Magical Express process

[ozdisfan]

I'm heading to Disney World in about 3 weeks and I've booked through Dreams Unlimited. I've let them know my flight information but since I'm in Australia, they can't send me any vouchers/tickets for the Magical Express. So I was just wondering how you guys went about getting on the bus, did you have to provide something at the Magical Express check in desk?

 

[aussietravellers]

I'm heading to Disney World in about 3 weeks and I've booked through Dreams Unlimited. I've let them know my flight information but since I'm in Australia, they can't send me any vouchers/tickets for the Magical Express. So I was just wondering how you guys went about getting on the bus, did you have to provide something at the Magical Express check in desk?

We have done the check in at Magical Express without the vouchers and the bag tickets before.

We didn't have to claim our luggage as it was lost and missed our flights. So we went straight to the ME check in desk, checked in with them by giving them our reservation number, gave them a description of our bags and our luggage tag details and they tracked the bags, picked them up and had them delivered to our room at AKL.

Normally you would collect your luggage, then head down to the level ME is on and check in. You can also just go straight there, give them your luggage tag numbers and description and they will get the bags for you and have them taken to your resort (but we didn't like the idea of them going around and around on the luggage carousel and somebody else taking them).

Once checked in, you just go and join your hotel line. It's all very easy. Hardest part if finding the ME area from upstairs if you are on the wrong side of the terminal

Sign that you see before you go down to baggage claim.

Very blurry and bad photo of the check in desk.

Just after check in you will find your hotel sign

 

[PrincessInOz]

I've also done check in at ME without bag tags and documents. Finding ME counter was relatively straight forward for us. We've always ended up in the 'right' side of the terminals.

We collect our bags and wheel it to ME. Once there, we load it on the bus.

Check in desk...

As long as you are sure that your details have been added for Magical Express, the desk jockeys will be able to find you and provide you with your vouchers on the spot.

 

[ColinA]

As long as you have registered your flights with DME they will provide you the information.

Suggest you collect your luggage and then take it to the DME check on the ground floor of terminal B. Follow the Mickey signs and the cast members will assist you.

There are other ways where DME staff can collect your luggage off the carousel and it magically appears in your room!

Used to love the days of DME tags and no hassle of waiting for our luggage. Your luggage was removed before the carousel and then transported to your room. Unfortunately this tag service is no longer available in Australia.

 

[shushh]

When we went last year, we headed straight to the ME desk with just our carry-ons and boarded on the bus. We were tired, had 6 children with us and just wanted to get to the hotel. They got our luggage stubs and collected our luggage for us. We were prepared though with PJs and toothbrushes and a change of clothes for the next day. By the time we got to the hotel room, checked in, settled in, prepared for the next day etc, we only had to wait for about an hour before the luggage appeared in our room.

So long as you're booked for the ME, it should all work out. Our agent actually tried to mail us the tags (this is her iniative not DIsney's) unfortunately, Disney mailed out incorrect ones to her and the corrected ones didn't get to us in time. But it didn't matter in the end.

 

[Sugarglider]

I boarded ME once without any preplanning. they have a friendly Disney lady there who just checked that I had a reservation and she said "yep - get on bus 4 to that hotel"
too easy!
(admittedly I carried my bags everywhere but getting off the bus I just gave them to valet)

 

[ozdisfan]

thank you all so much for the tips and photos, it really helps with the planning