Please, What is Magic Express?

[Patpat15]

I keep on hearing about Magic Express. What is it?

 

[goofy4tink]

Disney has started, as of May 5, a service that will get you and you luggage to your resort from the airport. You need to make reservations in advance. Then, you will be sent special luggage tags. When you arrive in Orlando, your bags are taken off the plane, loaded in a special truck, and delivered directly to your resort. You, when you get off your flight, will be directed to a special area where you will check-in with Disney personnel. You will then board a bus and taken to your resort. The bus holds about 57 people and will make up to 3-4 stops, based on who is going where. The resorts will most likely be grouped together by area. Then, when you are ready to leave WDW, you will take the MagicExpress back to the airport. If you are flying on one of the participating airlines (Delta, Song, United and a few others) you will be able to check you luggage and get your boarding pass at your resort, enabling you to go directly to security at the airport. If you are not using one of those airlines, you can still take the ME bus, but your luggage will go with you on the bus. Then you will have to check-in, as usual, at the airport and get your boarding passes.

At the moment it is a free service and should remain so for the duration of the birthday celebration...until maybe Nov '06.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I keep on hearing about Magic Express. What is it?

It's "Magical Express" -- not "Magic Express."

goofy4tink gave a good summary.

If you do a board search and a Google search on "Magical Express" you'll find all sorts of details.

 

[gduvall]

I know the Magical Express is for Disney Resorts, but do the Swan and Dolphin qualify for this service.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I know the Magical Express is for Disney Resorts, but do the Swan and Dolphin qualify for this service.

No. The Swan and Dolphin don't particiapte. Also, the military Shades of Green resort and the Hotel Plaza properties (such as the Wyndham Palace and the Hilton) don't participate.

All other on-site properties participate, from value to deluxe, including Disney Vacation Club.

 

[MHDTS]

Wow...wonder what Mears and the taxi and limo companies think about this? With single RT fares as much as $ 25 - $30, that's a lot of money! Does Disney plan to start charging for the service?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Wow...wonder what Mears and the taxi and limo companies think about this? With single RT fares as much as $ 25 - $30, that's a lot of money! Does Disney plan to start charging for the service?

I'm sure the towncar, limo, and taxi services aren't happy, and neither are the rental car companies. Some drivers will need to find new employment, some towncars will be retired, and rental car fleets at MCO will be reduced.

However, there will still be plenty of people who will choose privacy and personal service. It just means the towncar and limo operators will need to concentrate on outstanding service. And there are still plenty of people who will rent cars, either because they're staying off-site, or because they just like to have a car.

The biggest transportation company in Orlando -- Mears -- is actually part of this service. Although Mears will lose some of their taxi, towncar, and shuttle business, they're operating the Magical Express motor coaches for Disney. So I wouldn't worry about Mears.

Disney's Magical Express is offically complimentary through 2006. After that, the service is likely to remain complimentary if Disney determines that the financial benefits (more on-site spending, higher occupancy, fewer room discounts, greater guest satisfaction leading to greater attendance) justify the substantial cost of providing the transportation and luggage transfers.

 

[MHDTS]

Excellent observations, Horace. Thanks!