Magical Express how good is it?

[Disneypal]

I just canceled my shuttle and booked the Magical Express. Is there a shuttle at the airport at all times? Is it quick? Does it go smoothly with your luggage? How early do you have to leave on your return flight? Thanks guys!

 

[snickerharley]

I used the magical express last year for the first time, and it was wonderful. When you arrive at the airport you need to go to the ME check-in and then they will direct to the proper bus. The busses as far as I know are not there waiting on standby, you may hit it right and be there when the bus is or you may have a short wait (10-20 min?) maybe. Last year I waited about 10 minutes for the POP ME bus. The ME is fun they played a movie and it was cheesy but I was excited for Disney! When you are getting ready to check out the ME picks you up three hours before your flight. Hope this helps.

 

[Disneypal]

We are arriving at 11:14am, about what time do you think we will be at Disney?

 

[SadieDog]

My experience with Magical Express was wonderful. It was so easy. There are lines at the airport for your certain resort and you just wait for the bus to your resort. We only waited a few minutes, but I don't know if we just got lucky. People were very friendly. Luggage was fine. It was a pleasant ride. I was very scared but it turned out great. Sorry I don't remember how long before our flight we left for the airport. I do know we had plenty of time. Don't worry, it will work out.

 

[goofy4tink]

We are arriving at 11:14am, about what time do you think we will be at Disney?

Most of us are getting to our resorts within about 70 mins after deplaning. Luggage delivery can be as quick as 2 hrs after landing (unusual) or up to 4-5 hours, with 3 1/2 hrs being the norm. If you are able to get into your room at your resort right away, then your luggage won't be there. But, if you head off to a park, it will most likely be there when you return later that day.
So, I would say you should be at your resort by 1:00, at the latest. A lot depends on how many resorts you have to stop at (no more than three per route) and where your particular resort falls in the route.

As far as the return to MCO timing goes, it's about 3 hrs. before flight departure time. But, before you say that's too much time, the limo companies will pick you up only 30-40 minutes later...not too much difference in timing. and with security the way it is at MCO, you're better off early than cutting it too close.

 

[ddc123]

who do you give your luggage tickets to, I you have carryon luggage can you take it on the bus with you???
Thanks for any answers to my questions

 

[CleveRocks]

who do you give your luggage tickets to, I you have carryon luggage can you take it on the bus with you???
Thanks for any answers to my questions

I don't know what you mean by luggage tickets and giving them to anyone. If you're registered for DME, about 3 weeks before your trip you'll get a DME information packet, which will include your special DME luggage tags. The "tags" are sticky yellow paper with important info pre-printed on them. You put one on each bag you will check with the airline (you put the tag on at home).

After the checked luggage is unloaded at MCO, specific employees look for the bags with DME tags, and remove them from the luggage stream before all the rest of the luggage gets to the baggage claim carousel. The DME-tagged bags never make it to baggage claim. They get the tag barcodes scanned, and are then sorted and shipped by truck to the proper resort.

After you deplane, you skip baggage claim and go to a counter called the DME Welcome Center. You check in, then they tell you which bus queue to get in. So, as you can see, there's no one to give any luggage tickets to.

As far as carry-ons on the DME bus, they're OK on the bus with you if they fit under your seat or on the overhead shelf. If they're too big for either of those places, the driver will have to stow them under the bus, but you'll get them back as soon as you arrive at your resort.

Your checked luggage will arrive a few hours later, and will arrive inside your room whether you're in there or not. You don't have to wait for it. In fact, the Fun Patrol (a few of us loons here) INSISTS that you not wait for your luggage and instead get out there and play, confident that your luggage will be in your room waiting for you when you return.

 

[BillyFeat]

We have used ME on four occassions and have had all good experiences. Usually, we are at our Disney Resort within one hour (Gate to Hotel). We last used ME on 6/4.

 

[Disneypal]

Thanks for all the great replies! You answered all of my questions and put my nerves at ease.

However someones reply did get me to thinking. I just rearranged our trip today and we leave get to Disney on the 27th. If the tags come 3 weeks before you leave will I get them in time and will they be right since we switched hotels? Thanks again!!!

 

[CleveRocks]

I just rearranged our trip today and we leave get to Disney on the 27th. If the tags come 3 weeks before you leave will I get them in time and will they be right since we switched hotels? Thanks again!!!

It's likely your tags will have your "old" resort on them. From what I've learned here at the DIS, this is not a problem. If you want, you can cross out the NAME of your resort on each tag BUT DON'T TOUCH THE BARCODE. The barcode has info on your reservation, not on the resort named on the tag. In other words, since Disney's computer knows where you're really going to stay, the barcode will tie in to THAT info and everything will be fine.

 

[Microcell]

Okay now for some more questions:

I know it can depend on time of day, but are the ME busses full? Does that create congestion at the resort then? Should I plan on taking longer than usual to check in? In my case we land at 1030 AM and if we get there 70 minutes later it will be close to noon. I assume they will hold Dh's laptop if the room is not ready, right?

In the past with a car rental, we have not had to wait in line at the resort to check in at all! that might be something I will need to allow for, and forewarned is forearmed!

 

[kaytieeldr]

It won't be any more crowded than if a busload of Mears passengers or twenty cars of Guests showed up at once. An added benefit of DME is that once you check in, your resort knows you're coming - so your room is 'held' for you over someone who drives in while you're on the bus. And yes, Bell Services will hold anything you want/need to check - but odds are good a room WILL be ready for you.

 

[bushdianee]

We arrived around noon, grabbed a quick lunch as we had been up since 4AM with nothing to eat. We were in our room by 1:30 and our luggage was there before we left for Epcot. The luggage only took about an hour after we arrived. The wait at the airport was maybe 10 minutes, no line for check in at the airport or POP. I would definitly recommend ME.

 

[Disneypal]

I called DME and within 3 days I had new tags delivered to my house with the proper resort on them. I was amazed. I haven't recieved a new reservation for the hotel but I printed one off of the web site. So if you're worried about your tags just call DME direct. They couldn't have been nicer! We leave on Monday and I will let you all know how it turns out.

 

[Poohbear123]

I use it all the time, I would PAY to use it, it is great! I carry On my Luggage!