Disney's Magical Express -- A Quick Overview
Walt Disney World offers free ground transportation from Orlando International Airport to its resorts and back for its resort guests. It does not matter what airline you are flying on, or even if you are flying.
Last updated 1/17/21
Quick TipsOrlando International Airport Hints
Special thanks to "Chip n Dale Express" on the forums of the Disney Information Station
Magical Express hot line number: toll free 866-599-0951
"Disney's Magical Express" may be seen abbreviated as "DME" or "ME".
Note: As of now (January 2021) all guests must handle all of their baggage themselves, bringing it to the Magical Express buses. Separate delivery of baggage to resorts and back to the airport is discontinued.
If you are unsure of whether you will need Magical Express, make the reservation anyway. Reservations are required although you can cancel at any time.
If there is a mistake in your reservation for going home, wait until you get to Orlando before trying to correct it. This reduces confusion and possible additional mistakes.
Try not to schedule a restaurant reservation or some other event that depends on prompt arrival at the resort. Magical Express cannot expedite your ride when your plane into Orlando is delayed.
Not all Magical Express buses are labeled Magical Express. When going home, check every bus that pulls up at your resort to see if it is yours.
Anyone can get a Magical Express bus back to the airport more than the normal 3 hours before flight time (4 hours for international departures). Simply make or change the reservation in advance. This is recommended for those who think they might need extra time or who would want to avoid anxiety if things run slow.
Please, please, don't yell at the Disney representatives at Orlando Airport. There will be peak periods and activity may be disorganized. There will be times when there are more guests than Disney folks helping out and waiting lines may develop.
Let's start a fad! Make up stick on labels, at least 3 x 5 inches, with any three digit number in large numerals on it and the words "check name tag also" in small print underneath. (Everyone in the family uses the same number) Plaster two of these on each suitcase. Makes baggage easier to find at the carousel.
Get the name and city of any person you talk to on the phone and also try to get a written confirmation.
Bring as carry on baggage things (such as toothbrush and swimsuit) you will need for at least the first 24 hours after you arrive.
Bring pencil and paper to copy down baggage claim check information during your flight.
At your resort if not sooner, get return bus tickets with specific return time as soon as you can.
Don't give up! Things may be chaotic at Orlando Airport but Magical Express will get you there.
What Is Disney's Magical Express?
Through December 31, 2021, Walt Disney World offers complimentary transportation to and from Orlando International Airport to its resort guests.
Note: The following resorts in particular are not included: Swan, Dolphin, Shades of Green, resorts at Bonnett Creek south of Buena Vista Drive, and the hotels just past Downtown Disney on Hotel Plaza Blvd. Hint: Eligible resorts have "Disney's" (possessive form) in their full names; the resorts named in this paragraph do not.
Magical Express reservations are required and should be made at least ten days in advance, 21 days in advance is recommended. But reservations on short notice can be handled for guests who booked late or who had to make last minute changes. Except for last minute reservations, guests should receive in the mail a package with instructions and yellow baggage tags. As with all over the phone or on line reservations, guests should get the name and city of the person they spoke to, and preferably also a confirmation number or code in case the package does not arrive in time. (For vacations booked on shorter notice, Magical Express has taken reservations but yellow tags might not arrive.)
One way Magical Express reservations are okay.
"Going To Disney"
You may use Magical Express only on or after your check in day. For members of your party/family arriving at different times, be sure to make or modify reservations in advance. Each person must be registered as a room occupant. Make copies of the Magical Express instructions for each group.
If you will arrive in Orlando before check in day, for example the night before, give the Magical Express reservations agent the flight number of any airplane flight arriving around the time you will be back at the airport on check in day ready to go to your resort.
The Magical Express welcoming area is on the lowest level on the "B" side at the end away from the Hyatt hotel.
The resort bellhops are still available to handle and/or store baggage that is hand carried.
