Magical Express - Is it worth it??????

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

One thing I'd say is they always seem to automatically book us on a bus back to the airport that is way too early for our return flight, so we just call and reserve a later bus...never had a problem doing that

I've only used ME twice and both times felt we had too early of a pickup time. How early did you feel was 'just right'?

 

[Chuckers]

I've only used ME twice and both times felt we had too early of a pickup time. How early did you feel was 'just right'?

I've always had the 3 hours before the flight pick up, which is what they should be giving you. It gives you plenty of time to get to the airport and get through security.

 

[aVASTGrl]

I've only used ME twice and both times felt we had too early of a pickup time. How early did you feel was 'just right'?

I've always had the 3 hours before the flight pick up, which is what they should be giving you. It gives you plenty of time to get to the airport and get through security.

We do about 3 hours early as well. They've always given us about 6 hours or more ahead!! I can't wander the airport for that long Just call the Magical Express number and change the time, they've always accommodated us.

 

[bethclayton]

out of 6 trips, we have done ME for 4 and a limo for 2 (when we have traveled with my parents)... i much prefer ME. dragging around luggage STINKS. it always took us just as long or longer with the limo bc of waiting for and dragging around our bags. with ME we just hope off the plane and GO! no waiting for bags and no schlepping them around.

 

[siskaren]

We do about 3 hours early as well. They've always given us about 6 hours or more ahead!! I can't wander the airport for that long Just call the Magical Express number and change the time, they've always accommodated us.

I wonder why they give you a time of 6 hours or more ahead - I've always heard that they give a time of 3 hours ahead, plus or minus 15 minutes.

 

[aVASTGrl]

I wonder why they give you a time of 6 hours or more ahead - I've always heard that they give a time of 3 hours ahead, plus or minus 15 minutes.

I have no idea. We have to change the time every single time we go.

Maybe they take one look at all of our bags and purses and ginormous suitcases and decide they need extra time shoving them on the bus!

 

[chinhk]

We took the magical express from MCO to AKL about two years ago. If I remember correctly, our flight landed at about 4-5pm and the immigration/luggage re-claim and custom were quick. It was also very easy for us to find the Magical Express check-in counter at the airport (is all sign-posted). We were among the first to get on the first available bus but unfortunately we had to wait for a while for the bus to get filled to about 3 quarters full or so. The journey itself was fine. The only downside was that AKL was the last stop. The bus will make stops at two other resorts first (and I think one of them was the Pop if I'm not wrong). So keep that in mind.
After a 10 hours flight, we were so tired and just wanted to get to the resort asap and I'm sure we only arrived AKL after 8pm.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I actually quite like seeing the other resorts when you drop others off. Sad but true!

 

[PinMan]

it was a pleasant ride sit back & enjoy it .

 

[TDC Nala]

Anyone know how many stops ME takes to get to old key west?

No way to tell, as there is no set route or set list of resorts on each route.

 

[goofy4tink]

Anyone know how many stops ME takes to get to old key west?

It can change daily. Just plan on it taking up to 90 mins from gate to resort.

If you are arriving on a busy day of the week (Sat/Sun) and at a busy time (mid-morning especially), you may have to wait in line for ME. Last trip, we arrived around 11am on a Saturday and waited in line for about 30 minutes through two buses. That being said, I would do it again for the convenience of the luggage service and not having to pay anything.

If you are arriving on a weekday or at an off time, it will probably be faster than a town car service. With a car service, you still have to wait for and collect your own luggage which I have found to be very slow at MCO. I think you may even need to cross the airport with your suitcases, depending which side of the airport you are being picked up on. So, considering this vs. just walking down to ME and getting on a bus, I'd have to say ME is faster.

I arrived at MCO one Sat in Dec about 12:30ish. Imagine my horror when my friend and I got to level 1 and saw the line all the way back to the car rental counters, for DME checkin. At that time, they were still having people go to the counter....no bypassing and going right to the buses!!! My friend got in line, I found a pole to sit against over just past the checkin counter. Now, it seems that the PopWarner families were arriving for their WDW week!! OMG!! I figured we would be there forever! But, in reality, it took only 20 mins for my friend to get through that checkin line, and then we made it thru the bus line, and to the bus in about 10 mins. It really wasn't much longer than other trips I've had. I find that the busier it is, the more buses and CMs they have on duty!

