Magical express

[california37]

please help me with this!

My parents in law are traveling in August to Florida but for the first time they are traveling with thomas cook and they've decided to use the magical express and get a hire car the next day. He's looked on line about the express and it says something like they will send luggage tags for you to attach and then all you have to do is get on the bus and luggage will arrive later. He seems to think he doesn't need to collect luggage at all when they land?

We've never done it so thought Id ask. We didn't think airport staff would check luggage as to its destination and we've never seen anyone separating disney luggage?? Is the info about luggage etc.. Just for day internal usa visitors?

so anyone any ideas what happens?

TIA

 

[micksn]

Yes that system is for internal flights. They won't get luggage labels sent. It's much easier to collect own luggage and take it on to Magical express. You can collect your luggage and then put it on to another check in for magical express I think, but it takes a while to catch up with you at your resort. I'm not sure about how you do this on an international flight as we took our luggage with us. The only advantage to this would be not having to take it on the monorail and through the airport (but this really wasn't a problem). I'm sure others can advise on how to have luggage sent via magical express, but I do know you would still have to collect it from flight initially. Hope this makes sense!

 

[Elise79]

Luggage tags are not sent to international visitors.

Your in laws have 3 choices once they clear cutsoms (they have to collect their luggage to pass through customs):

1) take the checked luggage with them on the transit to the main terminal and head to the ME check in and take their luggage under the bus. The is the quickest option.
2) drop luggage off for airport staff to transfer it to the main terminal (helpful if you can't carry it as no trolleys can go the transit and you have to be able to get it up an escalator) then collect from the baggage claim in the main terminal and take it on the bus.
3) drop luggage off and go directly to ME check in. You describe the cases and provide the luggage receipts given to you by the airline. They will then collect luggage and transfer it to your resort. However it is worth noting that unlike with the luggage tag the luggage will automatically be loaded on to the baggage reclaim belt and will be going round in an open part of the airport for who knows how long. Second thing to note is the quote time for delivery of cases is 4 hours from check in at the resort (which will be about an hour after checking in at DME and probably 6 hours after landing).

 

[california37]

Thanks for your responses. Thought that was the case. When we told him what we think happens his comments were that there is no point in using the bus as he may as well get the car from there instead of next day (plus it saves my DH taking them to a supermarket that night!)
Will see what they do!

 

[Elise79]

We did ME a few times but have gone back to getting the car at the airport as its just as easy really.

 

[ducky100]

Just on this subject as all of the above has been really useful info - how do you book this if arriving from UK? Or do you just turn up?

 

[scoobydooby]

I have always just turned up when booking though WDW UK. I take proof my resort stay and ID. Last time they just asked my name and reservation and didn't check my paperwork. You do have to let your hotel know you want to use it to return to the airport and they give you a time to catch the return bus.

 

[BudgieMama]

Just on this subject as all of the above has been really useful info - how do you book this if arriving from UK? Or do you just turn up?

There's a phone number (an 0800) to call and give your details to. I think they cope if you just turn up, but it's better to let them know.

I tried to give them the info via a form on their website, but got a weird response, so I called and the CM said the details weren't on my booking, so she added it and all was well

 

[california37]

Yes-they have decided to just get the car from the airport to save any faffing around
He's also jokingly blaming me for the DME not being what he thought !!

Thanks for all your replies!

They had booked the bus from the website which is where they got the info from about the luggage tags etc...
Not sure which site he did this on-we are dvc members so we booked our stay through dvc points instead of any package etc....

 

[AcombDave]

On a similar theme - we are doing the Magical Express from the airport to Boardwalk and back (first time we have not had a car). In the past we have checked our bags in at Downtown Disney on the morning of our Virgin flight home. Is that service still offered as we thought it might be easy to get a cab to DD on the morning of our departure get rid of the bags then go back to EPCOT to spend some time there before catching our bus back from the Boardwalk to Orlando Airport later in the day.

Thanks for any help anybody can offer us.

 

[scoobydooby]

Yes it's easy to get a taxi to DTD to do the Virgin bag drop. We have done this twice when we haven't had a car. Get there early though unless you want to queue for an age.

 

[Elise79]

On a similar theme - we are doing the Magical Express from the airport to Boardwalk and back (first time we have not had a car). In the past we have checked our bags in at Downtown Disney on the morning of our Virgin flight home. Is that service still offered as we thought it might be easy to get a cab to DD on the morning of our departure get rid of the bags then go back to EPCOT to spend some time there before catching our bus back from the Boardwalk to Orlando Airport later in the day.

Thanks for any help anybody can offer us.

I would just store the bags with bell services for the day and then drop them at the airport as DME will pick you up 4 hours before your flight you will have loads of time. I would do online check in though the night before.

You are then not wasting another hour of your last day when you could be at Epcot!