Traveling by Magical Express for the first time, any tips?

[ccsmith312]

I'm visiting WDW with my son and daughter, and although we are veterans this will be the first time we will be flying and using ME. Any tips? I thought I should bring a day bag for park touring and perhaps our swimsuits in my carryon. Any other tips? Thanks!

 

[CopperWife]

Hello! We've only used ME one time and it was relatively painless. I would defintely bring a carry-on bag with anything you need within the first couple of hours - cameras, tickets, paperwork, medicine, swimsuits, etc.

We did have one little-bitty problem with ME. When we were ready to get on the bus, a CM directed us to the bus we were supposed to be on. We got on, happy to be on our way to the happiest place on Earth. However, the bus driver announced the hotels where he was stopping and our hotel was not on that list! Of course, he wouldn't leave us stranded - he was nice enough to drop my family off at POR after dropping off everyone at Pop! So, I would advise double-checking with the driver to make sure you're going where you think you are going

 

[6elginfans]

We have used it twice. Very painless. We have used the yellow tags twice, having Disney deliver our bags right to our room, which I highly recommend. One time the bags beat us to the room and one time they showed up 3 hours after check in.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have used DME pretty much for almost every trip since DME came into being. I have had one less than stellar experience, but that is one out of more than 20 rides!!!!
I always recommend packing carryon's with swimsuits and a change of clothes..this is just in case the airline misdirects a bag. It is much more common for an airline to misdirect a bag than for DME.
So, put anything you may need to start your fun at WDW in a carryon bag. Each passenger gets one, so each person can carry their own stuff..yes, even the little ones!! I like backpacks for this..much easier for kids to handle. They can have their backpack with their extra teeshirt, shorts, undies, and swim suit in it...plus any snacks for the flight and books, etc.
Your checked bags won't get to you for up to 3/4 hrs after resort checkin. So, bring what you need for the first day at WDW with you.

When you approach the bus lines, you should see the name of the resort at the end of each line...just double check it to make sure there were no misunderstandings. The bus driver should be double checking the vouchers as well...then, they usually make an announcement as to the resorts they are headed to, just in case someone got on the wrong bus.

 

[Gorechick]

If I opt to get my checked bag instead of waiting for DME folks to get it, will the bus wait? How long do they wait for passengers?

 

[Missytara]

If I opt to get my checked bag instead of waiting for DME folks to get it, will the bus wait? How long do they wait for passengers?

The buses do not wait and you are not assigned to a specific bus. There are hundreds of people who take the ME bus 24/7.

When you arrive at the podium and if there are no issues with your ressie, they will wave you directly to a podium. They will scan your transportation voucher and direct you to a line with your resort plus two or more depending on how busy they are that day. Buses are grouped based on need for that day and can vary greatly.

You will wait until the CM directs you to board your bus and you wait until it is about full and you are on your way.

If you opt to bring your bag; the driver will stow it under the bus and you should tip about a dollar a bag.

 

[Gorechick]

So we could go to baggage claim and grab our bag then go check in? If we are arriving to MCO around 1:30, should we get our bags at the resort by 5:00 (if we opt to tag them)?

 

[goofy4tink]

So we could go to baggage claim and grab our bag then go check in? If we are arriving to MCO around 1:30, should we get our bags at the resort by 5:00 (if we opt to tag them)?

If your flight arrives, ontime, at 1:30, you should be at the resort by 3:00...maybe sooner, but always plan for longer. This means you should get your checked baggage by 6-7pm, but again it could be sooner.

Or, if you would rather not worry about that, don't tag the bags, and get them yourselves when you arrive at MCO. The driver will expect to be tipped for baggage handling though.

The other thing to keep in mind is that if you are flying in on an airline that arrives on Side A of the airport, your bags will arrive on Side A, level 2. So, you have to go down to level 2 of Side A, get your bags, go back up to level 3 (where you arrived) of Side A, cross through the center of the terminal and go over to Side B..and down to level 1 to get to DME.

 

[Missytara]

So we could go to baggage claim and grab our bag then go check in? If we are arriving to MCO around 1:30, should we get our bags at the resort by 5:00 (if we opt to tag them)?

Yes, expect your bags three to four hours from check-in time. Let them get your bags; it makes more of a vacation. You do not have to be in your room to receive your bags and tipping is already included.

You should always pack what you need for the first 24 hours in a carry-on anyway, in case the airline diverts your baggage.

