Disney’s Magical Express is a FREE service that transports guests in air-conditioned coach buses from Orlando International Airport to their Disney resort. You do not need to purchase your airfare with Disney to receive this service but you do need to request it ahead of time.
A couple weeks before your trip: You will receive a paper in the mail with all your instructions and luggage tags for Disney’s Magical Express. Make sure you bring this paper with you to the airport and put it in your carry on. You will need it when you get to Orlando. *Luggage service has been temporarily suspended. Read your documents carefully to see if you need to claim your luggage or if Disney will handle it for you.
Before you leave home: **If Yellow Tags were included and luggage service is provided** It is magical because you don’t have to deal with your luggage. Before you leave home and check your luggage at the airport simply put the yellow tags on each piece of baggage that you are going to check-in at the airport. Don’t try to do this once you arrive at the airport. You do not need to put the yellow tags on your carry on pieces. These luggage tags will ensure your luggage gets sent to the correct resort. You will not see these bags with yellow tags again until about 3 hours after your arrival at your resort. Do not put medication or anything else you will need in that time frame in this luggage. ANYTHING YOU CHECK IN AT THE AIRPORT THAT DOES NOT HAVE A TAG WILL NEED TO BE PICKED UP AT BAGGAGE CLAIM BY YOU.
When you arrive at Orlando International: Once you exit the plane and use the restrooms (I say this because it is going to be another hour or so before you can use one again unless you want to use the one on the bus) head down to the Disney Welcome Center. You will take the airport tram to the main terminal. You will be on Level 3. Make sure you go to side B and then take the elevators down to level 1. The Disney Welcome Center is on Side B Level 1. **If you have to claim your luggage you must do that before you head to the Disney Welcome Center. If your luggage is on side A you will need to go back up to level 3, cross over to side B then go down to level 1 for Magical Express.
Disney Welcome Center: Be sure you have your magic bands out. Proceed with your luggage to the check in point. They will confirm your return flight information and go over a few things with you. Then they will send you to a line. Get in line to board your bus. Sometimes the lines look long but each bus seats about 50 people so the line moves quickly.
Aboard your bus: Get comfy since it will be about an hour until you arrive at your resort. There are video screens and they will show a “movie” that will tell you about your stay and whats happening at the Walt Disney World resort. Make sure you pick a seat where your kids can see the screen.
Arrive at your resort: Once you arrive at your resort you will gather your carry-ons and exit the bus. Be sure to tip the driver a couple dollars if they helped you with bags. Go into your resort and check in. This should only take a few minutes if you completed the Online Check-In 10 days before you left home. While you do this there is usually a spot for the kids to watch Disney cartoons near by. Once check in is complete you are ready to go explore the world. You can drop off your stuff in your room if you want or just head out to the magic, get a bite to eat, or head to the pool. Your luggage will be delivered right to your room when it arrives and you don’t have to be there to get it.
Airport return: I know this is sad to talk about but at some point your trip will end. You will get a packet on your door the day before your departure with your account information and magical express pick up time. It is typically 3 hours before your flight departure. If you have lots of time before you have to leave, call bell services and they will come pick up your luggage and store it for you until your Magical Express time. Go explore the magic and be at the pick up spot for magical express 15 minutes before your appointed time to get your luggage.
Resort Airline Check-In: If you are flying on Southwest Airlines you can go down to the guest services desk 24 hours before your flight and have them print your boarding passes. If you are flying on Airtran, American, Delta, Northwest, Alaska, Continental, Jetblue, or United then you can check-in and check your bags right at your resort. There is a special desk for this and you can ask them any specific questions you have since regulations are always changing.
Arrive at the airport: Once you arrive at the airport you should tip the driver a dollar per bag and then proceed to check in at your airline and head to security. You will be dropped off at on Side B, Level 1 where you started. All airline check in desks are on level 3. You can take elevators up and then go to your airline. Have a safe journey home!
