Magical Express Operating Now...

[minmate]

Just got back tonight and wanted to let everyone know that it appears Magical Express is now operational. I saw the buses all over the place. Now, we'd already booked FLTours (who were great... no problems, except we didn't get our grocery stop... we forgot about it and didn't ask when we got there and the driver didn't remind us either... not really anyone's fault I guess.)... Anyway, bus drivers and FLTours driver all told us that ME is up and running. I was totally surprised and assumed they were just Mears buses painted as ME buses and not "REALLY" doing ME yet, but according to those I spoke to, they really ARE doing ME now... So, if you're going to WDW soon, you may want to check into this and save yourself some transpo costs.

 

[safetymom]

They are taking trial runs to the airport. They are also allowing check in at the resorts and transporting luggage. It is still being tested and not available at all resorts.

 

[kab407]

ME is also only operating with three airlines; United (& Ted), Delta (& Song) and I think, NW. They are still in the testing stage. There was a card in my room explaining the service. No idea what the cost was during this test phase.

 

[safetymom]

There is no cost to this program.

 

[minmate]

Well they were running to the Pop a LOT. We had to walk past the pick-up area to get to our room from the bus stops and we almost always saw an ME bus pulling in or out. We also saw them on the roads a lot. I didn't know they were only in a testing phase. I can't imagine how abundant they will appear once they are fully operational.

 

[tamu91]

ME is also only operating with three airlines; United (& Ted), Delta (& Song) and I think, NW. They are still in the testing stage. There was a card in my room explaining the service. No idea what the cost was during this test phase.

Has anyone heard if Continental is going to participate or not? Wasn't Continental one of the airlines that Disney had listed in their news release?

 

[localdriver]

Well they were running to the Pop a LOT. We had to walk past the pick-up area to get to our room from the bus stops and we almost always saw an ME bus pulling in or out. We also saw them on the roads a lot. I didn't know they were only in a testing phase. I can't imagine how abundant they will appear once they are fully operational.

They are being phased into the Mears operation, running mostly regular Mears service until May 5th. Then it starts for real.

 

[seashoreCM]

A reminder, Magical Express works for all guests flying in to Disney on any airline. (Foreign guests must claim luggage for customs at Orlando if not sooner at a connection point.)

If your airline is not represented at your resort check out airline check in desk, or if you need to go through customs on the way home, you hand carry your luggage aboard the Magical Express bus.

Mears provides the Magical Express drivers (and also owns the buses). It is nearly trivial for them to run tests for Magical Express merely by segregating guests at the airport bound for disney resorts. Baggage not hand carried by guests goes on separately scheduled trucks, not on the buses.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

When you reach someone's voice mail are you often guilty of sending an empty envelope?

 

[chrisann]

We are arriving on Spirit and i'm wondering if they are doing all airlines or just certain ones.

 

[Catrin]

I gave my flight info to the CM when I booked my room. She said although I was flying SOuthwest, I could still get free transportation. I just have to get my bags and carry them to the bus.

My question is:
Do I get some type of ticket for the bus? I did not get a confirmation number or anything.
Thanks for your help,
Catrin

 

[LittleBoPeep]

Does anyone know if it will be a multi-stop service or will there be shuttles designated for specific resorts? I asked booking CM's about this and they didn't know either.
TIA

 

[philaround]

Does anyone know if it will be a multi-stop service or will there be shuttles designated for specific resorts? I asked booking CM's about this and they didn't know either.
TIA

From what I've been able to discover this will depend on the mix os arriving guests. This will be a dynamic system not a set svhedule and route system. You may find that the bus you board is only going to your resort [unlikely however]. Mostlikely tou will find that the bus will be stopping at 2 or 3 resorts.
For example: a bus may be going to all 3 All Star resorts.