Possible Vacation Plan Change - Magical Express

[TimothyG]

We might be changing around our vacation this summer to do something a little bit differently. We're deciding whether myself and my brother should fly to Orlando on the 24th and should arrive at WDW at 12:40. I figure it takes Magical Express about 25 minutes or so to get from MCO to POR since its 22 miles away and they are doing our luggage and all (if I read correctly on the press release). Meanwhile, my parents will have left the day before and will arrive at WDW between 5-7ish on the 25th. Of course to do this, we'll have to leave on the 29th. But the way I see it, we'll still get a headstart because we were originally going to arrive sometime around 5 PM on the 25th.

Can anyone answer the following questions:
1) How long does it take to get the POR from Orlando Int'l (MCO?) using Magical Express?
2) Do you automatically get checked in or do you have to check in later (as check-in starts at 3 PM)?
3) Can you give them carry on luggage to and they will handle it?

Can someone make me a itinerary possibly of what it may look like? I know that Disney hasn't yet released it but maybe someone will know.

 

[safetymom]

ME hasn't started yet so actual times are not known at this time. They do not check you into your resort. After you get off the bus at the resort you will need to check in. You can check in at any time but your room may not be ready until 3 PM. They will give you your room key and a phone number to call to see if the room is ready.

You can put your carry on luggage in the bottom of the Magical Express bus but you will have to handle it. You should have some things in there that you may need until your luggage shows up since your luggage may not be delivered for several hours.

 

[DebbieB]

Each bus may stop at as many as 4 resorts. So it's impossible to guess on a time since your resort maybe first or it maybe last.

 

[philaround]

The bus from MCO to resorts will not leave as soon as you board. They will be on some sort of schedule based on times of arriving flights and numbers of passengers on those flights who have ME reservations. Also each bus may stop at more then one resort so I have aloted at least 1 hour for my ME trip on 5/18 and that is just from when I board the bus, not from when my flight lands.

 

[TimothyG]

Is Southwest Airlines a participating airline?

 

[safetymom]

No. They will transport your luggage to the resort when you get to Orlando but you will need to carry it on the bus for your return trip.

 

[dakyak]

Is Southwest Airlines a participating airline?

We were told yes by both Disney reps and our AAA travel agent

 

[safetymom]

All airlines are participating when you fly into Orlando. Not as many participate in the resort check in. I would reconfirm that Southwest will allow you to check in for your flight at the resort when you are leaving Orlando.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Keep in mind that the ME is really three services :

1) The shuttle to/from MCO/WDW
2) The luggage service
3) Flight check-in while still at WDW

1+2 everyone can use, regardless of what airline you are traveling on (#2 at least on the way there, if not on the way back). #3 is the only one that requires a participating airline.

N.E.D.