Magical Express: One of the best Disney deals around!

I live just far enough away from Disney World to make driving a chore.  We like to save up our credit card points and cash them in for airline tickets as often as we can.  For others like me, who like to arrive via the friendly skies, Disney has a great option for their resort guests  - The Magical Express.  Essentially, the Magical Express is a shuttle service from the main Orlando airport (MCO) to your resort hotel at Disney World. 

So what makes the Magical Express magical?  Well for starters, you do not need to go to baggage claim upon arrival.  You simply deplane and follow the Magical Express signs.  Once you are checked in you hop on a bus to your resort - and leave the baggage claim to Disney!  They will collect your baggage for you and deliver it to your hotel a few hours later.  Genius!

So what else makes the Magical Express magical?  If baggage handling and delivery is not enough of a perk for you, how about the cost - it is FREE!  There is no charge for Disney to collect you (and your luggage) from the airport and take you to your Disney resort.  They will also take you (and your luggage) back to the airport at the end of your stay at no charge.  In fact, for certain airlines, you can check in from your resort and have your boarding passes printed and ready to go!

When you pack your luggage at home, be sure to pack a small carry on bag of items that you will need upon arrival as well as any medication and other important stuff.  If you are arriving from the frozen tundra and are hoping to start your Disney day poolside, be sure to stick a bathing suit and sunscreen in your bag!  Also, if you are arriving later in the evening, you may want to make sure you have your toothbrush, sleep wear and fresh clothes available for the next morning...just in case.

A few other need to know items:

• You must make a reservation for this service.  I like to collect this from my clients at final payment time to make sure that there is plenty of time to get luggage tags ordered.
• The time it takes to get from the airport to Disney can vary greatly based on the number of bodies being moved!  You can expect to arrive at your resort anywhere from 75 minutes to 3 hours from the time your plane lands, with the average commute time being 2 hours.  You can expedite the process by making sure your tags are properly attached to your bag and that you bring the voucher included in your booklet with you.
• If you arrive after 10 pm or before 5 am, you will need to collect your own bags.
• You luggage may not arrive to your room for 3 hours, so plan accordingly!
• You will be notified of the time that the Magical Express will be returning to drag you away pick you up from your resort.  The pick up time is usually about 3 hours prior to your departure, 4 hours for international flights.
• If you are scheduled to depart prior to 8am, you will need to check in a the airport.
• Sorry, but unless Fido and Fluffy are service animals, they cannot board the Magical Express.
• Although it is rare, mistakes happen!  Be sure to confirm you flight information and resort against your pre-printed baggage tags.  If one of your bags does not arrive, contact bell services and let them know of the problem.
• Planners beware!  Don't make the mistake of over-scheduling your arrival day.  Scheduling a coveted reservation or pre-purchasing tickets for an event is inviting trouble.  Instead head straight to your favorite counter service spot, lounge by the pool, check out your resort, or knock of some of the less popular attractions on your to do list.
• Finally, the Magical Express drivers are usually friendly and helpful.  If you are pleased with their service or if they help you with your carry on bags it would be nice to acknowledge their efforts with a few dollars.  At departure, it is also customary to tip bell services if they collect your bags from your room.
• For anything else you wanted to know about Magical Express, check out this great post from Everything Walt Disney World

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the teaser video...you are almost home!

Disney Transportation or "How do I get there from here?"

With over 300 buses, Disney World has one of the largest private bus fleets in the world.  Every year, each bus in the fleet travels enough miles to circle the equator.  Twice.  While many lament the use of buses, Disney does an amazing job of shuttling folks about, usually with a 20 minutes or less wait between buses.  Taking a few minutes to make your self familiar with the bus service and other transportation options before you head to the world is always a good idea.  If you have any questions while you are on property, you can ask any cast member for help.

As you can probably deduce from my introduction, most resorts rely on buses to transport guests.  Once you know the basics, you will be able to navigate the bus system like a pro.  The first bus many visitors encounter is the Magical Express, a free shuttle that transports guests from the Orlando Airport to their Disney resort.  Unlike other buses at Disney World, this one requires a reservation.  Once you deplane, head to the Magical Express location, check in, hop on a bus, check in at your hotel, and hit the parks.  Don't worry about your luggage, Disney will collect it for you and deliver it to you room in a few hours.  Magical Express is one of the best deals around...check back for a more in depth post on the topic.

After you get settled in, there is likely another bus in your future.  (Yes, there are exceptions to the rule that I will cover in a minute!)  Head to your resorts bus depot and stand in the appropriate line.  As each bus pulls into the depot the destination will be clearly marked on the front of the bus.  If it is headed where you want to go, climb aboard in a in a nice orderly fashion and find a seat if you can.  Be aware you may not immediately head to your final destination.  You may have a few more stops to make at your resort or even another resort before you get where you are going.  Now I know there is much debate on this topic, but I am a healthy, able bodied, grown woman and I believe in good manners.  I will always offer to stand and let a child, parent carrying a child, elderly person, pregnant lady, sick, injured or otherwise infirm person have my seat.  Yes, the seats are first come, first served, and no, you don't have to give up your seat...it is just the polite thing to do.  Lecture over.

Disney bus system has a "Hub and Spoke" design.  The hubs include the four major theme parks, Downtown Disney, and the Ticketing and Transportation Center (TTC).  From each hub, you can travel to any Disney resort and back again.  The buses begin operations early in the morning by delivering breakfast guests to the parks.  Bus service begins 2 hours prior to park opening, so there is no excuse for you not to make the park opening!  For the stragglers and the late diners, buses continue to run 2-3 hours after the park closes.

What?  You want to eat dinner...where?  Moving between resort hotels is quite easy, it just takes a bit of planning and some extra time.  Since there is not direct transportation between hotels (unless they happen to be on the same route) you will need to first travel to a hub, and then transfer to your desired resort.  It helps to know the general areas of the hotels...you do not want to go from the Beach Club to the Contemporary via Animal Kingdom!