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Disney's Magical Express -- A Quick Overview
Walt Disney World offers free ground transportation from Orlando International Airport to its resorts for its resort guests. It does not matter what airline you are flying on, or even if you are flying.
Last updated 9/28/06
Go to our Walt Disney World Tips page.
Quick Tips:
Try not to schedule a restaurant reservation or some other event that depends on prompt arrival at the resort. Magical Express cannot expedite your ride when your plane into Orlando is delayed.
Please, please, don't yell at the Disney representatives at Orlando Airport. There will be peak periods and activity may be disorganized. There will be times when there are more guests than Disney folks helping out and waiting lines may develop.
Let's start a fad! Make up stick on labels, at least 3 x 5 inches, with any three digit number in large numerals on it and the words "check name tag also" in small print underneath. (Everyone in the family uses the same number) Plaster two of these on each suitcase. Makes baggage easier to find at the carousel.
Get the name of the person you talk to on the phone and also try to get a written confirmation.
Bring as carry on baggage things (such as swimsuit) you will need for the day and evening you arrive.
Bring pencil and paper to copy down baggage claim check information during your flight.
After 11 PM report first to the Magical Express welcoming area, lowest level B side away from the Hyatt.
At your resort get return bus tickets with specific return time as soon as you can.
Don't give up! Things may be chaotic at Orlando Airport but Magical Express will get you there.
Magical Express hot line number: toll free 866-599-0951
Frequently Voiced Concerns
1. My Magical Express yellow baggage tags haven't arrived.
You don't absolutely positively need them. You can check your baggage normally at the beginning of your trip. Disney suggests putting two or three brightly colored ribbons (all the same color) on each suitcase, not with too long loose ends. Also have two firmly attached or firmly stuck on tags or labels on each suitcase with: Your name, Your travel date, "MCO" in big capital letters, Your Disney resort name, and "Disney Magical Express". Remove all other old baggage tags and also labels and bumper stickers with other destinations or names.
When you get to Orlando, go to the Magical Express welcoming station (lowest level, "B" side). There, they will give you directions on how to handle the luggage, typically you pick out the shape of the luggage from a chart and they will find it and deliver it after you have boarded the bus. In rare cases: they may send a Disney representative with or without you to the carousel to get the luggage. You will have to give the rep. your baggage claim checks. Or they may send you alone to go get the luggage.
2. I reserved Magical Express but the resort confirmation paper I received does not say Magical Express.
Call the hot line (1-866-599-0951) and get the name of the person you talked to and tell him you wanted Magical Express. Also request a Magical Express confirmation in writing.
3. I don't feel comfortable giving the Disney representative my baggage claim checks.
Unfortunately this may be necessary whether or not you had Magical Express baggage tags and whether or not you fetch your baggage yourself from the carousels. This is why you should copy down the numbers and codes on the claim checks while you are in the plane. You must still check in at the Magical Express welcoming area but if it is before 11 PM you can go to the carousel first. You may still be required to "check your baggage" again for Magical Express at the carousel or at the welcoming station or at the bus platform.
4. Our baggage might not get to the resort until hours after we do.
Unfortunately this is the rule. Even if you fetch your baggage from the carousel yourself you may be required to "check your baggage" again for Magical Express at the welcoming station or at the bus platform or even at the carousel.
5. What if we get to Orlando and Disney does not have the reservation we made?
Don't ask about your reservation or whether you have a reservation. Simply smile, follow the procedures for dealing with baggage and getting on the bus, and ask as few questions as possible.
The best thing I can suggest is to "not freak out" and do give them some time to resolve any problems. Magical Express is subject to strict rules prohibiting carrying guests without reservations and it is occasionally necessary to do "secondary screening". You and your carry-on baggage will probably not be touched but you will have to answer questions and listen to their spiel about "if we cannot find your reservation bla bla bla...". Stay at the counter and wait several minutes before asking the agent to summon a manager . The agent should go off to "verify things" which may include calling the resort to verify your room reservation, and should return in several minutes with the correct paperwork. It is very unlikely that a decoy from a limo service will hang around this long to pin down Magical Express on a rules violation but if after a half hour the decoy finally gets an "illegal" walk up ride, the decoy will almost certainly lose his case and even get pinned down himself for deception and entrapment after spending legal fees.
We will have to keep track of occurrences of reservation problems. Because failure of written confirmation to arrive is a known issue you should at least argue long and hard that Disney should transport you anyway. Disney did advertise that all of its resort guests are eligible. While advance reservations are required, Disney developed the reservation system, therefore any doubts or problems should be resolved in the other party's (the guest's) favor. A printed copy of this web page may help but don't show it early. If worse comes to worst and Magical Express turns you away, when you finally get to your resort go to Guest Relations and ask for some extra pixie dust to be sprinkled your way. Like some extra perks or fast passes or even an extra room or meals discount or transportation reimbursement.
