Magical Express

[Dbktmc]

Does anyone know how long it takes to get from your hotel to the airport using Magical Express? I had some friends tell me that they almost missed their flight not once, but twice, due to this service. They explained that the shuttle stops at several locations and three hours was not long enough. (I should disclose that their airline did not allow for check in at the hotel. We are using the same airline that they used so we will need to wait until we get to the airport to check in.) Our airline requires that you are checked in a minimum of 45 minutes prior to the flight to be guaranteed a seat. We are staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge if that makes a difference. ??

Do you have any suggestions about alternate ways to get to the airport? Is it even necessary to consider another way to get there? I know that taxi cabs cost around $60.00 but that will require us to bring my son's car seat. (I am not opposed to bringing it if I need to.)

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[hippiechicken]

I have always been 2 hours early for my flight using the Magical Express!! Even in the rain or with traffic...
I have never checked bags at the resort.
I have used it 5 times this year alone, and once a year since it's been around.

 

[spiceycat]

depends upon when you are leaving?

that say when you get there ask to be on an earlier bus - they have buses at all hours - tell them you are worried - but believe me if you are already leaving before 10 am - you should not have any problems. of course that may mean being in the airport for 4 hours or more before your flight leaves.

what airlines are you flying?

 

[scrapquitler]

Both times we used ME we had PLENTY of time. But we were already checked in to our flight before we left the resort. My last trip, ME picked us up 3 hours 10 minutes prior to our flight. We didn't make any stops and were at the airport more than 2 1/2 hours prior to our flight.

I suppose that if you want extra time you could probably call the 800# and ask them to put you on an earlier ME if it made you feel better, but I don't have any experience doing that.

 

[ajasmom]

We have used ME many time and did not have any issues with the timing of airport arrival. But we always go to the front desk within 24 hours of departure and ask them to check us in and print boarding passes. Just be sure to have the website and login information that would be needed to print the boarding pass. ( I don't do this at busy times if there is a line at the desk I check back later.

 

[Wood Nymph]

There was one time when our Magical Express got us to the airport with only about an hour to spare. The bus stopped to pick up some cheerleaders at CBR and traveled into the resort to the corrals that they set up for these big groups. I think we waited a half hour at CBR for the passengers to get on. But usually we get to the airport about two hours before the flight. We always use the resort check in service, so we don't have to check our bags.

If you want to get tot eh airport earlier, just call the phone number that is on the letter you receive the day before your pick up day, and they will put you on an earlier bus.

 

[Dbktmc]

Our flight is at 3:30 p.m. so I am assuming we would leave the hotel around 12:30 p.m.

 

[spiceycat]

then would move up the time - your flight is leaving at a pretty popular time.

it is security that can slow you down a lot.

 

[EvieBug]

But we always go to the front desk within 24 hours of departure and ask them to check us in and print boarding passes.

I might be overly used to business travel but do Disney resorts not have a little office center where guests can print their own passes?

My airline has an app so I can get checked in then have my tickets right on the phone, but I am curious about printing them if needed.

 

[dansdad]

I might be overly used to business travel but do Disney resorts not have a little office center where guests can print their own passes?

My airline has an app so I can get checked in then have my tickets right on the phone, but I am curious about printing them if needed.

The RAC or the Concierge have always been able to print our passes for us when we needed that.

 

[EvieBug]

The RAC or the Concierge have always been able to print our passes for us when we needed that.

Thanks!

 

[aVASTGrl]

We've never had this problem; in fact, several times we've had to call and change our time to a LATER bus so we wouldn't be sitting at the airport for 4 hours!

 

[Andrea1973]

We have used it each trip
I usually book the out going flight to be around 3. This way I can sleep in a bit, grab breakfast, check out at 11 hop the bus to the airport etc
Might be a bit of a wait at the airport but rather that then be stressed that we are running short on time. We usually grab food and snacks at the airport to waste time.

 

[bumbershoot]

I should disclose that their airline did not allow for check in at the hotel. We are using the same airline that they used so we will need to wait until we get to the airport to check in.

Which airline is this?

 

[winterman]

The second time that I used DME to return to the airport, there were significant delays at 2 stops. One caused by a man who decided to go to the bathroom when the bus was due. The rest of his family was there so we waited at least 15 minutes. (I don't remember if he ever came.) Then at the next resort there was a large family that didn't have their luggage with them and we waited while they hunted it down. We still made it to the airport in time but it was not as early as I like.

