Disney Vacations are typically pretty pricey, but one of the perks is that you totally get what you pay for.
This includes awesome customer service and tons of included amenities that aren’t included with your average vacation. This is particularly true if you choose to stay at a Disney World Resort.
And many of the magical amenities are available to you no matter if you stay at a deluxe, moderate, or value resort. (For more on selecting a Disney Resort, check out this post!)
One of the most basic and awesome services included in a Disney World Resort stay is the Magical Express.
Today we’re going to talk about what the Magical Express is, what you need to know to take advantage of it, and what to expect when you do.
What’s the Magical Express?
The Magical Express is Disney’s upgraded version of an airport shuttle.
If you’re flying into Disney World and staying a Disney World Resort, you have access to the Magical Express.
The Magical Express is a large motorcoach that you can use it to get your group and your luggage to and from Disney World and the Orlando International Airport.
Disney will also collect your checked luggage for you and deliver it straight to your room!
This service is complimentary if you’re staying at a Disney owned and operated resort.
What you need to know
Make a reservation
While the Magical Express is free, you do need to reserve your seat. This way Disney knows how many people to expect and can ensure that they have enough motorcoaches waiting to accommodate everyone who needs a ride on the Express.
You can make a reservation after you book your airfare. So if you have that lined up before you book your room, you can make your Magical Express reservation when you call to book your trip. If you don’t book your airfare until after your room is booked, you can call Disney and make your reservation then.
If you’re in the U.S., you can do this by calling (407) 939-1936. And if you’re in the U.K. you can call 0800 16 90 730.
If you use a travel agent, they can also make these arrangements for you.
For more on how to book your Disney Vacation, check out this post.
Tag your luggage
A few weeks before your trip, you’ll receive special luggage tags in the mail from Disney. This is how Disney will know to grab your bags and bring them back to your room.
It can take three hours for your bags to arrive in your room, so you should also pack a carry on with any essentials you’ll need when you arrive.
This includes your Magic Bands! You’ll need them to board the Magical Express, so make sure they’re accessible when you land.
Also as a side note, luggage service is only available from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. So if you’re arriving between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM, you’ll have to collect your own luggage before you go to the Magical Express.
Your arrival
When you arrive at Orlando International Airport, take the People Mover (which is basically a monorail) from your gate to the main terminal.
Once you’re there, you can find the Magical Express in the Ground Transporation area of the airport on Level 1 of Terminal B.
Disney will give you this information when you receive your luggage tags. There are also plenty of signs in the terminal to guide you.
When you reach the Magical Express location, you’ll be asked to swipe your Magic Band to claim your seat.
If you’re not getting your Magic Bands until you check in, bring your Magical Express paperwork that was mailed you with your luggage tags and have a government-issued photo ID ready to show a Cast Member.
Once you claim your spot, you’ll be directed to your motorcoach.
Because Disney is so big, there are a handful of Magical Express buses waiting. They are grouped by resort location. Typically, each bus will stop at between 2-4 resorts that are located in close proximity to each other.
Your ride to your Resort
You may not leave immediately if another plane is landing soon after yours, but you shouldn’t be waiting at the airport for too long.
Once you’re off, the ride to Disney World typically takes between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on traffic, how many stops your Express has to make, and when your resort falls within the rotation.
You will be treated to a video highlighting some aspects of the park to get you even more excited, and you may also get some Disney cartoons.
The arrival of your luggage
If you want, you can go right to the parks when you arrive, or take some time exploring your resort, Disney Springs, or another resort on Disney property.
Your bags should be delivered to your room within three hours of your arrival.
If you have any additional carry-ons or bags you don’t want to carry around with you, you can leave those with Bell Services. You can either pick them up later or ask and see if they can deliver them to your room when it’s ready. (I’m 90% sure they can, but I haven’t done this recently.)
If for some reason your checked luggage doesn’t make it to your room, be sure to let Disney know. They will do what they can to track down your bags and/or help you get any essentials you may be missing. (I don’t have direct experience with this, but given how great Disney is at customer service, I have no trouble believing it.)
Your departure
The day before you leave, Disney will deliver the time of your Magical Express pick up and your pick up location to your Resort room.
Your departure time is typically around three hours before your flight. You’re responsible for your bags on your departure, so this gives you time to check your bags and get to your gate.
Disney does not want to be responsible for you missing your flight, which is why they leave so much time to get you to the airport.
They also typically make stops at other resorts, just like when they dropped you off. So your pick up time may be more than three hours before your plan’s departure if there are several stops to make.
This is something that’s good to keep in mind when you’re booking your flight. If you don’t want to be picked up at an ungodly early hour, don’t book an early flight.
My thoughts and experiences
I love the Magical Express, and I’ve never had an issue making a reservation, boarding, or having my luggage delivered to my room.
If you ask me, this is another area where Disney has really paid attention to their customers’ needs and did what they could to make it easier.
I always see the Magical Express as the start of my Disney vacation and the last brush of magic on my way out. In fact, just writing this post has made me excited for my next trip!
I genuinely look forward to each experience on the Magical Express, and I hope these tips help you get your trip off to a magical start!
For more Disney World tips and tricks, check out the other Disney World Posts! And you can find more Disney 101 posts here!
Sound off: Have you taken the Magical Express before? What’s been your experience? What are you most excited about? Tell us about it in the comments!