Disney Magical Express to Hotel

[Jessietoystory2]

Has anyone used the Disney magical Express from the airport to the hotel? Did it go smoothly? It says they pick you and your luggage up and take you to the hotel. I would like to use this service, but would like some opinions. Thanks.

[SallyMcQueen]

We used it when we last went and it worked like clockwork. Just keep in mind if you have them pickup your bags from baggage and transport them to your hotel it will take a couple of hours before you get them. You do have the option of picking up the bags yourself and carrying them on the bus yourself, well actually under the bus. When we did it we landed around 11:30, were at our hotel by around 1 and then our bags arrived around 4pm.
If you do use the bag transport option (which I recommend) just pack some essentials into your carryon (swimsuit, change of clothes if you are traveling in the winter/fall from the chilly North, sunscreen, meds etc.).
I would completely use the service again next time we go.

[PopPhan]

Disney's Magical Express, or DME, is a great service - in my opinion.

You give them your flight information and they will send you a package with an information booklet and yellow tags for your bags (one tag per person.)

You place the yellow tag on your bag and when you check it in at your home airport, you don't see your bag again until it 'magically' appears in your resort room --- approximately 3 hours after arrival at Orlando International Airport (MCO) [EDIT: One disclaimer - There are set hours for baggage handling -- If you are arriving after 10pm and before 6am, you will need to get your own bags. They will not be delivered in this case.]

Once your plane arrives at MCO, you will go to the DME desk at the airport and you will be directed to a bus to take you to your resort. Depending on how busy the airport is, how many people are going to WDW, and what resort you are staying at, your bus may make multiple stops on the way to your resort. I believe the rule of thumb is to allow two hours from arrival until you get to your resort.

For the trip home, you will be given a time to be at your resort to be taken back to the airport - generally around 3 hours before your flight is scheduled to take off. If you are on a participating airline, you can check your bag(s) at the resort and not have to have them on
the DME bus or check them at the airport. [NOTE: On our last trip, we checked our luggage at the resort early - around 9am - and when we got to our home airport, our bags were already there, having arrived on an earlier flight!]

I highly recommend using DME!! Hope this helps!

[WelshieLover]

We used DME our last 3 trips with no issues. On our last trip our luggage arrived in our room less than 2 hours after we arrived. Still it is best if your carry-on has items you need just in case it takes a while. The earlier you arrive the more likely your luggage arrives earlier.

[disneymom15]

Love DME, can't beat it & it's FREE.

[IrishMickey]

We loved it, and had no problems, we recommend it to anyonw who asks! :thumbsup:

[BigThunderFan]

We have used it twice and will use it everytime we visit from now on (as long as it is offered that is). The bus ride is comfy, you get to watch a video, and your driver is usually pretty good at pointing out sites like aligators!

I second the PP about packing some essentials. If you plan on going straight to the park, or if you want to swim make sure the things you need are in a carry on.

[Celakip]

We've used it numerous times and love it.:mickey:

[deedeebee]

We have used it since it was up and running, we have never had any problems:thumbsup: My parents who had not been to WDW in years LOVED it! They could not believe how easy it was:number1:

[DisneyBunch]

Love DME, can't beat it & it's FREE.

You can't say it better than that.:mickey:

[jlmct52]

We have used Disney magical Express on our last 11 trips. Needless to say, we find it to be amazing.

Whether arriving or departing, it has worked like magic every time.

[Alaska Disney Fan]

we have never used anything else. The bus ride gets me in the Disney spirit with the video. Having your luggage taken care of is the best:number1:

[ljgirl]

Love it! Bypassing Luggage Claim is the best!!!:)

[phlo8810]

Use It. Never had a problem and have used it 4 or 5 times. Like people have said bring essentials on a carry-on as it will take a couple hours to get your luggage to the hotel. We also checked our bags in at the hotel for our return trip. When we got home they were already at the airport waiting for us and we live in Philly the all-time worse baggage handling airport. I also agree that the video on the way there gets you in the mood for disney and the video on the way home makes you not want to leave.

[Scar]

Love DME, can't beat it & it's FREE.Trust me, it's not free. We're paying for it somehow.

[CleveRocks]

Trust me, it's not free. We're paying for it somehow.

I disagree. It's what's called a "loss leader." It PRODUCES income for WDW.

First and foremost, it essentially traps people on-site. If people use DME instead of renting cars, they are giving up their opportunity to easily get outside food and entertainment, which means MUCH more money in Disney's till. For those who used to use car services, they no longer have the "grocery stop" availbale to them, which means more sales in the resort gift shops for small food items and so on, and also more sales in the food courts and restaurants (people may have used the grocery stop to buy breakfast foods, etc.).

I booked a May 2005 trip in August 2004. Disney's Magical Express hadn't even been announced yet. I got price quotes for 4 different weeks. These were all in the same "season," but two of the weeks happened to be before May 5 and two of the weeks happened to be after May 5. All 4 weeks were the identical price. May 5, 2005 was the first day of DME. Disney was charging me the same price whether DME was available to me or not. They did not increase resort or ticket prices to indirectly pay for DME.

Like I said, DME makes money for Disney without them having to "hide" extra charges for it.

[Scar]

First and foremost, it essentially traps people on-site. If people use DME instead of renting cars, they are giving up their opportunity to easily get outside food and entertainment, which means MUCH more money in Disney's till. For those who used to use car services, they no longer have the "grocery stop" availbale to them, which means more sales in the resort gift shops for small food items and so on, and also more sales in the food courts and restaurants (people may have used the grocery stop to buy breakfast foods, etc.).Well, there ya go. I think that qualifies as "somehow"

[Jessietoystory2]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I have one more question. If I rent a car for the first two days of my visit and then turn it in, can I use the magical express when we leave to go to the airport?

[Kaps]

I have used it several times and never had a problem. Just bring clothes or swim suits in a carry on because the luggage gets there a few hours after you do.

[lettripp]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I have one more question. If I rent a car for the first two days of my visit and then turn it in, can I use the magical express when we leave to go to the airport?

YES! In fact, this is what we are doing for our next trip. We are renting for a drive from Tampa to visit family, then dropping it off at the Swan or Dolphin (I can't remember which right now). Our travel agent said there will be NO PROBLEM taking DME back even though we aren't doing it on the way... just need the tags, to register and drop it off like everyone else.

[4ubie1]

We used the Magical Express for the first time on our last trip. We arrived alittle after 1pm and got our luggage by 4pm. Unfortunately, my parents chose to get a rental car and bring their own luggage. The airline ended up losing their luggage for 2 days :mad:. Needless to say, they were easily convinced to forgo a rental car next time and just take the magical express.:D