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.
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:
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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?).
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