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 23, 2006 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

We've received a couple of questions about our Magical Express information from last issue. Hopefully we can help clear up a few details.
Q. I am confused about the Magical Express. If I fly Southwest, will I be able to use the service? Is it just the service for transferring the luggage, or is it also the bus service that Southwest passengers can’t use? If I can still use the bus service, then will I have to retrieve the luggage then go to the bus stop area? Thanks for all of your valuable information. I know that with your help, I will have a very Magical Experience. (Submitted by Cindy G.)

AND

I will be traveling to Disney for the first time in Feb, 2007. We will be flying Spirit Airlines. Are they apart of the Magical Express? Will my bags be picked up and taken to my hotel for me and then checked on my return trip? (Submitted by Angie D.)

A. Thanks for asking, Cindy and Angie. One of the great things about Magical Express is that even if you aren’t arriving on one of the “participating” airlines, you still can use the service. Magical Express is available to anyone flying into Orlando International airport, as long as it is booked in advance. Just attach your yellow Magical Express luggage tags to your bags (which you receive from Disney after booking your ME ride) and check your bags as you normally would. They will “magically” appear in your Disney resort room, usually within three hours of arrival. There is no need to stop at the baggage carrousel in the airport.

When the sad time to depart arrives, that’s when it makes a difference whether you are using a participating airline or not. Anyone can use the service for a ride, but baggage handling depends on the airline. Folks who are flying with Alaska, American, Continental, Delta (including Song), JetBlue, Northwest, and United (including TED) are able to check their luggage at their Disney resort, and pick it up at their destination airport. If you are using this service, be sure that your photo ID name matches the name on your airline ticket. Due to security issues, Disney cannot check in a "Susie Smith" when the airline reservation is in the name of "Susan K Jones-Smith."

If you are not on a participating airline (neither Spirit nor Southwest “participate”), you will take your luggage with you on your ME bus, and check it at Orlando International, just as you would before Magical Express began.

For example, I'm flying to Disney on Wednesday on AirTran Airways (not a participating airline). To use ME I put the yellow tags on my bags before I check in to my home airport. When I get to Orlando I just get off the plane and go to the ME desk with my coupon for travel. ME will check me in and put me on my bus to Coronado Springs. My luggage will show up later in my room. When its time to go home on Sunday I will need to put my bags in Bell Services because AirTran is not a "participating airline" for baggage handling. At 5pm I will need to pick up my bags from Bell Services and wait for the ME bus (you are picked up three hours prior to your flight). The bus shows up and I put my bags underneath, and then I'm taken back to the airport where I take my own bags to the airline check in area.

Have a great time and don't forget to tell us how you liked Magical Express after you return!

Q.We are planning a family trip to WDW in November. I wanted to take snacks into the parks in a backpack. Is that allowed? (Submitted by the Dvilinskys)

A. Disney's official policy is "no outside food or drinks.” However, I have never heard of anyone not being allowed to bring snacks in the park in their backpack. Actually, most guests seem to bring snacks along. The official policy seems to be there so that Disney could enforce it if, say, someone wanted to bring in large coolers full of food and drinks. Disney security guards do inspect every bag brought into any of the parks, however they are only doing this for safety purposes. They do not seem to care about the food or drinks brought in. In fact, Disney Security often jokes with incoming guests about food they are bringing in- they are hungry, too, and want to share!