Using the Magic Express on a different day from your arriving flight?

[bethm]

Quick synopsis. We've used the Magic Express once before. Wonderful service.
We're booked to check in at Disney Polynesian on a Friday. Flights on Friday are very expensive. Using Southwest's current sale, I will save close to $1000 if we fly down on Thursday. I could move our Disney reservation up another day but frankly I feel like we are there for enough time and moving our return trip a day earlier doesn't make sense. There is a museum nearby that my husband desperately wants to see - so we could fly in on Thursday, rent a car, get a hotel room, see the museum and then go to the Polynesian on Friday afternoon like we originally intended. And still be ahead financially! Then I would hope that we could catch the Magic Express and go to the Polynesian. I grasp the basic problems, we'll have to handle our luggage, and it won't be waiting for us in our hotel, etc. But is this doable? Can you just return your rental car and walk into the baggage claim and get in line for the Magic Express, and load your luggage on the bus? We would have a valid Disney resort reservation for that night. I found a blog post that laid out the issues but I don't think they actually attempted it. Has anyone? Thanks!

 

[nalajms]

I don't see any problems with that. If I was doing that, I'd first look at rental rates and see how much more it is to return the car at the Disney CCC. It's only Alamo and National? (I think). If that's not feasible, I'd probably drop luggage and everyone off and have one person return the rental car and take the DME back.

 

[terri33inne]

I would just keep the rental car, and drive that to WDW, and turn it in at the Alamo or National there. Then use ME for return trip to the airport.

 

[Babsy]

I expect that you could do it. The problem could be that Usually you need a flight number and time. I'm not sure about how Disney would look at it? You could always call the DME and ask them how to arrange something under these circumstances.

PP suggested returning the rental car to CCC. There is also a car rental at the Swan/Dolphin, I believe. Perhaps that would be another option for returning the rental?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Yes, you can absolutely do this. As long as you have a WDW resort reservation for that night, simply walk up to the ME desk at MCO, give them your reservation number and they will put you on a bus. Many people make last minute trips and do not receive documents on time and this is how they would access ME once arriving at the airport. You don't need a flight number, just a resort reservation.

As others have suggested, depending on what rental company you go with, you may want to consider simply dropping off the car at WDW or the Swan/Dolphin so you don't have to go back to MCO at all!

 

[bethm]

Thanks for the replies everyone! We've only ever stayed on the property and used Disney transportation - had no idea the CCC exisited! That probably will be easier than returning to MCO. Thanks so much!

 

[hippiechicken]

I've done this. It works fine. Just go to the Magical Express and scan your Magic Band. They don't care what flight you come on, just that you are staying at Disney.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

Thanks for the replies everyone! We've only ever stayed on the property and used Disney transportation - had no idea the CCC exisited! That probably will be easier than returning to MCO. Thanks so much!

Renting a car at one location and returning to another is expensive. MCO has great rental rates because they have the most inventory of just about any airport. I've looked at renting at CCC or Swan and returning at MCO and the rates were more than $100/day for an Alamo compact. But it's doable.

 

[pigletgirl]

We're planning on doing this with our upcoming vacation. I just gave them our inbound flight info for the day we check into Disney. I don't see it being a problem. I'm sure folks do it all the time.

 

[aVASTGrl]

We've done this many times, as we always spent time in Tampa visiting family before dropping off the rental car and going to Disney. Just call the ME number and let them know what day/time you want to pick up the bus. Never had a problem with it.

 

[Sandi]

Renting a car at one location and returning to another is expensive. MCO has great rental rates because they have the most inventory of just about any airport. I've looked at renting at CCC or Swan and returning at MCO and the rates were more than $100/day for an Alamo compact. But it's doable.

My experience has been different. We typically rent at the Dolphin and return to MCO. The price is always the same and the MCO - MCO or Dolphin - Dolphin rates. We usually stay at BWI and have done this at least 10 times in the last few years. I like using DME to come to the resort, but then like to have a car once on property to get to resort dining, waterparks, etc.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I've done this. It works fine. Just go to the Magical Express and scan your Magic Band. They don't care what flight you come on, just that you are staying at Disney.

Right, we are all checking n on the 19th of November to secure free dining, but 2 of our party won't being flying in until the next day and we set up ME for them.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes, you can absolutely do this. As long as you have a WDW resort reservation for that night, simply walk up to the ME desk at MCO, give them your reservation number and they will put you on a bus.

I don't think this is how it works. Unless something changed recently, Disney's agreement with MCO, requires reservations, i.e. no walkups.

 

[mom2cgj]

We've done this. We rent a car for our first couple of days to go to Cocoa Beach, return it to MCO and take ME to WDW. I set it up over the phone last time with DME - they were totally fine with it and used my same flight information for the day I wanted to take ME to make my reservation. We plan to do it again on our next trip.

 

[sunflowerblooms]

We did this no problems. Flew in night before. Stayed at MCO Hyatt. Got on ME the next morning. Disney had all of our flight info - arriving 12:30 am - no one commented on our 7 hour "late" arrival to ME.

 

[princess jasmine 76]

Right, we are all checking n on the 19th of November to secure free dining, but 2 of our party won't being flying in until the next day and we set up ME for them.

Our plans are exactly the same. My DH and DD(3) are arriving on Nov. 19th and checking us all in (same deal, wanted the free dining) - however my DS(15) and I are going to fly in to MCO on the evening of the 20th. We are renting a car, but I was hoping for my husband and daughter to be able to pick up the car because they are arriving early in the morning on the 19th (and he could food shop at Publix during the day of the 20th) and my flight (without delay) gets DS and I there after 8pm on the 20th. I was thinking it wouldn't be possible to have my husband get the rental car, thinking he and DD would be able to ride the ME upon their arrival and I would have to pick up the car because we wouldn't be able to ride over on the ME if we were flying in AFTER our check-in date at Disney. But if I'm reading correctly, I would still be able to ride ME after I fly in even though I will already have been checked in at Disney the day before? That would be awesome...