Disney Magic Express?

[BABAMICKEY]

HI,

I have found some very old posts re the 'DISNEY MAGIC EXPRESS' pick up from the airport.....we have a large travel group....any hints to help with the bus ride and check in at the resort :veryconfu , we will be staying at AKL!! Since it is the very first visit to WDW all want to start the MAGIC as soon as possible!!

THANKS

BABA MICKEY

 

[wdwmagic]

Lots of info on Magical Express at http://www.wdwmagic.com/magicalexpress.htm

 

[debpeduz]

I just got back from my wonderful trip yesterday and my boyfriend and I used Magical Express. I could not say enough good things about the experience. Once you get back to the main terminal at MCO, there is a Magical Express Welcome Center on the A side on the very lowest level. You have one member of your party check in the entire group with the number of checked bags and then the Disney employees direct you which line to wait in for your resort. The bus comes, you load everyone on and you watch a fun video on your way to your hotel. You may have to stop at another hotel as well, depending on the needs at that time. But, the trip is not long at all.
When we got to our hotel, the Boardwalk, our room was ready at check-in, we put some things in the room and headed out to EPCOT for lunch. When we got back 2 hours later, our bags were in the room.
When you are leaving to go back, the AkL will place a notice under your door to let you know what time you are required to be ready the day of departure. You can check your bags at the hotel and get your boarding pass and all you have to do when you get to the airport is walk through security and get to your plane.
Happy travels and let us know if you have any other questions!

 

[swordsman_24]

Service to AKL was good in Dec.

My wife and I made a 5 day trip back in December. The only issue we had with Magical Express was that we arrived during a shift change (around 11:00 AM EST). It took about 20 - 30 minutes before we got on the bus to head to the hotel and our bus stopped at all the other resorts (Pop Century and Coronado) prior to getting to the AKL. Overall the service was great, but just don't expect instant transportation.

 

[jeffb]

Just got back from the World yesterday and I would highly recommend the Magic Express service. The best thing about it is that if you are flying on certain airlines (i.e. Continental, not sure which others but there were a few more) you can get your boarding passes and check you bags at the hotel opposed to at the airport for the flight home! We probably were just lucky but the wait for the bus was very short and we were last pick up on the way back to the airport.

 

[amykissangel]

We went right when MExpress was brand new - started May 5th,and we went May 24th of 2005. I had heard some horror stories on here about it, so I simply told everyone in my group to pack their swimsuits in their carryon, and of course wallet, purse, maybe makeup or whatever the guys would need.

We got to MCO, followed all the adorably friendly Disney CMs down to the Magic Express, hopped on the bus, waited about 15 min. for others (which didn't even seem like a big deal because you're trying to get situated, get out cameras to take random photos of eachother,etc. and they're playing Disney stuff from parks...and with as many people as you have going, the time'll be nice.)

We dropped a few people off at Pop Century, then All Star Sports, and then we got dropped of at All Star Music. Since we had our suits, we went down to the pool, had a drink, then went back up (bags still weren't there), rinsed off and headed to Downtown Disney. We got back about four hours later and our bags were right there in the room - so I don't know if it's gotten better since then, but as long as you pack everything you need for that first day in your carry-on, you'll be just fine. Hope this helped!:wave:

 

[PetePan]

Kind of off topic, but on topic too...when we used ME in Sept. on the way back to the airport the bus driver played the first season of Diff'rent Strokes. I found it a little odd that he would play something non-disney, but I enjoyed it as it took me back.

 

[wdwforus]

Just got back from the World yesterday and I would highly recommend the Magic Express service. The best thing about it is that if you are flying on certain airlines (i.e. Continental, not sure which others but there were a few more) you can get your boarding passes and check you bags at the hotel opposed to at the airport for the flight home! We probably were just lucky but the wait for the bus was very short and we were last pick up on the way back to the airport.

When we went during Christmas this wasnt working for boarding passes. They took our luggage but couldnt print out any boarding passes no matter what the airline was.

 

[wdwforus]

We had the same stops as another post said first Coronado, then Pop, which my kids thought was where we were staying, then onto AKL. We ended up our trip at Pop and the only thing I didnt like was linking us with another resort for the return trip. We had a 10:30 a.m. flight and they said we had to be at the bus at 7:15. Not for security but to pick up the other passnegers all the way over to Fort Wilderness. We ended up sitting in the airport for well over an hour waiting for our flight. It was kind of depressing also to ride by everything we were leaving. We just wanted to get going home and not think about how wonderful our trip was and how sad we were to be leaving. Our large group of 13 didnt take the same flights but I would think there would have been plenty of room. On arrival we got a little lost in the terminal but they make the whole process very easy. I would think you would have a good experience out of it.