6. Whom do I tip?
Drivers, skycaps, and bellhops all appreciate tips for handling your baggage. However the bellhop bringing baggage to your room for the first time, even if you are in the room, has already been compensated. You don't have to wait in your room when you arrive.
7. Our flight gets into Orlando close to midnight.
This is one reason why it is important to give your flight number and get the name of the person you talked to when making your reservation. Magical Express runs until all known passengers have arrived.
8. Our flight home leaves really early, like 7 AM.
Yes, Magical Express will be there for you, at the resort at 4AM* for a 7 AM flight. Make sure you make your return reservation in advance, get bus tickets or vouchers, and be on time.
9. We were told to be ready 4 hours before our plane leaves but the bus didn't come for another hour.
When you made your return reservation the only bus available was 4 hours in advance but at the last minute there was room on the bus 3* hours in advance and the 4 hour bus was cancelled. (If similar problems occur but closer to flight time or if you are on an international flight, ask the resort manager for help.)
10. We were told to be ready for Magical Express back to the airport 5 hours in advance.
You can ask for a different bus but never ask for a bus less than 3* hours in advance. Also see question #9 above.
11. Our Magical Express bus did not arrive and someone got us a taxi instead. Our "free" trip to the airport cost us $20.
I won't give you direct advice but here are some facts (source: disboards.com): Magical Express drivers are not forbidden to accept tips themselves. Yellow Cab and Checker Cab are both owned by Mears which owns and operates the Magical Express buses. Any Mears driver may be assigned to (pressed into) Magical Express service and is expected not to display his "tips appreciated" sign although he may forget. Taxi drivers covet long rides and are disappointed by short rides (just 1 or 2 miles), and Disney to Airport is a nice long ride. It is Disney's policy not to reimburse for tips.
12a,. Our Magical Express packet has a return voucher for just one family member. 12b. We are changing resorts halfway through our vacation and the return vouchers have the first resort name on them.
You can remake or change Magical Express homebound reservations at any time (preferably as soon as possible) and also after you get to the resort.
* Your Magical Express bus back to the airport may be scheduled earlier during times of tight security at the airport.
What Is Magical Express?
Starting May 5, 2005, Walt Disney World offers free transportation to and from Orlando International Airport to its resort guests. It is possible that a small charge may be applied in the future but notice will be published months in advance.
Note: The following resorts are not included: Swan, Dolphin, Shades of Green, resorts at Bonnett Creek, and the hotels just past Downtown Disney on Hotel Plaza Blvd. Occasionally a Magical Express bus may stop at one of these resorts for Disney Cruise Line guests or Mears Transportation paid customers.
Reservations must be made at least ten days in advance, 21 days in advance is recommended. Guests should receive in the mail a package with instructions and yellow baggage tags. As with all over the phone or on line reservations, guests should get the name of the person they spoke to, and preferably also a confirmation number or code in case the package does not arrive in time. (For vacations booked on shorter notice, Magical Express has taken reservations but yellow tags might not arrive.)
"Going To Disney"
Magical Express works the same for all airlines' flights into Orlando Internation Airport. Checked baggage can be delivered directly to the resort room without the need to wait at the baggage carousel and without the need to wait in the room.
Carry-on Baggage
Must be hand carried all the way to the Magical Express bus.
Checked Baggage With Yellow Magical Express Tags
Claiming at carousel is not possible most of the day.Will be delivered to your resort room most of the day and night
Follow instructions of Magical Express cast member if late at night; you may need to go back to carousel to fetch it.
Checked Baggage Without Yellow Tags
You may choose to claim it at the carousel and bring it to the Magical Express bus.Most of the day you may choose to let Magical Express deliver it to your resort room. You will need to show your airline baggage claim checks.
Late at night, follow instructions of Magical Express cast member.
At Customs Station at Orlando Airport (foreign guests)
You may choose to hand carry your baggage the rest of the way to the Magical Express bus.You may choose to attach the yellow tags and then hand the baggage back to baggage agents for resort delivery.
For now we are suggesting that foreign guests not put Magical Express tags on the baggage until after getting to the customs station. Most Canadians and residents of some other countries will pre-clear customs within their country and not also need to clear customs in Orlando.
Exception: Guests who need to claim their baggage at a intermediate connecting airport must do so and re-check it as usual. The baggage with Magical Express tags will still be delivered to the resort room.
Exception: On rare occasions, foreign guests who pre-cleared customs elsewhere may have to clear customs again in Orlando as part of secondary security screening.
The Magical Express welcoming area is on the lowest level on the "B" side at the end away from the Hyatt hotel.
The resort bellhop is still available to handle baggage that is hand carried.
