Magical Express. Staying onsite, but wanted cheaper first night?

[1dorseer]

So we are staying at the Polynesian during our disneyworld stay, but get in later afternoon and was just thinking of staying at a cheaper hotel near the airport the first night and heading to Disney the next day. Can we still use Magical express if we go back to the airport in the morning?

 

[hj1madison]

So we are staying at the Polynesian during our disneyworld stay, but get in later afternoon and was just thinking of staying at a cheaper hotel near the airport the first night and heading to Disney the next day. Can we still use Magical express if we go back to the airport in the morning?

I found posted here (along with tons of other great tips), you can have your luggage transferred internally at the WDW resorts. It seems many people do a "split stay". Just contact bellhop service and they will collect your luggage and transfer it to your next resort. This way you can head right into the parks on your first morning. Posts here say luggage is delivered between 1 and 5 pm. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi to take you and luggage to your next resort. The resort will hold your luggage if your room is not ready. We are doing this too, as we are staying a week which begins on the heals of peak season. We are saving $400 our first night and since we won't arrive until 7 pm, why not? And, we can still use ME.

 

[sam_gordon]

So we are staying at the Polynesian during our disneyworld stay, but get in later afternoon and was just thinking of staying at a cheaper hotel near the airport the first night and heading to Disney the next day. Can we still use Magical express if we go back to the airport in the morning?

Yes. Guests can use ME for one round trip any time during their stay. Feel free to stay at a "cheapy" hotel, then get back to MCO to catch ME.

Two caveats...
1) Everyone needs to have a reservation for ME (the phone number is posted around here somewhere). Only people named on the resort reservation can get an ME reservation.
2) You'll need to bring your luggage on the bus with you (don't use the yellow ME tags). You'll be expected to tip the bus driver at the resort.

 

[Sheilby]

So we are staying at the Polynesian during our disneyworld stay, but get in later afternoon and was just thinking of staying at a cheaper hotel near the airport the first night and heading to Disney the next day. Can we still use Magical express if we go back to the airport in the morning?

Yes, just find a flight that comes in the next morning when you want to go and use that flight info so Disney has you scheduled at the right time. In addition, don't put the yellow tags on your luggage and pick them up yourself from baggage claim the night you fly in. You can bring them with you on the ME in the morning. Alternatively you can book a value resort for one night and they would transfer your baggage over the next day to the Poly.

 

[jerzeystar09]

i am doing the exact same thing. does anyone know what time the ME starts running from MCO?

 

[momto3pirates]

ME runs nonstop. Just find a flight time that is when you want to leave.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

DME runs 24/7. No need to pick a flight just tell them what time you want to ride the bus. That is what we did when we arrived buy a motor coach bus from Tampa. We just told them what time we would like to catch the DME.

 

[ilenekm]

DME runs 24/7. No need to pick a flight just tell them what time you want to ride the bus. That is what we did when we arrived buy a motor coach bus from Tampa. We just told them what time we would like to catch the DME.

Did you make a reservation in advance or just show up? DVC member CM told me she could only book DME if my flight arrived the day I was using the bus

 

[momto3pirates]

Yes you need a reservation. If you need to give them a flight number, just pick one that arrives around the time you want to get on the bus. They will not check to see if you are actually on that flight.

 

[luvmyredheadboys]

We are doing the same thing! We arrive at 10:35 at night and so I didn't want to pay disney prices for that night and my sister works for Hampton so we got a new Hampton 2 miles from the airport and they have free shuttle. So we will get a shuttle to the hotel at night and our disney travel lady gave Disney a fake flight for the next morning so we can catch a shuttle back to the airport and then load on ME. BUT remember to NOT put your ME tags on your bags! You will need to collect them yourself when you get off your flight. And then take your bags with you when load ME. Have a great trip