Magical Express

[Toad]

I am using Magical Express for the first time next month. On the phone I was told that since this is an international flight - Air Canada from Toronto, to pick up my own luggage (which I prefer to do anyway!) and make my way to the bus and be on my way.

Just got the documents in the mail yesterday and it says that I have to pick up my suitcase and then give it back to the airline and then Disney picks it up and delivers it to me 3 hours later. This seems a bit redundant to me.

Has anyone used this service? I am travelling solo and my suitcase is not too big (not quite a carry-on, but not a trunk either). Do they have a space on the bus for luggage? I don't wish to be a bother but if i already have my suitcase in hand, why give it back and wait for it? Any thoughts?

 

[mom2nca]

Id ask in transportation, but its my understanding that on the way there you dont need to get them they will take care of it , its just on the way home you need to transport your suitcases to the bus and then fron the bus to the check in place at the airport.

 

[fan1080]

I beleive it depends on if there is a US Customs preclearance in Toronto. If there isn't, you'll need to claim your bags when you land and proceed through US customs on arrival. Once through customs you place your bag back on the carousel for Disney to collect it for you.

If there is a US Customs preclearance in Toronto, you'll just need to check-in, go through preclearance, leave your bags and not have to touch them until they arrive in your room (up to 4 hours or so after arrival).

 

[MikeyNS]

Since there is Pre-Clearance in Toronto you just need to tag your bags.. when you get to Orlando just proceed to the bus and you're on your way! I prefer to wait the extra 10-15minutes and collect my bags to take with us. Sometimes the few hours it takes to get your bags to your room seems like an eternity. Make sure to carry on any necessities!

 

[ottawamom]

We have always taken our own luggage to the bus. It is quicker and easier than having to wait at the other end to have it delivered. Just pick it up and head on down to the bus the driver will put it under the bus for you.

 

[Toad]

Since I do clear customs in Toronto and am travelling solo and fairly light, I think I would rather just take my own bag on the bus. I would assume I just don't tag my bag in this case so that Disney doesn't look for it. Thanks for the responses!

 

[cdnmickeylover]

You're right - just don't tag your bag.

We've used the Magical Express a number of times and have found it easier to pick up our own bags and take them with us. It doesn't take that much longer.

Have a great trip!

 

[fan1080]

Unless you absolutely need something from your luggage, that can't be put in carry on, I'd just let ME take care of it. Or, if you are arriving late in the evening and all the parks are closed, I might consider not using ME as well.

Why? Because it slows us down from getting to the parks, etc, once we get to our resort. And, if our room isn't ready, we'll probably also have to wait to have the bags checked at bag storage after check-in, slowing us down even more.

We've used Magical express three times now. Not once have we had a problem with the service. But, we like to hit the parks as soon as we get there too, and don't return until late in the evening.

 

[OntFamily]

The best part of ME is not having to worry about luggage !!!


It's great to stroll though the airport without having to worry about hauling bags. Disney delivers them to my room, without a worry !!

No waiting at the baggage carousel !

 

[surfer_ed]

The best part of ME is not having to worry about luggage !!!


It's great to stroll though the airport without having to worry about hauling bags. Disney delivers them to my room, without a worry !!

No waiting at the baggage carousel !

I agree, used it for the first time in October and with 2 small kids, we had too much luggage, care seats etc. It was such a treat to walk off the plane an onto the bus

 

[KNovacovschi]

I loved using ME last year...checked bags into the airport in BUF and then after we arrived it was only a couple of hours before we got our luggage, we carried what we needed with us on our carry ons...then when it was time to leave we just checked our luggage in at the front of the resort, POP, and they took it to the airport for us...so the only time we had to worry about luggage was when we arrived at airport and left the airport...it was great

 

[seashoreCM]

If you clear customs (or if you must reclear customs) in Orlando, there is a second conveyor belt in the Orlando customs station you can put the bags back on and then the bags go to the main terminal carousels (or to Disney with yellow tags). This saves your having to schlep the luggage down the gate concourse and onto the tram. It's like having a porter take the baggage to the main carousels for you and not having to tip.

