Swan/Dolphin & Magical Express...

[PamNC]

I have a question. My DH and I are quickly becoming S/D fans. Had our second stay there over Thanksgiving. My question is can you get Magical Express to and from the S/D? Or does it have to be a Disney-owned resort?

Anyone else use this service? Is it a pain due to a lot of waiting around.....just wondering because I assume they take several folks at once, all with different flight times so I just want to be sure that you don't have to go to the airport like 3-4 hours ahead of time or anything annoying like that. We usually drive because it's only 9 hours for us, but we're getting quite sick of the drive. We have flown before, and we rented a car because we like the freedom of having our own transportation. However, as a money saving effort, I'm considering Magical Express.



Thanks

PamNC

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

IIRC, the Magical Express is only for guests at the Disney-owned resorts such as Grand Floridian and the All-Stars. That would exclude the Swan and the Dolphin.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

I was so diappointed to hear this. We are trying to plan a trip to WDW in Dec. and we are staying at the Dolphin. We were hoping to use ME so we wouldnt have to rent a minivan. We thought we could rent a compact car, send DH and 2 DD's with the luggage and DS (handicapped) and I could take the small car. That way we could use the car for driving to the parks but would not have to spend the extra $ for a van......oh well, i will keep thinking.....

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I have a question. My DH and I are quickly becoming S/D fans. Had our second stay there over Thanksgiving. My question is can you get Magical Express to and from the S/D? Or does it have to be a Disney-owned resort?

As Obi-Wan Pinobi wrote, you can't get free DME service if you're staying at the WDW Swan and Dolphin.

That doesn't mean you won't see DME serving the WDW Swan and Dolphin. DME motorcoaches are used for Disney Cruise Line passengers with land-sea packages, including those staying at the Swan and Dolphin. Also, if you pay for Mears service to the Swan and Dolphin, you may be put onto a DME motorcoach.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I have not been made aware of the details, but I have seen Swan/Dolphin guests use DME inbound complete with luggage service. I don't know if they were DCL or not. I do not know if it was free or how much it was.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

I wonder if they allow you to pay for the service if you are staying at the Swan/Dolphin. We are not Disney Vacation members but we are AP holders.....

 

[IlovePiglet]

DCL passengers with paid transportation staying at the Swan or Dolphin can be transported on DME buses. This is only done on days that the ship sails (because that's usually the day their 7 day land/sea package begins).
DME is not a paid service so you wouldn't be able to buy a ticket. For Swan/Dolphin you could either use the Mears shuttle, taxi, or towncar.
You will sometimes see a DME bus picking up for MCO at the Swan or Dolphin (sometimes the MWC as well) but it is treated as the Mears shuttle in that the driver must collect cash or ticket.

 

[PamNC]

But "darnit" is all I can say. I appreciate the replies though.

PamNC

 

[ghostrider]

Why not get the best of both worlds and stay at the Boardwalk, Yacht or Beach Club. This way you can get the free ride and still stay in the Epcot loop?

 

[D L and K's Mom]

I would love to but we got a great rate at the Dolphin (both DH and I are teachers) I know we are spoiled we want the great rate AND the transportation.....I just thought it would be easier with the wheelchair and all the other stuff we have to bring for DS if we had the small car and the ME but we will just do the mini van thing again.!