The downside of getting your baggage is:

1. Depending on what side of the airport you arrive, you may have to go to the other side of the airport to go to baggage claim and then get all your babs down to the lower level. You cannot take bags on the escalator, so you are stuck with the stairs or the 2 elevators.

2. Once you check in, you either can tote your bags to your room if it is a available, you have to choose to take them all the way to your room or leave them with guest services. Then you will have to call when you return and wait until they can get to your room and you must tip. With ME, the tips are all included.

Unless you are arriving after 10 pm and have to get your bags, but the airport is not nearly as crowded and things go much smoother.

Just think, we arrive at the same time; you are on your way winding through the airport with all of your baggage and I am mostly likely on the bus on the way to the resort already.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

If I opt to get my checked bag instead of waiting for DME folks to get it, will the bus wait? How long do they wait for passengers?

The motorcoach doesn't wait. You're assigned to a queue when you arrive at Disney's Magical Express (DME) check-in, ready to go. Then you're loaded onto the next motorcoach that serves your resort.

If you want to claim your own bags, you'll probably be on a DME motorcoach departure around a half hour later than if you had gone directly from your arrival gate to DME. Also, it would be appropriate to tip the DME driver and anyone else (airport porters, hotel bell services) who assists you with your bags. If you have bell services bring your bags to your room, you would need to wait for your bags in your room for the bags to be delivered.

With DME baggage transfers, there's no waiting. The bags will be left in your room while you're out having fun. (Disney takes care of the tips if you use DME as designed.)

 

[Bobmc27]

Just a further question re using ME. Do I have to proceed directly to the ME once I arrive on my flight or can I stop and grab dinner at the airport and then catch the ME to WDW ? Thanks

 

[Missytara]

Just a further question re using ME. Do I have to proceed directly to the ME once I arrive on my flight or can I stop and grab dinner at the airport and then catch the ME to WDW ? Thanks

You can go at anytime, but say if you arrive at the ME desk after 10 pm, you have to retrieve your luggage. You did not say how late you are arriving.

Also, the food courts at the resorts are open until 10/11 pm, depending on the time of year, if you want to wait.

 

[Lewisc]

Biggest tip is to let Disney handle your luggage. The luggage delivery service is so valuable there is an entire thread devoted to answering questions from posters who want to know if it's OK to let Disney delivery your luggage but use a taxi, car service or rental car for passengers.

Of course your carryon bag should include your swimsuit, and whatever else you think you'll need your first day. Airlines misdirect luggage.

edited to add CM who deliver DME luggage to your room are "tipped" by Disney. You're not expected to be in your room. Many of us don't know exactly how long it took Disney to delivery our bags. We were at a park, at the pool or having lunch when our bags were delivered. Long delays? You'll probably never know if the airline put your bag on a later flight (most likely) or if Disney made a mistake.

 

[seashoreCM]

You can go at anytime, but say if you arrive at the ME desk after 10 pm, you have to retrieve your luggage. .

If you step off the plane in Orlando after 10 PM then you need to go to the carousels and retrieve your luggage. After that witching hour, all bags, yellow tagged or not, go to the carousels.

If luggage is not at the carousels when you go there, file a baggage claim with the airline before leaving the area.

(For airline arrivals before PM) "It is the goal of DME for your luggage to get your resort room within 3 hours after you can."

If you arrived before 10 PM and stopped at the airport food court or otherwise spent time at the airport, arriving at the DME welcoming area after 10, then you do not have to go to the carousels.

 

[goofy4tink]

Just a further question re using ME. Do I have to proceed directly to the ME once I arrive on my flight or can I stop and grab dinner at the airport and then catch the ME to WDW ? Thanks

I always wait until I get to WDW to eat...much more fun. I'm in a rush to get out of the airport...just about the only time I eat at MCO is when I get there, for a departing flight!!

 

[dburg30]

I always wait until I get to WDW to eat...much more fun. I'm in a rush to get out of the airport...just about the only time I eat at MCO is when I get there, for a departing flight!!

LOL us too! Why eat in an airport, when less then an hour away is DISNEY WORLD!! I have steps in my WDW trips as to when I'm 'on vacation'.. The first stage is once we are at the airport and thru security.. My stress level drops a lot and my happiness level increases quite a bit.. 2nd stage in once the plane takes off.. 3rd stage is once I get on that DME bus!!! At that point I'm pretty much in vacation mode, happiness level is WAY up and stress is pretty much at the bottom. Last little thing is getting checked in.. Once that it done, that's it.. So I want to get to the DME bus FAST and out of the 'real world' ASAP!!!!

