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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Planes, Trains and Automobiles Walt Disney World

Planes, Trains and Automobiles...and buses, monorails and boats!


I understand the rising cost of a Walt Disney World vacation...I really do.  So when something is offered as FREE it' very enticing...and some people are understandably a little skeptical.  Often times, FREE means you get what you pay for.

But let's back up a bit!  When planning my most recently Walt Disney World vacation a few things came to mind.

#1- Try new things to come back and share with everyone
#2- Make this trip as easy as possible as I was traveling alone with a 10 month old a lot of the time

I would say about 90% of my clients chose to use Disney's Magical Express...and 99% of them do so due to cost. Let's review the service and then I'll get into my actual experience.

Before you leave home you should receive some official Disney Documents from me, your Disney Travel Expert :) Included in these documents, along with coupons and vouchers is going to be your yellow, Magical Express tags and Vouchers.

The Magical Express tags are the yellow ones on the right, not to be confused with the complimentary luggage tags on the left.

Before you leave home be sure you attach BOTH of these to your luggage. If you don't want to use the complimentary Mickey ones, just be sure your bags are clearly labeled with your name.  These tags should be on your luggage before it's checked at your home airport.

If you do not have these tags prior to your trip...DO NOT PANIC!  Make sure you still have some sort of luggage tag with your name clearly displayed and check your luggage as normal. Be sure to hang on to your Baggage Claim Ticket...you'll need that later!


When you arrive at Orlando International Airport, simply head to Terminal B, first floor (Ground Transportation).



*Note...if you'd like you can get your own luggage and bring it with you.


Follow the signs for Magical Express. There should be a Cast Member waiting to direct you but if you attached those pretty yellow tags when you left home, you'll proceed to the podiums where a Cast Member will scan your vouchers (that came in your booklet) and direct you to which line.

If you did NOT have the yellow tags, but still had a reservation, simply head to the Counter. Here is where they will take your flight info and Baggage Claim Ticket.  After they are done, they'll direct you to the podium where you'll get checked in.

I believe I only had about 10 minute wait before our bus arrived BUT we then sat there for quite a while waiting for the bus to fill up. Obviously during peak times this won't be as much of an issue.

Keep in mind the buses do stop at multiple resorts and you may not be first to be dropped off. On my last trip to Disney's Beach Club, it was almost exactly 2 hours from touchdown until I was in my room.

The services was not incredibly fast, but it was easy to use.  Traveling by myself with a little one meant I didn't want to have to bring her stroller AND a car seat. By using Magical Express and Disney's Bus system, I didn't worry about that. It was quite time consuming however and I still prefer either renting a car (I prefer Alamo) or using Quick Silver and getting a town car service.

On the return trip remember that Magical Express will pick you approximately 3 hours prior to your flight time. I'll talk a bit more in another post about using Airport Check In prior to departing your resort.

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I'll admit...we normally rent a car when traveling to Disney.  We find it easy and faster than using Disney's bus system. I know the area fairly well from my Cast Member Days and we like to just jump in and go rather than waiting around in the heat for a bus.  But remember when I said 90% of my clients chose Magical Express? That means no cars for them either!



This trip, because I was leaving the car seat at home, that meant we'd be using Disney's Bus system as well. I'm no stranger to the bus system and during off peak times I don't mind it at all...but you need to do your homework.

At the Value Resorts, they have one main bus stop for all the buses. They run approximately every 15-20 minutes (key work is approximate).  The Deluxe Resorts typically have a main bus stop as well (but not all). A few of the Deluxe Resorts and most of the Moderate Resorts have multiple bus stops.

What does this mean?

It means a few things:

  • If you resort has multiple stops, know this ahead of time! You may be the last stop to be picked up (and the bus might be full) OR if you are getting on at the first stop, you may have some time before the bus actually leaves for the park!!
  • When booking your room, know the options! It might be worth walking down to the Lobby and the 1st stop but what about when you come home after a long night?  Preferred rooms are closer to the lobby and therefor the buses too!
Know before you go! I heard so many people complaining about wait times and stops. If you don't want to wait, either rent a car or stay at a resort that has one Main Stop.

While most resorts simply use the buses there are some other options as well.
  • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Polynesian Resort and Contemporary Resort share a Monorail System.  There are TWO monorail lines; a resort loop and an EPCOT loop.  You must switch monorails if you are going to EPCOT.

