Magical Express

[PoohsGang]

We are using Magical Express for the first time this Feb. My question is is it faster, than a car service?

The reason I ask, last time we arrived there was a couple on the same plane who were staying at BCV, they used Magical Express, we went downstairs got our bags , found our driver took the limo to BC, after we checked in we noticed them getting off the bus. All in all the only benifit I can see is saving the money for the limo and not having to wait for your luggage.

How long are the check in lines for Magical Express?

I'm starting to think that I will be waiting in the check in line about as long as I would be waiting for luggage. It's pretty obvious that the limo will get you to the resort faster as its only stopping at the resort not other resorts.

I'd love to hear some opinions on it.

I do love the fact that I dont have to deal with my luggage.

Has anyone sent there luggage (basically put the magical express tags on them) and takin a car service? Will the bags make it there if you don't check in for Magical Express?

The money for the car is really not an issue we just love not dealing with the luggage. Input is welcome.

 

[Monty]

In February, DME check-in is very quick. The only waiting is while they get a bus to your resort there and load it. Depending on your timing, you can be waiting anywhere from a couple of minutes to perhaps a half hour.

If you want your luggage delivered, at least one of your party has to ride the bus. They scan your DME vouchers at check-in and sometimes [but not always] when you board the bus. If you don't check in, they're not allowed to transfer your bags. and they won't.

 

[b-rian91]

Very nice to have in my opinion, We went last March and used it for the first time..waited in line for the bus max. 10min and for me it was fun seeing all the other resorts and meeting new people. We will be going this coming March 08' and will be using it once again.

 

[Rufus T Firefly]

IMHO. Not having to wait at the airport for your luggage is a very big benefit.

 

[NeverEnufDisney]

I've used Magical Express 6-7 times since it started. If you're not checking in during the rush times, then it's just a couple minutes to check in. Waiting for the bus to fill up may take some time, but we are usually at the resort within 30-45 minutes after checking in. This seems reasonable to me and I do like the advantage of not finding my luggage and paying for the trip to the resort. I also like being able to check-in at the resort for my return trip. It beats waiting at the airport to do that!

 

[CleveRocks]

How long are the check in lines for Magical Express?

I'm starting to think that I will be waiting in the check in line about as long as I would be waiting for luggage. It's pretty obvious that the limo will get you to the resort faster as its only stopping at the resort not other resorts.

I'd love to hear some opinions on it.

Why the automatic negative view? Since you've never taken DME, and never seen the check-in line, how can it possibly be "obvious" to you that the limo will get you there faster???

The first time I used DME, I was intimidated by how long the check-in line looked. It went through all the switchbacks and tailed out way past the area. We got in line, and were heading to our bus in less than 5 minutes. The line looked long, but there were 14 CMs serving individual customers (yes, I counted), which made it all go very quickly.

The average reported time from deplaning to resort drop-off using DME is 70 minutes. A car service won't consistently and substantially beat that time. You have waiting time at baggage claim, which frankly could be 5 minutes and could be 30 minutes. And if there's a thunderstorm outside, the rampers won't unload luggage if there's lightning in the area, so you might as well pull up a comfy section of floor and sit and wait. And then you have to wait for the driver to go out to the garage and get the vehicle, which will be about another 5 minutes.

My two experiences with DME (and I timed them both), from airplane exit to resort drop-off were 56 minutes and 63 minutes. One was prime-time, around 10 a.m., and the other was pretty late, around 10 p.m. I'd like to see car services consistently do better than 56 minutes for customers who have to go wait at baggage claim.

The times will be about the same. Choose on level of service you want, and how much you are willing to pay for it.

 

[Victoria]

The only issue I take with ME is the luggage part. I find that the time it takes to get to your resort is comparable to taking a taxi but the price cant be beat! (Free-ish!) I usually opt to transfer my own luggage because it takes too long for me to get our stuff once we are at the resort. I guess I just like having my things immediately available to me. :shrug: Getting my luggage isnt that cumbersome to me so I don't mind.

