Menu

10 Awesome Facts To Get You Up To Speed On Disney’s Magical Express

Magic Express _ Disney World

When you arrive at Orlando International Airport (MCO airport code), the excitement for your upcoming vacation begins to build. You experience your first monorail ride to the main terminal. Then, you begin to see and hear references to the Disney theme parks. In December 2004, Disney announced a new way to keep the excitement going by introducing a new service called Disney’s Magical Express, which offers free airport shuttle service, luggage delivery and airline check-in for Disney hotel guests. The service began in May 2005 and is complimentary. As you ride a comfortable motor coach to your Disney hotel, Mickey and friends welcome you to the most magical place on earth! Here are 10 Awesome Facts about Disney’s Magical Express.

10. Luggage service – Once you check your luggage at your home airport, you can relax and dream about all the fun you’re going to have on your Disney vacation. As long as you’ve attached the yellow luggage tags Disney sent you prior to your trip, your luggage will fly with you and then be “magically” transported to your Disney hotel just a few hours after you arrive. *Bonus tip: You can always choose to pick up your luggage and bring it with you aboard the motor coach. If you did not receive your tags, requested transportation late, or need more information– contact Disney Magical Express directly 407-939-1936. 

9. Enjoy the free ride – The Walt Disney World Resort is approximately 30 miles from the Orlando airport. A taxi, car service, or shuttle van will easily cost you $50+ one way. Many visitors prefer to rent a car and drive themselves. If you prefer to let Disney do the driving, Magical Express is a great way to save money (and maybe the stress of driving in a new area). Disney’s Magical Express is free of charge and takes you both to your Disney hotel and back to the airport.
*Bonus tip: If you choose to bring your luggage with you, be sure to tip your driver.

8. Resort hotels serviced – Magical Express is provided for guests staying at all Disney-owned resort hotels. This excludes the Swan and Dolphin, Shades of Green and of course, off-site hotels.

Bonus Tip!

BONUS TIP: Consider planning and booking your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can trust like Mickey Travels. They’ll help you get the best Disney travel deal, share expert advice and their services are totally FREE! It’s genius! Discover More >



7. How long will it take? – You should allow approximately 90 minutes from the time you land in Orlando until you arrive at your Disney hotel. Magical Express delivers guests in groups, depending on the area of your hotel, such as Magic Kingdom area or Epcot Area. Guests from other hotels in your area will be on your bus, so you likely will make a couple stops before arriving at your hotel.

6. When will my luggage arrive? – Officially, Disney says they will deliver your luggage, directly to your room, within 3 hours of your arrival at your hotel. You should pack your carry-on bag with everything you will need for the first few hours of your vacation. You do NOT have to be present to receive your luggage. That way, you can head straight to the parks!

5. Late arrival – If your flight arrives after 10 pm, you will need to retrieve your own bags, and then make your way to the Magical Express pick-up area on side B, level 1 of the airport. Magical Express bus service runs 24 hours a day.

4. Return service – On the next to last day of your Disney World vacation, you will receive a transportation notice of your scheduled pick-up time for your return to the airport. The Magical Express bus will pick you up 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure from the Orlando airport (4 hours for international flights).

3. Resort airline check in – If you are flying one of the participating airlines (Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United), you can avoid airport check-in lines by checking your luggage and receiving your boarding pass before you leave your Disney hotel.
*Bonus tip: If your departing flight is later in the day, you can check your luggage at your hotel, get your boarding passes and the go enjoy the parks one more time.

2. Am I eligible? – You can book Magical Express whether you have a room-only reservation or a package with tickets, dining plan, etc., as long as you are staying at a Disney-owned resort.

1. Who is really providing this service? In addition to partners at Orlando International Airport, Walt Disney World developed this innovative service in conjunction with private and public sector leaders including: the Mears Transportation Group, the largest provider of ground transportation to the Walt Disney World Resort; BAGS Inc., the provider and innovator in off-airport passenger check-in services for the hotel, convention, cruise and airline industries; ARINC Incorporated, a leading global provider of technology systems for airports and airlines; the Transportation Security Administration; and airline partners.

BONUS TIP: Consider planning and booking your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can trust like MickeyTravels. They’ll help you get the best Walt Disney World deal, share expert advice and their services are totally FREE! It’s genius!

About Jimmie Jones

Jimmie is a retired school teacher from Texas, who has been going to Disney World for 25 years. He has experience in taking large groups to Disney, in addition to taking his own children and grandchildren. Jimmie and his wife Rhonda make annual trips to Disney World, Disneyland, and sail on the Disney Cruise Line.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.