Magical express

[BVC4us]

We have friends from Canada coming to Disney for the first time. Will their bags be automatically picked up at the airport and then taken to the bus or do they have to get their own baggage and then find the magical express bus? We always drive to Disney so I don't know the answer to this question.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Sandi]

If they have registered for Magical Express, their bags will be picked up and taken to the resort. Bags are not necessarily on the bus they'll be taking to the resort. Last time we used ME, our bags got to the resort before we did -- and I thought we got there pretty quickly.

 

[DisneyFans4]

If they are staying at either the Swan or Dolphin those hotels do not participate with ME.

 

[Showe]

If they have registered for Magical Express, their bags will be picked up and taken to the resort. Bags are not necessarily on the bus they'll be taking to the resort. Last time we used ME, our bags got to the resort before we did -- and I thought we got there pretty quickly.

Hey Sandi -
Just saying HELLO neighbor.
I live in just north of you in Owosso.
GO SPARTANS !

 

[CleveRocks]

We have friends from Canada coming to Disney for the first time. Will their bags be automatically picked up at the airport and then taken to the bus or do they have to get their own baggage and then find the magical express bus? We always drive to Disney so I don't know the answer to this question.
Thanks in advance.

NO! Their bags will NOT be automatically picked up!

I cut and pasted the following from http://www.mousetyme.com/MAGICALEXPRESS.html :

Do international Guests have to claim luggage?

If Orlando is the Guest's first port of entry into the United States then the Guest claims their luggage after debarking the plane (luggage is not transferred to Baggage Claim at this point). The Guest proceeds through the Customs process with their luggage. When complete the luggage is given back to the airport to be transferred to Baggage Claim and Disney’s Magical Express service pulls the luggage on behalf of the Guest.


-- Eric

 

[OntFamily]

NO! Their bags will NOT be automatically picked up!

I cut and pasted the following from http://www.mousetyme.com/MAGICALEXPRESS.html :

Do international Guests have to claim luggage?

If Orlando is the Guest's first port of entry into the United States then the Guest claims their luggage after debarking the plane (luggage is not transferred to Baggage Claim at this point). The Guest proceeds through the Customs process with their luggage. When complete the luggage is given back to the airport to be transferred to Baggage Claim and Disney’s Magical Express service pulls the luggage on behalf of the Guest.


-- Eric

The Mousetyme information is not accurate. For 99% of the flights arriving @ MCO from Canada, the travellers have already cleared US Customs in Canada. When you pre-clear US Customs, the flight is treated the same as a US domestic flight.

The net result, is that for 99% of travellers to MCO from Canada, they can use DME the same as domestic USA travellers -- DME will transport luggage automatically as long as the yellow DME tags are affixed to the baggage.

 

[Cheops]

Do international Guests have to claim luggage?

If Orlando is the Guest's first port of entry into the United States then the Guest claims their luggage after debarking the plane (luggage is not transferred to Baggage Claim at this point). The Guest proceeds through the Customs process with their luggage. When complete the luggage is given back to the airport to be transferred to Baggage Claim and Disney’s Magical Express service pulls the luggage on behalf of the Guest.

Actually, this is the information directly from Disney. This is what the Disney Travel Agents site is telling us.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If they have registered for Magical Express, their bags will be picked up and taken to the resort. Bags are not necessarily on the bus they'll be taking to the resort. Last time we used ME, our bags got to the resort before we did -- and I thought we got there pretty quickly.

Actually, "bags are not necessarily on the bus..." is inaccurate. The ONLY way bags will be on the bus the Guest is taking to the resort is if the Guest plans ahead, does not attach the yellow DME luggage tags before checking into the originating airport, claims his/her/their own luggage and brings it with them from baggage claim to the DME checkin counter, then to the bus queue, then to the bus.

 

[OntFamily]

Actually, this is the information directly from Disney. This is what the Disney Travel Agents site is telling us.

Then the site is wrong (another example of one part of Disney not knowing all the details of another part). Check out the Canadian Board if you don't believe me. Many people on that board have used DME, on flights direct from Canada, and have had successful luggage transfers.

What is confusing some people is a small nuance. Most flights into MCO from Canada (it seems to be over 95%) clear US Customs in Canada -- so upon arrival @ MCO they are treated as domestic flights. They key point is if you clear US Customs @ MCO, you must walk your own bags through US Customs @ MCO. Othewise, DME luggage transfer works as advertised.

 

[pampam]

It depends on which airline you are using from Canada. With Air Canada from Toronto, one goes through customs in Canada, but if you fly charter, you could have a problem.

 

[seashoreCM]

International travelers have to walk their bags through customs somewhere, and that somewhere is never the Disney resort.

>>> If Orlando is the guest's first port of entry...

These key words refer to the place where the guest clears customs. It has been suggested that the yellow ME tags not be attached until after clearing customs (to reduce confusion?). If the guest clears customs in Orlando, it is possible to hand carry the bags to the ME welcoming area although it may be more convenient to attach the tags on the spot and re-enter the bags into the airport's baggage system for magical delivery. The latter case is intrinsically the same as for international ME guests clearing customs prior to leaving their home country and then not seeing or touching their bags until getting to the resort.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[OntFamily]

It depends on which airline you are using from Canada. With Air Canada from Toronto, one goes through customs in Canada, but if you fly charter, you could have a problem.

Correct, however, most flights (ie the 95% referred to above) clear customs in Canada (including most - but not all - charters)

 

[OntFamily]

International travelers have to walk their bags through customs somewhere, and that somewhere is never the Disney resort.

>>> If Orlando is the guest's first port of entry...

These key words refer to the place where the guest clears customs. It has been suggested that the yellow ME tags not be attached until after clearing customs (to reduce confusion?). If the guest clears customs in Orlando, it is possible to hand carry the bags to the ME welcoming area although it may be more convenient to attach the tags on the spot and re-enter the bags into the airport's baggage system for magical delivery. The latter case is intrinsically the same as for international ME guests clearing customs prior to leaving their home country and then not seeing or touching their bags until getting to the resort.
QUOTE]

When I travel from Canada, Orlando is my first port of entry and I don't clear customs in Orlando. I have personally travelled this may many times. If we go back to the OP, the travellers were coming from Canada (thus the advice given).

I'd advise the OP to check out the Canadian Board for further examples of people who have actually travelled this route.

 

[laurietg]

Hi.

We went to WDW in Sept from Pearson airport on a charter. The bags were taken to our hotel by ME. Put your luggage tags on. When you get off the plane, find the ME desk, get on the bus, and in a couple of hours your luggage will be in your room.

 

[pampam]

Hi.

We went to WDW in Sept from Pearson airport on a charter. The bags were taken to our hotel by ME. Put your luggage tags on. When you get off the plane, find the ME desk, get on the bus, and in a couple of hours your luggage will be in your room.

Which charter did you fly with?

 

[laurietg]

Which charter did you fly with?

Skyservice