Magical Express Question..

[ilovepooh222]

About how long did it take from when you got off of the flight until when the Magical Express left for the resort? I'm wondering how much time we have in between (grab a quick snack or wait to eat in Disney?).

 

[bradk]

while i've heard horror stories, i can only assume in my cases, it's 20 mins at most after you check-in. it's always been less for me, but there have always been people already on the bus. last couple of times were both 10 minutes on the bus before we left the airport.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Our daughter flew in two days after we arrived by car. She called us when she reached the airport and, within 45 minutes, she was being dropped off at the Caribbean Beach Resort by the Magical Express bus. This was around 4:30 p.m.

We went to the 7:00 something p.m. Hoop Dee Doo Review and when we came back, her bags had been delivered to the room.

I thought the service was fast and efficient.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

ilovepooh222: If you are wanting to grab something to eat, I would do it after you get off the plane. Once you make your way down to ground transportation and check in for Magical Express the wait is minimal. We have not had to wait more than 15 minutes on our past 2 trips. It does take about 20 minutes or so from airport to resort.

Last year I packed sandwiches and had them in our carry on and once we got on the magical express bus we ate. For us that worked out great and we plan on doing that this year as well.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Plus, there's nowhere to 'grab something' on the first (and I think second) levels of the airport. Everything's on the departure level - which is the same as the arrival level, just that the floor below is called Arrivals because most people have to go there to pick up their luggage,,, but I digress).
Anyway, within reason, take as much time as you want between getting off the plane and checking in at the DME Welcome Center. Have a bite to eat, avail yourself of the facilities, buy souvenirs, wait for traveling companions arriving on a different flight...

 

[dreamergirl78]

I would suggest to be prepared for the worst case scenerio. Our wait was longer than some of the other times mentioned. About 30 minutes. The ride was short though fromt he airport to the resort. Our luggage did not arrive until 12 hours after our flight landed, so you may want to pack a small overnight bag for you and your family. I would use the ME again, but I would be more prepared the second time around.

 

[goofy4tink]

You aren't 'assigned' a particular bus or departure time with DME. Yes, they know about what time you are arriving, but you aren't tied to being at the checkin desk at a specific time. We always stop at the restrooms, freshen up and then head to DME. There are a lot of folks who want to grab a bite to eat before they head off to WDW. Go ahead, get something to eat, then head down to DME checkin. You'll have seats on a bus. It has taken us, routinely, about 10 mins to get to DME from deplaning, then about 8 minutes in the line (tops), over to the bus line and about 5 min wait (sometimes more if the appropriate bus just left!) and then a 5-10 min wait on the bus while others board. Then, it's about 30 mins to the first resort...if you are the second or third, your time will be longer.

In short, go eat and then head to DME...it's not an issue.

 

[HockeyDad]

Our luggage did not arrive until 12 hours after our flight landed, so you may want to pack a small overnight bag for you and your family.

Ouch! 12 Hours?? Is this typical? What if you have flight that arrives late in the afternoon? Do they deliver the luggage in the middle of the night or early the next morning?

 

[disneyag]

You could potentially wait until you arrived at WDW to eat. We landed at 12:17 in October and pulled up to the Poly at 1:14.

 

[CleveRocks]

Disney says to expect your luggage about three hours after you arrive at your resort. In reality, I'd expect it to take maybe another hour, although both times I used DME I got the luggage within 3 hours of resort arrival.

Disney also says to pack a carry-on for items you'll need immediately. I've proposed this since Day One, also ... what if the AIRLINE delays your luggage. For the past 15 years or so, no matter where I fly I always pack a carry-on with supplies for the first 24 hours. As someone who's TWICE experienced luggage delayed by airlines (never in Florida), I can assure you that having a well-packed carry-on makes the difference between a nice start to vacation and a stressed start to vacation.

Frankly, I can't understand why everyone doesn't pack a carry-on in this way. Airline-based luggage delays happen thousands of times a day across the country, why not take a simple step to protect yourself??? I've seen people complain about medications, baby formula, diapers and so on being packed in checked luggage with none of the above in their carry-ons. What were they thinking???

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ouch! 12 Hours?? Is this typical? What if you have flight that arrives late in the afternoon? Do they deliver the luggage in the middle of the night or early the next morning?

Um, if I'm not mistaken dreamergirl arrived at Pop Century on a day when the resort had over a THOUSAND Guests checking in or checking out. They had trouble with LOTS of luggage that day (including mine, which they were just moving from one room to another and couldn't find for, yeah, twelve hours).

 

[dreamergirl78]

Um, if I'm not mistaken dreamergirl arrived at Pop Century on a day when the resort had over a THOUSAND Guests checking in or checking out. They had trouble with LOTS of luggage that day (including mine, which they were just moving from one room to another and couldn't find for, yeah, twelve hours).

Yes, that was an insane day. But when you go into it expecting your luggage to be there within 3 - 5 hours I was prepared for that. But 12 hours later? It was a good learning lesson for sure. I will be better prepared for the next time. Usually I go places where I have friends or family there, so I don't worry too much about luggage delays.
And yes, they delivered it at like 3am. They did ask if I wanted them to hold it, but we had no jammies, no nuthin so they brought it to us. It made for a VERY long day but after I got over being upset and frustrated, we had the most amazing vacation anyway!
Hopefully they have a better system in place now for days where they have HUGE influxes of people!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes, that was an insane day. But when you go into it expecting your luggage to be there within 3 - 5 hours I was prepared for that. But 12 hours later?

Oh! I never told you about the family I met at the Turf Club? They had your SAME experience. Mom and two daughters, had packed only swim stuff in their carry-ons because, yeah, they expected their luggage in a timely manner. Checked in, went swimming, went to the room - no luggage. Pop couldn't find theirs, either. So they ended up being given t-shirts, and transported to dinner at the Turf Club.

 

[dreamergirl78]

Oh! I never told you about the family I met at the Turf Club? They had your SAME experience. Mom and two daughters, had packed only swim stuff in their carry-ons because, yeah, they expected their luggage in a timely manner. Checked in, went swimming, went to the room - no luggage. Pop couldn't find theirs, either. So they ended up being given t-shirts, and transported to dinner at the Turf Club.

Oh man! It was a nightmare for sure. I was on hold for what seemed to be hours. Being transfered from one CM to the next. I would have been over the moon if they would have at least given us t-shirts to sleep in. We had been in the same clothes for 24 hours and it was not fun.
Like I said though, live and learn! Next time I will at least have PJ's and a change of clothes!