time we made it to the resort, it was maybe 1-1.5 hours.

How long before your luggage arrived at your hotel?
We headed to the parks as soon as we checked into our resort. When we got there that evening, it was there waiting for us!

How long before your return flight did the bus pick you up?
It was about 3 hours.

Any info. would be greatly appreciated.