."Going Home"
You may use Magical Express only on or before your check out day. For members of your party leaving at different times, be sure to make or modify reservations at least a day in advance of the bus trip needed.
If you will not be leaving town immediately, give the Magical Express reservations agent the number of any airline's flight leaving about three hours after you want to leave your resort.
Find out where the Magical Express buses back to the airport load up, especially if you are using Magical Express one way, just to go home. Usually buses load where they drop off arriving guests and not where park buses load.
Be sure to get your return bus tickets or return bus time at your resort as soon as you can. (The normal deadline is the morning of the day before the day you will leave.) Typically you need to be ready to board the bus a little over 3 hours before your flight time for domestic flights and 4 hours for international flights. If you delay making return reservations, you may be scheduled to leave on a bus earlier than you expect to leave. Specifically you need to be ready to board 15 minutes before the bus time on your confirmation paper.
Be sure you have a sheet of paper confirming your Magical Express bus back to the airport. This is normally delivered to your room the morning of your second to last day. If you don't receive it or if you need to make changes, do so at the front desk on that day before departure day before going off to the parks.
Bring all baggage to the Magical Express bus where the driver will load it, and to check the baggage at the airport in the usual fashion. Tips are appreciated at the airport upon unloading. Depending on your departure time you can store baggage with the bellhop for the few hours after resort checkout and before departure.
Magical Express buses do not always have "Magical Express" painted on the side. Starting 20 minutes in advance of your bus time, get up when any bus pulls in and eavesdrop and find out for sure whether or not it is yours. When you show your paperwork, the driver will tell you for sure.
Important -- Be on time. Allow time for transportation back from the parks, especially from the Magic Kingdom. We recommend aiming to be back at the resort an hour before your bus departs. Some resorts require that you give as much as 45 minutes' notice for the bellhop to get your baggage, or there may be a line of people waiting for baggage service. If you miss your return bus it might not be possible to get you on a later bus that will make your flight.
Do not give up your seat on the bus to another passenger. Standing is technically not allowed and you don't want the bus driver to tell you to get off.
The Magical Express bus stops only on the "B" of the airport.
Other Comments
Magical Express is not a totally new operation. The same operation, although on a much smaller scale, has been used for years for Disney Cruise Line guests.
Guests have reported difficulties in getting written confirmation of Magical Express reservations (as posted on Disboards.com, Transportation Forum). If you run into this, at least call more than once to ask, and get the name and city of the person you talked to each time.
All of the current airline, airport, and security rules still apply. Baggage should not be locked. Valuables, unused film, undeveloped film, loaded cameras, medicines, keys, should not be in checked baggage.
We suggest that you not use Samsonite and similar suitcases with latches that pop out diagonally. These suitcases may open accidentally in transit as well as catch toes and clothing while in a cramped hotel room. It is also not good to snap the latches closed with the lid ajar, you could pick up the suitcase by mistake and the lid flies open spilling everything.
Magical Express will "remain open" until all known guests checking in that night have arrived on late evening flights.
There have been some concerns about buses back to the airport not showing up or being filled causing people to be left behind. Your return reservation should include a time to show up for the bus. You need to be there 15 minutes in advance of this time. Should problems occur (not including your being late) feel free to ask Disney staff to arrange alternate transportation when it gets to 2 hours 30 minutes before flight time (3 hours 30 minutes for reservations 4 hours in advance).
Reference: http://www.disboards.com Transportation forum and Theme Park Attractions forum.
Orlando International Airport hints
After you get off the tram at the main terminal and after you exit security, you are entering the main terminal Level 3 in the fashion of entering an oversized football field from near a goalpost. The security screening area is the middle of each "end zone". The A side is one side grandstand and the B side is the other grandstand. (You cannot see all the way "downfield", it's as if there are concession stands and concert stages all over the field that you have to go between.)
The Magical Express welcoming area is on the B side at one end down at the lowest level (Level 1). It is diagonally opposite the terminal building from Southwest's carousels.
