No Magical Express but they still took my luggage!

[BostonRob]

When I was there at the end of April, they hadn't started Magical Express yet (no big deal because I wouldn't use it anyway - I hate busses). But one of the Valet guys tipped us off that when we checked out from the Animal Kingdom Lodge, we could check our luggage and have out boarding passes printed. There was a special desk right near the bell station and sure enough, they took our luggage and printed our boarding passes. He said they're only doing it with a few airlines right now (we were flying AA). It was a great convenience for us, since we were toting around a 2 year old, not to have to worry about bringing our luggage back to tha airport.

Was this some of that 'pixie dust' you all are always talking about?

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We were there during that time also. They were doing lots of practice runs for Magical Express since it was going to open that next week. I'm glad you had a nice experience, my mother-in-law didn't get her luggage from Magical Express until 2:00 am. I don't think I'll ever try it.

 

[BostonRob]

Well keep in mind that we were on our way home. They could have lost our luggage for a week and it wouldn't have mattered to us. I don't think I'd have started my vacation by entrusting my luggage to anybody (besides the airlines of course - don't have a choice there).

So do you think that service was just a dry run for Magical Express? I hope not. I'd like to take advantage of that luggage transfer in the future, without getting on their bus.

 

[Jcricket Fan]

According to the info. posted by Disney about Magical Express:

Does the Guest have to utilize Disney’s Magical Express return transportation service back to Orlando International Airport to participate in the Resort Airline Check-in?
No. This service is available to Disney Resort Guests on outbound flights with domestic service provided by American, Delta (including Song), Continental, and United (including Ted). They can take advantage of the motor coach transportation back to Orlando International Airport or arrange their own transportation.
***********************************************
We are planning to do this when we travel in Jan. 06. We always rent a car so if this is working as they state we will be able to check our luggage at BCV for our Delta flight and then take the car back to the airport and not have to worry about checking in once we get to the airport.
Sounds great to me!

I would be interested to know if anyone since the start of the ME program has done this yet.

Colleen

 

[ncbyrne]

We plan on taking ME to CSR on arrival, but we will be renting a car onsite and driving back to MCO ourselves. It would be wonderful if we could check in our luggage ahead of time! I'll have to look into this for further details.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

We plan on taking ME to CSR on arrival, but we will be renting a car onsite and driving back to MCO ourselves. It would be wonderful if we could check in our luggage ahead of time! I'll have to look into this for further details.

You can think of Resort Airline Check-in as completely independent of Magical Express.

You can use Remote Airline Check-in without using Magical Express. And you can use Magical Express without using Remote Airline Check-in.

The limitation is that you can only use Remote Airline Check-in to get your boarding pass and to check your luggage at your resort if you're flying home on American, Delta , Song, Continental, United, or Ted. (Disney has said the airline list may grow, but it hasn't happened yet.)