Disney’s Magical Express Tips & Details

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From Chip and Co.

Disney’s Magical Express Tips & Details

Monday, December 19, 2011 Ken

Getting from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World and back used to be quite a bit more complicated than it is today. It was also considerably more expensive than it currently is if you use what I feel is the best available option, Disney’s Magical Express (DME). DME is free, and not just free but incredibly simple to use. Best of all, it almost always works seamlessly if you follow the instructions. Here is the basic sequence of events you follow in using DME:

1. When you or your Disney Specialist Travel Agent make your reservations you just include your flight information, both arrival and departure. This sets the DME wheels in motion. If you are like me, you make flight reservations way in advance and flight numbers and times can change. If this happens you just call DME at exactly 45 days prior to your arrival (no earlier) and inform of the changes. They will make the adjustments before mailing your paperwork.
   
2. When you get your paperwork you will receive 1 yellow luggage tag for each person on your reservation. If you need more just call DME and they will get them to you but do it early. The tags are for your checked baggage.
   
3. Put the tags on your checked luggage before you go to the airport and check in as usual. Remember, you will be paying fees for the luggage unless you fly Southwest or are a Gold or Platinum Delta Skymiles member. There may be other exceptions that I am not aware of.
   
4. That’s it for the arrival trip, your luggage will be picked up and delivered to your resort room normally within 2-4 hours after you land. You do not have to be in the room when it is delivered. There is an exception if your plane arrives before 5:00 AM or after 10:00 PM. In this case you can either pick up your own luggage and take it on the motor coach with you or let Disney take care of it the next day (or later that day if you arrive early). All you have to do is proceed to the DME pick up area on Level 1 Side B.
   
5. The day before you check out you will receive a packet with DME instructions including the motor coach pick up time (about 3 hours before your flight time) and the phone number to call to pre pay your baggage charges. On check out day just bring your luggage to the DME counter at your resort and check it with them for your return flight. Your luggage will be waiting for you at your home airport.
   
6. Some things to remember on checkout day, you must check your baggage no less than three hours prior to your flight time. You can check you luggage with DME up to twelve hours (but no more) prior to flight time. The DME counter is only open certain hours and that information will be in your packet.
   

Here are a couple of important phone numbers: Disney’s Magical Express is 866-599-0951 and Baggage pre pay service is 407-284-1231. You can review DME details by going to their Website. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!

Ken

Read more http://www.chipandco.com/2011/12/best-things-i-love-about-disney-is-disneys-magical-express/

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Just a few more tidbits.

If your tags don't show up on time, DON'T WORRY!!!!!

The DME folks have plans for this.

Go to the desk, tel them your name and resort. They will print you up boarding passes for the bus.

If you have checked luggage. Give them your luggage claim tags that you got when you checked luggage and they will go retrieve it for you and send your luggage on its merry way!!

Some FAQs.

Can I go to a different resort than mine. NO, you must board the bus for your resort. HOWEVER, if a resort that you would prefer to get off at is on your route, feel free to get off at any resort on the route. (However, this only works if you don't have anything under the bus)

Can I depart from a different resort than my own. NO. There is no flexibility on this.

Can I take a later bus. NO Not advisable.

Can I take an earlier bus. YES, but go to your front desk and request an earlier pickup time.

What if I miss my DME bus. CALL a Taxi!!

Am I assigned a certain bus when leaving MCO, do I have to rush to get down there?? NO. Take your time, go to the restroom, get something to eat or drink if desired, and head down to DME. A bus for your resort will depart shortly after you arrive.

What if I decide to ride DME at the last minute? Even if it's the same day as your trip, call DME and make reservations. You can't ride free without reservations. If you wait till you get to the airport and decide you want to ride DME, then you have to pay for it. Go to the Mears desk next to DME, purchase a Mears ticket, and proceed where they tell you. You have to claim your own bags.

I am an international customer and I have to claim my bags at the airport to go through customs. How do I get my bags through the "automagical delivery". It's quite simple. After customs, there is another luggage carousel. Place your bags on this carousel with the yellow tags and they will be transported to the main terminal. That is where the DME folks will intercept your bags.

I'm arriving the night before and staying at the Hyatt, can I still get my bags delivered to my resort. YES!! When you leave home, DO NOT put the yellow tags on your bags. When you arrive at the airport, claim your luggage from the baggage carousel. Proceed upstairs to the Hyatt. The next morning, put your yellow tags on your bags and hand them to bell services at the Hyatt. (A tip is appropriate). They will get your tagged baggage into the DME luggage system. Then proceed down to the DME desk and board the next coach for your resort.

Alright, Anybody else have any good DME tips??!!!

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Great post, Carol! I think I need to turn all this into a page. :)