If you came from gates 1 to 59, turn to the right as soon as you exit security out into the area where the stores are.
If you came from gates 60-129, when you come out into the cavernous Hyatt hotel atrium (think goal line to 20 yard line, full width), turn to the left.
Regardless of what gate you arrived at, upon exiting security at the main terminal, when you look sharply to the right or left and slightly upwards, you will see a big neon A or B on the wall just overhead indicating A side or B side respectively.
From the A side carousels you have to come back up to Level 3 (security, ticketing, stores), go across "the field" and down the other side.
If you go downstairs on the B side first and then go "downfield", walk along the corridor with the windows to the outside on your left.
"OIA" is "Orlando International Airport" abbreviated. "MCO" (for McCoy Field, the locations's former name) is the airport's code. Going to Disney, be sure that baggage tags have "MCO" and not "OIA" on them.
Frequently Voiced Concerns
1. I reserved Magical Express but the resort confirmation paper I received does not say Magical Express.
(Generally) Call the hot line (1-866-599-0951) and get the name and city of the person you talked to and tell him you wanted Magical Express. Also request a Magical Express confirmation in writing. If you booked through a travel agent or through a Disney Vacation Club owner (point rental) contact them to arrange Magical Express.
2. What if we get to Orlando and Disney does not have the reservation we made?
Don't ask about your reservation or whether you have a reservation. Simply smile, follow the procedures for dealing with baggage and getting on the bus, and ask as few questions as possible.
The best thing I can suggest is to "not freak out" and do give them some time to resolve any problems. It is highly unlikely you will be refused a ride unless there is obvious evidence you did not make an advance reservation at all. Meanwhile, Magical Express is subject to strict rules prohibiting carrying guests without reservations and it is occasionally necessary to ask questions, that is, do "secondary screening".
3. Whom do I tip?
Drivers, skycaps, and bellhops all appreciate tips for handling your baggage. However you don't have to wait in your room when you arrive. If you are not there, Disney will tip the bellhop who leaves your Magical Express baggage.
4. Our flight gets into Orlando close to midnight.
This is one reason why it is important to give your flight number and get the name of the person you talked to when making your reservation. Magical Express runs until all known passengers have arrived.
5. Our flight home leaves really early, like 7 AM.
Yes, Magical Express will be there for you, at the resort at 4AM* for a 7 AM flight. Make sure you make your return reservation in advance, get bus tickets or vouchers, and be on time.
6. We were told to be ready 4 hours before our plane leaves but the bus didn't come for another hour.
When you made your return reservation the only bus available was 4 hours in advance but at the last minute there was room on the bus 3* hours in advance and the 4 hour bus was cancelled. (If similar problems occur but closer to flight time or if you are on an international flight, immediately ask the resort manager for help.)
7. Our Magical Express bus did not arrive and someone got us a taxi instead. Our "free" trip to the airport cost us $20.
I won't give you direct advice but here are some facts (source: disboards.com): Magical Express drivers are not forbidden to accept tips themselves. Yellow Cab and Checker Cab are both owned by Mears which owns and operates the Magical Express buses. Any Mears driver may be assigned to (pressed into) Magical Express service and is expected not to display his "tips appreciated" sign although he may forget. Taxi drivers covet long rides and are disappointed by short rides (just 1 or 2 miles), and Disney to Airport is a nice long ride. It is Disney's policy not to reimburse for tips.
8a,. Our Magical Express packet has a return voucher for just one family member. 8b. We are changing resorts halfway through our vacation and the return vouchers have the first resort name on them.
You can remake or change Magical Express homebound reservations at any time, at least a day before checkout (preferably as early as possible after you get to Orlando). New vouchers will be printed when you arrive in Orlando. Note: The confirmation page, required and normally delivered to your room the day before you leave, takes priority over vouchers if times conflict.
* Your Magical Express bus back to the airport may be scheduled earlier during times of tight security at the airport.
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