Magical Express

[deebee29]

We're heading down to Orlando in 9 days!
We will be leaving through our local airport and then stopping in Toronto, and then Orlando. What will we have to do with our luggage, with regard to Magical Express? How exactly does this work?
We had also planned on using ME just for our arrival at Disney. We have our documents and everything. We planned on picking up our rental at the car care centre for our second week in Florida after our week at Disney. We realized yesterday it is so much cheaper to do this at the airport. Is it now possible to get the ME back to the airport after our week at Disney to get the rental car?

 

[lordnamis]

Quick questions first:

Are you stopping over in toronto on the same airline and you wont see your bags or are you flying into toronto and then jumping on a different airline afetr you get your bags in toronto.

ME works depending on where you will clear customs.

 

[deebee29]

We are flying with the same airline for the whole trip.

 

[charm73]

we just did this trip.

You pick up your bags at US Transfers Baggage claim and go through US Customs, drop them back off on the other side and then you can skip the baggage carousel in Orlando.

We even forgot to put our ME yellow tags on our bags and it was no problem. Everything showed up just as quickly as my parents who used their tags.

 

[deebee29]

Charm, how does it work with clearance of your baggage? Are you talking about Toronto or Orlando when you picked up ther bags at US transfers baggage claim?

 

[OntFamily]

Clearing bags through US customs is easy, but is slightly different than normal baggage transfers.


1) At your home airport, your luggage will be tagged as being directly routed to Orlando.

2) Upon arrival in Toronto, head directly to the US Customs area. However, before you go through US Customs you must retrieve your luggage (every family must physically take their own bags through US Customs). You will pick up your luggage at a special baggage carousel that is close to the US Customs area.

3) Get in line for US Customs, and talk to the nice US border agents.

4) After clearing US Customs, drop your bags off on a luggage conveyor belt (they'll be airline employees in the area to guide you -- plus, everyone else will be dropping their bags on the same conveyor belt). Remember to attach your yellow DME tags before you place the luggage on the conveyor belt.

5) Upon arrival in Orlando, saunter to the DME check in area, and get on the DME bus to your resort.

6) Approx 3 hours after arrival in Orlando, your bags will be delivered to your room.

Happy travelling !

 

[charm73]

Yup, you will clear in Toronto. It was great to not have to lug all our bags through to ME

 

[deebee29]

Thanks! What about my other questions about taking ME back to the airport even though it was not on the reservation.

 

[CanadianGuy]

DeeBee...

I would simply call the Magical Express number (on the documents you received) and indicate one member of your party needs to go to the airport on your check-out date..

They should be able to help you from there.

Knox

 

[Dragonfly*Tink]

We are heading down to WDW in September ...

We are planning on retrieving our own bags (worried we won't get them) and then going to the bus ... does this work? Do we still reserve our seats on the bus?

We are flying Edmonton-Denver-Orlando on United, should arrive around 2:00 pm

What has been anyone's experience getting your bags yourself??

Thanks.

 

[OntFamily]

We are heading down to WDW in September ...

We are planning on retrieving our own bags (worried we won't get them) and then going to the bus ... does this work? Do we still reserve our seats on the bus?

We are flying Edmonton-Denver-Orlando on United, should arrive around 2:00 pm

What has been anyone's experience getting your bags yourself??

Thanks.

Yes, you still need a reservation if you're planning on getting your own bags from the carousel. However, you'll be missing out of the best aspect of Magical Express -- a worry free stroll through the Orlando airport.

I understand you may be concerned about bags being lost, but you're already giving up control of the bags to the airlines when you checked them at your home airport. Why not let your bags travel the last 15 miles without you, and save yourself the time and hassle.

If you do pick up your own bags, you will need to tip the bus driver (for handling your bags by putting them under the bus) and your hotel bell person (for delivering your bags to your room). If you let Disney handle your bags, they cover all tips.

 

[DonnaBoo]

Decisions Decisions
I'm sure whatever you decide to do will work out fine.