Magical Express

[Bullseye]

I'm confused by this as it is well known in advance when to expect your luggage, it's not a secret.

That's almost like complaining about a 3hr flight taking 3 hrs to complete.

We'll let me clarify for you since your so confused....We arrived at 10am, checked in at 11am, and didn't receive our luggage until 7pm, which is not the same as "complaining about a 3hr flight taking 3 hrs to complete"...snark!

 

[SlightlyocdDisneyfan]

Have used ME many times -loved it every time. Unfortunately, our DW visits are often combined with drives to see relatives, so we only get to use ME on one end of the trip. The other end of the trip -which would involve the rental car counter and lugging our own bags- is dramatically more cumbersome and stressful.

For the trip home, being able to check bags in while still at the hotel is one of my favorite perks!

 

[Tormania]

We'll let me clarify for you since your so confused....We arrived at 10am, checked in at 11am, and didn't receive our luggage until 7pm, which is not the same as "complaining about a 3hr flight taking 3 hrs to complete"...snark!

Perhaps if you had include that information in your original post you wouldn't have to be so snarky later.

 

[Bullseye]

Perhaps if you had include that information in your original post you wouldn't have to be so snarky later.

I was just replying to the op-you started with the snark. Perhaps if your confused about a post, next time just say so without including a smarmy remark that implies someone is complaining about nothing.

 

[fflmaster]

We have only used ME once and for that trip we checked in to the bus at 12pm and didn't get our bags until after 8pm. Called many times but no luck.

It completely ruin our day as my wife didn't pack our dinner clothes. We had packed our swimsuits and figured after a few hours in the pool we could get our clothes and change for a late dinner. Didn't happen and we were forced to change back into our airplane outfits and had to cancel our dinner adr for that night.

My wife said we would never use ME again. EVER!

Funny thing is we are going to try again this trip coming in September and will have all of our clothes needed for dinner in our carry-on luggage. Hopefully it works out better this time.

 

[corneredbycorn]

We have only used ME once and for that trip we checked in to the bus at 12pm and didn't get our bags until after 8pm. Called many times but no luck.

It completely ruin our day as my wife didn't pack our dinner clothes. We had packed our swimsuits and figured after a few hours in the pool we could get our clothes and change for a late dinner. Didn't happen and we were forced to change back into our airplane outfits and had to cancel our dinner adr for that night.

My wife said we would never use ME again. EVER!

Funny thing is we are going to try again this trip coming in September and will have all of our clothes needed for dinner in our carry-on luggage. Hopefully it works out better this time.

This happened to us on our last trip, but we were told it was an issue Disney couldn't control. For some reason, everyone at our hotel wasn't getting their bags, they were being held back at the airport. Then they all came at once and it took them forever to sort them all out and deliver them.

 

[TJDisneymama]

never had a problem getting my luggage within a couple-few hours. To be safe I pack clothes for the rest of the day AND the entire following day, and necessary toiletries in our carryon. Just in case it happened to get lost in transit somewhere and take a while to get to us. But that could happen even when you go pick up your own luggage!

 

[maxiesmom]

We have only used ME once and for that trip we checked in to the bus at 12pm and didn't get our bags until after 8pm. Called many times but no luck.

Just to be clear, when you check in for your bus has nothing to do with when your bags will get to your room. Disney aims to have your bags to you within 3-4 hours of your checking in to your resort. Obviously in your case they were still late.

Btw, it is never a good idea to make an important ADR on your arrival day. You never know when the airlines will misplace your luggage, or when your flight will be delayed. Also, you have no way of knowing if your luggage was late to your room because of Disney or because of the airline.

 

[starrysky]

Used ME 4 times and its been great. Being from the uk we always take our bags with us.
Only issue we had was being held up at SSR on the return journey as one party had people who had not turned up on time, Not the fault of the ME and he did give the party a couple of mins as he had saved time on his earlier pick ups but it was frustrating. The bus driver did say politely when the people arrived they were lucky he had not left them behind.
The time you get given is the time you get only option if you want to leave later is to get a taxi or if you have a hire car.
Divers always friendly and helpful.

 

[fflmaster]

Just to be clear, when you check in for your bus has nothing to do with when your bags will get to your room. Disney aims to have your bags to you within 3-4 hours of your checking in to your resort. Obviously in your case they were still late.

Btw, it is never a good idea to make an important ADR on your arrival day. You never know when the airlines will misplace your luggage, or when your flight will be delayed. Also, you have no way of knowing if your luggage was late to your room because of Disney or because of the airline.

The issue we had was NEVER explained as to why our bags took so long.

First impression is the most important.

That being said, this time we will be prepared on our arrival day if anything happens.

My wife was a Girl Scout for years. We should have been more prepared. Lol.

 

[soufflegirl]

I used it when we stayed 3 years ago with no problems. Getting off the plane and going to a comfortable bus with entertainement was great. Was it a direct drive to the resort - no but if you are concerned about that you should hire a driver. The only reason we didn't use it this year was our return flight was at 7:00am.

 

[Bullseye]

The issue we had was NEVER explained as to why our bags took so long.

First impression is the most important.

That being said, this time we will be prepared on our arrival day if anything happens.

My wife was a Girl Scout for years. We should have been more prepared. Lol.

