Thoughts on Disney's Magical Express

[Vegas2000]

For those of you who have done this, would you recommend it or not? Did it go smoothly? Also, when they pick you up at the airport, do they take you directly to your resort (besides making stops for drop-offs at other resorts, of course)? I've scheduled this and am now second guessing myself as to whether I made the right choice. Would love your input or thoughts!! Thanks!!

 

[ccgirl]

For those of you who have done this, would you recommend it or not? Did it go smoothly? Also, when they pick you up at the airport, do they take you directly to your resort (besides making stops for drop-offs at other resorts, of course)? I've scheduled this and am now second guessing myself as to whether I made the right choice. Would love your input or thoughts!! Thanks!!

We liked it as we don't really like to get our own luggage. Keep in mind that it can take up to 3 hours for your bags to arrive so keep everything you will need for those 3 hours in your carryon. They did stop at other resorts before our resort.

 

[disneychic2]

We have taken advantage of ME since it first began and have never had a bad experience! I feel we have "arrived" as soon as the video starts on the bus. We were just there a week ago and we waited in line only 10 minutes before boarding our bus. It took 25 minutes to get to our resort (ours was the first stop), our room was ready and we were heading to the parks within an hour of landing at the airport! We really love it!

 

[LWQuestie]

It's FREE!

What is making you second guess the choice to use Magical Express? If you could give more info, we can give more direct experience commentary.

With regard to the luggage taking time to arrive, please note that you don't need to be in your room for it to be delivered. You can check in at the hotel (even if your room isn't ready yet), get your key cards, stow carry-on baggage with Bell Services and head off the parks to enjoy your vacation. Call later to get your room number, and your checked bags will likely be in your room when you arrive. You'll have to either call Bell Services for any stowed bags to be delivered to your room (which you do have to be present for) or pick 'em up on your way back to the room.

I've been using ME for years (both with and without checked luggage) and have had no problems.

 

[jcarwash]

I definitely recommend it! I look forward to DME each time I visit.

Yes, the DME buses take you directly to your resort, although as you already guessed your bus may service more than one resort.

Using the associated luggage service is also really nice. You don't have to wait around, lug your bags, etc. As the PP recommends, don't plan to have your bags until later, so carry whatever essentials you will want upon arrival -- medicines, sunscreen, swim suit, etc.

 

[MissManda]

I highly recommend the DME! Its so nice to know that once you arrive at the airport, you don't have to worry about a thing other than getting on the bus and heading to your resort.

If you are concerned about not having your luggage, you can always pick up your luggage and take it with you on the bus (just don't put your DME tags on it).

On the way back to the airport, they pick you up in plenty of time to get to the airport.

We are staying offsite this year and to be quite honest, the one thing we are most disappointed in is not being able to use DME. (Not having EMH or the dining plan doesn't bother us as much as having to drive ourselves. Using DME will spoil you!).

 

[Vegas2000]

OK....you guys have eased my mind!!!! I have never used it before and I guess it was just the 'fear of the unknown' getting to me. I'm not concerned with the luggage arriving several hours after we arrive....as this just means we need to pack carefully in our carry-on bags. Thanks to everyone who gave me their input and eased my mind!!!

 

[McBane]

It's FREE!

What is making you second guess the choice to use Magical Express? If you could give more info, we can give more direct experience commentary.

With regard to the luggage taking time to arrive, please note that you don't need to be in your room for it to be delivered. You can check in at the hotel (even if your room isn't ready yet), get your key cards, stow carry-on baggage with Bell Services and head off the parks to enjoy your vacation. Call later to get your room number, and your checked bags will likely be in your room when you arrive. You'll have to either call Bell Services for any stowed bags to be delivered to your room (which you do have to be present for) or pick 'em up on your way back to the room.

I've been using ME for years (both with and without checked luggage) and have had no problems.

Completely agree!! The only time it's been a longer experience was with a late evening arrival. We stopped at multiple resorts before we got to ours. But again....it's free, so no complaints here!!

 

[elaine amj]

it's free, it's free, it's free!! It was a huge perk that swayed us to staying onsite.

We always arrive on the late flight (abt 10:30pm) so never managed to use the magical part of it - so we just grab our own bags and load it on the bus. The bus is comfortable, we don't have to do the driving, and takes us straight to our resort.

My kids really enjoy the videos and gets them even more excited to get to WDW! I like that it entertains them on the way over.

The wait is never particularly long.

 

[momberry]

We normally use the ME....(except when we can get a REALLY good deal on rental cars). We've always had a great experience! It's so nice to bypass baggage claim and have your bags delivered to you room.....And like other posters said....our kids (6 and 9) love the movie!!! More Disney magic!!!

 

[goofystitchfan]

We always use it. One of the benefits of staying at a DVC resort is the fact that you can go and never need a car for your whole trip! One less thing to worry about.

 

[WINTER]

Part of the "Disney Experience". Love using it!

 

[tazlikesrobots]

DME is awesome! Used it 3 times now and in most cases we were at the resort within one hour of landing at MCO

 

[Disney Sheri]

We have used it twice and will use it again the next time we fly into Orlando. The first time, we walked right onto our bus and the next time we only waited for about 25-30 minutes. I Love the busses! I would reccomend it to anyone!

 

[crazymomof4]

My bro and sil will be using ME when they fly in to meet us in WDW in Sept. We will already be in HS that day and I'm trying to figure out approx. what time we can expect them to join us there.
Based on average experiences, about how long should it take from the time they land til they can get to HS?
I absolutely know times will VARY.... just looking for a ballpark.

 

[LWQuestie]

My bro and sil will be using ME when they fly in to meet us in WDW in Sept. We will already be in HS that day and I'm trying to figure out approx. what time we can expect them to join us there.
Based on average experiences, about how long should it take from the time they land til they can get to HS?
I absolutely know times will VARY.... just looking for a ballpark.

Ballpark - 2 hrs. ~ 70 minutes to the resort, few minutes to check in, then out to the bus stop to go to HS. 20 minutes if they missed the bus, then 20 minutes to the park (since you don't say where they will be staying).

 

[crazymomof4]

LWQuestie
Thanks so much. That was my "guess-ta-mate".

 

[Tony NY]

It's free it for me

I like it for the fact that I don't have to go to bagage claim and wait or my bags I only wish I did not have to stop at so many resorts other than that it awesome to