Magical Express Question!! Please help!

[Colls1023]

We are going the last week of October. Checking in 10/25. However due to airfare it is much cheaper for us to fly down on 10/24. So that is what we plan on doing. Flying in the night of the 24th and then staying at a hotel close to the airport; using the hotels airport shuttle. We plan to then take the hotels shuttle back to the airport in the morning and then take the magical express to the Grand and check in. Can we do this?? I don't see why we can't! But I don't want any problems; so I thought I would ask the experts. Thank you very much for your help!!

 

[Alesia]

Yes, you can do that.

 

[Colls1023]

Thanks!

 

[afyoung]

Unless where you are staying is really less expensive....have you thought about staying at the airport at the hotel? Then you don't have to worry about claiming baggage to shuttle away to the other hotel, only to have to shuttle it all back to board the ME.

 

[Colls1023]

We thought about staying there. But found a much cheaper hotel that include breakfast less then 2 miles from airport! We were thinking of tagging our checked bags with ME tags before leaving chicago and just packing overnight stuff in a carryon. But not sure if I would be pressing my luck on our checked bags getting misplaced! In all our almost 10 trips we have never had an issue of any kind with ME. What are your thoughts?

 

[bumbershoot]

We thought about staying there. But found a much cheaper hotel that include breakfast less then 2 miles from airport! We were thinking of tagging our checked bags with ME tags before leaving chicago and just packing overnight stuff in a carryon. But not sure if I would be pressing my luck on our checked bags getting misplaced! In all our almost 10 trips we have never had an issue of any kind with ME. What are your thoughts?

Don't do that. You've had good experiences with the baggage service when using it as intended. There won't be any place for your bags to go, the day before your onsite reservation starts. The risks are too high of them being misplaced. Just take them with you. Grab a porter to and from the shuttle. No big deal.

 

[afyoung]

We thought about staying there. But found a much cheaper hotel that include breakfast less then 2 miles from airport! We were thinking of tagging our checked bags with ME tags before leaving chicago and just packing overnight stuff in a carryon. But not sure if I would be pressing my luck on our checked bags getting misplaced! In all our almost 10 trips we have never had an issue of any kind with ME. What are your thoughts?

This trip will be my first experience with ME. With over-tired super excited kids, I am looking for simplicity. But I love airport hotels for the convenience, and I understand the one at MCO to be very helpful and accomodating to Disney people. I think the important thing to remember is you are on vacation, so do what works best for your expectations. I would worry that your luggage might not get to where it needs to be if it gets checked into ME a whole day before you arrive at your resort.

 

[Alesia]

We thought about staying there. But found a much cheaper hotel that include breakfast less then 2 miles from airport! We were thinking of tagging our checked bags with ME tags before leaving chicago and just packing overnight stuff in a carryon. But not sure if I would be pressing my luck on our checked bags getting misplaced! In all our almost 10 trips we have never had an issue of any kind with ME. What are your thoughts?

Do not do this.

No one will be there to collect your bags. They will go around on the carousel until someone either steals them or an airport employee takes them to the unclaimed baggage office. If they make it to the unclaimed baggage office, they will eventually get to you, but it may not be until after you're already home..

 

[maxiesmom]

Have you thought about checking in to a value resort for the first night? Pack what you need for the night at the first day in your carry-on (which is a smart move anyway) and have Disney move your bags to whatever Disney resort you are staying at the for the rest of your trip.

 

[Colls1023]

I have thought of that. But since there are 5 of us (4adults and 1 kid) we would need two rooms which would not be the best value for us.

Thanks everyone for your help. I think we are just going to claim our bags and take them with us. I was nervous just thinking of it, myself! Thanks again!

 

[malibuconlee]

Can you add an extra day at your WDW hotel? How much are you saving in airfare and how much more would an extra night at your hotel run you? Then you can just go right to WDW and not have to mess with shuttles and Magical Express. Just get up in the morning and hit your vacation running.

 

[HizMinnie2015]

There is also a promotion running with a discount percentage off a room only reservation. I would look into staying an extra night at your WDW resort. We are flying in on 10/24 and have a 1 night room only ressie. Our package stay runs from 10/25 to 10/31. 1 additional night was $100.... better for us than the aggravation of shuffling bags all over everywhere. Just to get to WDW on the morning of our Package check-in.