Magical Express Question / Issue

[carol48b]

I appreciate everyone’s feedback so far! I was a bit more severe than I initiallly intended!

How has it gone for people who have used the express real early?!

We have left the resort at 3:00 am for a 6:30 am flight and brought our bags with us on the ME. Never had a problem. If it wasn't for ME, I probably would never go to WDW. My favorite thing about this whole vacation is that we don't have to drive the entire time, and the second is that they handle our luggage to and from (other the ultra early flights). And, we have never found the ME buses dirty. But, your experience may have been different.

 

[tjmw2727]

A - Everyone has to check bags (or use carryon) unfortunately your flight is to early to take advantage of the Remote Airline Check in (RAC). This is an outside vendor offered as a convenience to guests between 5am and 12pm and has nothing to do with Disney or Magical Express.

B- Magical express runs 24/7 and is scheduled based on demand so if you make a reservation they will transport you in time to check your bags and board your flight.

C- You do not have to "rely" on Magical Express, this is a free service offered for the convenience of guests but its your choice! There are many other options at various price ranges including rideshare or private car services.

D- Not sure what you mean by filthy and or appalling? Disney is offering a safe comfortable free service to and from the airport. Its not the quickest option by far but it will get you there and back if you choose to use it.

Personally I have never had an issue with DME; we use it 4/5 times a year and the buses have always been spotless.

Disney has no obligation to transport you to and from the airport - not sure why you think its Poor Service to do this for guests.... and at no cost?

I am leaving on Sunday on a 740am flight and just found out since it’s before 5am (pickup time), we have to check on our bags. How well does the express run this time of day?! Anyone ever have issues with this?!

I love WDW and have beeen having a great vacation but find the express filthy and the service appalling. So I find it troubling I have to rely on them that early in the morning to get me there so I can navigate the airport and check bags.

Thoughts and experiences are appreciated, Thanks!!

(Sorry to be negative, air travel makes me very anxious for some reason, and this seems like extremely poor service on Disney’s part)

 

[Tink9721]

Personally I have never had an issue with DME; we use it 4/5 times a year and the buses have always been spotless.

Disney has no obligation to transport you to and from the airport - not sure why you think its Poor Service to do this for guests.... and at no cost?

Seriously. I love DME For us, it's a little bit of "bonus" magic at the very beginning and very end of the trip. It's a great service and we've never had an issue.

 

[Allison]

I think they build in enough time for you to check bags at the airport, but I understand that can a feel a bit of a hassle, especially when trying to end a vacay on a nice relaxing note. Its not called the 'tragical express' for nothing.

I'm going to suggest something completely radical & not for everyone. But, lately I've been requesting a later pickup for DME anyway, because the 3 hours +/- was always ending up 3 hours + 15 min + be at bus stop 15 min early & I was devoting 3.5 hours or more to this bus ride. So, I would turn in a flight number for between 8-8:15. I would arrive at RAC by 4:45 & check my bags, get on a bus around 5:15, get to airport around 6, get thru security around 7 & be at gate with breakfast in hand by 7:15.

But, I'm not traveling with toddlers or granny in tow. We don't need extra time due to medical or mobility issues. I know how to pack my carry ons to reduce TSA time. I'll trade a sit down meal for eating on the plane, etc. etc.

Now, this decision also comes with a soul searching question, 'what is my pain level tolerance for...' missing my flight from MCO? Having my bags arrive on a different flight than me?

How savvy are you at booking an alternate flight if you miss yours, are you going to a location with many flights per day or only one? Were you planning to head straight to work with a meeting with your boss who didn't want you to take any time off or are you planning to go straight home & start laundry & take a nap?

Do you live close or far from your home airport to swing by later & get your bag that came on a later flight? Do you have things in your checked bag like medical, food, etc. that would make delay a problem?

Showing up at RAC as soon as they open isn't going to work in this case. They aren't going to let you check in for a flight less than 3 hours away and you can't fudge that like you can for Magical Express.

 

[Allison]

What has been filthy and what about the service is appalling?

 

[goofy4tink]

You said you've used DME in the past and found it to be filthy and service appalling. So, you obviously should know how it works. But, in all my trips using DME, and that would be too many to count since it began, I have never found it to be filthy or appalling. So I'm not sure what you're thinking of.
Those that use RAC in the early mornings can't have a flight departure of earlier than 8:30. You have to be finished checking in and walking away from the RAC podium no less than 3 hrs prior to your flight time. And if you're using DME to get back to MCO, that would probably be cutting it too close. Your bus picks you up three hrs prior to flight time, 15 mins either way.
So, as far as how DME runs in the early morning goes, it's just fine. For a 7:40 flight, you'll be picked up between 4:30 and 4:50. You'll arrive at MCO with plenty of time to check your bags and get through security and to your gate. There is no need to worry. If, for some reason, you don't want to leave that early, then use alternate transportation, but don't leave your resort any later than 5:15am. If you're a nervous traveler, you don't want to be rushing around.