Ask Magically Speaking

In each issue we like to answer questions from you. What are your questions? Are you wondering about a certain attraction? Are you curious about a resort or cruise? Do you have some nagging little trivia question that you are just dying to know the answer to? If so, please send them to us. We have a great team of Disney experts and sleuths that would love to answer your questions! If you have a question, send it to us at magicallyspeaking@themouseforless.com.

Ask Magically Speaking is a regular feature in the Magically Speaking newsletter. The following Ask Magically Speaking was published in the October 9, 2006 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. I was just wondering if you had heard any negative news about Disney’s Magical Express. We will arrive in Florida at 10:10 a.m. in February. How long of a wait will we have to get to our resort check-in? We have a group of 12 going, and half are kids so we hope we don’t have a 3-hour wait to get to our rooms. Do we have to sit and wait for our whole bus to fill up? Thank you. (Submitted by the Wendels)

A. Although Disney's Magical Express received very mixed reviews during its first months of service, feedback since has been generally positive. On average, guests have found they reach their resort about an hour after touching down at Orlando International. An hour and a half, tops. Disney does a very good job of sorting guests to buses and dispatching them quickly. They do not wait until a bus is full, though buses often do run at capacity due to the vast number of guests that are using this efficient, free service. Keep in mind that since you are arriving in the morning, while you can certainly check in, it is possible that your resort room will not be ready for you. Official check-in time is at 4 p.m. at All-Star and DVC resorts and 3 p.m. at all the others.

Q.Can you tell me the route that Disney’s Magical Express takes to the Poly and what should we expect on the trips to and from the airport. What kind of entertainment is available? We will have two antsy boys (8 and 3) and we will probably need something to entertain them. Thanks! (Submitted by George T.)

A. Unfortunately, we can’t tell you the exact route your particular Disney’s Magical Express bus will take to the Polynesian Resort. It is possible that your bus will stop at one or two other resorts before dropping you off. The actual route will be determined by guest demand. We can assure you that your children will be entertained during the journey, at least somewhat. The Magical Express busses are all equipped with video monitors, and your bus driver will run a cute Magical Express infomercial, complete with Disney characters, during your 30 minute ride to your resort. If this will not be enough to capture your kids’ attention, consider including enough pastimes in your carry-on luggage to last them through your bus ride as well as your flights.

Q. We will be going to Disney World June 16 through 23, 2007. We will be using Disney’s Magical Express. I understand the process of getting to the resort from the airport and how they handle the transportation and luggage. I know we must check out of the resort at 11:00 a.m., however, our flight does not leave till 7:30 in the evening. What I can't find anywhere is, when we check out in the morning, where do we put our luggage until DME picks us up for the airport? (Submitted by Yvonne)

A. There are two answers to your question, depending on whether you are flying on a “participating airline” or not. The airlines that participate with Disney’s Magical Express are American, Continental, Delta (and Song), JetBlue, Northwest, and United (and TED). If you are flying on one of these carriers, you may check in your luggage up to 12 hours before flight departure (or, in your case, at 7:30 a.m.) Be aware that your bags will be checked through to your final destination- you won’t see them again until you arrive home, so be sure not to pack things you may need before catching your flight!

If you are not flying on a participating airline, you can leave your bags with Bell Services at your resort. They will gladly hold them until you return from your day’s fun.

Either way, check out from the hotel and spend the rest of the day any way you choose, making sure to return to the hotel before the scheduled pick-up time- 3 hours before flight departure for domestic flights and 4 hours before for international ones. If you have left luggage with Bell Services, allow extra time to pick them up before meeting your bus.