Magical Express Newbie Questions

[tecowdw]

For the first time, I am planning to use Disney's Magical Express. I called to add it to my room reservation today. They took the arriving and departing flight dates and numbers. They did not ask for flights times. Does that matter?

I am scheduled to arrive at 10pm. I know I need to grab my own luggage and head to the motor coach (actually I might just have carry-on now that I think of it). Once I am towing my luggage, do I go to a ME counter somewhere or directly to the motor coach?

I am 4 weeks out - will I get the vouchers in the mail?

A little apprehensive since I've always rented a car. They are just getting so expensive though. Any thoughts of how much more wait/travel time will be compared to a rental car?

How far in advance of the departure flight does the motor coach leave the resort?

Thanks!

 

[Zummi Gummi]

For the first time, I am planning to use Disney's Magical Express. I called to add it to my room reservation today. They took the arriving and departing flight dates and numbers. They did not ask for flights times. Does that matter?

I am scheduled to arrive at 10pm. I know I need to grab my own luggage and head to the motor coach (actually I might just have carry-on now that I think of it). Once I am towing my luggage, do I go to a ME counter somewhere or directly to the motor coach?

I am 4 weeks out - will I get the vouchers in the mail?

A little apprehensive since I've always rented a car. They are just getting so expensive though. Any thoughts of how much more wait/travel time will be compared to a rental car?

How far in advance of the departure flight does the motor coach leave the resort?

Thanks!

The times don't matter. Once they have the flight numbers, their computers can track the arrival times (and give them up to the minute information, such as if you're delayed or whatnot).

You will need to go to the ME express counter to check in (sometimes they have an employee standing at a podium who will check you in). You can't get to the motor coach without going to the counter first.

You should get your vouchers in the mail.

Since you're arriving at 10 PM, you won't have to wait long at all. I almost always arrive after 10 PM, and have always been on my way within 15 minutes of my arrival at the ME counter.

You'll typically be picked up approximately 3 hours before your departure; 4 if you're international.

 

[Monty]

If you are traveling from a North American location, you should receive a booklet with bar-coded vouchers for DME and yellow luggage tags in the mail approximately three weeks before your trip. If you've got the booklet, you can go straight to the bus lines podium, they'll ask how many bags you checked with yellow tags and send you into the correct queue for the bus you'll be on. If you package doesn't get to you in time, follow the instructions for international travelers below.

If you're traveling internationally [other than Canada], they won't send you a booklet or tags. You'll have to check in at the DME check-in counter, where they will print boarding passes for your bus. If you clear Customs at MCO or elsewhere, you can choose to retrieve your bags at the carousel or not. If you want DME to deliver your bags, have your baggage claim stubs and a description of each bag [a digital photo printed at home before you leave can speed the process] and they'll send someone to get your bags and deliver them to your resort room a bit later.

 

[stlbobby]

The travel time depends on how many people are coming in when you are. Generally you'll end up on a bus going to two or three resorts. Once you leave you hit WDW in about 40 minutes and then depending on which resorts they decide to deliver first it could be another 20-30 minutes. It all depends on what is happening when you arrive and traffic. The best time I've ever made was 30 minutes and the longest was an hour. The wait at the airport is usually 10-20 minutes.

 

[Cape Breton Grl]

We just went to Disney in December and I just booked another trip today for Aug 30th (can't believe it, am I crazy?)....we are flying out of Canada...what are the chances of us getting our luggage tags and Magic Express booklet before we leave?

 

[Cape Breton Grl]

We just went to Disney in December and I just booked another trip today for Aug 30th (can't believe it, am I crazy?)....we are flying out of Canada...what are the chances of us getting our luggage tags and Magic Express booklet before we leave?

 

[Monty]

The tags are send by expedited courier, if they can print them in time, you'll probably get them. If not, it's not that big a deal, just check in at the desk with your claim tags and a description of each checked bag [a digital photo helps] and DME will retrieve the bags and deliver them for you.

I'll be there too! Morgan [my son] and I fly down the 27th and return Labour Day! If you see us say hi! :wave:

EDIT: Yes, you're crazy! But aren't all of us Canucks?