Magical Express???

[jenseib]

Ok we are booked and using Magical Express, but have no clue what to do? Will directions come in th mail? Where do we go when we get off the plane. I know we don't need to pick up our luggage. So is there a certain spot to go? And then what do we do to go back?

 

[Harvest02]

Magical Express is GREAT!!! We used it our last two trips, and no problems! I am not sure what area it is in off the top of my head, but you take the elevator to Level 2, I believe. There is a check-in line, and they get you right on the bus. On the way home, they come to pick you up 3 hours before your flight to take you to the airport. The kids loved the ride because they showed Mickey and the gang on the TV's. They also show them on the way back to the airport thanking you for visiting. That part wanted to make me cry because I didn't WANT to go home! The busses are comfy, and it sure beats renting a car if you are staying on property! We wouldn't do it any other way! You should get a packet in the mail before your trip with luggage tags and where you need to go in the airport. Have fun!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

About a month or so before your departure date, you will receive an informational packet, with your yellow luggage tags in it, from DME. It will give you a map and instructions. But, in the meantime, to give you a quick overview...
You will arrive on level 3, with Side A or Side B, depending on the airline you fly in on. You will leave the gate area and take the tram to the main terminal. Once there, you will head to Side B (if not already there), and head down to level 2 (this is where baggage claim is)..it is reached usually by escalator or stairs. Then take the elevator to level 1, ground transportation. Head all the way to the right, past the car rental counters. You will see DME checkin counter at the very end, on the right. You will get in line (just one of you, not the whole family), you will checkin with them, then you will be directed to the appropriate bus line. Get your family together and get in line. And off you go to your resort.
If you have used your yellow luggage tags, then there is no need to go to baggage claim, just pass it by. If you do choose to get your own luggage, then get it and then continue on to level 1, bags in tow. They will be loaded under the bus you are riding on. The driver will now expect a tip for handling your bags though.

 

[seashoreCM]

When you get off your plane, you take a tram to the main terminal. In the main terminal, after exiting security and coming out into the open, look to each side. Go to the side with the big neon B on the wall a little above eye level. (the other side as an A). Now go down to the lowest level. If you started at the end with the Hyatt hotel and huge atrium, you will have to walk down that lowest level corridor a little way. If you started at the other end, with the stores, the Magical Express welcoming area should be near where you got down the stairs or elevator.

If for some reason you had to go to the A side to pick up baggage (that you needed right away and therefore had no yellow tag), you must come back up to the upper level, walk past (not into) security, and go down the B side. If you did not have (enough) yellow tags, you don't need to get that baggage yourself but rather the welcoming area folks will make the arrangements to have that baggage delivered for you too.

 

[jenseib]

Thanks! We are flying on Spirit.
We are actually leaving in 13 days but just booked it today! I'm very excited! So hopefully our papars will be in by the end of the week!

 

[kristenrice]

Just to add my two cents of reassurance...

I could get lost in a paper bag and I was able to find the DME counter on my first attempt! Once I got off the plane, I kept myself oriented by remembering to follow the signs to the rental car agencies (on Level 1). Once I was on Level 1, there were plenty of signs to the DME counter. DME was easy and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Have a great trip!

 

[Edd]

Spirit comes in on the B side. It is on the other end from the Hyatt hotel so you can't use that as a marker. Look for the Seattle Cooffe shop straight ahead and to your left as you follow everyone to the baggage floor and than on the second floor take the escalator to the first floor. Make a U turn, instead of going outside, and you will see the DME welcome Center.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Also, since you're leaving in less than two weeks... if your paperwork does not arrive, DO NOT PANIC. You can still use Disney's Magical Express exactly as designed, including luggage delivery.

When you arrive at the Welcome Center, they ask how many pieces you checked and if you attached the DME luggage tags, Without tags, they will ask to see your claim checks, and will show you a notebook with pretty much every imaginable piece of luggage - so you can identify yours. Some people attach something distinctive (e.g. green-and-orange-polka dot ribbons) and provide the CM with a sample.

There are other Cast Members who will get your luggage from the carousels and get it sent to the DME luggage sorting center.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Just to add my two cents of reassurance...

I could get lost in a paper bag and I was able to find the DME counter on my first attempt! Once I got off the plane, I kept myself oriented by remembering to follow the signs to the rental car agencies (on Level 1). Once I was on Level 1, there were plenty of signs to the DME counter. DME was easy and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Have a great trip!

I have to agree. No sense of direction here either! I've also only flown four other times in my life, before heading down with my daughter and it was a breeze! This is just another reason why I continue to go back to Disney, along with the shuttles to and from the Disney hotels. I DON'T NEED TO KNOW WHERE I'M GOING BECAUSE THEY DO!

 

[jenseib]

Thanks everyone! I'll have to write down some of this in my notes! I think even I might be able to manage it!

Now going home, where do we take our luggage? and will theyl et us know what time we need to leave, and stuff like that.

Good news. AAA called today and said my documents are all in already, so I go pick them up tomorrow!

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks everyone! I'll have to write down some of this in my notes! I think even I might be able to manage it!

Now going home, where do we take our luggage? and will theyl et us know what time we need to leave, and stuff like that.

Good news. AAA called today and said my documents are all in already, so I go pick them up tomorrow!

Going home is easy as well. Spirit is not a participating airline, so you will be taking your luggage with you to the bus. You will get a note, left under your resort room door, the day before you are due to leave WDW. It will give you a time to be at the bus stop. That time is the time the bus leaves, so be there about 15 mins before hand. The time will also be about 3 hrs before your flight departure time. If you are leaving later in the day, you can checkout of your resort and leave your bags with Bell Services. Then, when you return to your resort to catch the bus, you can get your bags. Be sure to plan on enough time to get back to the resort and enough time to get your bags out of storage. Let's say your flight is at 3:30 pm..you will need to be at the bus stop around 12:30, so be at bell services by 11:50 to get your bags out of storage, then head to the bus stop to be there for 12:15, just to be on the safe side.

 

[poohbear2]

This is a good site to go to for pictures etc.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/more/mm051004ww.htm

Some of the info might be old, I would have to re-read the article again.

 

[jenseib]

Thanks.
Ok, looking at that link, it says that they went to side A. Is DME on A or B? I thought it was said earlier to be on side B?

 

[jenseib]

Another question.... When we take our bags to the bus going home, do we get them at the airport and check them in ourselves? (not being in a participating airline) Or do we leave them with the bus and they check them in?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Thanks.
Ok, looking at that link, it says that they went to side A. Is DME on A or B? I thought it was said earlier to be on side B?

The MousePlanet article about Magical Express is from 2005. Back then, Magical Express was on side A. Now it's on side B.

Also, the article is out-of-date regarding the Resort Airline Check-in participants. More airlines have joined RAC.

The rest of the article is still correct... although the DME drivers are supposed to show DME videos, not animated features.

 

[jenseib]

Thanks!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Another question.... When we take our bags to the bus going home, do we get them at the airport and check them in ourselves? (not being in a participating airline) Or do we leave them with the bus and they check them in?

The DME driver will stow your bags in the luggage hold of the DME motorcoach, separated by A side and B side. When the driver gets to Orlando International, he'll make two stops (on level 1, the ground transportation level), one on the A side and one on the B side. The driver unloads your bags and places them on the curb near the motorcoach. (A tip is appropriate.)

You'll then need to get your boarding passes and check your bags with your airline. The check-in counters are on level 3, the departure level. There are elevators. You can use the services of a porter or curbside check-in skycap if you wish. (If so, a tip is appropriate.)

Most airlines now participate in Resort Airline Check-in, with Southwest being the major exception.