Anne reviews Disney’s Magical Express
By Anne Larison
Disney’s new complimentary transfers via the Magical Express Service is an excellent transportation option.
My experience with Magical Express is that it is a well run service and a good benefit to Disney World guests. Whether you book your air through Walt Disney Travel Company or not, you can utilize the round trip transfers to your Disney World Resort.
The process ran very smoothly when I arrived in Orlando for the recent Travel Agent Education Program. Even though the airline announced that baggage for my flight could be picked up at terminal B, the Disney Magical Express check-in desk is located on the A terminal. Since Disney takes care of transporting all your checked luggage all you need to do is head for the A terminal.
If you want to handle your own luggage, you can. Do not put the special yellow Magical Express tags on your luggage when you leave home and proceed to the baggage claim to retrieve your own luggage to take with you on the motor coach. You still must have pre-registered with Magical Express to receive the service, even if you pick-up and bring your own luggage to your resort.
My trip back to Orlando International Airport was just as smooth as the trip to my Disney Resort. Disney provided a letter the day before my departure with the pick-up time for my Magical Express transfer back to the airport. Certain airlines offer the option of Resort check-in. This service allows Guests to check their luggage and receive their airline boarding passes at their Disney Resort.
We left the Contemporary and proceeded to 3 other resorts on our route. This is one reason that your pick-up time is 3 hours prior to your flight. There were a few guests along that route that were scheduled for a later pick-up time. However, the driver had to refuse their request to board the motor coach as he explained his bus was full with scheduled guests. It’s important to remember that if you want to try to go before or after your assigned pick-up time, the driver may say no. He/she has discretion as to whether there is room for extra passengers.
Finally, my last tip — sit on the right side of the motor coach on the return trip to the airport. The motor coach passes many ponds on the way to the airport and our driver reported that the record number of alligators seen on the way to MCO is 7! Many people on the right side of our coach saw 3 on this trip. Unfortunately I was on the left side and didn’t see a thing!