  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness Campground as well as the Grand Floridian and Polynesian have a boat service to the Magic Kingdom

  • Disney's Yacht and Beach Club, Boardwalk and Swan and Dolphin have boat services to EPCOT (International Gateway Entrance) and Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Of course there is always walking!  Disney's Contemporary offers a walkway to the Magic Kingdom and while a bit further you can walk to Disney's Hollywood Studios from  Disney's Yacht and Beach Club, Boardwalk and Swan and Dolphin and a shorter walk to EPCOT.
In the end it's important to do your research.  Next time we will most likely be opting for a rental car but that's not for everyone.  Some enjoy sitting back and letting someone else drive and take care of their luggage while others prefer to take matters in to their own hands (ahem...control issues?).

Cars Orlando


Cars/Motorhomes, Orlando

 
47 Reviews
  Cars/Motorhomes
by alancollins
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  • Dog in Back Seat of Car
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  • my pride & joy
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  • one of the many car park trains
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  • Ready, set, TOSS!
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  • Driving towards the airport
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  • Some friends
  • alancollins's Profile Photo

    Refuelling your vehicle

    by alancollins Written Nov 29, 2010 988 reviews
    3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness
    When you go to re-fuel your hire car the procedure is different to the UK and Europe. If you try to use a fuel pump you will have a long wait. If you are paying by cash you have to go into the gas station first and pre pay for the fuel. Make sure you estimate the quantity correctly or you will not get a refund. You can then use the fuel pump and put the amount you paid for into the tank. This certainly stops drive offs. If you use a credit card you can pay at the pump.
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  • Beware Payless Care Rental in Orlando, FL

    by RCTravelerVirginia Written Jun 3, 2010 1 reviews
    When you query car rental agencies in Orlando, FL Payless will show as one of the rental companies that offers some of the lowest rates.

    Some of the reasons for this are that it is the only car rental company not located in the airport terminal; they don’t even have a customer service desk on site at the airport. To get to the rental facility you must first find a courtesy phone that has no large signs and contact their dispatch center. You then must wait for a shuttle bus that drives you 15 minutes to their location.

    Once at the location the counter agents try to sell you an upgrade, a GPS rental and of course the insurance that they pressure you that you have to have. If you decide not to get the insurance they pull out several waiver forms and tell you that “you really need this insurance”. If you still decide against the insurance they bill your credit card for a “deposit” of $350.00 or more in addition to your “inexpensive rate”. This in effect ties up your credit line and gives the rental company “free use” of your credit.

    When you complete the paperwork and are ready to leave the agent tells you to check the vehicle but they don’t give you a form to make any notes on damages the vehicle has. The key here is that you have to go back and talk to the agent to make your comments, who tells you that they are not concerned about any scratches or minor damages.

    Now when you return the vehicle there are no signs at the airport to find the Payless location. When you arrive at the facility they check it for scratches as well as any and all damages. If you indicate the rental agent said they were not worried about scratches of minor “dings” no one knows what you are talking about.

    I would recommend that you stay away from this location and the company in general as their business practices and customer service is the worst I have ever seen.
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  • cjg1's Profile Photo

    Driving from New York to Florida

    by cjg1 Updated Apr 5, 2010 5055 reviews
    Driving from New York to Florida was an adventure. Yes, it would have been easier at least for us to fly but travelling with Bob and Marie this way was easier. Fortunately with a large car the driving isn't too bad. I felt like My Father asking people if they needed a bathroom break and who was hungry. We managed to make it to Florida with only one overnight stop in the Carolinas.
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  • Beware Suncoast Energy gas prices

    by Florida-visitor Written Dec 29, 2009 1 reviews
    I stopped at the first station north of the airport to refill the rental car. Suncoast Energy on route 436 (Semoran Blvd) next to Cracker Barrel doesn't have a sign with their gas price for a reason. I paid $4.67. Keep driving north about a mile to a 7-11.
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  • virtualpatrick's Profile Photo

    I-4 Traffic to Disney...

    by virtualpatrick Written Jun 15, 2009 485 reviews
    If traffic on I-4 West going to Disney is terrible, an alternative, parallel route to that part of I-4 West that you can explore is taking Turkey Lake Road which becomes Palm Parkway as you get closer to Lake Buena Vista.

    When Palm Parkway ends at the Rt 435 & 535 intersection, you can then take Buena Vista Drive (via Rt 435 & Hotel Plaza Road; or Rt 535) to get to the Disney attractions.
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  • mcblacktiger's Profile Photo

    GPS units

    by mcblacktiger Updated Mar 7, 2009 82 reviews
    2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness
    There are a lot of toll roads in Florida. If you use a GPS be careful, the one we rented almost always put us on on a toll road and when I cross checked it with a map there was almost always an alternate route available that wasn't much slower.

    We also had a problem with our unit the first night because someone(I'm sure a rental employee) thought it would be funny to shut off the unit locator in the setup menu. This ment that it would not give us exact directions because it didn't know where we were and we wasted almost an hour trying to figure out why it wouldn't work right. Be sure to test the rental unit before you start driving and don't make the same mistake we did.

