Magical Express questions

[Mrs. Bee]

I am planning a trip to Disneyworld this coming January. I have a few questions about the magical express that maybe someone can help me with.

1. Roughly how long is the bus ride from the airport to Port Orleans, Riverside?

2. Dumb question, is there a bathroom on the bus?

3. Do you HAVE to use the luggage service? It is possible to wait at the baggage claim, get my own bags, and take them to the bus with me?

Hmm....I think that's it for now.
Thanks!

 

[sue1013]

I can't answer #1 for you I haven't taken ME to POR. Yes there is a bathroom on the ME bus. Yes you can claim your luggage yourself but I think the best thing about ME is not having to deal with your luggage. If you do decide to claim your luggage do not put the ME tags on it.

 

[ducklite]

I am planning a trip to Disneyworld this coming January. I have a few questions about the magical express that maybe someone can help me with.

1. Roughly how long is the bus ride from the airport to Port Orleans, Riverside?

It depends on how many stops the bus makes. It could be as long as two hours. Ninety minutes is probably a reasonable estimate. It could be as little as 45 or so.

2. Dumb question, is there a bathroom on the bus?

Yes, but it's a bus bathroom. Small, awkward, and I would guess not as clean as the average person would be comfortable with. Take an airplane lav, make it smaller, and add a bunch of bumps and sway. I'd strongly suggest using the bathroom at the airport before getting on DME.

3. Do you HAVE to use the luggage service? It is possible to wait at the baggage claim, get my own bags, and take them to the bus with me?

Yes, but that will add 30-60 minutes to your trip, and you'll need to tip the driver $1-2 per bag for each bag you stow under the bus.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

If i don't put the ME tags on our bags, I'll still be able to use the bus though, right?

How often to the ME buses leave the airport?

 

[Mickiethepooh]

If i don't put the ME tags on our bags, I'll still be able to use the bus though, right?

How often to the ME buses leave the airport?

Yes you can still ride the bus but you will slow up things for yourselves and everyone else by collecting your bags as they then have to load the bags for everyone that does this but many people do it non the less. Just like you are not suppose to use the luggage transfer and NOT ride the bus but many people do that as well.
Remember however that once you get your bags from baggage claim they are YOUR responsibility from that point on and you will need to take them yourself when you arrive at POR or get Bell services to take them, and you will or should tip the bus driver and bell services since they will both be handling your bags. If you use the luggage service and just take a carry one with what you need till your bags arrive, things will go quicker, and you will not have anyone to tip.

 

[bab31]

You can use ME if you dont put the tags on your luggage. For us using ME to it's full capabililties is the best..I really liked coming off the plane and not having to go to baggage claim, and wait for my bags along with a ton other people. We went right to ME ( it is where the car rentals). went to the desk, took about 5 minutes if that. As I understand it if there is a line - dont worry- for one the line looks longer that it is, as sometimes instead of just one person from your party getting in line- every one does- Only one person needs to check in at the desk. And the line moves fast. The busses leave at appointed intervals- they dont wait until it is full.
We waited no longer than 10 minutes if that for the bus. We stayed at Coronado Springs and it was less than hour between landing and checking in. I would just take a carry on with your things you may need in the next 24 hrs in case your luggage is delayed ( if it is -it is probably the airline and you would be waiting for it in that case anyway) (we always take a carry on now) since my husbands was lost on our trip to Tucson- He finally got his luggage- He didnt even have to unpack it as he left to return the next day any way back to WDW- we got to our room and went for a bite to eat- we were probably gone about 45 min to an hour and our luggage was in our room when we returned.

 

[goofy4tink]

I am planning a trip to Disneyworld this coming January. I have a few questions about the magical express that maybe someone can help me with.

1. Roughly how long is the bus ride from the airport to Port Orleans, Riverside?

2. Dumb question, is there a bathroom on the bus?

3. Do you HAVE to use the luggage service? It is possible to wait at the baggage claim, get my own bags, and take them to the bus with me?

Hmm....I think that's it for now.
Thanks!

1. About 30 mins.

2. Yes, but you really don't want to use it unless you absolutely have to!! Use the restroom at MCO before checking in with DME.

3. No, technically you don't have to. But, you will add up to 30 mins to your time. If you use DME the way it is intended, you will most likely be at your resort, checking in, within an hour or so of deplaning. If you have to go to baggage claim and wait for your luggage, it could be 90 mins before getting to the resort. And, it could be longer.
And, keep in mind, if you bring your bags with you, you are then going to find that the driver will expect a tip...about $1-2 per bag. Gratuities are not included if you bring the bags with you to the bus.
Add to that the addtl time at each resort that others have to sit on the bus, while myriad bags are taken out, handed over to the guest, tip given...well, it adds time to others ride.

So, basically, it's up to you. I always advise people to have anything they will need for their first day in a carryon bag. This would include small, travel sized toiletries, change of clothes, swim wear if appropriate, travel documents, a book, all electronics. You will stand a much greater chance of the airlines misdirecting your checked luggage than DME misdirecting it. And it doesn't matter where you are traveling...always have that carryon properly packed...just in case.

 

[goofy4tink]

If i don't put the ME tags on our bags, I'll still be able to use the bus though, right?

How often to the ME buses leave the airport?

Sorry, didn't notice this question. The buses are not on a set schedule. They are dispatched as needed. If you were to checkin and head to the bus line just as the bus to your resort was pulling away, you might have a wait of about 15 or so minutes. You are not assigned to a particular bus either. If you want to take your time getting to the DME area, that's fine. I always use the ladies room on my way to DME area..no rushing, just a nice leisurely pace. I have made it from the plane to the resort in 55 mins....stars and planets were all nicely aligned for me that time. Usually it's about 70 mins.