Magical Express

[copper]

We're going for a long Mother's Day weekend and we will be using Magical Express for the first time. Is this like the Mears shuttle minus the cost? Does ME take you directly to your hotel with no other WDW hotel stops? I know on Mears if you're staying at the Magic Kingdom resorts you are the last ones off the bus, it happened to us at the Wilderness Lodge. We are staying at Pop Century and are taking it anyway but my sister is staying at the Boardwalk and doesn't want to get "The WDW Resort tour again". I'd love to have some feedback. Thanks

 

[RonAnnArbor]

There are many threads on Magical Express, so you can do a search from the homepage. Busses leave from the airport and are assigned in clusters of resorts - example - Port Orleans Riverside, French Quarter, Saratoga Springs, and Old Key West all share the same bus. The busses rarely have more than 3 or 4 resorts that they serve. On occasion, when a particular resort is booked more than others, it might even have a private bus. The busses are all assigned based on the number of flights they are serving. It is all computerized. But YES, there is some "resort touring" involved. On my last trip it took 45 minutes from the time we left MCO to the time I arrived at French Quarter. Two people got off at Saratoga Springs, 1 got off at Old Key West, about 8 of us got off at French Quarter, and the rest of the full bus went on to Riverside.

 

[Justa' BigKid]

Not sure if this will hold true for you, but when we went for Thanksgiving '05 the ME bus was direct to Pop Century. In fact it was a dedicated bus for only Pop Century. I think they do share with other "on site" Disney Resorts at slow times but use dedicated buses at the busy times.
On a side note. You are probably aware of this, but if your sister is staying at the Boardwalk, she will most likely be taking a different ME bus from the Airport than you. Have Fun.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

She will definately be taking a different bus.

 

[copper]

I'm arriving a day ahead of her anyway. She's just making a stink about taking the shuttle to the hotel and she rather pay$$$ to go directly there. After she heard that I was going with my other sister she decided to go and booked her trip yesterday. Then our parents decided to also go for that weekend. We blame the "Disneyitis" on our parents who took us every year starting in 1975. Our grandparents lived in Florida and we drove down from Long Island, NY every Christmas vacation up until 1990. We always stopped at Disney for 2 days or so and we always stayed off property. I remember when the only hotel choices on property were the Contemporary, Polynesian and the RV park at Fort Wilderness. Believe me, I've seen it all when it comes to WDW!

 

[jborda87]

I had a quick question on Magical Express. Do we pick our luggage up from the airport, or will they do that for us?

 

[wishiwzthere]

I used ME in February. Only certain airlines participate, I flew Northwest (they were not a participant). I picked up my luggage at Baggage Claim, I was directed to ME, my voucher was stamped by ME (you don't have to have a voucher in hand to use ME) waited in a specific line for my resort(s), total wait about 10 minutes. The great thing was, the day before my departure, a letter had been slipped under my room door, specifying, what time to be down stairs for pick up by ME. They are very prompt! Have a magical trip. :wave:

 

[Monty]

I had a quick question on Magical Express. Do we pick our luggage up from the airport, or will they do that for us?

You have to be staying at a Disney resort.

You have to book with ME, letting them know your flights and dates. If you book far enough in advance [at least 21 days], they will send you luggage tags for two bags per person in your party. Put the tags on yoiur bags and once you've checked your luggage through to Orlando, you don't have to weorry about it, it'll "magically" show up in your resort room.

If they don't get you tags in time, you can still not worry about picking up your bags. When you land at MCO, go straight to ME check-in with your baggage claim stubs and a description of your bags [I actually gave them a digital picture print-out I took before leaving home - they were very impressed] and they'll track doiwn your bags and have them "magically" appear in your room.

If you have to clear U.S. Customs at Orlando, you'll have to claim your bags, clear customs and then there is a way to pass off your bags to ME so you don't have to carry them yourselves.

It doesn't matter which airline you fly with, arrivals work the same for everyone. When you're leaving, if you're booked with a participating airline, you can avail yourself of the Resort check-in counter and check your bags through to home and get your boarding passes right there.

 

[Monty]

I used ME in February. Only certain airlines participate, I flew Northwest (they were not a participant). I picked up my luggage at Baggage Claim, I was directed to ME, my voucher was stamped by ME (you don't have to have a voucher in hand to use ME) waited in a specific line for my resort(s), total wait about 10 minutes. The great thing was, the day before my departure, a letter had been slipped under my room door, specifying, what time to be down stairs for pick up by ME. They are very prompt! Have a magical trip. :wave:

As I said in my other reply, if you're registered with ME, it doesn't matter if you are on a participating airline when you arrive. All arrivals can skip baggage claim and go straight to ME check-in. They'll get your bags whether they have the ME luggage tags or not.

Participating airlines only come into play for the airline check-in at the resorts when you're leaving WDW.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

ALso - most airlines DO now participate in the ME program...Northwest Airlines, which someone mentioned above, has done it since September of last year. Check Disney's site for a complete list of paticipating airlines as of the current date.

 

[Shakes150]

I just booked my Disney vacation a week or so ago. I am also using ME. I booked it at the time of booking my resort. They told me that almost ALL airlines participate now. They asked for my flight numbers and said that they send out the luggage tags 2-3 weeks prior to your arrival. So, I should be getting mine soon. They told me that the luggage is taken care of, I can go straight to the ME check in, no need to go to baggage claim, they do it.
I LOVE Magical Express! I think it's a great idea and a great way to get to and from the airport and never have to worry about renting a car or spending extra on a Mears shuttle. It's fantastic!

