Walt Disney World offers its resorts guests two separate but related free transportation services: Disney’s Magical Express and airline check-in from the Disney resort.
Disney’s Magical Express (DME) is a free bus service that transports Disney guests between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and their Disney resorts. As part of that service, Disney handles guests’ luggage, picking up bags from the airport’s baggage claim and delivering them to the hotels. DME is available for participating airlines, although guests flying non-participating airlines are welcome to use the free shuttle servce (see section on participating airlines and hotels, below).
Resort Airline Check-In (RAC), also free, permits guests to check-in for their flights home from their Disney resort. Guests can obtain their boarding passes and check their baggage while still at Walt Disney World.
Disney has policies and information to cover a variety of DME and RAC situations – including odd arrival times and delayed flights, international travel, Bell Services, and excess baggage fees.
These are all covered in the Airport Transportation Booklet Disney mails to guests as part of their DME package. The booklet and materials arrive approximately two weeks prior to a guest's departure. What follows are highlights of DME’s and RACs services.
Disney’s Magical Express – arrival
- Guests staying at a Disney resort should make an advance DME reservation at least 30 days in advance. These reservations may be made online when a vacation package is booked or by calling 407-WDW-MAGIC (407-939-6344). Guests will need to know their flight information when making reservations.
- Disney will mail special luggage tags to resort guests, either by regular postal mail or FedEX, and a voucher. Guests should attach the tags to their baggage before checking their bags at their departure airport, as these tags identify bags belonging to guests who are using DME. Guests should also bring their voucher.
- Guests’ tagged baggage is picked up by Disney personnel and delivered to the Disney resorts, usually within three to four hours of arrival. Guests need not go to baggage claim – unless traveling from outside the U.S. – and can take the DME directly to their resort.
- International travelers need to clear Orlando customs, meaning these guests need to collect their bags. International guests can then take their baggage and check in for DME or give their bags to a DME representative who will see them delivered to the appropriate Disney resort.
- Upon arrival at MCO, guests should go directly to the Disney Welcome Center in Terminal B, Level 1. Guests are checked into DME, and assigned to a DME motor coach that will take them to the appropriate Disney resort. Buses can make up to three stops, so transportation time between MCO and a resort can take up to 90 minutes.
- Guests can check into their resorts and hang out, or they can go to the theme parks. Baggage will be delivered directly to their rooms.
Disney’s Magical Express and Resort Airline Check-In – departure
- For departures, Disney guests flying on participating airlines can use Resort Airline Check-In (RAC).
- Guests will receive a Transportation Notice, reminding them of their DME return time to MCO, which is generally three hours prior to their flight’s departure, and place. Guests need to bring their back to RAC.
- Guests may check in up to 12 hours early, and no less than four hours early. They will receive their boarding pass and be able to check-in luggage. A valid photo I.D. and guest key card is required.
- Guests flying on non-participating airlines can still take DME to the airport, but will need to carry their own bags and check in at MCO. As with other DME users, these guests will leave for MCO approximately three hours prior to their flight.
- All Disney resort guests flying domestically on participating airlines can get their boarding passes for return trips and check in their baggage, regardless of their intention to use DME transportation services.
Disney’s Magic Express and Resort Airline Check-In – participating airlines and hotels, operating hours
- DME and RAC are available only to guests staying at Walt Disney World owned and operated resorts and flying into and out of MCO. Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, Shades of Green, and Downtown Disney hotels are not eligible for DME. DME and RAC are not available for Disney’s Hilton Head or Vero Beach resorts.
- The DME and RAC services, generally located in the lobby or outside the resort’s front door, are available for participating airlines: AirTran, Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Northwest, Southwest (a new participating airline!), United/Ted and USAirways.
- The Disney Welcome Center’s operating hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, but are extended to meet the flights of all guests who have reserved Disney’s Magical Express.
- The DME’s operating hours for luggage delivery services are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m daily. Guests who arrive at 10:00 p.m. or later will need to claim their own luggage before boarding a DME motor coach to their Disney resorts. Alternately, guests can wait until the next day to have their luggage delivered by DME personnel.
- The RAC service’s operating hours are 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. Guests who cannot check-in during those times will need to check their luggage directly at the airport.
Disney’s Magic Express and Resort Airline Check-In – baggage information and restrictions
- If additional DME luggage tags are needed, call (866) 599-0951.
- Guests should be familiar with their specific airlines’ restrictions in terms of number of checked bags, sizes, and weight, as well as any surcharges.
- The resort Airline Check-in Service can only accept regular-sized bags (check with specific airlines). Oversize (more than 62” ) or overweight luggage (more than 50 pounds) needs to be checked in at the airport by the guests.
- Guests must pay any excess baggage surcharges in advance. RAC personnel can’t accept any baggage surcharge payments. Guests who don’t pay surcharges in advance must bring their luggage with them and check the bags in at the airport themselves.
- Guests should call Baggage Airline Guest Services at (407) 284-1231 to pay their airline’s applicable luggage fees, seven days a week between the hours of 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. Fees may be paid using Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
Disney’s Magic Express and Resort Check-In – hints and special circumstances
- Disney suggests that the trip between MCO and a Disney resort takes 45 – 75 minutes, but it often takes closer to 90 minutes (landing to resort).
- Guests should bring a carry-on with essentials (e.g. medication or toiletries) or things that might be needed (e.g. Disney tickets) in the first several hours after arrival. Generally, follow the recommendation for all air travel; bring a carry-on with everything that’s need for the first 24 hours of a trip.
- Take the return time for DME seriously. Guests who miss their pick-up time may not be able to take the next bus. Disney assigns the time and transportation is run on a tight schedule.
- Guests are permitted to pick up their own luggage at baggage claim and take it with them on the DME motor coach. (Simply don’t use the DME tags.)
- Tips are accepted by the DME bus drivers and are customary for resort airline check-in personnel.
- Car seats must be stowed under the motor coach. A child may sit on an adult’s lap or occupy a separate seat.
- Wheelchairs can be accommodated, but guests should indicate they will be traveling with a one when making reservations. DME does not provide wheelchairs.
- Service animals are allowed on DME, but no other animals are permitted.
Disney guests thinking about taking Disney’s Magical Express should read Disney’s F.A.Q. on its operation. For a discussion of Disney’s Magic Express and its pros and cons, check out Mousesavers.com, a discount Disney planning website.
Disney’s Magical Express and Resort Airline Check-In free services, when combined with Disney’s complimentary on-site transportation, make it easier to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without relying on car rentals or alternate transportation. In exchange for spending extra time in transport, these services save guests money on Disney Travel and can alleviate some airline travel hassles. For guests who don’t mind the trade-offs, they’re Disney extras well worth exploring.
This article is part of the Disney Travel 101 series. You can also read other articles on Disney Travel news, deals, and advice, or sign up for a free subscription to this column.
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