Magical Express

[kutchyone]

Any details about Magical Express, effective after May 2005? I understand it is a complimentary shuttle service roundtrip from the airport to any Disney Resort. Also understand that your bags and boarding passes can be checked in at the Disney resort for certain airlines. Any details that can be porvided would be appreciated. A few questions:

What if you are not flying with one of the participating airlines but you do have reservations at a Disney resort, are you eligible for the shuttle?

If eligible for the complimentary shuttle how are your bags handled since you can't use the special check in?

 

[Belle1962]

You may want to post this to the transportation board if you haven't already done so. "

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

There's a description right here on the DIS.
Magical Express

 

[starwood]

We miss it by a week (going the last week of April). I really think they should do this in DL as well (since that is the anniversary being celebrated). That would make our August trip MUCH easier!

 

[ceecee]

Sounds like it's just Mear's transportation that's free. I would anticipate long waits here and while they stop at all of the other resorts. I would much prefer Tiffany............I like to get to my resort ASAP!

 

[frannn]

I am a bit confused- can we use this service flying in to Orlando on Jetblue? It says inbound airlines are not limited, but Jetblue is not listed. Also, can we send our luggage with them if we are renting a car at the airport? We would probably not use the shuttle service, but it would be great to not have to get all the bags to the rental car garage & load the car! Also, are their any additional security issues with this? I would hate to have an increased chance of my luggage being lost because the WDW bag person doesn't "recognize" it.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Frannn,
From the way the DIS info reads, it appears that the service is being offered to anyone who is traveling on a domestic airline. The only difference would be that you cannot check your baggage through from WDW to your flight if your airline is not one of the ones listed. Not a really big deal since you can just check the baggage curbside for most airlines.

My limited experience with Mears is that when you arrive at your destination resort, you pretty much have to identify the bags for your driver. Since the buses will be traveling to numerous WDW resorts, it would be a good idea to travel with them to ensure that they get delivered to the right area.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Here you go, email direct from Disney...
Disney's Magical Express Delivers 'Hassle-Free Travel'
for Disney Hotel Guests



(LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2004) -- Walt Disney World announced an innovative new service today called "Disney's Magical Express" which offers complimentary airport shuttle, luggage delivery and airline check in for Disney hotel guests.

Beginning May 5, 2005, guests of Disney hotels using Disney's Magical Express service can check their bags at their hometown airport, bypass baggage claim at Orlando International Airport (OIA) and board state-of-the-art motor coaches to the Walt Disney World Resort - as their bags "magically" appear in their room upon check in. The round-trip service, which is available and complimentary during Disney's Happiest Celebration on Earth event (which also begins May 5, 2005), is designed to give Disney hotel guests the stress-free vacation they want.

With Disney's Magical Express service, a family of four can save more than $80 (based on round trip shuttle or taxi transportation, plus tip, for two adults and two children).

"We are extremely excited to add Disney's Magical Express to the extensive list of ways we make Disney guests' vacations easier and more enjoyable," said Al Weiss, president of Walt Disney World Resort. "In essence, this benefit provides a hassle-free experience for our guests from the airport to our hotel room door and back again."

"Disney's Magical Express service will set new standards for convenience, value and comfort for guests traveling between the airport and Walt Disney World Resort," Weiss added. "Orlando International Airport is one of the premiere airports in the world. We believe Disney's Magical Express will not only transform the airport experience for Disney hotel guests, but will further enhance the world-class status of OIA and drive additional visitation to Central Florida."


How Disney's Magical Express service works:


Disney's Magical Express must be booked at least 10 days prior to arrival through disneyworld.com, Disney Reservation Center by calling 407-W-DISNEY or a travel agent beginning Jan. 2, 2005. The service commences May 5, 2005.
Guests check their specially-tagged luggage at their departure airport.
Upon arrival in Orlando, guests bypass airport baggage claim and go directly to the Disney Airport Welcome Center.
Guests board state-of-the-art motor coaches that take them to their Disney hotel. Click the rendering at right to see a larger image.
A team of Disney representatives at the airport will pick up guests' luggage and transport it to their hotel room.
Disney's Magical Express service makes guests' return to OIA hassle-free as well. This convenient system lets guests flying with participating airlines avoid airport check-in lines by enabling passengers on domestic flights to check their luggage and receive a boarding pass before ever departing their Disney hotel. As an added benefit, guests with flight departures later in the day no longer have to worry about their luggage after they check out of their hotel. They can simply check their luggage at the Resort Airline Check-in Desk and then enjoy the last day of their stay.

In addition to partners at Orlando International Airport, Walt Disney World developed this innovative service in conjunction with private and public sector leaders including: the Mears Transportation Group, the largest provider of ground transportation to the Walt Disney World Resort; BAGS Inc., the provider and innovator in off-airport passenger check-in services for the hotel, convention, cruise and airline industries; ARINC Incorporated, a leading global provider of technology systems for airports and airlines; the Transportation Security Administration; and airline partners including: American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Song, United Airlines and Ted. Walt Disney World hopes to add other air carriers to the resort airline check-in service in the near future.

Congressman John L. Mica (FL-7), Chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Aviation, called Disney's announcement "welcome news."

"Not only does resort airline check-in provide a convenience for the traveler, it also helps to expedite and improve security checks by reducing congestion during the busiest times," Mica said. "By combining Walt Disney World Resort's destination volume and operational expertise with BAGS' innovative processes and exclusive technology, a new industry model will be established."