If you're a guest staying at the Walt Disney World resort, you already know that you're going to have a magical time but did you know that that magic actually begins the minute your plane pulls up to the gate at Orlando’s International Airport?
Disney’s Magical Express completely eliminates all the worry and stress about getting you and your luggage to your Walt Disney World Resort hotel. This complementary, round-trip airport transportation and luggage delivery service is for guests staying at one of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Here is an overview of Disney’s Magical Express so that you know how to use this complimentary service on your next trip.
Before You Arrive
Disney’s Magical Express’s transportation can be reserved online or over the phone. Reservations must be made at least 10 days prior to your arrival and it's recommended that you make your reservation at least 30 days in advance to ensure that you will receive your luggage tags. These special luggage tags will be mailed to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks in advance and should be attached to each bag that you're checking on the plane.
Arrival at Orlando's International Airport
Once you have landed at Orlando International Airport, you can skip the baggage claim and proceed directly to Disney’s Magical Express Welcome Center which is located on the B side of the main terminal on level 1. Disney’s Magical Express Cast Members will collect your luggage and deliver it directly to your Walt Disney World Resort hotel room within 3 hours of your check in at the resort. This luggage delivery service is available for all flights arriving between 5:00 AM and 10:00 PM daily. If your arrival time is not during those hours, you must collect your luggage at the baggage claim on level 2 and transport it to the resort yourself on the motor coach. We actually recommend that for flights arriving after 9 PM, you collect your own luggage to ensure that you have the items you need prior to going to bed and to ensure that once you're in bed, you won't be woken up by Bell Services.
Departure
The day before your vacation ends, Guest Services will hang a transportation notice on the door handle of your resort room. This notice will advise you of the pickup time and pickup location for your ride back to Orlando's International Airport. It is your responsibility to bring your luggage with you unless you have utilized the Disney Resort Airline check-in service.
Transportation back to the airport is scheduled approximately 3 hours prior to your flight departure time for domestic flights and 4 hours prior for international flights. Because magic bands cannot be used to check in for your departure, be sure to have your transportation notice with you as the motor coach driver will collect it before you board.
Utilizing the Resort Airline Check-In Service
If you are departing on a particular airline, you're automatically enrolled in the resort airline check-in service when arriving through Disney's Magical Express. This allows you to receive your return boarding pass and checked luggage at your Walt Disney World hotel, bypassing airport check-in completely. If your flight is after 12:00 pm, your boarding pass will be delivered to your room the morning of your departure.
At the airline check-in desk at your hotel, you will need each guest's valid government issued ID or passport handy. All guests must be present and you must check in no later than 3 hours before your scheduled flight. The resort airline check-in service is available for Alaskan Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. Once you arrive at the airport, just head directly to the security checkpoint with your boarding pass and ID.
The Pros and Cons of Using Disney’s Magical Express
Disney’s Magical Express is a great way to start your vacation and there are many positives to using this complimentary service. One of the biggest advantages to using Disney’s Magical Express is that once you arrive at your hotel, you can head directly to the parks instead of fussing with your luggage because it will all magically appear in your room later. if you are planning to use Disney’s complimentary theme park transportation to and from the parks, it also eliminates the need to rent, hire or park a car at the resort. Additionally, if you're traveling with kids, there is much less to worry about upon landing. You simply get off the plane and head to the Disney Magical Express welcome center.
There are some drawbacks to using Disney’s Magical Express that we should bring up. If you miss your bus, you will not be able to catch the next bus as you will probably miss your flight therefore you will have to arrange for other transportation to the airport. Additionally, Disney’s Magical Express makes more than one stop on each trip so depending on which we sort you’re staying at, you may be either the first drop off or the last as well as the first pick up or the last one. Another negative is that when you arrive, it is recommended that you have a carry-on bag that includes all your necessities and a change of clothing for everyone if there's a delay with luggage delivery. For a full list of items we recommend you carry on the plane, you can contact one of our Story Guides.
So, what do you think? Have you ever used Disney’s Magical Express? If so, tell us about your experience. Did we leave anything out? Do you have any tips or tricks you think others should know? Do you like using Disney’s Magical Express or would you prefer renting a car?
Thanks for reading!
