Magical Express: Important Notes!

[rudetreehill]

Hey folks. Very nearly found this out the hard way, so wanted to pass it on:

When returning from your resort to the Orlando International Airport via Magical Express at the end of your trip, be aware that not all of the busses used are the ones with Magical Express painted on the side.

I was waiting at Port Orleans on Sunday for my return trip and while several Magical Express vehicles discharged customers, none were taking folks on. Several drivers said a bus "would be along shortly" for those waiting to go to the airport.

I happened to notice a big Mears shuttle bus a few yards away and asked if that was the bus and, sure enough, it was. Had I sat waiting for the bus that actually SAYS Magical Express, I'd have missed it.

Also, be aware that there's a very good reason they pick you up so far in advance of your flight time: It can take a VERY long time to get to the airport! I was picked up at 3:30 for my flight, scheduled to depart at 6:30. We didn't arrive at the airport until 5 because of stops at several resorts. Several people I'd been talking to tnight night before in the hotel bar said they intended to "accidentally on purpose" miss their scheduled time infavor of a later bus, figuring it would still get them there in plenty of time.

Yeah, um, not a great idea!

Hope this helps!

Richard

 

[goofy4tink]

Others have had that experience as well. I wish that Disney would put some kind of signage on those non-DME buses alerting guests to the fact that this is 'their' bus. Many have been picked up in a yellow Mears bus, a DCL bus.
A time of 90 mins is not common, going back to the airport. But, it 'can' happen. I have been on a bus that made two other stops..then, the driver was a pokey puppy. It took about 50 mins to get from BW to MCO that day. Those people that got on the bus at YC?? Took them over an hour total!!

It is NEVER a good idea to try to catch a later bus. There may not be a bus for over an hour. For example...I have a flight that departs at 3:00. My DME p/u time is going to be around noon. But, I want to spend a bit more time in a park, or eat lunch somplace. So, I decide that I will catch the 12:30 bus. Well, if there is no one at my resort that is departing MCO at 3:30, there won't be a bus..plain and simple. And that 1:00 bus?? It may very well be full..no room for those who 'missed' their assigned bus. So, now, you've got two hours to find alternative transportation back to the airport!!! Not a good scenario.

Even if using a towncar, you should leave your resort about 2 1/2 hrs, no less than 2 hrs., before flight departure time. There's a reason MCO recommends getting to the airport two hours before departure time.

On another note....those buses that are dropping off passengers seldom pick anyone up. They are on a different route, usually. DME buses (be it Mears, DCL, or DME buses) 'should' all be picking up passengers in the DME pickup area. If you see a bus there, just ask the driver if it is 'your' bus. Most drivers will make an announcement, but I've seen drivers say nothing, and just get on the bus and drive off. It's a nice thing to yell out...'Anyone for the DME 10:20 pickup??'..makes it a lot easier for the guest.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Thanks for the heads up. We are going to be using DME for the first time on this trip. I think we too would be the family that would be sitting there waiting, and waiting, and waiting because we would be looking out for the DME bus. Funny, I think I read somewhere here a few weeks ago about another family that this happened to. They were waiting for the DME and no one was picking up passengers, just dropping them off. Finally she had noticed another bus (didn't have DME on it) sitting off to the side down a little ways. When she got there, she asked about it and sure enough that was the bus that was taking passengers back to the airport....go figure.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Two years ago a disney line bus came up. My DH said that was probably our bus and I said no it states the cruise. Well anyway good thing he went up and asked because it was our bus. I hate it when DH is right. So when a bus comes, it can't hurt to double check.

 

[KatMark]

Thanks for this info. I have printed it out to give to our oldest son who is staying at the CBR for a week in July and using ME (unfortunatley, he is only 23, so renting a car is too expensive, so they are relying on the buses for the parks and they have a shuttle to take them to their games--he is there to coach his team in a baseball tournament).

 

[skater]

Definately don't miss your bus on purpose. I was tempted to do it in Feb., but so glad I didn't. Security took forever. I guess we were leaving at a peak time (late afternoon) and I was surpriseed at how long it took us to get through. Its definately not worth pushing it.

 

[adventure_woman]

We almost missed our bus in January. The bell services CM said that we would have to take a taxi had we missed our bus. Also, good thing we were there early - since I FORGOT A BAG ON THE BUS! And literally had to run across the entire airport. Horrible. Lesson learned - make sure you count how many bags you have and get them all! (We were flying SW, and couldn't check them at Disney).

 

[tynkendallsmom]

We luckily were getting on the ME on our return trip with some seasoned ME'ers and they helped us out.

One thing I DID NOT expect was the HUUUUUGE line for security at the airport. That alone took us 45 min so whatever you do - LEAVE EARLY to get to the airport, you never know what your going to run into on your way there or once you get there!!

 

[SoloFriendly]

Wow, I would never have known this--and I'm not the type to go up and ask at a different bus if it doesn't look as it should. Very good info to have. Thanks Richard!

 

[oasispaul]

Quick question - do you have to "schedule" your Magical Express ride back to the airport at your resort? Or, since Disney has your reservation in their system, do they just automatically send a Magical Express bus to pick you up 3 hours before your flight?

If you do have to schedule your return trip to the airport, does it have to be done 24 hrs. in advance of your pick up?

