MCO Hyatt Magical Express - need help NOW please

[GatorMomInNC]

Hey - we are at the Hyatt right now, leaving tomorrow on Disney transfer to PC to cruise on the Dream. I've taken transfers home before, but I haven't done this before. I know the first bus leaves at 9am, and I would like to be on it (I know I will end up waiting at the port but that is okay, I like doing that!).

The instructions I got at the hotel don't say this, but I thought that I read somewhere you can go down around 8am and put your name on a list?? I searched the forum and couldn't find that though. I'm just trying to find out when I should order breakfast and head down there, do we need to wait in line or can we sign in, leave and come back?

Any help is appreciated!

 

[TestingH2O]

When we did the bus a couple years ago, you just went down and got in line. There was no name on a list. We got in line around 8:15/8:30 and we're within the first 15-20 people on the bus.

Don't forget to let the Hyatt know to pick up your bags!

 

[GatorMomInNC]

When we did the bus a couple years ago, you just went down and got in line. There was no name on a list. We got in line around 8:15/8:30 and we're within the first 15-20 people on the bus.

Don't forget to let the Hyatt know to pick up your bags!

Thank you!!
I will order breakfast early then. We are going to have them take our bags, which is great!

 

[Starwind]

When we did it in December:

- we went for a great EARLY breakfast at Hemisphere [inside Hyatt; great views and good food]

- instructions letter from hotel had us leave our tagged checked bags inside our room by the door and they were picked up at either 0800 or 0830 [per instructions which tell you the time ***FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS THEY GIVE YOU which could have changed since December!]

- there will be a line forming downstairs well in advance of the first bus which leaves at soon after 0900

- we headed downstairs right after they picked up our bags from the room; you could consider sending someone down earlier to join the forming "line" (really a group of people rather than an actual line since there is no actual "line" until DCL shows up and creates one; we found people were respectful of arrival order etc]

- when we got downstairs there were already a lot of people waiting; we joined them, taking a seat.

- after a while DCL personnel arrived to the waiting area and started to set up

- eventually they had us come up and do an initial check in with them -- they checked our cruise booklet and gave us a coloured card which reflected which bus we would be on. We got the card for the first bus and were the last or second last family on the first bus.

- At about 9 they called for the people with the first bus' card to line up; we all did and they processed people for the first bus. Presumably they did similar for the next few buses. Much more orderly this way than our previous experience where *everyone* got in one loooong line.


SW

 

[grammie12]

We just did this in April. When we got to the waiting area for the buses, we “checked in” with a cast member at a podium and were given a “group” assignment, such as Donald, Chip and Dale, etc.

We then sat and waited until our group was called and boarded the bus. It was very orderly and fair. I suppose the earlier you arrive, chances are you will get in the first group to board.

The buses fill quickly and leave one after another, so you will definitely get to the port with lots of time to spare!
We arrived at 8:45 and were on the second bus, which left around 9:15. I didn’t see any sort of sign up sheet.

 

[Starwind]

Thank you!!
I will order breakfast early then. We are going to have them take our bags, which is great!

Remember to keep the letter Hyatt gave you handy. The bottom is a form you fill out which you will give to DCL when you check in for the bus -- it tells them how many checked bags you left for Hyatt to transfer so they know how many there need to be accounted for.

SW

 

[Starwind]

We just did this in April. When we got to the waiting area for the buses, we “checked in” with a cast member at a podium and were given a “group” assignment, such as Donald, Chip and Dale, etc.

We then sat and waited until our group was called and boarded the bus. It was very orderly and fair. I suppose the earlier you arrive, chances are you will get in the first group to board.

The buses fill quickly and leave one after another, so you will definitely get to the port with lots of time to spare!
We arrived at 8:45 and were on the second bus, which left around 9:15. I didn’t see any sort of sign up sheet.

Yep, in December each party/family in each "group" was given a card [few inches x few inches] that had a different disney character line drawn head and the card was in a different colour for each group. IRRC we were red card with mickey which was bus #1.

SW

 

[GatorMomInNC]

THANKS TO EVERYONE!! I feel so much better having an idea how it works. I knew Disboards would come through, even at 11:30pm the night before my cruise.

 

[Trera]

THANKS TO EVERYONE!! I feel so much better having an idea how it works. I knew Disboards would come through, even at 11:30pm the night before my cruise.

Let us know how it goes and what your experience was. You will probably be in the port before those waiting outside are allowed in.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

We just checked in!!! I did accidentally stand in line for the Magic Express to WDW for about 10 minutes, but then I heard them ask someone for their magic bands and realized I was in the wrong place We are on the first bus!!

 

[Trera]

We just checked in!!! I did accidentally stand in line for the Magic Express to WDW for about 10 minutes, but then I heard them ask someone for their magic bands and realized I was in the wrong place We are on the first bus!!

Congrats. Looking forward to hearing your experience.

We live in Orlando so we dont have a need for the express to PC but if family or friends want to explore that option, it will be good to have up to date information.

 

[TestingH2O]

we headed downstairs right after they picked up our bags from the room; you could consider sending someone down earlier to join the forming "line" (really a group of people rather than an actual line since there is no actual "line" until DCL shows up and creates one; we found people were respectful of arrival order etc]

This was our experience too. I was very impressed.

 

[mathgeek]

we headed downstairs right after they picked up our bags from the room; you could consider sending someone down earlier to join the forming "line" (really a group of people rather than an actual line since there is no actual "line" until DCL shows up and creates one; we found people were respectful of arrival order etc]

This was the exact opposite of what I experienced last summer. I was one of the first ones down there, and the DCL rep created the line far away from the people who had gotten there first, and there was a lot of pushing and shoving to get into the line. There was absolutely no respect for the people who had gotten there first. Here's hoping they do a better job when I go this summer.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Back from our cruise. My husband was very nervous about using the luggage transfer at the Hyatt - he didn't trust it would show up But everything went fine. It was nice to arrive to a pretty much empty terminal. But for some reason we had boarding number 15 so we had to wait until almost noon to get on board. The bus driver said that your boarding number would be based on when you completed your online check in, don't know if that is true or not.

Thanks again for your help everyone!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Back from our cruise. My husband was very nervous about using the luggage transfer at the Hyatt - he didn't trust it would show up But everything went fine. It was nice to arrive to a pretty much empty terminal. But for some reason we had boarding number 15 so we had to wait until almost noon to get on board. The bus driver said that your boarding number would be based on when you completed your online check in, don't know if that is true or not.

Thanks again for your help everyone!!

Boarding numbers are tied to the Port Arrival Time you selected when you did your online check in. If you use DCL transfers, you're supposed to get a boarding number commiserate to the actual time you arrive. But some have reported getting a high number, like it was the first available number at the time (each PAT has XX numbers assigned to it).

Boarding begins around 11:30, so you didn't really wait that long once boarding began. But, since you were early (right?) you had to wait longer.