The next time I used DME, I called DME directly and asked to be put on the bus that was 30 minutes earlier. That kept me in my comfort zone.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've used DME many, many times. I've always had at least two hrs at the airport. But, I've also always been able to check my bags at the resort. Yes, you can get boarding passes issued at the resort, but you still have to drop off checked bags. That usually means standing in line at the airport....so even if you get your bp printed at the resort, plan accordingly for bag check time at MCO.
Yes, other people can mess up bus timing. I've sat on the bus, waiting for entire groups to show up. Once, at CBR, part of the group was there, ready to go. They boarded the bus, telling the driver that the rest of the group was on its' way'. Well, we sat there for 10 mins.....waiting. The group that was on the bus said they had no idea where the rest were. The driver finally just left.
We've sat and waited while the driver tried to track down the owner of an unattended bag. That was just nuts!
So yes, if you're at all concerned about timing.......ask for a bus that leaves earlier than your assigned bus. Better to be sitting at the gate, with 2 hrs to kill than be stressing about getting there in time, as the bus takes its sweet time.

 

[Rhetts1stWDW]

We have only been to WDW 3 times, so not as extensively as a lot of people responding here, but we have had a ME issue. Our last trip waiting for the bus back to the airport and it just didn't show up. I check with the hotel staff and was told it would be along in a few minutes like 5 times. Finally I convinced someone to actually call and find out what the hold up was. They never gave me an explanation but 45 minutes past the time we were supposed to have been on our original bus we were allowed to board. The ME bus driver radioed his dispatch to ask permission to take us directly to the airport but they denied him. We had to wait through two more stops and another 45-50minutes. We barely made our flight and were pretty upset to have to end our magical vacation so stressed out by circumstances out of our hands.

 

[Ismo]

We nearly missed our flight the first time we use ME. The bus waited at our resort for about 20 minutes waiting for "no shows" then went on to the next resort and did the same thing...and then again at the 3rd stop! Then of course there was traffic. And when we got the airport, there was a bit of a wait for the bus to park. Seems like everyone got on an earlier bus, which was great for them I'm sure. But for us, it was the first time I've ever had to actually RUN from the ticket desk to security then from security to our boarding gate. My brother and his family were there about 90min before us and they got on a bus at their resort 15min after we did! We only just made it to our flight on time and didn't have any time to grab food at the airport like planned.

Now, in saying all of that, last year we stayed at the same resort and got on the ME at the same time for the same flight home. And last year we go to the airport within 40 minutes. So my point is, it CAN happen, but I think it's rare. If you're worried about missing the bus, maybe confirm with the front desk that you'd like to get on an earlier ME to be safe.

 

[shoreward]

The last time I rode ME back to the airport, I was waiting outside the BC for the motor coach, with lots of time to spare. I discovered that most of the others waiting were booked on the ME that was scheduled for a half hour before my pick up time.

As time passed, those waiting for the earlier ME starting expressing their concerns to CMs, that their bus was running late. Apparently, Mears had to be called. After awhile, an announcement was made that a bus was on the way. When a motor coach arrived, they ended up combining my pick up with the earlier one. The ME pulled out from the BC about 25 minutes late for the earlier group.

When our ME was about to approach the security gate to exit the BC, there was the earlier-time ME coming from the other direction. Our driver proceeded to stop and chew out the other driver that he was late...where was he?

Our motor coach proceeded to make the other scheduled pick-ups at YC and CBR. I had plenty of time for my flight, but I know that those who were booked on the earlier ME departure were somewhat concerned.

On a side note, why has the ME changed drop-offs at MCO to just Terminal B? Terminal A has Alaska, JetBlue and Southwest - major carriers at MCO. The first time that happened, I thought it was just the driver. When it happened on a subsequent trip, I knew it was a policy change.

That, alone, adds time for those flying out on Alaska, JetBlue and Southwest .

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Which airline is this?

This may not be the airline that the OP is talking about, but if you fly Sun Country* you run into the same issue...no RAC and their ticket desk closes 45 minutes before a flight. So if you're not to the airport before 45 minutes before the flight, you're out of luck.



*Sun Country is a Twin Cities locally owned, low cost airline that runs primarily out of MSP to very limited destinations, all of which are popular tourist destinations. I have lots of love for it because it has (cheap) direct flights to 4 places I fly often...SFO, DCA, MCO, and BOS and it's very inexpensive to upgrade to first class. I just flew to/from DCA and upgraded on the way home for $100.