 

[jmrdavis99]

We were at WL & the cast member told us we could wait up by the door to the Resort & they would announce when the bus arrived. (Note to self: wait on the bench down by the ME express pick up instead!) Our bus was supposed to pick up at 3:15. At 3:20 we saw a MEARS bus stop down by the ME pick up, but no announcement was made. 3:25 we asked the luggage CM & he said "Oh, I think the 3:15 has already been by." We asked why there was no announcement made & he said that "we must have all been busy." So...long story short, it cost us $70 for a cab ride. Definitely a hard lesson learned.

 

[rudetreehill]

Quick question - do you have to "schedule" your Magical Express ride back to the airport at your resort? Or, since Disney has your reservation in their system, do they just automatically send a Magical Express bus to pick you up 3 hours before your flight?

If you do have to schedule your return trip to the airport, does it have to be done 24 hrs. in advance of your pick up?

As long as they know what time your flight is on the return trip, they schedule the pick-up. IT is generally about three hours before your flight's departure. On the night before your departure, you'll find a Magical Express envelope attatched to the handle of yoru hotel room. Inside, it'll have info on what time your pick-up is.

Be aware that if your flight is before 8 a.m., you can't check your luggage at the resort. Otherwise, most resorts allow you to check your luggage there. For example, my flight was leaving at 6:30 p.m. and my scheduled Magical Express pick-up was for 3:30 p.m. When I checked out at 11 a.m., I just went to the front of my resort (port Orleans Riverside) and was able to check-in there for my flight. (This isn't available for all airlines... I was flying continental). They not only took my baggage (which I didn't have to worry about again until i arrived in Newark), but they gave me my boarding pass! It's wildly convenient. Just make sure to have with you -- in a carry-on bag -- anything you'll need from the point you hand over your luggage until you'll be arriving at your final destination!

 

[rudetreehill]

One thing I DID NOT expect was the HUUUUUGE line for security at the airport. That alone took us 45 min so whatever you do - LEAVE EARLY to get to the airport, you never know what your going to run into on your way there or once you get there!!

We must have really lucked out. It took me about 10 minutes to get through security. Although on past trips, I HAVE experienced the nightmarish lines!

 

[unicorn1]

For our recent trip, we didn't get a ME bus in either direction. It was a Mears bus from the airport to the resort & a cruise line bus back to MCO. To his credit, the cruise line bus driver yelled "Magical Express" when he got off the bus at the resort, and he seemed to be making sure he had everyone before he left.

 

[oasispaul]

As long as they know what time your flight is on the return trip, they schedule the pick-up. IT is generally about three hours before your flight's departure. On the night before your departure, you'll find a Magical Express envelope attatched to the handle of yoru hotel room. Inside, it'll have info on what time your pick-up is.

Be aware that if your flight is before 8 a.m., you can't check your luggage at the resort. Otherwise, most resorts allow you to check your luggage there. For example, my flight was leaving at 6:30 p.m. and my scheduled Magical Express pick-up was for 3:30 p.m. When I checked out at 11 a.m., I just went to the front of my resort (port Orleans Riverside) and was able to check-in there for my flight. (This isn't available for all airlines... I was flying continental). They not only took my baggage (which I didn't have to worry about again until i arrived in Newark), but they gave me my boarding pass! It's wildly convenient. Just make sure to have with you -- in a carry-on bag -- anything you'll need from the point you hand over your luggage until you'll be arriving at your final destination!

thanks for the info!

 

[rosiep]

As long as they know what time your flight is on the return trip, they schedule the pick-up. IT is generally about three hours before your flight's departure. On the night before your departure, you'll find a Magical Express envelope attatched to the handle of yoru hotel room. Inside, it'll have info on what time your pick-up is.

Be aware that if your flight is before 8 a.m., you can't check your luggage at the resort. Otherwise, most resorts allow you to check your luggage there. For example, my flight was leaving at 6:30 p.m. and my scheduled Magical Express pick-up was for 3:30 p.m. When I checked out at 11 a.m., I just went to the front of my resort (port Orleans Riverside) and was able to check-in there for my flight. (This isn't available for all airlines... I was flying continental). They not only took my baggage (which I didn't have to worry about again until i arrived in Newark), but they gave me my boarding pass! It's wildly convenient. Just make sure to have with you -- in a carry-on bag -- anything you'll need from the point you hand over your luggage until you'll be arriving at your final destination!

I have to agree RAC is the best thing since sliced bread. I made sure to schedule a flight on an airline that participates in it!
Another note: DME no longer offers luggage delivery for flights arriving at MCO after 10pm! You need to get your luggage and bring it unto the bus with you.

 

[PrincessDuck]

They still take your luggage after 10 pm. This change is scheduled to start March 30th.

I would like to add that you definately need to be on time for your bus. If it is in the afternoon, there may not be another bus coming thru your resort if no one else needs to go to the airport. You can always check at the desk outside and they can call and make sure of things for you. I say this from experience!

I have to agree RAC is the best thing since sliced bread. I made sure to schedule a flight on an airline that participates in it!
Another note: DME no longer offers luggage delivery for flights arriving at MCO after 10pm! You need to get your luggage and bring it unto the bus with you.

 

[ols386]

Good information to know. Thanks for posting.