Magical Express?

[amy-momofthree]

My husband will be flying into Orlando (the kids and I will already be in FLorida visiting my parents).

How is the Magical Express? Orginally, I was thinking I would just pick him up at the airport. His flight gets in at 7pm but now I am thinking, the kids and I might like to get to our resort, check in, and unpack, check out the resort, etc.

Does the Magical Express leave at certain times? WIll he be waiting around the airport?

Do you think it would be better if I just picked up DH?

Does the Magical Express bring you right to the resort (POP) or will he get dropped off and have to use Disney transportation to get to the POP.

THanks!!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Magical Express has a constant stream of busses leaving MCO every day, not at specific times. He will be put on a specific bus to his resort and may have to wait up to10 minutes or so for it to fill, and then he's on his way. He will be taken directly to the resort. His luggage, if you use the tags, will arrive about 3 hours after he checks in.

I say, enjoy the resort and let somebody else do the driving to get your DH to you.

 

[Jestocost]

My husband will be flying into Orlando (the kids and I will already be in FLorida visiting my parents).

How is the Magical Express? Orginally, I was thinking I would just pick him up at the airport. His flight gets in at 7pm but now I am thinking, the kids and I might like to get to our resort, check in, and unpack, check out the resort, etc.

Does the Magical Express leave at certain times? WIll he be waiting around the airport?

Do you think it would be better if I just picked up DH?

Does the Magical Express bring you right to the resort (POP) or will he get dropped off and have to use Disney transportation to get to the POP.

THanks!!

If he uses the DME luggage transfer service or has only carry-on bags, then he should get to the resort 60-90 minutes after he gets off of the plane. If he decides to collect his own bags add at least another 20 minutes to that time. The DME motor coach will take him directly to POP; although it could make one or more stops at other resorts before that. For me, that would be a much better option than schlepping the kids back and forth to MCO.

 

[amy-momofthree]

wow, Magical Express seems like a pretty good deal! He won't be checking any bags. I will have his bags so it shouldn't take as long.

Thanks for the quick responses and advice

 

[goofy4tink]

First, keep in mind that you must make a reservation for your dh in order for him to use DME. With that being said....I love DME. Is it perfect? No, but nothing is.
This is how it will work for him.
He will get off the plane, taking the tram over to the main terminal from the gate areas. He gets off the tram and heads to Side B when he gets to the center of the terminal area. He is currently on level 3, he needs to go down to level 1..ground transportation. Baggage Claim is on level 2. So, he goes all the way down to level 1, goes to the DME checkin area...all the way to the end of that area. He will either just show his voucher to a CM standing there, or he will be directed to the checkin counter. Then, he will be directed to the resort bus lines. Once there, he will wait for the bus to POP to arrive. When it does, he will be directed to the appropriate bus. He will board, along with guests from one or two other resorts. Then, when the bus leaves, it will go to one of the three resorts that are being served on that route. Usually no more than three resorts per bus. He will be dropped right out front at POP.

Whether or not he decides to tag his checked bags (if he has any) is up to you guys. If he does, the bags will get to POP by midnight or so. Or, he can leave the bags untagged and get them himself when he goes by baggage claim and then bring them to the bus with him. Or...you can do what I have done in the past. Just pack his stuff in with yours so it will already be there when he arrives. That way he can make do with a carryon bag for any excess stuff you couldn't fit.

Oh, by the way...it should take between 60-90 mins to get from the plane to the resort. My average time has been about 70 mins to date.

 

[amy-momofthree]

First, keep in mind that you must make a reservation for your dh in order for him to use DME. With that being said....I love DME. Is it perfect? No, but nothing is.
This is how it will work for him.
He will get off the plane, taking the tram over to the main terminal from the gate areas. He gets off the tram and heads to Side B when he gets to the center of the terminal area. He is currently on level 3, he needs to go down to level 1..ground transportation. Baggage Claim is on level 2. So, he goes all the way down to level 1, goes to the DME checkin area...all the way to the end of that area. He will either just show his voucher to a CM standing there, or he will be directed to the checkin counter. Then, he will be directed to the resort bus lines. Once there, he will wait for the bus to POP to arrive. When it does, he will be directed to the appropriate bus. He will board, along with guests from one or two other resorts. Then, when the bus leaves, it will go to one of the three resorts that are being served on that route. Usually no more than three resorts per bus. He will be dropped right out front at POP.

Whether or not he decides to tag his checked bags (if he has any) is up to you guys. If he does, the bags will get to POP by midnight or so. Or, he can leave the bags untagged and get them himself when he goes by baggage claim and then bring them to the bus with him. Or...you can do what I have done in the past. Just pack his stuff in with yours so it will already be there when he arrives. That way he can make do with a carryon bag for any excess stuff you couldn't fit.

Oh, by the way...it should take between 60-90 mins to get from the plane to the resort. My average time has been about 70 mins to date.

Thank you! sounds like a good deal. I will let my travel agent know to make him a reservation. This will give the kids and I some more play time at the resort and save me from getting lost in the dark