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

[Kellykins1218]

We made it to our resort about an hour after getting off the plane the last time we went. Quick potty break & straight to ME. We literally spent less than 2 minutes there, just long enough to be checked in, before we boarded the bus & left. It was awesome! We checked in at ASMo an hour sooner than we had planned

 

[hgeisler]

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.

That's funny! My hubby is the opposite. He thinks it's great that we don't have to rent a car. He hates spending money on rental cars. Not to mention having to bring three car seats!

 

[twinklebug]

We love ME. Worth it? It all depends on how itchy you are to get going. Once I've departed my home airport I'm on vacation - and other than getting back to the terminal at the end, NOTHING is a rush. (DME does a good job of making sure we're back in time)

The drivers have always been very nice. Only once did we get lost trying to find WL

The only negative I have to say about ME are the times they're waiting to fill the bus. They can get very long if you're the first on - we waited 45 minutes on one occasion, and there were folk already on the bus before us.

 

[Chuckers]

We love ME. Worth it? It all depends on how itchy you are to get going. Once I've departed my home airport I'm on vacation - and other than getting back to the terminal at the end, NOTHING is a rush. (DME does a good job of making sure we're back in time)

The drivers have always been very nice. Only once did we get lost trying to find WL

The only negative I have to say about ME are the times they're waiting to fill the bus. They can get very long if you're the first on - we waited 45 minutes on one occasion, and there were folk already on the bus before us.

Of the three times I have taken ME, I NEVER waited more than 10 minutes for the bus to leave. My last trip, we actually left with less than 10 people on the bus.

 

[VAfamily1998]

I haven't read all the responses yet, but figured I would chime in.

I've only taken ME once--last September. It seemed to take just under one hour to get to Yacht Club (right next to Beach club-practically the same resort). Our bus stopped at:
POFQ
BWI
BC
YC

in that order...so even as the last stop, it was under 1 hour.

 

[macnodos]

You do get a snack/grocery stop (30min.) with the car service which in itself can save you a great deal of money. You can easily save the $115 fare with snacks and drinks that you would pay for individually at the resorts. Case of water, liquor, beer, soda and snacks could essentially be a deal breaker plus a minimum of 30+ minutes of time saved.

 

[suemom2kay]

You do get a snack/grocery stop (30min.) with the car service which in itself can save you a great deal of money. You can easily save the $115 fare with snacks and drinks that you would pay for individually at the resorts. Case of water, liquor, beer, soda and snacks could essentially be a deal breaker plus a minimum of 30+ minutes of time saved.

That is true. Alternatively, you could use Garden Grocer and just pay a $15.00 delivery fee and your groceries will be awaiting your arrival at the resort.

 

[nkereina]

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!!!

Gotta agree here. If you ask DME what time you will be picked up for your flight home, they will explicitly tell you that for domestic flights its 3 hours ahead of time, give or take 15-30 minutes. I'd have to imagine that the person who experienced the 6 hour call time for DME had a miscommunication with them. I'd be willing to bet someone at DME had down the wrong time or something out of the ordinary.

 

[MissionMouse]

Hello everyone!!

We are thinking of using the Magical Express bus to get from the airport to our resort (either AKL or Beach club). How long does it typically take to these resorts? (August) We usually use Tiffany Town cars and love their service. So my question is does it take more than 45 minutes to get to either of these resorts? Is it worth it?

Thanks,
Jump00

We enjoy vacation by starting it off with either a rental or a Town Car service. We did ME and agreed to never do it again. We were reminded again at departure too as you have to leave on their schedule, not yours. It is worth it for us to get our rental or Town Car ride in. Our luggage is right there and ready for us to access, especially if our room is available. The majority of our trips our room was ready when we checked-in. Your Tiffany ride most likely allow you to make a stop at a store on the way in. ME you will be waiting in line to check-in and then wait for the bus. Time of day and day of the week can mean totally different experiences and wait times. Multiple stops at other resorts which can take very notable time if the luggage was load in the wrong order and non-stop luggage is unloaded and reloaded each stop. I didn't read each post, but you will also need to leave more on the excessive side (hours) on the day of your departure.