 

[JPVonDrake]

To hopefully clear things up for everyone...

There are two new but very different services that Disney provides to guests staying at a Disney owned and operated Resort.

Disney's Magical Express is a free passenger and luggage transfer between the Orlando International Airport and your Disney Resort Hotel. It can be booked round trip or one way and is available to anyone staying at a Disney owned and operated Resort, who is flying into and or out of Orlando International Airport (regardless of airline) with there flight dates matching their resort stay dates. The transfer of your luggage from the airport directly to your resort room is included. This service is currently complimentary for Guest until December 31, 2006. It has yet to be determined what the cost (if any) will be to use DME for Guest arriving after January 1, 2007.

Disney's Resort Airline Check-In Service allows guest on select airlines to check their baggage and pick up their boarding pass for their departure flight from the lobby of their Disney Resort Hotel. This service is only available to guest flying with American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta (including Song,) United Airlines (including Ted) and Jet Blue.

The services complement each other but are completely separate of each other, as guest can use either service or both services.

To use Disney Magical Express...

WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR DISNEY RESORT STAY:
Even though this is currently a free service to Guests staying at Disney owned and operated Resort hotels, you must pre-book your transfer before you arrive in Florida. If you booked your room reservation with a Travel Agent (including online companies such as Expedia, Travelocity, etc.) you must contact your travel agent to add on Disney’s Magical Express. If you booked directly with Disney, then you can call 1-407-W-DISNEY to add the Magical Express no less then 10 days prior to arrival. To ensure timely delivery of your travel documents, it is recommend you book as early as possible.

Before you leave home, you will need to tag all your checked luggage with bag tags provided in your "Disney's Magical Express Welcome Package" that will arrive about 10-15 days prior to your arrival. You will get 2 tags per person, the maximum allowed baggage on domestic flights. Also note that if there are more then four guests in your party you will receive separate Magical Express documents for each set of four guests.

FOR YOUR ARRIVAL:
Once you arrive at Orlando International Airport follow the signs from your gate to the Main Terminal building. Proceed to A Side of the terminal building and take the elevators to Level One. Just outside the level one elevators, Disney Cast Members wearing blue blazers will greet you and many will have on white three fingered Mickey Gloves.

These Cast Members will direct you to the Disney Welcome Center. You will sign in your family and then it’s on to your motorcoach. (NOTE: if your bags are tagged, you don't go to baggage claim at all regardless of the airline you choose.)

The motorcoach will make up to 4 stops (max) at Disney Resort Hotels. During the way, you will be entertained by a video presentation.

Once you arrive at your Disney Resort Hotel you disembark the motorcoach, and check-in at the front desk of your resort and get your resort IDs (Key to the World Cards)

If your accomodations are ready you will be given your room assignment, otherwise feel free to drop off any carry-ons you have with bell service and start having fun in the parks!

Normally within 3 hours or less of your arrival to Orlando, your checked baggage and carry-on items will be delivered directly to your room. You do not need to be in the room for the delivery.

If you have a late arriving flight (after 8 pm) you have three choices:

* If you would like immediate access to your bags, don't tag your luggage and simply claim it yourself before you check in at the Disney Welcome Center. Your luggage will be stored in the cargo bay of your motor coach for your journey to Disney.

* If you want us to claim your luggage, but want to retire for the night, simply stop by Bell Services and request your luggage to be delivered the following morning.

* If you want to wait up for your luggage, your luggage will be delivered to your room within 3 hours of your arrival to Orlando.

FOR YOUR RETURN HOME:
The day before you check-out you will find a card in your room with your Magical Express departure time. This departure time will be about 2 hours, 45 minutes before your flight time.

*** If you are flying on Delta, Song, Continential, American Airlines, United Airlines, Ted, or JetBlue, bring your baggage to the lobby, and get your airline boarding pass and check your luggage in the lobby at the Airline Check-In Desk when you check out of your room. If you flying with any other airline simply skip this step.

At the scheduled time, be just outside your lobby with your baggage and/or carry-ons to board the Motorcoach.

The motorcoach will make up to 3 other stops (max) at Disney Resort Hotels before heading for the airport. On the journey back you will again watch an entertaining video presentation.

Once you arrive at the airport, get your boarding pass and check your luggage (if you need to), then go through security and then on to your flight home, thinking about all the great memories you have made!

Notes:
If you are on an international flight and Orlando is your first port of entry you and your luggage will need to go through customs first. After customs, return your baggage to the airport and Disney will claim your luggage to deliver to your Resort room.

If your flight number changes anytime before you disembark, contact the Disney Reservation Center to update your flight information. If your departure flight number changes once you arrive, contact the resort front desk to update your flight information. You do not need to contact us if your fight times change as we will be tracking your flight status and will reschedule your Motorcoach assignment as to not delay your transfer.

If your luggage is delayed or lost, Disney will alert you and assist in filing any claims with the airport / airlines.

:sohappy: Hope this helps! :sohappy:

***All information is from Official Cast / DRC Sources***

 

[copper]

Thank you JPVondrake, you are extremely informative :sohappy: . I'm curious, do you work for disney's ME?

 

[JPVonDrake]

Thank you JPVondrake, you are extremely informative :sohappy: . I'm curious, do you work for disney's ME?

I am a Cast Member at the Disney Reservation Center.

If you call 1-407-W-DISNEY, you will have an approximately 1 in 1800 chance of speaking directly with me! :wave: