Magical Express question

[WannaBeInDis]

Hi! New here! Been reading a lot but have never posted. Leaving for our FIRST family trip to Disney on Feb 22nd. Going as a surprise for our son's 4th birthday

We do not get in until 1:15 pm on Friday, feb 22nd. We were planning on going to Epcot that day/night (as we will only be there for 4 days!). We have reservations on the Magical Express, but will that take too long???? Would it be better to just pay for a limo or taxi? Would that save a lot of time? Also....we were NOT planning on bringing any car seats with us. I know we don't need them for the Magical Express, but wouldn't we need them if we took an alternative vehicle to the Resort (All Star Movies)?

Thanks so much for any help/advice!

 

[wilderness01]

First off where are you staying? Each bus usually goes to 3 resorts. It is pretty quick so it's not like you waste hours. Plus you never have to handle your luggage which is so nice.

What are you flying? If you are on a major airline you can do check in right at the resort for the way back which is great.

Personally unless you are wanting to stop at the grocery store for food I wouldn't bother with a private company. I have taken private companies and will be happy to pm you with a person if you want if that is the route you decide.

 

[wilderness01]

Hi! New here! Been reading a lot but have never posted. Leaving for our FIRST family trip to Disney on Feb 22nd. Going as a surprise for our son's 4th birthday

We do not get in until 1:15 pm on Friday, feb 22nd. We were planning on going to Epcot that day/night (as we will only be there for 4 days!). We have reservations on the Magical Express, but will that take too long???? Would it be better to just pay for a limo or taxi? Would that save a lot of time? Also....we were NOT planning on bringing any car seats with us. I know we don't need them for the Magical Express, but wouldn't we need them if we took an alternative vehicle to the Resort (All Star Movies)?

Thanks so much for any help/advice!

Oh I see where you are staying now. I would think the stops for the ME would be all the All Stars and Pop.

If you go with a private company they should have at least one car seat for you to use. I did trust the guy I used numerous times with his car seat, but generally I don't like using other people's items like that because it was a safety issue.

 

[aceandmee]

Our airline got in midday, and they got us to Music pretty quickly. I didn't feel like I spent long waiting for anything. Off the airplane, over to Magical Express, a couple of minutes in line, a couple of minutes getting the bus loaded and we were off to the resorts. Movies is the third stop after Sports and Music and all three are within walking distance pretty much, so not too much extra travel time at all.

We loved how streamlined and easy Disney made arrival and departure to the airlines for us.

Have a great trip!

 

[mrstomrice]

I suggest ME too. Just remember to pack a bag with whatever you'll want/need for EPCOT becuase your checked luggage will not be on the ME with you. It takes up to 3 hours longer, unless you wait for it and put it on the bus yourself.

 

[wilderness01]

Our airline got in midday, and they got us to Music pretty quickly. I didn't feel like I spent long waiting for anything. Off the airplane, over to Magical Express, a couple of minutes in line, a couple of minutes getting the bus loaded and we were off to the resorts. Movies is the third stop after Sports and Music and all three are within walking distance pretty much, so not too much extra travel time at all.

We loved how streamlined and easy Disney made arrival and departure to the airlines for us.

Have a great trip!

I agree, they couldn't make it any easier. Have fun.

 

[lntsmom]

Timewise, how long did it take you to get from the beginning of the Express line to your resort? I'd appreciate anyone's input.

This is our second WDW trip. The first time I used Mears for my transfers. It took about an hour from the time we got off the plane to the time we got off the bus at the resort.

Is Magical Express faster than that?

 

[tjmw2727]

Timewise, how long did it take you to get from the beginning of the Express line to your resort? I'd appreciate anyone's input.

This is our second WDW trip. The first time I used Mears for my transfers. It took about an hour from the time we got off the plane to the time we got off the bus at the resort.

Is Magical Express faster than that?

First of all I don't think an hour from touchdown to the WDW resorts is long at all. It takes 30/40 minutes to get to WDW from the airport plus the time it takes to get your luggage if your not using DME or the luggage delivery.

I love DME and find it actually takes me less time to get from the airport to WDW then it does when I use a towncar service. We have used DME 6 times in the past few years and so far have had all good experiences.

I will use our last trip as an example. We landed at MCO 9:15, skiped baggage claim as we used the DME luggage delivery service and checked in at the DME desk. Boarded the bus and stopped at one resort prior to ours arriving at POFQ at 10:20 - by 10:30 we were checked in and heading to the pool. Swam for the morning, had some lunch and by 1:30 our room was ready. Waiting in the room was our luggage, grocery delivery and a case of water I had ordered from Staples.

For reference, for us it has always been at leat 90 minutes from touchdown to the resort when using a towncar - even without a grocery stop. By the time you wait on your luggage from the carosel and then wait for the driver to bring the car around you could have been well on your way via DME.

If you prefer personal service, don't want to share a ride and don't mind getting your own luggage, using a private car may be worth the extra $.

Otherwise IMHO DME with the luggage delivery is the way to go, spend that $100 + on souviners. Rememember to pack a carryon with what you need for that first day as your luggage can take up to 3 hours to get to your room. Something flyers should do anyway in case the airline misdirects your luggage.

TJ

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

I always take Magical Express to the All Stars. It's a direct run. There are no other stops (other than the three All Star incarnations: Sports-Music-Movies)

It takes about the same time as Mears. Tentative schedule:

• Land at 1:15,
• On the bus by 1:45
• Arrive at hotel before 2:15 -- 2:30 at the latest.
• The time it takes to check-in can vary.... but once you get your keys you can "drop and go".

I always pack a change of clothes in my carry on so I can change and run to the parks without having to wait for them to deliver my checked luggage. They'll deliver while you're out having fun!

Personally, I love the Magical Express.

 

[Bork]

We waited about 10 min for the ME bus at the airport. 2 weeks ago, we stopped at the POP, Sports, Music, then Movies.

We were at the ME bus at 2:30. Between the wait, drive, checking into our room (Music) we were on the bus to the MK by 4:30. Granted a big part of that was the long walk to and from the room to drop some things off.

So I'd say 2-3 hours from landing at MCO to being at the parks.