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Ang-Rich
Beyond Compare
Member since 5/05 17988 total posts
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Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
Anyone make use of this? DH is nervous about not being able to get out luggage in our fat little hands and having to trust that unlocked luggage will be okay.
Also we'll have the stroller and portable crib checked and he wants that right away.
Can we go get some stuff and bring it with us?
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Posted 7/25/08 9:45 AM  |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
I usually rent a car but I know of a lot of people that rave about the ME service. I believe you get special yellow tags to put on your checked bags - don't put the tags on items you are going to take on the bus with you. Also, you can pick up all your checked bags and bring them to the resort yourselves.
HTH!
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| Posted 7/25/08 10:00 AM |
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GoingNutty
Our family
Member since 5/05 2272 total posts
Name:
Jennie
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
There are some kind of luggage locks that you can buy that have are okayed by the FAA. I got them at Target... They say something on the package. Last time we flew our luggage was locked and when we got home there was a card inside saying that bag was opened and inspected... and the bag was relocked.
I don't know about the Magic Express but thought that might help if you used it and wanted to be able to lock the bags.
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| Posted 7/25/08 10:46 AM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
Locks - that is a tricky subject. They sell TSA approved locks - these are hit and miss - my parents travel 4-6 times a year and have stopped using them - b.c they have had to replace them several times. Although they are TSA approved some of the TSA officials are a bit shall we say lazy and they cut them off rather than opening them (I know several other people who have had the same issue.) A trick I learned that has worked well for us for the past few years is - cable ties. Yup - My family and friends go to target or someplace like that and buy a huge package of them - you can get the bright florescent or colored ones for next to nothing. When you pack make sure you put several in a zip lock for the return trip. Put a small nail clipper in your carry on to open it when you get to your destination. TSA has removed ours a few times BUT they have put a new one back one (we use colored ones so when there is a white one with a note in our bag we know they opened it.)
Magical express is either magical or from what I have read very UNmagical. Honestly it is a hit or miss deal. If you do research you will see the mixed reviews. When it works correctly it is fabulous - when it doesn't it is a huge headache. We rent a car to avoid this (plus makes it easier to not fight the bus crowds getting to and from the parks).
The bigger complaints are the amount of time it takes to get to the resort. Hey it's free it is one of the trade offs - b.c it is free you will sacrifice some of your park/vacation time if you arrive on a more popular day or time. Going back to the airport they pick you up 3 hours ahead (this is apparently standard I don't think you can get less than that nor will you want to with the crowds at TSA etc).
The second major complaint are the luggage issues. First, people are complaining that their bags aren't making it - and of course disney blames the airlines and the airlines blame disney. Second, the bags are "supposed" to arrive at your room within 3 hours of you CHECKING IN to your hotel - not 3 hours from when you arrive at ME at the airport. This can be avoided by not putting the tags onto your luggage when you check it in NY and then collecting your bags and bringing them to ME yourself - they will then ride under the bus with you to your hotel. This however is time consuming and adds a lot of time to the already 50-120 minute time frame to reach your hotel.
Look it is free - and with that good perk there are kinks in the system - no system is perfect. There are people who have had fabulous experiences with ME and ones who curse it and it puts a damper on their first day.
Some tips if you decide to use it:
1) pack whatever you need for the first day in case you don't get your bags for several hours or until the next morning.
2) keep in mind you cannot use car seats on the bus - so you will have to hold your DC in your lap on the bus (if this is a concern for you). Your stroller and car seat will be put under the bus.
3) if you are really worried about your luggage - get it yourself and save yourself the headache of working it out later.
Message edited 7/25/2008 12:17:19 PM.
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| Posted 7/25/08 12:16 PM |
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HarleyGirlFLA
Come on in
Member since 5/05 9674 total posts
Name:
Mel
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
I wouldnt get a lock. TSA will clip it. Even if it's TSA approved, any bag that has a lock on it most likely the lock will be clipped and the bag will be searched. You'll find a little card in your luggage that states your bag was opened and searched.
Magical Express you'll be fine. They will take care of everything for you. I've encouraged my clients to do the Magical Express and they've never had any problems
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| Posted 7/25/08 12:26 PM |
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Ang-Rich
Beyond Compare
Member since 5/05 17988 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
Posted by Lillykat
if you are really worried about your luggage - get it yourself and save yourself the headache of working it out later.
This is what we were hoping to do but usure if they would allow us to take our luggage with us. If they do then I'd rather go this route..
Although now that I read the reviews I saw something about a car service that picks you up and even stops at the grovery store...I'd love to do that but no idea how to find that...anyone know?
I'm going to bring up renting a car tonight.
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| Posted 7/25/08 12:45 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
Posted by Ang-Rich
Posted by Lillykat
if you are really worried about your luggage - get it yourself and save yourself the headache of working it out later.
This is what we were hoping to do but usure if they would allow us to take our luggage with us. If they do then I'd rather go this route..
Although now that I read the reviews I saw something about a car service that picks you up and even stops at the grovery store...I'd love to do that but no idea how to find that...anyone know?
I'm going to bring up renting a car tonight.