 

[accord99cutie]

my two experiences... both we had the same flight, and landed at MCO at 10:50 ish. both times we were only the 2nd people in line and waitied maybe 30 seconds. The first trip we waited in our line for the bus for 5 minutes tops, and the second time we walked through the line and RIGHT on to the bus, no waiting at all. We had one stop before ours both times, and that took an extra 10 minutes, but we still made it to the resort before 11:40 both times... for free, that works for me! also, the first time down we waited about 2 hours from when we got to the resort for our luggage to show up, and the second time it was there within 30 mintues... each experience is different, but we had great experiences both times

 

[PoohsGang]

Why the automatic negative view? Since you've never taken DME, and never seen the check-in line, how can it possibly be "obvious" to you that the limo will get you there faster???

The first time I used DME, I was intimidated by how long the check-in line looked. It went through all the switchbacks and tailed out way past the area. We got in line, and were heading to our bus in less than 5 minutes. The line looked long, but there were 14 CMs serving individual customers (yes, I counted), which made it all go very quickly.

The average reported time from deplaning to resort drop-off using DME is 70 minutes. A car service won't consistently and substantially beat that time. You have waiting time at baggage claim, which frankly could be 5 minutes and could be 30 minutes. And if there's a thunderstorm outside, the rampers won't unload luggage if there's lightning in the area, so you might as well pull up a comfy section of floor and sit and wait. And then you have to wait for the driver to go out to the garage and get the vehicle, which will be about another 5 minutes.

My two experiences with DME (and I timed them both), from airplane exit to resort drop-off were 56 minutes and 63 minutes. One was prime-time, around 10 a.m., and the other was pretty late, around 10 p.m. I'd like to see car services consistently do better than 56 minutes for customers who have to go wait at baggage claim.

The times will be about the same. Choose on level of service you want, and how much you are willing to pay for it.

The answer to your question is in the post, I have cut and pasted it as it is OBVIOUS you missed it.

Your answer, there was a couple on the same plane who were staying at BCV, they used Magical Express, we went downstairs got our bags , found our driver took the limo to BC, after we checked in we noticed them getting off the bus.

As for your take on negativity I fail to see it, as for your reponse I beleive I asked how the check in lines were, thanks for your comments they were certainly helpful, allbeit in a somewhat confrontational way. Its becoming more OBVIOUS to me that I have to walk on eggshells when posting so some members don't take offense to it or put a negative spin on it. Thanks again for your help/

 

[CleveRocks]

The answer to your question is in the post, I have cut and pasted it as it is OBVIOUS you missed it.

Your answer, there was a couple on the same plane who were staying at BCV, they used Magical Express, we went downstairs got our bags , found our driver took the limo to BC, after we checked in we noticed them getting off the bus.

As for your take on negativity I fail to see it, as for your reponse I beleive I asked how the check in lines were, thanks for your comments they were certainly helpful, allbeit in a somewhat confrontational way. Its becoming more OBVIOUS to me that I have to walk on eggshells when posting so some members don't take offense to it or put a negative spin on it. Thanks again for your help/

You are totally correct. I misread your post and thought that the other couple arrived at the same time you did. In fact, I now realize that they arrived after you checked in.

Sorry about that. It was because I thought (because I messed up and read incorrectly!) you had zero first-hand knowledge that I interpreted your conclusion as negative, rather than objective. Again, my error.

That being said, I have a non-confrontational response (seriously .. I'm, not being sarcastic here). I wouldn't base my total conclusions about the merits of anything based on one experience. I hate to belabor te word "obvious" that you used, but, and I truly mean this in a non-confrontational way, I just wouldn't consider something obvious after seeing one example. For example, I once made the trip in 56 minutes. If another family on our flight waited at baggage claim for 30 minutes and took a car service to my resort and I saw them after I checked in, I wouldn't conclude it is obvious that DME is quicker. Do you know what I mean???

