Magical Express & Scheduling

[LeeAnn]

We have an very early flight that arrive in MCO at 8:30AM. We are taking advantage of Magic Express in early March. Will they be there when we arrive or do we have to wait?

How long will it take to go to Pop Century? I'm sure there are other hotel stops.

Then we plan to check-in (I know room will not be ready) and leave our carry ons.

Then we plan to take the BUS to Epcot. What time do you think we will make it there?

We planning a lunch a couple of ride before going to MK for the 3:00P Parade. Just wondering how much time I really do have at Epcot.

Thanks for your help.

 

[tjmouse]

The only experience I have is with my sister. She landed and was at POR in 45 minutes. I don't know if that is good, but it sounds pretty darn fast to me. I would say that check in at that time of day shouldn't be too bad, but you never know, seems to go in spurts. What if your room is ready? Will you go there and drop your bags off? I wouldn't plan on being to Epcot before noon either way.

 

[YCFAN]

This past July my 4 year old son and I took a 6:00 am flight out of Raleigh that landed at MCO at 7:40am. We practically walked right on to ME. We were staying at the YC and the ME bus was making 3 stops: All Stars, Pop Century, and YC. YC was the third stop and it wasn't bad at all. We had made all three stops, checked-in at the hotel and was in MGM Studios by 9:30 am. I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread! I actually think the earlier you get in the better. There's usually no line at ME. I think you'll love it.

 

[CleveRocks]

We have an very early flight that arrive in MCO at 8:30AM. We are taking advantage of Magic Express in early March. Will they be there when we arrive or do we have to wait?

You first have to check in at the DME counter at MCO. Will you have to wait? Probably, a few minutes. The buses don't run on a timetable. Due to reservations, they know how many people to expect around any given time. Unless something's really weird, they won't have you wait around a long time to fill up the bus, since, as I said, they have a good idea of who is coming when and dispatch the buses that way.

How long will it take to go to Pop Century? I'm sure there are other hotel stops.

It's entirely possible you'll get there about an hour or 75 minutes after landing. There's no set grouping of which resorts go together, but the general rule for any given bus is that the resort closest to the airport gets dropped off first, etc.

Then we plan to check-in (I know room will not be ready) and leave our carry ons.

You may be pleasantly surprised, your room might be ready. My flight landed at 9:10 a.m. and our 2 connecting rooms were ready. The way it's been explained on this board by at least one current Disney CM, when you check in at the DME counter at MCO, your hotel is sent a computer message and if a room in your reservation category is available it will be held for you. In other words, let's say you check in at the DME counter at MCO at 8:40 a.m., and there was only one room available in your category at that time. At 8:41 a.m., someone else with a similar reservation arrives by car or towncar or taxi or whatever. That person is told their room isn't ready yet. They may still be waiting for their room when you arrive by DME bus at about, say, 9:30 a.m., and YOU get to check into your room. Another perk of DME!

Then we plan to take the BUS to Epcot. What time do you think we will make it there?

Depends on whether or not you can check into your room. Let's say you can't, and you have Bell Services store your carry-ons. Maybe you can be at Epcot by 10:15 or so, assuming the usual delay in checking in, checking your carry-ons, etc.

ENJOY!

 

[poohluvrs]

Is Magical Express ending?

 

[my2littlebuckeyes]

Does anyone know how Magical Express handles 1 year olds....do we just hold him for the ride? Or are there car seats? We also have a 3 year old, he can sit in a seat probably.

 

[YCFAN]

Yes, you will hold the 1 year old. Car seats are stored in the baggage compartment under the bus if you have one. They do not allow them on the bus.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's entirely possible you'll get there about an hour or 75 minutes after landing. There's no set grouping of which resorts go together, but the general rule for any given bus is that the resort closest to the airport gets dropped off first, etc.

This is not absolute, but Pop seems to be the closest Disney Resort to the airport (especially given that the buses use 417 as opposed to 528/I-4), so chances are the OP will be getting off the bus at its first stop.

Is Magical Express ending?

Someday... maybe... nothing's been announced regarding the service beyond December 31 - but it's proving to be so popular, it's unlikely Disney would cancel it. Why do you ask? Have you heard something?