You can find all those answers over on the transportation section of Disboards.com
They do let you do that - but you will have to lug your luggage around with you. I read about people doing that all the time.
I know what your talking about with the town car - I think it is tiffany or something - again I have seen posts over on disboards - if you go over there they are really helpful - you can just post some questions and people will help. I think one of the town car services had mixed reviews.
Another option - I can't remember which companies do this - BUT there are some rental car companies on site at WDW. You could rent at MCO and drive the car for a day and return it on property and take ME back to the airport - this way you can go to the grocery store on your own time and get anything you need for your DS.
If you are looking for reasons to rent a car -For us- the decision to rent the car was important for these reasons:
We want to go to the grocery store and buy - diapers, swimmies, milk for the room for DD, snacks for DD, breakfast for us in the room to save money, yogurt for DD, bottled water for the room etc. I don't want to carry a million things down so when DD takes a nap the first afternoon one of us will do a grocery run.
We have the monorail for MK and EPCOT but will have to take the Bus system to get anywhere else. I would like to go to AK and HS, and AKL and some other places. Having a car - means - NO schlepping our metrolite (I don't want to bring an umbrella stroller b.c I want the snack tray, better sun canopy, better storage basket and better recline) so it is much easier to throw her in the car than fight on the bus (our hotel shares buses with WL or GF or both). We used the bus system when we stayed at AKL but it was just DH and I - many of the parents with small kids were struggling and it was often standing room only. For DH and I alone the buses are perfect or with an older child who doesn't need the larger stroller or any stroller the buses are okay - but I would rather get a smaller car if I can.
Parking at the parks is free if you stay at the hotels. The only downside is that the walk from the car can be long or you have to take a tram (but that to me is easier than the buses).
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| Posted 7/25/08 1:09 PM |
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evnme
My little lamb
Member since 8/05 12633 total posts
Name:
aka momma2b
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
we used the magical express when we went to disney earlier this month.
it was great!
we brought stuff to change into and sunscreen in our carry-ons since they say it takes up to 3 hours for them to put your luggage in your room.
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| Posted 7/25/08 3:10 PM |
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Myrockette
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Member since 5/05 5632 total posts
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
Posted by evnme
we used the magical express when we went to disney earlier this month.
it was great!
we brought stuff to change into and sunscreen in our carry-ons since they say it takes up to 3 hours for them to put your luggage in your room.
We also had a great experience using it!!
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| Posted 7/25/08 7:44 PM |
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beautyq115
New Year!
Member since 5/05 13729 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
We used it twice once on our HM and then last year.
For our HM it was a disaster...I guess when we arrived in Orlando the luggage was on metal carts that they couldn't get because they were having a lightening storm so our luggage was left in the rain. We didn't get it for 4 hours and we almost had to cancel dinner reservations at Victoria and Alberts because our clothes were in our luggage. I was so pi$$ed off and we didn't get compensated in any way for this.
Last year when we went I vowed NO magical express but DH said let's just use it and it was fine!
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| Posted 7/26/08 8:39 AM |
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EmmaNick
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Member since 12/06 16001 total posts
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
Nicholas and I used Tiffany one year and it was fine. He stopped at the grocery store on the way so I could pick up some bottled water, etc. I have to say I felt a little uneasy though, he was very chatty and asked a lot of questions. Since it was just me and Nicholas I made up a story that my "husband" was meeting us there". Looking back he was just being friendly, but you never know.
The next year we took the Magical Express and had no issues. We only waited about 20 minutes to board the bus and it took us straight to the resort we were staying at. Less populated resorts may have to share a bus. You will be gate checking the stroller so that you can just get on the jetway as you de-plane, you can probably do the same with the PNP.
Where are you staying and when are you going? I've been trying to plan a trip forever but something else always comes up. I'm thinking we might do October when Nicholas has a few days off from school.
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| Posted 7/26/08 10:28 PM |
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
never had problem with ME. we use it all of the time and never consider anything else.
never had a problem with TSA approved locks, either.
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| Posted 7/27/08 1:25 PM |
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Ang-Rich
Beyond Compare
Member since 5/05 17988 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
Posted by Summerrluvv
...You will be gate checking the stroller so that you can just get on the jetway as you de-plane, you can probably do the same with the PNP.
Where are you staying and when are you going? I've been trying to plan a trip forever but something else always comes up. I'm thinking we might do October when Nicholas has a few days off from school.
I have never checked anything at the gate before but planned on checking the two items you mentioned...so I have to ask...how does this work...I thought we would get it at baggage claim with the rest of our stuff. But again I have no idea what I am talking about...help 
We are staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort in September..of course I picked the time that they had some free dining plan and the restaurants are booked...but so far we only have two more to try to get.
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| Posted 7/28/08 12:54 PM |
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EmmaNick
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Member since 12/06 16001 total posts
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
When you gate check something, you bring it directly to the door of the aircraft before boarding and drop it there, they load it last. When you get off the plane, they bring it up to the same place you dropped it off (right outside the airplane door on the jetway ramp). So you don't have to get things you gate check from baggage claim. You will just tell them when you check in at the counter that you have 2 items to gate check and they will give you tags for them.