 

[PoohsGang]

You are totally correct. I misread your post and thought that the other couple arrived at the same time you did. In fact, I now realize that they arrived after you checked in.

Sorry about that. It was because I thought (because I messed up and read incorrectly!) you had zero first-hand knowledge that I interpreted your conclusion as negative, rather than objective. Again, my error.

That being said, I have a non-confrontational response (seriously .. I'm, not being sarcastic here). I wouldn't base my total conclusions about the merits of anything based on one experience. I hate to belabor te word "obvious" that you used, but, and I truly mean this in a non-confrontational way, I just wouldn't consider something obvious after seeing one example. For example, I once made the trip in 56 minutes. If another family on our flight waited at baggage claim for 30 minutes and took a car service to my resort and I saw them after I checked in, I wouldn't conclude it is obvious that DME is quicker. Do you know what I mean???

No problem, I just seem to notice how quick some people jump or flame on some of the boards.

Anyways my wife and I have been on many boards that have many posts about DME, there are so many different opinions that we have decided the best thing to do is try it ourselves a couple of times to see. We arrive on 2/08/08 at 12:05 PM, don't know if that is considered busy time or not. Normally I would just grab a TownCar but in Boston (where we leave from ) the cheapest now is 150.00 round trip plus tip, a park in rides are 20 to 25.00 a day to leave your car, and I hate bothering people for a ride at 5:30 am. Plus if you get a car from MCO now its both trips to airports have used over $275.00 before I've even hit The Rose and Crown Pub, thats quite a few cocktails..........Even with The DDE discount

 

[mousefan1972]

We've used ME 3 times, and this last time (Dec. 07) we decided to get our luggage ourselves. (Had to wait 5 hrs for it last time.... :hammer It added about 25 minutes to the trip, but it was well worth it. This was also the first time we had to wait for a bus. And the first time we weren't the first bus stop. In spite of all that, we were still at the check in counter at the Poly one and a half hours after the plane landed. Not bad at all. :shrug:

 

[BRER STITCH]

TWO WORDS:

IT'S FREE!!!!!!

A town car service will cost you about $100.
If the possibility of getting to the resort 15-20 minutes sooner is worth it to you, then go for it!

True irony would be paying for the town car and arriving at the resort, only to find an hour long line. You wait... as those who took Magical Express walk in 20 minutes later and walk up to the newly opened check in window before you! :lol:

 

[BillyBuff]

I've used the Magical Express for the first time last week and I was intimidated at first by the long line. I thought I'll be waiting forever. But 10 minutes later, I was on the Magical Express and on my way to the resort.

I liked the "no rush--hurry and get to your hotel" way. I'm on vacation. I want to relax so I'm not in a rush to get to things.

The money for the car is really not an issue we just love not dealing with the luggage. Input is welcome.

I think you've answered your own question.

Take the car service so you'll get to the resort earlier. (P.S. it might not be as fast as you think since there's also a speed limit) Your bags will be delivered to the resort as long as the tags are on them.

 

[Rob562]

Take the car service so you'll get to the resort earlier. (P.S. it might not be as fast as you think since there's also a speed limit) Your bags will be delivered to the resort as long as the tags are on them.

As mentioned earlier in the thread, DME will *not* transport your bags (even if they're tagged with the yellow tags) unless at least one adult from your party uses the DME bus to get from the airport to the hotel. If you tag your bags and then don't take DME, your bags will mostly likely sit in limbo at the airport DME facility until you come and get them.

-Rob

 

[teacup317]

RELAX - your on vacation.........:sohappy:that's all I have to say!

Have a good day everyone!

 

[natalia1681]

I have used DME 3 separate times. I enjoyed it each time. Not having to bother with luggage, traffic, etc. The lines were not bad at the DME counter and as for waiting a few minutes for the bus....well, it is Disney--lines are going to happen

The free part is wonderful. Plus, they will show you a delightful little film on the bus about Disney. It probably won't be anything new or educational to you, but it is a touch of Disney ASAP. I enjoy it :wave:

Hope that you have a great trip!!