Question(s) about Magical Express

[TigerLilyBlossom]

We booked for Dec 1-6, 2005, and are trying to decide if we should use the Magical Express option or get a towncar again like we did in April before ME was offered.

Before we decide, I thought some who have used this new feature would have some input as to 1) How long (in general of course) is the wait for the bus at the airport? 2) Does the bus have guests from assorted resorts, frequent stops at each? 3) With the towncar service, we were limited to 3 bags total--what is the limit with ME? Not that we want to pack like we're never returning but 3 suitcases for 4 people was tight (esp. after adding souvineers).

If you use ME, can you still have your boarding passes printed off and luggage checked at the resort at the Airline Check-In kiosk?

I am intrigued by the *no additional charge* for transportation to/from the airport, but DH is afraid there will be a long wait at the airport and then a long ride to the resort if the bus stops at a bunch of resorts before ours (Coronado Springs)--but for a $200 savings ($120 and tips each way) I am thinking the pros outweigh the cons...I mean, the wait can't be that long...right? Plus, I would think that by December, the kinks I have been reading about should be worked out by then?

TIA for the opinions

 

[spiceycat]

read the posts - there are several.

no long waits at the airport - one bus driver got lost....I though that was so funny - but at the time I can definitely understand the irritation....

as Tyler (Chip n' dale express) (he is a WDW bus driver) this service is being offer by Disney. Disney wants you at the park so you will spend your money. If Mears can't get you there quick - they will go with someone who can (this last part is mind)

and from Mears standpoint - there is 'localdriver' he is a mears bus driver.

so read the posts.

I am going tomorrow and I am definitely using ME.

Since you have been WDW more than once - give ME a try - you certainly aren't losing anything (okay if your bus driver gets lost a few hours) - but I am the type - to ask 'where are you going' ....

 

[Kae]

I would sign up for it. And just keep watching the reports on it. My TA used it last week & was very worried but said it went ok. By then they should have all the kinks worked out. The biggest problem was not getting your tags in time but I hear people are getting them ok now.

My sister is using it in June so I will let everyone know how it goes.

Kae

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Before we decide, I thought some who have used this new feature would have some input as to 1) How long (in general of course) is the wait for the bus at the airport? 2) Does the bus have guests from assorted resorts, frequent stops at each? 3) With the towncar service, we were limited to 3 bags total--what is the limit with ME? Not that we want to pack like we're never returning but 3 suitcases for 4 people was tight (esp. after adding souvineers).

If you use ME, can you still have your boarding passes printed off and luggage checked at the resort at the Airline Check-In kiosk?

How long (in general of course) is the wait for the bus at the airport?

You really can't go by the experience of those who used ME the first few days, when there were all sorts of startup problems. The motor coaches should be frequent because of the high volume of ME guests. From the time you arrive at the Welcome Center at the airport to when your motor coach departs should be less than a half hour. It may only be a few minutes if your timing is good; you could be on the road while other passengers on your flight are still waiting at the baggage claim.​

Does the bus have guests from assorted resorts, frequent stops at each?

The motor coaches leave from only one spot at the airport, and they'll normally go to only three or four WDW resorts. You could be the first stop. You could be the last stop. The resorts are grouped by area, so the distance between stops should be short. The stops themselves should be brief because the checked luggage is transported on a luggage truck, not on the motor coach.​

With the towncar service, we were limited to 3 bags total--what is the limit with ME? Not that we want to pack like we're never returning but 3 suitcases for 4 people was tight (esp. after adding souvineers).

Which towncar service were you using? A Lincoln Towncar has a huge trunk. A Lincoln Towncar trunk easily holds 3 large suitcases and 2 small ones. Each ME passenger gets two luggage tags, and you can carry on the carry-ons that you had on the aircraft (one carry-on bag and one personal item such as a computer bag). So, with ME, you can take much more luggage than with a towncar service, despite the Lincoln Towncar's huge trunk. A family of 4 could have 8 checked suitcases, and they would all be delivered to your resort room, with Disney picking up the cost of the bell services tips.​

If you use ME, can you still have your boarding passes printed off and luggage checked at the resort at the Airline Check-In kiosk?

Yes. You can use Resort Airline Check-in if you're flying home on an airline that is participating in Resort Airline Check-in -- whether or not you're using the Magical Express motor coach to travel back to the airport.​

 

[TigerLilyBlossom]

Thank You

I think it sounds worth a try (especially for free!) so the good info will help DH grasp it better too.

thanks again