Going Home
Be sure to get your return bus tickets and return time at your resort as soon as you can. (Sometimes they won't do this until a day before you return home.) Typically you need to be ready to board the bus a little over 3 hours before your flight time for domestic flights and 4 hours for international flights. If you delay making return reservations, you may be scheduled to leave on a bus earlier than you expect to leave.
Guests returning home on domestic flights on a few airlines may check baggage with their airline at the resort immediately after resort checkout, enjoy the parks if they have a few free hours, and then come back to board the Magical Express bus. The airlines currently represented at the resorts are: Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, Jetblue, Northwest, Ted, United.
If their airline is not represented at the resort, or the baggage check statnd is not open (before 5 AM), or if the baggage must go through customs, guests flying home on that airline simply bring their luggage to the Magical Express bus and check the luggage at the airport in the usual fashion. Depending on departure time it may be desirable to store baggage with the bellhop for the few hours after resort checkout and before departure.
If you are departing immediately after resort checkout and the resort baggage check in station has a long line, you may skip that step and bring your baggage to the bus for normal airport check in.
Important -- Be on time. Allow time for transportation back from the parks, especially from the Magic Kingdom. We recommend planning to be back at the resort an hour before your bus departs. Some resorts require that you give 45 minutes' notice for the bellhop to get your baggage, or there may be a line of people waiting for baggage service. If you miss your return bus it might not be possible to get you on a later bus that will make your flight.
The Magical Express bus stops once on each side of the airport (A and B). Guests who don't have much baggage and who don't mind walking a little more will find getting off at the first stop to be quicker.
Other Comments
Magical Express is not a totally new operation. The same operation, although on a much smaller scale, has been used for years for Disney Cruise Line guests.
The Mears company owns and operates the Magical Express buses. Mears will continue to offer their normal shuttle service to area hotels but as of 2007 do not take advance reservations to and from Disney resorts. Magical Express guests must be careful to board buses as directed by Disney representatives and personnel.
Guests have reported difficulties in getting written confirmation of Magical Express reservations (on Disboards.com, Transportation Forum). If you run into this, at least call more than once to ask, and get the name of the person you talked to each time.
Your Magical Express reservation is not complete unless you gave your flight number to the reservation agent. If you are not arriving by air or are arriving the night before, pick a flight, any flight, any airline arriving at about the time you will be going to Disney on your resort check in day.
All of the current airline, airport, and security rules still apply. Baggage should not be locked. Valuables, unused film, undeveloped film, loaded cameras, medicines, keys, should not be in checked baggage including Magical Express tagged baggage.
We suggest that you not use Samsonite and similar suitcases with latches that pop out diagonally. These suitcases may open accidentally in transit as well as catch toes and clothing while in a cramped hotel room. Nor is it good to snap the latches closed with the lid ajar, you could pick up the suitcase by mistake and the lid flies open spilling everything.
Try to choose flights that arrive not too late in the evening. If you do expect to arrive after 11 PM you should notify Disney in advance. Also, go directly to the Magical Express welcoming area after getting off the plane. From the A side carousels you need to go upstairs, cross through the hotel atrium or the shopping area, and all the way downstairs on the B side. The main terminal is a rectangle about the size of a football field with one long side called A and the other long side called B, and with the security areas where goalposts would be.
If it is after 11 PM, different things can happen if you need to get baggage at the carousel. Sometimes a Disney agent will accompany you to the carousel. Sometimes you will have to give the agent your baggage claim check and he will go get the baggage. In this case you need a copy of the claim check. (You did bring pencil and paper and write down the numbers while you were flying, no?) Sometimes the agent will tell you go to back to the carousel alone to get your baggage.
You may be required to "check your bags" at the Magical Express welcoming area for delivery to the resort on a different vehicle. Remove valuables before checking any bag.
If a bag does not arrive at your resort, see the resort staff. In the rare event resort staff tells you that you need to go back to the airport to resolve baggage problems, have them give you Magical Express bus tickets to do this.
According to reliable sources, Magical Express will "remain open" until all known guests have arrived on late evening flights. We still think that there is a big chance for mistakes if your flight will arrive late in the evening. Consequently it is also OK to make resort and Magical Express reservations for the next day, give the number of a flight arriving the next morning, check your baggage normally without Magical Express tags, and stay overnight at an airport near the hotel when you first arrive.
There have been some concerns about buses back to the airport not showing up or being filled causing people to be left behind. Your return reservation should include a time to show up for the bus. Should problems occur (not including your being late) feel free to ask Disney staff to arrange alternate transportation when it gets to 2 hours 30 minutes before flight time (3 hours 30 minutes for reservations 4 hours in advance).
Reference: http://www.disboards.com Transportation forum and Theme Park Attractions forum.
Magical Express hot line number: toll free 866-599-0951
Go to our Walt Disney World Tips page.
All parts (c) copyright 2005-7, Allan W. Jayne, Jr. unless otherwise noted or other origin stated.
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