Yeah I agree we now pack some additional clothes, swimming suits, and toiletries in a carry-on just in case for whatever reason we get a late check in or delayed luggage delivery. DME is usually very dependable but you never know what could happen so it's good to be prepared so that first day doesn't turn into a hassle.

 

[momofkids]

We used ME on our last trip, and everything turned out fine. The flight in was great with no problems. However, the transportation for the flight out made us a little nervous. The bus was late arriving at our resort. Things would have been fine if we were the last pickup. Unfortunately, we had to stop at several other resorts before heading to the airport. We arrived only 45 minutes before our flight. Luckily, there was no wait at security and we were on an airline that allowed us to check in at the Disney desk. It all worked out though, so I figured ME must know what they are doing. The short time at the airport made me a bit anxious though. Next time I will definitely check with Disney when the bus isn't there on time.

 

[starrysky]

We used ME on our last trip, and everything turned out fine. The flight in was great with no problems. However, the transportation for the flight out made us a little nervous. The bus was late arriving at our resort. Things would have been fine if we were the last pickup. Unfortunately, we had to stop at several other resorts before heading to the airport. We arrived only 45 minutes before our flight. Luckily, there was no wait at security and we were on an airline that allowed us to check in at the Disney desk. It all worked out though, so I figured ME must know what they are doing. The short time at the airport made me a bit anxious though. Next time I will definitely check with Disney when the bus isn't there on time.

Probably late due to the reason I mentioned in my earlier comment. I'm a stickler for being on time but you can't account for other people.
If in doubt just ask if there is an issue of time the CMs are very helpful.

 

[stink]

I have used ME every trip and have never had a problem. Luggage has always been delivered to the room very timely. As a just in case measure I pack a 24 hour essentials, one change of clothing and swim suit in my carry on. This is more for concerns with the airlines vs my concerns with ME.

There is nothing more convenient than stepping off the plan in MCO, feeling the Florida humidly and heading directly to the ME bus. No worries about finding the luggage carousel. Waiting for your luggage to come off the plane. Then having to haul it to the rent a car/ME bus.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

I have used ME every trip and have never had a problem. Luggage has always been delivered to the room very timely. As a just in case measure I pack a 24 hour essentials, one change of clothing and swim suit in my carry on. This is more for concerns with the airlines vs my concerns with ME.

There is nothing more convenient than stepping off the plan in MCO, feeling the Florida humidly and heading directly to the ME bus. No worries about finding the luggage carousel. Waiting for your luggage to come off the plane. Then having to haul it to the rent a car/ME bus.

My experiences have been very similar over numerous trips. We also keep essentials with us just in case there are luggage issues. We have never had a problem and love not worrying about anything when disembarking except getting our holiday started!

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

I've used Magical Express twice and it is a large part of the reason that I decided to stay on-site again in May and I'm planning to book onsite for my 2014 trip. Each time we've done the luggage delivery and consider it a HUGE park. As a mom of 3, not having to think about my luggage from the time I check in at home until the nighttime is priceless. I have never had an issue with it not being delivered. In 2009, we went to MK on arrival day and when we got back to our room after Wishes (this was November, so Wishes was at 8 or 9 PM), the luggage was waiting. In 2011, we had dinner in DTD on arrival day. Once again, when we came back to our room, luggage was there. My kids are little and we were probably back before 9. This time, we land at 6 PM, so I'm planning to stick PJs and swimsuits into our carryon, as well as a few other essentials that we need for our evening routine. I'd be more worried about the airline losing my luggage than ME.

ETA: Both times the wait wasn't too bad. The first time we used DME, we were the first stop so it was REALLY fast. The second time, we were the third stop. Again, not bad. The ride was a bit longer, but when you rent a car, you have to FIRST get yourselves to the car rental place (and pick up your luggage and haul it to the car rental place), then you need to wait in line there, then you need to get set up and go. So I really think that DME doesn't take any longer than renting a car. The DME location is a bit far from Southwest, but still it isn't really terrible at all. And since you don't have to haul your luggage (assuming you arrive for DME at home and put your luggage tags on) you can move much quicker than you would move if you had luggage with you.

 

[nansmama]

We LOVE DME and use it every time. It's one of the best perks of staying on property, IMO.

 

[nkereina]

I'm sorry if this has already been answered but what kind of things can go wrong with ME that would cause panic about it before your trip?

We have used it several times and the biggest annoyance we've ever encountered is having to wait in line for about 40 minutes to get on a bus due to a busy arrival time. We get our luggage from baggage claim ourselves and bring them to the bus because we hate waiting, so this is always an option for anyone who doesn't want to wait or is nervous about it.

Shy of the bus breaking down or getting into an accident (heaven forbid), what else is there to fear?

 

[LBIJim]

I'm sorry if this has already been answered but what kind of things can go wrong with ME that would cause panic about it before your trip?

We have used it several times and the biggest annoyance we've ever encountered is having to wait in line for about 40 minutes to get on a bus due to a busy arrival time. We get our luggage from baggage claim ourselves and bring them to the bus because we hate waiting, so this is always an option for anyone who doesn't want to wait or is nervous about it.

Shy of the bus breaking down or getting into an accident (heaven forbid), what else is there to fear?

Who knows, but no doubt the same person would have panic attacks over renting a car, taking a cab or car service, etc.

Jim