    One other annoying thing that I have only seen in Orlando is that most of the maps will list the streets by thier highway numbers, but when you are on the road they will be posted by thier street names.

    Example=Hwy 192,on the maps, will be Vine St. on the street signs.
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  • mcblacktiger's Profile Photo

    Car Rental Ripoff

    by mcblacktiger Updated Mar 7, 2009 82 reviews
    Renting a car in Orlando is a ripoff !!!!! Almost anywhere else in the U.S. you can rent a compact car for $15-$25 a day, but not in Orlando. Orlando is the number one rental place in the world, so ALL of them rip you off accordingly. That $15 compact, in Orlando, is going to set you back anywhere from $50- to $80 per day here. And if you are not good at online searching it will be closer to $65-80 per day !!!! Insurance here was also double the cost of any other city I have rented a car in, so be sure to check if your personal insurance will cover a rental and save yourself the added expense.
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  • cjg1's Profile Photo

    Avis Car Rentals

    by cjg1 Updated Feb 18, 2009 5055 reviews
    3 out of 5 starsHelpfulness
    Having your own car is a good idea if you plan on leaving the Disney property. CAr rentals in Florida are relatively cheap and give you the freedom of dining and visiting other areas outside of Disney.
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  • Car hire Orlando

    by sukey113 Written Aug 12, 2008 4 reviews
    2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness
    We always use airline-network to book our car as we get discounted car hire that way. Normally the car is with dollar and the queue is horrendous. We have found that to save time, when you get to MCO (Orlando International Airport), it is best to split up, one of you wait at the baggage carousel to pick up the luggage, with your trolley. The other go down a floor and get in the Dollar Car queue. Don't forget to take any ID, car hire print outs, wallet, etc with you. Then by the time your bags are out and found, you can meet up downstairs and hopefully you will have avoided the queue for cars - everyone drives there.

    Sorry not sure about the cruise info :0)

    Claire
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  • Warning-can't use lighter socket for phone/GPS

    by TSB Written Mar 27, 2008 2 reviews
    Warning! We rented a car from Thrifty in Orlando. We couldn't get our cell phone chargers or our portable GPS to work when we plugged them into the lighter socket. Turns out the rental car company REMOVES THE FUSES to the lighter/accessory sockets. They claim it is to keep people from smoking...but they had also already removed the lighter itself. SO CHECK with the rental car company before you rent a car and expect to use your car phone charger or your GPS unit.
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    Airplanes, Orlando

     
    33 Reviews
    Hammy and Porkchop ennjoying games and drinks
      Hammy and Porkchop ennjoying games and...
    by moiraistyx
    • Hammy and Porkchop ennjoying games and drinks
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    • Sebastian and Patrick on the plane
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    • Enterprise Rent-A-Car
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    • Rich sleeping on the plane
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    • Miami Airport, FL, USA
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    • Miami Airport, FL, USA
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    • Weekend trips sometimes mean early flights
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      Rent a Car

      by freddie18 Written Mar 10, 2013 531 reviews
      Enterprise Rent-A-Car
      Although public transport in Orlando is provided by the local transportation authority, I find it necessary to rent a car for the duration of your stay. It will also be comfortable if shopping is part of your itinerary. It will be easy for you to move between shopping malls, boutiques, as well as the flea markets.
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    • cjg1's Profile Photo

      American Airlines to Orlando

      by cjg1 Written Feb 18, 2009 5055 reviews
      4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness
      We've flown this route a couple of times now. It's a quick flight from New York to Orlando. We have always been treated well and have gotten some nice upgrades. The airport is well laid out and it was very easy to find our transportation and our luggage.
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    • moiraistyx's Profile Photo

      ALWAYS FLY WHEN TRAVELING WITH 4 KIDS

      by moiraistyx Written Sep 18, 2008 655 reviews
      3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness
      Sebastian and Patrick on the plane
      2 more images
      When Richie and I first started planning our trip to Disney, he had the bright idea that he was going to drive from New York to Disney with 4 children under the age of 10 in a minivan. I quickly squashed that idea and said, we're flying, I'll find some cheap tickets. Lucky for me I found some really cheap tickets flying out of a local small airport in Westchester County. This was the first flight for Richie's boys and frankly we were a little worried that they wouldn't want to fly back. Lucky for us they loved flying and on the return trip made sure that they all visited the airplane bathroom. Seems kids think the woosh of the airplane toilet is hysterical.
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    • gv_Orlando's Profile Photo

      Orlando International Airport

      by gv_Orlando Written Sep 27, 2007 29 reviews
      If you have never been through Orlando International Airport, this blurb might interest you.

