Magical Express Info.

[RetiredFRN]

Just returned from the world, my daughter (10) and I (?) went from June 22 to the 26th. This trip was the first time we used magical express and I wanted to fill everyone in on how it went. We did not use the luggage delivery system because we only had carry ons. Arrival at the airport was seamless. Did not have to wait long for the bus and we were delivered to the GF within a half hour. By the way, the GF is great!!
The return trip was not so great. A disney cruise line bus picked us up and since we were the last stop for the bus the driver said he didn't have any room for our bags under the bus and we had to put them in the overhead. Unfortunatley the overhead was not big enough to fit our bags and we had to put them in the front of our seats. No room for our feet, my daughter had to put her feet up on the suitcase and to make matters worse, the bus started to leak rain water on us. Our ponchos came in handy. I've used our own car, other bus services and a town car to get to and from disney. To be honest with everyone, I think I'll go back to the town car!!!!!

 

[BRER STITCH]

I understand your experience and appreciate you sharing it!

As information, another ME bus or 2 should have been by within a half hour and I probably would have taken my chances and waited for it if the first bus was full.

It's hard to believe the baggage area was so full it could not accommodate two more carry-ons, so that is strange....more like "lazy bus driver"!

Still, the big selling point (if you can even call it that) is....

FREE VS. HAVING TO PAY.

As you've concluded....ME is not for everyone!

Hope the rest of your trip was more magical!!!

:wave:

 

[pooh101]

Long wait for M.E.??

:veryconfu I'm planning a trip for October with two young children and wondering what other's experiences were with the time between plane touch-down and arriving at Resort. I've read horror stories on several boards regarding 2-6 hour wait. Also would be helpful in deciding what time to make dinner ressies for. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated as this is our first trip to the World. P.S. We're on a budget and taking advantage of this free service is pretty much our only choice.

 

[Monty]

:veryconfu I'm planning a trip for October with two young children and wondering what other's experiences were with the time between plane touch-down and arriving at Resort. I've read horror stories on several boards regarding 2-6 hour wait. Also would be helpful in deciding what time to make dinner ressies for. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated as this is our first trip to the World. P.S. We're on a budget and taking advantage of this free service is pretty much our only choice.

Honestly, from what I've heard and experienced, you're at your resort within 45 minutes to an hour and a half. To be safe, if you make ADRs around two and a half hours after landing, you should be fine.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

I have never heard anything about a 2 - 6 hour wait...I have used DME 4 times now, and it has always gotten me to the resort within 45 minutes of boarding, and never longer than a 15 minute wait at the airport -- usually 5 minutes in line, and 10 minutes on the bus itself waiting for the departure time.

 

[Trishnh]

I agree with what has been posted--we have used the service several times with our 4 kids and it has been great..Usually a 10-15 minute wait at the airport then just the drive to the resorts. I'd say maybe a total of 1 -1/2 hrs between arrival at the airport-the arrival at the hotel. Just keep in mind that it takes about 3 hrs AFTER you check in to the hotel for your luggage to arrive.:wave:

 

[pooh101]

Thanks to all for your responses--I feel so much better about it now. Maybe those other posts were from when they first started M.E.--forgot to check the dates. Thanks.

 

[hrmom26]

i traveled last march with just me and my two kids the ME was the best thing ever when you are traveling with young kids you need all the help you can get they were nice, easy to use , quick , and i loved the fact that our luggage was in our room waiting for us i recommend them highly
when i was leaving going back to the airport the bus was to full and i (shock of the century )waited a whole 5 minutes for another one and was able to get on with no problem

 

[brertigger]

The return trip was not so great. A disney cruise line bus picked us up and since we were the last stop for the bus the driver said he didn't have any room for our bags under the bus and we had to put them in the overhead. Unfortunatley the overhead was not big enough to fit our bags and we had to put them in the front of our seats. No room for our feet, my daughter had to put her feet up on the suitcase and to make matters worse, the bus started to leak rain water on us. Our ponchos came in handy. I've used our own car, other bus services and a town car to get to and from disney. To be honest with everyone, I think I'll go back to the town car!!!!!

Make sure you email Disney Guest communications. They will work hard to improve DME in the future. They actually do listen to both compliments and concerns (they have called my family back about both numerous times).
Over the years (and many Disney trips), my family has had a few unmagical experiences. We usually let Disney know about them, if they are big enough. This one certainly is. The bus trip just sounds like it was very un-Disneylike and had terrible customer service.

 

[kachow]

And has everyone's luggage arrived without mishap? That's my only fear, that there's a mix-up with the luggage. I think I just need to let go and trust the mouse.

 

[CleveRocks]

And has everyone's luggage arrived without mishap? That's my only fear, that there's a mix-up with the luggage. I think I just need to let go and trust the mouse.

Accidents can happen anywhere, but there are no widespread problems. If there were, then Disney wouldn't have extended DME through 2011 (it was supposed to end in September of 2006).

According to 2 or 3 current CMs who are regulars on another board, the barcodes on each DME luggage tag are scanned no less than 5 times between airplane and resort room. Disney knows exactly where the luggage is at each stage. Each truck (the way the bags are transported from airport to resort) is also tracked by GPS, so Disney can literally know EXACTLY where each bag is at any time. The last scan occurs when the Bell Services CM delivers it to the insode of your room. In true Disney fashion, they've thought of everything.