I love Magical Express!! What's not to love, it's free!!

I've never had to wait more than 5-10 mins for a bus, and I love not having to worry about dragging my luggage around. I don't know why anyone wouldn't use this service if you're not renting a car.

One thing I'd say is they always seem to automatically book us on a bus back to the airport that is way too early for our return flight, so we just call and reserve a later bus...never had a problem doing that

We do about 3 hours early as well. They've always given us about 6 hours or more ahead!! I can't wander the airport for that long Just call the Magical Express number and change the time, they've always accommodated us.

I have no idea. We have to change the time every single time we go.

Maybe they take one look at all of our bags and purses and ginormous suitcases and decide they need extra time shoving them on the bus!

A few thoughts.....first, 6 hours is unheard of. Even international flights don't warrant that kind of time. They are picked up 4 hrs prior to flight time. The norm is 3 hrs....give or take 15 mins either way. I can't imagine why you would get a 6 hr time unless you changed your flight and didn't tell them...then DME would think you had to be at the airport at 1 for your 4pm flight but you changed it to a 7pm flight.
Also.....there is no way they know about the number of bags you have!!! You silly head!!! Besides, you can always check the bags ahead of time using RAC!! No need to take them on the bus with you, unless you have a flight prior to 9am!!!

 

[aVASTGrl]

A few thoughts.....first, 6 hours is unheard of. Even international flights don't warrant that kind of time. They are picked up 4 hrs prior to flight time. The norm is 3 hrs....give or take 15 mins either way. I can't imagine why you would get a 6 hr time unless you changed your flight and didn't tell them...then DME would think you had to be at the airport at 1 for your 4pm flight but you changed it to a 7pm flight.
Also.....there is no way they know about the number of bags you have!!! You silly head!!! Besides, you can always check the bags ahead of time using RAC!! No need to take them on the bus with you, unless you have a flight prior to 9am!!!

First of all, the bag thing was a joke...obviously. I mean, if they REALLY knew how many bags I had, they'd have to kick everyone else off Second, I really don't know what to tell you except to share my experience; we have had noon pickups for 6pm flights several times. Like I said, I love the service, and calling to change the time is not a big deal. I never change my flight after booking, either.

 

[Coconuts]

We would never waste the extra money on a private car service. DME is so efficient and part of the fun and excitement in getting to WDW! I love watching the video on the way and looking at the different resort stops.

 

[Missytara]

I have had some pretty fun moments just waiting in line.

My first trip in 2000, I was the first person on the next bus. I stood outside with the bus driver, who was telling some really cool stories, but he was yelling them loudly. I finally stopped and him and said, Ben, tell me, you stand next to the exhaust a bit too much. He laughed. That thing can get kind of loud and he was used to having to talk over it.

My fourth trip in 2006 with three girlfriends from work, two of them have never been before. My friend Donna, can be somewhat of an impatient person. But she also has a big heart and an infectious giggle. Well, there was a girl about 6 years old in front of Donna who was just so excited and couldn't contain herself with glee, until she tripped and fell onto Donna. She picked herself up, turned around and apologized profusely, saying "I am so sorry, but this is my first time and I am so excited." Donna looked at her, began to giggle, and said, "Me too! It is my first time."

You cannot pass up moments like that.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Out of interest anybody know how long the ME has been operating?

 

[Missytara]

Out of interest anybody know how long the ME has been operating?

Since May 5, 2005.

 

[Chuckers]

Donna looked at her, began to giggle, and said, "Me too! It is my first time."

You cannot pass up moments like that.

That's adorable...

 

[Shell54]

We always use ME..never had a problem..yet..hopefully never will.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Since May 5, 2005.

Thanks. Paula

 

[amberpi]

We used ME ONCE. My DH hated it before we even boarded because we had to wait for a bus. He is a time is money guy, and I agree with him (not quite so adamantly thought). We also don't check bags, so YMMV on that. We stay at the Swolphin a lot, so I think he got spoiled with always cabbing it over before we stayed at CR together.