Magical Express Routes Released!

[dcibrando]

Disney's Magical Express bus routes revealed
When Disney's Magical Express begins on May 5, it will operate on a zone basis, with resorts grouped into four zones. Buses will be dispatched on an as–needed basis based on resorts and flight times, with a maximum of four stops per bus. Additional buses will be dispatched if five resorts in one zone have guests needing to be picked up for similar flight times, or if more guests need to be picked up than can be accommodated on a single bus.

Zones are as follows:

Magic Kingdom Area (“Red Zone”): Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Polynesian Resort, Contemporary Resort, Wilderness Lodge, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness Campground and Resort
Epcot Area (“Blue Zone”): Beach Club Resort, Beach Club Villas, Yacht Club Resort, Boardwalk Inn, Boardwalk Villas, Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century Resort
Animal Kingdom Area (“Green Zone”): Animal Kingdom Lodge, All–Star Sports Resort, All–Star Music Resort, All–Star Movies Resort, Coronado Springs Resort
Downtown Disney Area (“Black Zone”): Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, Port Orleans Riverside Resort, Old Key West Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort

 

[vicb]

I'll be interested to hear what peoples experiences are with Magical Express. For some reason it just doesn't grab me. It sounds too much like the old Mears shuttle but in a fancier package. I really like getting off the escalator and seeing my name on the Tiffany Towncar sign and being driven straight to my hotel enterance. Maybe it's just me....

 

[claudia]

the magical express didn't grab me either. It sounds great, but I have a feeling that it will probably take hours for you to get to your resort. I am sure that there will be plenty of waiting at the airport until everyone scheduled to arrive is there....then the stops from resort to resort. Another worry is what if they miss you bag at the airport. I know that you will receive special tags for your luggage...but who knows. Then, how long will it take fo them to deliver your bags?? I don't need stress and aggravation on my trip....that's why I never did Mears after the first time. Atlantis Limo here I come!

 

[Michael623]

I'll be sticking with a rental car.

 

[DebIreland]

Yay!!! Thanks for the info - it sounds great. We're in the black zone going to POFQ - with only 3 other resorts in our zone, I'm guessing it won't take too long at all. And of course, as there won't be any luggage, people will be good to go as soon as the bus reaches their resort. I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[SunshineKathie]

i'll be keeping an eye on this. Our travel agent has us using this option on our honeymoon in September. I am a bit skeptical myself.

 

[DebIreland]

the magical express didn't grab me either. It sounds great, but I have a feeling that it will probably take hours for you to get to your resort.

I really doubt that it'll take hours!! I'm surprised so many people are opting out of this service but, of course, to each his/her own! The fact that everyone needs to 'book' the service in advance so there won't be any walk-ons will surely makes it more efficient. Also, as there's no luggage to load and sort through (upon drop-off at resort), I think it will be quite hassle-free. It's a great money-saver too and the fact that it's a Disney bus means you're getting that Disney feel right there as soon as you get out of the airport. But, of course, only time will tell.

 

[Mellie0119]

We're using the service for our May 22 trip, we're arriving mid afternoon and hoping to be in the parks about 2-3 hours after we land (I'm being optomistic).

 

[claudia]

the reason I said it would probably take hours is that you can be guaranteed that Disney is going to make sure that the buses are full...which means you will be waiting until several flights arrive...granted all probably having arrival times within 30-45 minutes of each other. Well, I will wait to hear what others have to say about the service, but as I said, Atlantis Limo all the way!

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

They have been doing this for years for the Cruise line, including the Land and Sea vacations...they didn't service all of the resorts though.

 

[athenna]

Yay!!! Thanks for the info - it sounds great. We're in the black zone going to POFQ - with only 3 other resorts in our zone, I'm guessing it won't take too long at all. And of course, as there won't be any luggage, people will be good to go as soon as the bus reaches their resort. I'm really looking forward to it.

Yup, I'll be in the black zone too! I stay at SSR. Just as a heads up, when I took the Mears bus to the airport from SSR on Friday, it didn't take too long at all and it did stop at the 4 resorts in the black zone.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

the reason I said it would probably take hours is that you can be guaranteed that Disney is going to make sure that the buses are full...which means you will be waiting until several flights arrive...granted all probably having arrival times within 30-45 minutes of each other.

I don't think so - they would create many unhappy people this way.

 

[auroraarielella]

It's not true that ther will be no luggage to load. USAir is not participating in the luggage program, and they are a major carrier out of some Northeast Airports. So they will have to claim their baggage and load it, according to what I heard when I was there last week!

 

[Lewisc]

the reason I said it would probably take hours is that you can be guaranteed that Disney is going to make sure that the buses are full...which means you will be waiting until several flights arrive...granted all probably having arrival times within 30-45 minutes of each other. Well, I will wait to hear what others have to say about the service, but as I said, Atlantis Limo all the way!

Flights don't come in every 30 -45 minutes. More like every 3-5 minutes. Just look at how many carousels are being used at baggage claim. Double that since there are two sides to the airport.

During the busy part of the day I wouldn't think it would take more than 15 minutes to fill a bus. You probably only need around 10 families to fill a bus.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

I will also be keeping a close eye out on this one. We have been very loyal to Tiffany in the past, but right now are reserved with ME. The no luggage factor and saving over $100 interests me. I also do not think they are going to make you wait hours for a bus.

 

[ncbyrne]

DH and I prefer to have a car at all times. Only once was I at the mercy of the WDW transportation system. Having to wait on long lines along with all those tired kids and impatient parents, and then having to STAND (I'm a grandma) all the way back to the resort, or having to wait for a second bus because the first one was full, will not happen again. I'll be renting a car for every trip. It's not a luxury line item at all. The cost of renting a car in Florida is minimal in comparison and a major convenience in WDW.

 

[Lewisc]

It's not true that ther will be no luggage to load. USAir is not participating in the luggage program, and they are a major carrier out of some Northeast Airports. So they will have to claim their baggage and load it, according to what I heard when I was there last week!

You heard wrong. You can use the ME tags WITH ANY AIRLINE on the inbound portion of your trip. Your luggage will be pulled and trucked to your resort.

Only certain airlines are participating in the resort check in portion of ME but that's FOR YOUR RETURN FLIGHT.

 

[claudia]

auroraarielella is absolutely correct, US Air is not participating in the ME. Friends of our going down in June checked with US Air before booking their flight and were told that they are not participating...they booked on SWA instead.

 

[Lewisc]

auroraarielella is absolutely correct, US Air is not participating in the ME. Friends of our going down in June checked with US Air before booking their flight and were told that they are not participating...they booked on SWA instead.

This has been posted to death. Disney will pull your luggage, if you use ME tags, FOR ANY AIRLINE. Some CM's and posters on this board are giving out incorrect information. All the offical information and posts by people in the know, Tyler and localdriver confirm this. http://disneymeetings.disney.go.com/dwm/services/detail?name=DMEAttendeesDetailPage gives you a good FAQ

Participating airlines allow you to check your luggage in your resort FOR YOUR RETURN flight. SW is not participating and isn't expected to be participating in the near future. I hope your friends didn't change their plans based on misinformation.

 

[claudia]

they were told directly by US Air that they are not participating. They were told that no arrangments had been made with Disney for this service and there is no agreement to do this...so they don't know who to believe. They got a great low fare on SWA and are using a car service...the lower fare more than paid for their transportation.
Only time with tell with ME.