 

[M2B]

We chose a car service to our hotel and I would do it again. Granted, I consider it double paying. With the cost of a Disney vacation absolutely nothing is "free." However, we landed at 11:30 PM, DME wasn't going to handle our luggage anyway. We had door to door service and an entertaining chat with the driver on the way.

We took DME on departure. I can see how for me, it would be aggravating after a long flight. People crammed in, using a seat to hold their carry on.. etc.

 

[TracyJAE]

Are there bathrooms on the buses?

Are any tips expected for those handling your bags?

Tracy

 

[Chuckers]

Are there bathrooms on the buses?

Are any tips expected for those handling your bags?

Tracy

I believe there is a bathroom on the bus, it's a luxury coach. However, I would still hit a restroom in the airport before you get to the DME boarding area.

I have always tipped the driver a couple of bucks even though I handle my own bags.

 

[Missytara]

Are there bathrooms on the buses?

Are any tips expected for those handling your bags?

Tracy

Not always; sometimes it is an ME bus; sometimes a Mears bus and sometimes they even use the cruise buses on slow days for them.

I would definitely use the restroom at the airport before you leave.

Also it is expected to tip about $1.00 per bag for stowing it under the bus and retrieving it for you.

 

[goofy4tink]

You do get a snack/grocery stop (30min.) with the car service which in itself can save you a great deal of money. You can easily save the $115 fare with snacks and drinks that you would pay for individually at the resorts. Case of water, liquor, beer, soda and snacks could essentially be a deal breaker plus a minimum of 30+ minutes of time saved.

Here's the thing...if you use a car service and stop at a grocery store? You've now lost 30 mins (at least) of time. I take a car service when I want luxury...or for some special occasion. If I want groceries, I use a grocery delivery service. Sure, they are going to charge me a fee...but it's going to be around $15. Much better than $115 r/t for a car service and a grocery stop. They do the shopping for me, they deliver it right to my resort and usually to the room. No wandering around a strange grocery store for me!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

We chose a car service to our hotel and I would do it again. Granted, I consider it double paying. With the cost of a Disney vacation absolutely nothing is "free." However, we landed at 11:30 PM, DME wasn't going to handle our luggage anyway. We had door to door service and an entertaining chat with the driver on the way.

We took DME on departure. I can see how for me, it would be aggravating after a long flight. People crammed in, using a seat to hold their carry on.. etc.

I'd have to disagree with that last paragraph. Seats are wider and more comfortable than on almost any flight; each seat is either aisle or window; the bus may fill but won't overfill; "could you please move your bag?" should resolve the seated luggage issue (by the driver if one doesn't want confrontation).

 

[Chuckers]

I'd have to disagree with that last paragraph. Seats are wider and more comfortable than on almost any flight; each seat is either aisle or window; the bus may fill but won't overfill; "could you please move your bag?" should resolve the seated luggage issue (by the driver if one doesn't want confrontation).

With the ME buses I have been on, there's been a space above the seats for carry ons.

Also, they've had footrests and they're just much more comfy than a car or plane. I find the bus very relaxing after a flight and it's also exciting because it really is the first taste of Disney before you hit the Welcome Arch

 

[cukal6]

I would say this depends on when you are arriving. There are times that we have waiting almost 45 minutes just to get on ME. However, the last time I arrived at 6pm on a Tuesday evening and was able to get right on. Personally, I like the convenience of having a private car waiting for you and driving straight to the resort, especially when I am traveling with 3 kids!

 

[Dizznee Freak]

ME is the way to go. Used it for the first time last spring on our visit to SSR. It was so much easier for us. I will never go to DW and not use ME

 

[ammag]

A me question..... So if we drive to Orlando form Miami, drop off the rental, stay at a resort can we still take the bus to the airport to depart to ny? I was assuming you don'thave to do it both ways but want to check before we book.

 

[ammag]

Oh one more thing... If we returned our car to the airport (so not coming off a flight ) could we take the express bus to the resorts?