      When you get off the plane and follow the signs toward Baggage Claim, you will board a monorail and take a short ride to the Main Terminal. Make sure you are standing steady and help your young ones stand steady as well, as it is a bit lurchy of a ride.

      Once you exit the tram in the Main Terminal, you will enter into a large open lobby. On the walls are neat photo opp backgrounds advertising Walt Disney World. The major Orlando attractions have theme park gift shops in the lobby, and a food court is nearby. For the exact listing of restaurants visit the Orlando International Website. For currency exchange for international arrivals, you'll see the TravelEx currency exchange desk in the lobby.

      The airport also houses one of the Hyatt hotels in town, so while walking through the lobby you'll be looking up at hotel room windows.

      You'll be taking an escalator down to the Baggage Claim area. Once you have your mountain of luggage together off the baggage claim belts, you'll go down another level or two to go to the transportation area. Large elevators are available to take to the ground transportation area because I'm sure you'd be unhappy watching your mountain of luggage falling down the escalators to those levels. The ground transportation area is well marked, especially if you are taking Disney transportation. Happy travels.
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    • Cielo_Algaeed's Profile Photo

      Continental Airlines

      by Cielo_Algaeed Updated Aug 17, 2007 639 reviews
      4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness
      We flew via Continental Airlines for the first time during our recent trip to Orlando. Travel time was brief and ok. The only is that their aircraft is not well maintained. Sloggy seats and not so clean lavatory.
      The refreshment was not good either with their hard to chew sandwhich. Flight attendants were too old but nevertheless they rendered their utmosst service to the passengers.
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    • Sun Country Airlines

      by DeeDeForio Written Jun 6, 2006 15 reviews
      2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness
      1 more image
      We flew from Minneapolis Lindbergh Airport to Orlando on a non-stop flight. At the Lindbergh Airport we found sculptures of Snoopy in the terminal near our gate. Kevin Rosso says that this terminal is more for vacationers to Florida and the Caribbean Islands than it is for business travelers. It was not as busy as the other terminal at the airport.
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    • DUNK67's Profile Photo

      Flying in

      by DUNK67 Updated Apr 11, 2005 690 reviews
      1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness
      We flew from Gatwick Airport into Orlando International Airport, the flight took approximately eight long mind numbing hours. Having said that though, the flight was made a lot easier to stand by Virgin Atlantics superb staff. On arrival we picked up our pre-booked hire car which didn`t take too long once we had filled some forms out, and drove to our house.

      Taxis and Buses are available, some hotels offer free buses to some of the attractions. However a hire car is almost certainly a must to give you the freedom to come and go as you please.
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    • kop-queen's Profile Photo

      Charter Aircraft

      by kop-queen Written Mar 4, 2005 171 reviews
      You might want to be a bit choosy about the airline you select when flying from the UK. It's a long long way.

      It never seems as bad going but on our return flight last year it was very uncomfortable - bordering on downright painful.

      In future I'm going to be a lot more selective about the seat pitch. It may cost a few pounds more but since you spend the best part of 2 days of your "holiday" on the plane you need to make it a serious consideration - unless you're all under 5 foot!
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    • sswagner's Profile Photo

      Orlando International Airport

      by sswagner Written Feb 26, 2005 770 reviews
      Orlando Airport
      For many children, the airplane is the first thrill ride that they will take on their way to this entertainment capital of the US. Sometimes, the trip here can be their first plane ride ever. Orlando is well served from the rest of the United States as well as several foreign destinations. The airport lies to the south of the city proper.

      There are several ways to get from the airport to the parks. Many people rent cars. The advantage is that you can go wherever you like. The disadvantage is having to pay the highway tolls and the expense of parking at the theme parks.

      There are also shuttle services to the parks/and or nearby hotels, which could save you money in the long run. Of course, the disadvantage is that you are confined to whichever park you are brought to.

      Walt Disney World now offers a service to those who are staying on a Disney property. Included in the price of the lodging is round trip transportation between the airport and your hotel. They will even pick your bags up for you at the claim. This means you check your luggage in at your home airport and do not see it again until you get to your hotel room.

      Taxis will be expensive due to tolls and distances. Therefore, they should probably be avoided here.
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    • fairy_dust's Profile Photo

      Flying in

      by fairy_dust Written Feb 25, 2005 647 reviews
      2 out of 5 starsHelpfulness
      To get to Orlando, we flew over. We had a stopover in Boston before arriving in Orlando.

      Tip for those who have never been in big-city airports - The airport in Orlando is huge, and you might have to take a shuttle to get from one part to the other. I know now that this is normal, but remember that when my family and I went to Disney World, I was 10 years old and from a small city in Atlantic Canada. I was quite amazed!
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