Newbie with Magic Express questions??

[WDWLove]

Sorry if this has been posted before, just wondering a few things about Magic Express

1. About how long does it take from airport to get to Animal Kingdom Lodge?

2. On the day you fly back home, how does it work where they check your luggage for you (I am flying Continental, so I believe it said I can do this in the brochure). Just wondering how it works? How early would I have to check my luggage before our flight (we fly out at 5:30 PM). Can I check in for my flight when checking out of the resort so they take our luggage and then we can do some last minute touring?

Thanks in advance.

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

We just returned yesterday Make sure you use the luggage tags ME sends you for any checked luggage. We paid the luggage fees to our airline on-line. When we arrived at airport, took that luggage to our airlines check in desk. Once we landed, we walked with our carry on bags to the ME area at MCO. We waited less than 10 minutes for a ME bus, we were at our resort in about 35 minutes. Our luggage showed up after we went swimming.

Back in 2008 when we used ME, it was much longer. We waited more than 40 minutes for ME, then it was another 30 minutes to arrive. So either service has improved, we were really lucky this trip or very unlucky last trip

Return trip, our flight was for 8pm. The night before ME left us a confirmation letter on our room door what time they would be picking us up. They also advised we would have our boarding passes delivered to our room by 8am. They provided a number we could call before 10pm to arrange to pay for any luggage. When I called, they said I could do it over the phone or with RAC in the morning between 5:30 & 1pm. Since I had to take the luggage to RAC anyway, we waited until then to pay the fee.

Next morning we had luggage tags & our boarding passes. I put the luggage tag on my suitcase, dropped it off with RAC & paid the fee. Didn't see my luggage until we got home. The resort held our carry on bags while we spent another morning at a park. ME picked us up at the appointed time, all we had to do was go through security. Didn't have to check in at the airport.

It was very convenient. Customer service was EXCELLENT

Hope this helps! Oh, and WELCOME to the DISboards!

P.S. We paid extra in advance before we went on our trip for seating so that for our return trip I knew we'd be sitting together. If you have small kids you may want to consider this because if they print your boarding passes for you then someone other than you will be choosing your seats. Just a thought....