>>> Just got the documents in the mail yesterday and it says that I have to pick up my suitcase and then give it back to the airline

Sometimes the customs agent will require that you use this second conveyor.

If you do haul your luggage out of the customs station yourself and onto the tram yourself, you would (must) take it to the Magical Express welcoming area and have it loaded under the bus. This is a tipped service.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

 

[damo]

Did everyone else get picked up 4 hours before their flight to come back to Canada? I thought that was a little much.

 

[MikeyNS]

Did everyone else get picked up 4 hours before their flight to come back to Canada? I thought that was a little much.

I think everyone *should* have been picked up 4hrs prior. By the time we got there and checked in we had 2 hours to spare. Not that shabby, but that's why I prefer to rent a car now. Every hour counts!
Too bad AC didn't have lounge access in the terminal. That'd make the wait much better!

 

[OatsZoo]

We got picked up 4 hours early for a flight to Buffalo. We also only had about 2 hours till flight time. I prefer to be abit early than miss my flight and I find Orlando airport a little confusing to get around. Much bigger than Buffalo.

We find it easier to fly to Buffalo than Toronto and the flights are half the cost, with the Cdn dollar so good.

 

[KNovacovschi]

We got picked up about 3 hours before our flight back...

 

[TimNDansMom]

We also got picked up 3 hours before our flight, last October and November, from Pop Century and there were no other pick-ups. We fly to Orlando from Buffalo.

 

[NSMAMA]

Unless you absolutely need something from your luggage, that can't be put in carry on, I'd just let ME take care of it. Or, if you are arriving late in the evening and all the parks are closed, I might consider not using ME as well.

Why? Because it slows us down from getting to the parks, etc, once we get to our resort. And, if our room isn't ready, we'll probably also have to wait to have the bags checked at bag storage after check-in, slowing us down even more.

We've used Magical express three times now. Not once have we had a problem with the service. But, we like to hit the parks as soon as we get there too, and don't return until late in the evening.

I will be leaving out through the Halifax and I just want to be perfectly clear on this. Halifax does have US customs preclearance and I won't have to pick up my luggage in Orlando.....right? I will be travelling with my 3 DD's and want things to be as easy as possible. Another question maybe you can answer is I know the kids travel on the plane with gameboys and ipods but do we have to have a certificate of ownership when we re-enter Canada after the trip to prove they are ours. Someone just mentioned this to me today and got me wondering. Thanks

 

[OntFamily]

I will be leaving out through the Halifax and I just want to be perfectly clear on this. Halifax does have US customs preclearance and I won't have to pick up my luggage in Orlando.....right? I will be travelling with my 3 DD's and want things to be as easy as possible. Another question maybe you can answer is I know the kids travel on the plane with gameboys and ipods but do we have to have a certificate of ownership when we re-enter Canada after the trip to prove they are ours. Someone just mentioned this to me today and got me wondering. Thanks

If you pre-clear USA customs in Halifax, you should attach the yellow ME tags in Halifax to your bags, and you will not have to pick them up at Orlando airport (they will magically appear in your Disney hotel room).

With regard to your ipods, etc, technically you should always have proof of previous Canadian ownership when you enter Canada, or you run the risk of Canada customs charging you duty (as they may believe you bought them in the USA). It's rare this would happen, but it is a risk. The easiest way to overcome this is to obtain an export declaration form (green form) from Caanda Customs BEFORE you leave Canada. Simply visit Canada Customs @ Halifax airport BEFORE you leave, and present your ipods, gameboys etc. Canada Customs will record the serial numbers on a form, and give you the form for safekeeping. If you are challenged on whether you've paid duty on the items, this green form will eliminate any challenge by Canada Customs.

 

[ferris198]

We travelled with a Gameboy, a portable dvd player, and a DS, as well as all the games, movies, chargers, and such that goes with everything, and nothing was questioned.
I highly doubt that it would be a large issue.