What has been your experience with Magical Express?

[MissMagnolia]

We are staying on property at the end of August and am wondering if Magical Express is a good thing. I would LOVE to not have to deal with our luggage but I don't want it to show up at our room days later...

I would love to hear about your experiences using Magical Express.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've used DME several times now. The time I used it with checked baggage, the bags arrived in my room about 15 minutes after I was able to get into it. But, you have to keep in mind it all depends on when your room is ready. If you arrive at the resort at 10 am, check-in, but your room isn't ready, then you can't expect to see your bags. Also, if you are able to get right into your room, your bags won't be there when you get in. It takes about an hour longer for your bags to get to the resort than it does you, at least. You can reasonably expect your bags in your room within 3 hrs of landing, if you are able to get into your room.
Just be sure to pack a small carryon bag with anything you might need when you get to the resort. I always pack our bathing suits and clothes that are more suitable to the heat. That way we can change in a rest room and go about our business and not have to stress over when the bags arrive.

I have loved DME every time I've used it. It has taken me about 70 minutes, max, to get from the plane to my resort. I'll be using it in 3 weeks, again in Oct and then most likely in Dec.

 

[FogliaFamily]

Hey there - We are from Wisconsin also, Milwaukee area. We just returned from Disney last week and used ME. Make sure you put your luggage tags on - they are send about 2 weeks before. Check them in at the air port and you will see them in your room later that day. We arrived and checked in and had our room by 2:15. We went to MGM and when we arrived back the luggage was in the room. The only thing with ME is the way back to the airport - you need to get your luggage to the lobby - either yourself or with the bell hop. We checked our luggage in at the front of POR and they set it aside until our bus left. We headed to downtown disney for the afternoon, came back, retrieved our luggage - they loaded it and off to the airport. Once at the airport you're on your own after they take if off the bus. It worked out great and absolutely no need for a car. The bus transporation was great also. We stayed at POR. Have fun!!

 

[cdrn1]

We have used it twice now. The first time was the second week it was up and running last May, and we never recieved any tags or documents but we were assured it wouldn't matter, and it didn't. It worked great. Our luggage took about six hours to arrive but we didn't need it so that was okay.
The second time was in March, and the tags/documents arrived in plenty of time but had the wrong return date printed on the documents. No big deal; a phone call took care of it and luggage beat me to the room (we went straight to the parks before checking in).
We are going again Monday and the documents came two or three weeks ago; our next trip is May 14 and we got those documents last week.
I would not hesitate to use it again (obviously) based on the first two experiences. Both times we boarded the buses quickly and were dropped at the resort less than an hour after our arrival at MCO. Buses are clean and comfy and drivers were pleasant.

 

[BTown]

I have a question about DME while we are on the topic. We are going to be using this service for the first time in Sept. Our flight arrives in Orlando around 12:30. How long should I expect to take us to get on the bus, get to the resort, check in, and hit the park?

Also, I know that Disney takes care of our bags, but we will all have carry on luggage with us, but when we arrive, we wont actually be able to get into our rooms (as check in time is 3:00). Will they allow us to leave our carry ons at the front desk or have them sent to our room so we can go elsewhere while we wait to check into our rooms?

 

[brentalex]

I have a question about DME while we are on the topic. We are going to be using this service for the first time in Sept. Our flight arrives in Orlando around 12:30. How long should I expect to take us to get on the bus, get to the resort, check in, and hit the park?

Also, I know that Disney takes care of our bags, but we will all have carry on luggage with us, but when we arrive, we wont actually be able to get into our rooms (as check in time is 3:00). Will they allow us to leave our carry ons at the front desk or have them sent to our room so we can go elsewhere while we wait to check into our rooms?

It should take about a hour and a half to get from the airport to completing the check in. Of course that depends on how many people are in front of yo trying to check in.
If you check in and your room is not ready, they will hold your carry on bags for you at bell services so you can go out.

 

[Hugpug]

I user DME last December and had no problems at all . Checked in at POFQ got room and headed off to MGM and when I came back bags where there. Only problem but miner was when I left we did not have a regular DME bus back and if I had not ask the driver I would have not known that the bus that pulled up was the DME ride back to MCO. I blame this on the attendent and bus driver as they should have announced that this was the DME bus back to MCO. As for time frame it took about 1-1/2 hours from time of deplanning to check in. If you are using a partisapating airline you can check your bags and get your boarding pass right at the hotel. I really like that part.

 

[MissMagnolia]

Thanks everyone! It looks like we will definitely use ME.
FogliaFamily - we are from the La Crosse area - across the state from you. When we fly out we are going out of Madison. Madison always has better rates that La Crosse. You are lucky to be by Milwaukee - flights are even cheaper out of there usually!

 

[Mickey Fan in PA]

We will be using ME in December. At what point in this entire ME process do you tip and who do you tip?

 

[Sandi12404]

sorry if this is already awnsered somewhere but I can't find it. We're going to WDW in Oct. My parents and me and my family are flying out of one airport and my sister and her family are flying out of another. She is due to arrive about an hour after us. We all want to take ME to the resort together so I was wondering if we have to get directly on the bus or if we can wait for my sister to get in. I don't want to tell my sister we'll meet her at the airport and then fnot be there. I'm not sure how often the busses run. Thanks for your help.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You don't have to go directly to the bus - you don't have a reservation on a specific bus at a specific time; when you check in at the DME counter, you're sent to the queue for the bus going to your resort. So, yes, you can wait for your sister.
I think your question has been answered elsewhere (please note, this is NOT a criticism!). Did you know if you click on your name in any thread, there's a dropdown menu that gives you several options? One option is to 'find more posts by (selected name) - I tried that and found your thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1095901
No, no - no need to thank me (especially if this link is to the wrong thread!)