ME - Our experience

[Dolphin_Girl008]

I just got back from the WDW this afternoon. We flew from Toronto, Canada to Orlando on May 16 at around 1pm. We received our DME tags a couple days before we left. The ME booklet didn't have our flight info but I called and they did have the info in the system.

When we arrived at MCO, we were directed to the welcome centre. There was a line but it moved pretty fast. There were about 12 or 13 CM working the counters. Check-in was quick and we were directed to the queue for AKL. We boarded our bus at around 1:30pm. Our bus stopped at the Pop Century, the CBR, and finally the AKL at around 2:45pm. We checked in and then headed out to the outlet mall. We got back to the resort at around 8:30pm and our bags were already in our room.

For the return trip, we found our DME envelop outside our room yesterday morning. It didn't have our flight info/pick up time so I called DME to arrange pickup. Our departure time was 1:30pm (originally it was scheduled to depart at 12:55pm) and our pickup time was 9:45am. Our bus arrived at 9:40am and AKL was the first stop. We stopped at the Coronado Spring and POP on our way to the airport. We arrived at the airport at around 10:45am.

I liked ME and will definitely use it again.

 

[disney funseeker]

Did you fly with Air Canada?

On the return did you have to place your bags on the bus yourself since there is no preboarding at the resort with AC?

Our connecting flight is in Toronto and then we head to AKL as well. I wonder how much of a difference there will be using ME, in terms of wait times and ride times to the resorts, because we arrive after midnight; returning our flight leaves around 7am.

p.s. like a true Canadian, head to the outlet malls asap.

 

[seashoreCM]

With a midnight arrival in Orlando and the need to clear customs it is important that Magical Express know when you are coming. Make at least two requests for a written confirmation, giving your flight number and expected time of arrival, and getting the name of the person you talked to.

Magical Express hot line number: *toll free 866-599-0951

Occasionally, guests who could not or did not use the yellow ME baggage tags and/or had to clear customs may need to carry their bags to the ME welcoming area.

It is possible that guests arriving at very slack times may be put on vehicles other than ME buses.

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

 

[Dolphin_Girl008]

Hi Disney funseeker,

Did you fly with Air Canada?

No, we flew Westjet. We cleared custom in Toronto.

On the return did you have to place your bags on the bus yourself since there is no preboarding at the resort with AC?

We had to drag our bags to the bus stop and the driver put our bags under the bus.

Our connecting flight is in Toronto and then we head to AKL as well. I wonder how much of a difference there will be using ME, in terms of wait times and ride times to the resorts, because we arrive after midnight; returning our flight leaves around 7am.

Since you arrive so late, the wait/ride time shouldn't be that bad. You may want to pack a change of clothes in your carryon though.

p.s. like a true Canadian, head to the outlet malls asap.