Ohh you will have fun!! In case you didn't book with a "coupon" there are some posted on mousesavers.com for the time period you are going!
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| Posted 7/28/08 8:16 PM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
Posted by Ang-Rich
Posted by Summerrluvv
...You will be gate checking the stroller so that you can just get on the jetway as you de-plane, you can probably do the same with the PNP.
Where are you staying and when are you going? I've been trying to plan a trip forever but something else always comes up. I'm thinking we might do October when Nicholas has a few days off from school.
I have never checked anything at the gate before but planned on checking the two items you mentioned...so I have to ask...how does this work...I thought we would get it at baggage claim with the rest of our stuff. But again I have no idea what I am talking about...help
We are staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort in September..of course I picked the time that they had some free dining plan and the restaurants are booked...but so far we only have two more to try to get.
I don't think you can gate check your pack n play - you should double check with your airline. Also, disney may provide them, you might want to check with them on that and save yourself the trouble of bringing your own.
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| Posted 7/28/08 9:59 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
Posted by Christine
Posted by Ang-Rich
Posted by Summerrluvv
...You will be gate checking the stroller so that you can just get on the jetway as you de-plane, you can probably do the same with the PNP.
Where are you staying and when are you going? I've been trying to plan a trip forever but something else always comes up. I'm thinking we might do October when Nicholas has a few days off from school.
I have never checked anything at the gate before but planned on checking the two items you mentioned...so I have to ask...how does this work...I thought we would get it at baggage claim with the rest of our stuff. But again I have no idea what I am talking about...help
We are staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort in September..of course I picked the time that they had some free dining plan and the restaurants are booked...but so far we only have two more to try to get.
I don't think you can gate check your pack n play - you should double check with your airline. Also, disney may provide them, you might want to check with them on that and save yourself the trouble of bringing your own.
Disney does provide pack n plays as their cribs. I agree I'm not sure you can gate check the pack n play - I think that is considered a regular check item - I think you can only check a stroller and car seat.
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| Posted 7/29/08 10:14 AM |
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Ang-Rich
Beyond Compare
Member since 5/05 17988 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
Posted by Lillykat
Posted by Christine
Posted by Ang-Rich
Posted by Summerrluvv
...You will be gate checking the stroller so that you can just get on the jetway as you de-plane, you can probably do the same with the PNP.
Where are you staying and when are you going? I've been trying to plan a trip forever but something else always comes up. I'm thinking we might do October when Nicholas has a few days off from school.
I have never checked anything at the gate before but planned on checking the two items you mentioned...so I have to ask...how does this work...I thought we would get it at baggage claim with the rest of our stuff. But again I have no idea what I am talking about...help
We are staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort in September..of course I picked the time that they had some free dining plan and the restaurants are booked...but so far we only have two more to try to get.
I don't think you can gate check your pack n play - you should double check with your airline. Also, disney may provide them, you might want to check with them on that and save yourself the trouble of bringing your own.
Disney does provide pack n plays as their cribs. I agree I'm not sure you can gate check the pack n play - I think that is considered a regular check item - I think you can only check a stroller and car seat.
I think you are right - Lucas is allowed to bring a stroller, car seat and diaper bag even though he is a lap child but no other checked baggage. So the PNP will be part of our checked baggage and that makes me think it has to be ...well...checked. I'll just do that at the counter and gate check the stroller.
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| Posted 7/29/08 10:53 AM |
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Ang-Rich
Beyond Compare
Member since 5/05 17988 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
Posted by Summerrluvv
Ohh you will have fun!! In case you didn't book with a "coupon" there are some posted on mousesavers.com for the time period you are going!
Thanks so much for all of this information!!!
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| Posted 7/29/08 10:55 AM |
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sweetsmommy
LIF Infant
Member since 7/08 296 total posts
Name:
deb
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
Hi- new to the boards but I have to say
I did the DM and would never do it again- I hated being at there hands all the time- had to eat what was available at the hotels and just stuck if the bus was full before we got on--- I love Disney and have been 3 times in the last year and half and plan on going there again next year but will stick to renting a car.
JMO
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| Posted 7/30/08 7:03 PM |
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stickydust
Now a mommy of 2!!!
Member since 4/06 3164 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
We used the magical express and had no problems with our luggage - I never lock them  They were also pretty prompt getting our stuff to our room. Regardless, I pack a small carry-on with everything I would need for the day including a change of clothes for each of just in case.
Oh, and I HIGHLY recommend leaving your PNP at home and just reserving one through your resort. They were nice and clean and one less thing to carry!
Have fun!!
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| Posted 8/2/08 12:39 AM |
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Re: Sorry - another question (Disney's Magical Express Transportation)
When we went 2 years ago we claimed our luggage from the airline and then gave it to Magical Express. For us it was a pain because there were alot of us and we arrived in terminal A and Magical Expresss left from terminal B (or maybe it was the other way around) so we got a porter to bring our luggage over on a cart for us.
I would definetly do Magical Express again but next time let them claim it for us 
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| Posted 8/2/08 8:29 AM |
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