On MousePlanet, columnist Steve Russo published this article about Disney’s Magical Express. In it, he takes an article posted with arguments against the service and tries to present arguments against the author’s comments. As someone who has used the Magical Express with positive experiences, I wish to also counter a few of the arguments presented.
“3. It killed me not being able to stop and get something to eat or buy a few groceries and sundries for my room on the way in.”
This complaint is why I always research before planning a vacation. If you do not wish to go straight to your hotel, then do not sign up for a service that does so. Also, going straight to your hotel doesn’t mean that you cannot do those things some time later. Using the Magical Express nor staying at a Disney resort traps you on Disney property. Taxis or car services will come pick you up at the hotel and take you to wherever you wish to go. From personal experience, though, these can be quite pricey. My family has found an alternative that suits us.
We rent a car for a day. There are a few car rental companies on property, including Enterprise which will pick you up from your hotel and bring you to their lot. My parents use the car to drive and pick up items we may need for the room. We often don’t pack shampoos, conditioners, soaps, suntan lotions, etc. due to airport security regulations. So, my parents usually make a run to a store just outside Disney to pick these things up for us (I can’t use the hotel shampoo because shampoo/conditioner combos aren’t good for oily hair and my sister can’t use the soap because of sensitive skin) as well as snacks to keep around the room. We also use the car to attend Mass at the Queen of the Universe Shrine in Orlando.
So, you aren’t trapped on Disney property. Just research your options.
Just as a slight note for the writer’s first complaint, the Magical Express’ location is not an inconvenience. It is located by many baggage carousels and where many other forms of transportation are located. You'd be heading in that direction anyway.
“4. It was highly tedious going to another resort before mine. I felt sorry for the people who were still on for a third resort when I got off.”
Here is how the Magical Express works at Orlando International: When you get there, a cast member checks you in. They direct you to the appropriate line based on your hotel and from there, you board your bus. And yes, the bus goes to multiple hotels. However, the hotels are close together so even if you aren’t the first stop, you are only on the bus an extra ten to fifteen minutes. For example, we usually stay at Pop Century. Our bus also goes to the Caribbean Beach and the All Star Resorts. This year, we were the second stop. And it wasn’t a long wait to get to our hotel from the Caribbean.
I know you’re eager to get to your hotel and check-in. I know you’re probably tired from last minute packing, rounding up the children, getting to the airport, passing security, and then making it through the flight. You either want to hit the parks and let your vacation really begin or put the kids down for a nap so you can take one as well. But relax. The bus is really the start of your vacation and won’t delay you severely. So, take a deep breath and relax. You’re at Disney World. You’ll be in the parks in no time.
“5. They make you check in an hour earlier than is possibly necessary. I'm lying about my departure time if I ever use Magical Express again.”
Okay, the last day of your vacation is always sad, no matter where you are. You have to leave a place that’s fun and carefree to head back to your daily lives. I know you want to spend as much time as possible in the parks, right up to the last minute you can. The Magical Express picks you up three hours before your flight is scheduled to depart so you may not be able to make that one last reservation you wanted or ride that one last ride again. And that sucks, no other way to put it.
But the last day of your vacation is also stressful. You have to fit everything you brought and everything you bought back into the same suitcase. You have to clean out your room and make sure you didn’t forget anything in a drawer or the safe. You have to check out. You have to get that last minute souvenir you forgot to get earlier. You have to get to the airport somehow, check in and check your luggage. Then you have to get through security before getting to your gate. You may even want to squeeze in one last meal there as well.
Disney, though, has tried to reduce some of this stress. They have an express checkout, where you sign your bill (as long as all is well) and skip reception. If you fly on participating airlines, you can check in at your hotel and check your luggage. They are providing free transportation to your airport. You can skip the check-in counter and go straight through security. That gives you time to get to your gate and perhaps even enjoy a meal. And yes, an hour can make a difference. I’ve flown through Orlando’s security and I’ve crawled through it. You never know how the line will be.
So, lie about your flight next time. But when you’re running for your plane or you miss it because you didn’t have enough time to go through security, you’ll only have yourself to blame. Not Disney.
Or find your own transportation. It’s your call.
Luggage Concerns
This was not raised in the article, but I know many people have them. One service offered by the Magical Express is transportation of your luggage from the airport to your room. They will also bring your luggage from your hotel to the airport. No need to worry about it! Of course, most people are paranoid when it comes to their luggage and feel as it disappears on the conveyor belt behind the counter they will never see it again. That feeling of relief doesn’t come until you find it on the carousel after your flight. So, naturally, you’re going to be paranoid with another leg of your journey in which you don’t see your luggage and trust others with it. Even my own mother worries about our luggage until we return to our room and trip over it.
But relax. Disney hasn’t lost our luggage. And the first time we used the service, our travel agent had forgotten to give us the yellow tags to attach to our luggage so the Disney crew knew to pick them up. The cast member at the Magical Express check-in was very helpful. She showed us a diagram of various luggage types and to pick out ours from it. That night, our luggage was waiting in our rooms. So, trust Disney. Your luggage is in good hands.
Conclusion
So, is the Magical Express right for you? Once again, I can’t tell you. You have to do your own research and make your own decisions. I can only endorse the Magical Express. And offer you this checklist to help decide if the Magical Express is perfect for your Disney vacation.
Are you staying on Disney property? Yes or No
Do you need a car for the entirety of your vacation? Yes or No
Do you want a free transportation service to Disney? Yes or No
Do wish to control how you get to Disney? Yes or No
Are you comfortable with leaving your luggage in Disney’s care? Yes or No
Add up your “yeses” and “no’s”. If you have three “yeses,” seriously consider the Magical Express. If you have three “no’s,” I suggest looking elsewhere.
Anyone else used the Magical Express? If so, would you give it a thumbs up or a thumbs down?
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