You've pretty much been given all the info you need, so the only tip I'll give you in one that give you on the DME bus... "Sit back, and enjoy the ride!!" Cant wait to hear that pretty much 8 weeks, 6 days 23 hours from now.. (nope not counting the minutes at all )

 

[goofy4tink]

LOL us too! Why eat in an airport, when less then an hour away is DISNEY WORLD!! I have steps in my WDW trips as to when I'm 'on vacation'.. The first stage is once we are at the airport and thru security.. My stress level drops a lot and my happiness level increases quite a bit.. 2nd stage in once the plane takes off.. 3rd stage is once I get on that DME bus!!! At that point I'm pretty much in vacation mode, happiness level is WAY up and stress is pretty much at the bottom. Last little thing is getting checked in.. Once that it done, that's it.. So I want to get to the DME bus FAST and out of the 'real world' ASAP!!!!

You've pretty much been given all the info you need, so the only tip I'll give you in one that give you on the DME bus... "Sit back, and enjoy the ride!!" Cant wait to hear that pretty much 8 weeks, 6 days 23 hours from now.. (nope not counting the minutes at all )

Hey, we have the exact same stages!!!

 

[livingthedream]

What if you want to go to a different resort than where you are staying to eat? We want to take DME to our "home" resort, and not check in right away. This is because we could only get a ressie at a certain time at a different resort, and the only way to get there is to grab a cab from our "home" resort to the other one for our dinner ressies, and then check in once we get back from dinner.

I believe bags are not delivered to your room until after you check in, and because that could potentially mean quite late , we will ask them to hold them til the morning.

Is this possible?

Edit: My question is actually is it possible to arrive at resort on DME and not check in until much later, not is it possible to get them to hold your luggage until morning. It made sense to me, but after reading the post, maybe it wasn't clear!

 

[tjmw2727]

I am a bit confused but -
You can only take DME to the resort you are actually staying at that evening.

You can check in whenever you like but I am not sure why you wouldn't want to just check in, get your KTTW cards and then head off to dinner? This way your bags will get to your room sooner and you can just go back to your room after dinner.

People have had mixed results with having luggage held, some have been succesful and other have had a knock on the door in the wee hours.

What if you want to go to a different resort than where you are staying to eat? We want to take DME to our "home" resort, and not check in right away. This is because we could only get a ressie at a certain time at a different resort, and the only way to get there is to grab a cab from our "home" resort to the other one for our dinner ressies, and then check in once we get back from dinner.

I believe bags are not delivered to your room until after you check in, and because that could potentially mean quite late , we will ask them to hold them til the morning.

Is this possible?

Edit: My question is actually is it possible to arrive at resort on DME and not check in until much later, not is it possible to get them to hold your luggage until morning. It made sense to me, but after reading the post, maybe it wasn't clear!

 

[goofy4tink]

What if you want to go to a different resort than where you are staying to eat? We want to take DME to our "home" resort, and not check in right away. This is because we could only get a ressie at a certain time at a different resort, and the only way to get there is to grab a cab from our "home" resort to the other one for our dinner ressies, and then check in once we get back from dinner.

I believe bags are not delivered to your room until after you check in, and because that could potentially mean quite late , we will ask them to hold them til the morning.

Is this possible?

Edit: My question is actually is it possible to arrive at resort on DME and not check in until much later, not is it possible to get them to hold your luggage until morning. It made sense to me, but after reading the post, maybe it wasn't clear!

I would just go to your home resort, and check out the lines at the front desk area. Do online checkin...then it should take under 10 mins to get checked in. Take a cab to your resort restaurant.
I see, in another post, that you are at Pop, arriving at 6:30 at MCO and want to get to the Polynesian for Kona and the fireworks. If you arrive ontime, you won't be at Pop until about close to 8pm. A cab to the Polynesian is going to get you there about 8:15-ish,maybe later.
Not much time to eat. You may want to not rush around and just checkin, then go over to the Polynesian and eat at Capt Cooks and then head out to watch the fireworks.

But in all reality??? You're cutting it way too close. Not checking in will save you about 15 mins...not enough time to make a difference. I would just forgo heading to the Polynesian to eat...or head there, watch the fireworks and then grab a bite afterwards.