[Dopey]

I have read here somewhere that people actually had their luggage delivered wayyyyy after midnight, which is strangly late. I would imagine that most people fall into bed when they arrive late and don't want anything to do with deliveries of any kind.

Most people do bring a carry on with all they need for the night

[lovemysons]

I would imagine the time your flight arrives in Orlando has something to do with when your luggage reaches you in your room. We have never had a late night arrival, or a late night luggage delivery. We always bring a carry on, though, just in case, not only for ME purposes, but airline purposes as well. You never know when your luggage will be "misplaced."

[CleveRocks]

Originally Posted by _landry

We are using ME and our plane is arriving after 9 p.m. I was wondering if they would be holding my luggage until morning or delivering it to my room in the middle of the night.

Here's the most accurate (general) answer I can give:

I can't guarantee that if you want your bags late at night that you'll get them late at night (it might have to wait 'til morning).

HOWEVER, if you DON'T want your bags late at night, I can guarantee that you can get them held 'til morning.

Generally speaking, it seems the Value resorts' Luggage Assistance departments might stop luggage delivery after 11 p.m. or so. But the Moderate and Deluxe resorts have true Bell Services that run 24 hours a day. If you are staying at a Value, you might have to wait.

No matter where you are staying, if you CHOOSE to have your bags held (so you don't get dusturbed while sleeping), it's very easy to accomplish that ... at your resort, simply request that your bags be held 'til morning.

Disney says to expect your DME bags about 3 hours after you check-in at your resort. If your plane lands at 9, you're looking at being at your resort around 10 or 10:30, meaning you can expect the luggage by 1:30 a.m.

WHen I landed at 10 p.m., we got to POFQ at 11. I MEANT to ask to have the bags held, but I forgot. At 1:16 a.m. (I'll never forget the sight of the clock!), the phone rang ... it was Bell Services asking if we wanted our bags now or later. "Um ... later please." I called for our bags at 6:30 a.m. and they were there 5 minutes later.

Also, keep in mind that if you let DME handle your checked bags, Disney takes care of the tip for the cast member who delivers that luggage to your room. So even if it seems "cheap," you really have no need to tip the CM who brings you your DME-tagged bags in the morning. You might feel funy not tipping, but that CM is very well aware that he/she is receiving a payment from Disney for that service (they call it a "GTY" ... don't know what it stands for, but I hear they are widely sought after).

[Puget Peach]

Originally Posted by mrsmouse

Has anyone found Magical Express to be a painful experience? I've heard pros and cons. We have a family vacation of 10 planned and are planning on using it; however, not sure based on some of the posts I've read throughout the web. Any thoughts from anyone?

I think that sometimes people using ME don't normally travel on public transportation. I must tell you that I think ME does an exceptional job of moving alot of people very efficiently. That being said, the excitement of being so very close to Disney World but sitting in the bus at the airport while it fills up can be very frustrating. The buses are NOT Disney owned, but contracted through Mears, so the driver is NOT a cast member. I used Mears (prior to ME) and the new ME version is vastly improved. If you would not get on a bus in a city vacation destination, you may not be a good candidate to avail yourselves of the ME services and various opinions will reflect a wide range of met and unmet expectations. Point is, you get to Disney Property without additional planning and expense or lugging all your suitcases through the airport. If you stop and think about the time you wait at the carousel for your bags, I don't think you spend any more time than that waiting on the bus. I love the service, but consider that I take a public bus, a ferry, and then another public bus just to get to the airport. Your mileage will vary.

[smallworld]

We have used the ME transportation system 3 (4?) times now but we never arrive late at night. They say you should plan not to have your luggage in your room for a couple hours, whether or not you arrive during the day or at night. This last trip a few weeks ago, I made my ressies too late to get a luggage tag so we had to pick up our bags at claim ourselves. Not really hard at all to do actually.

So, my advice would be that if you are arriving late at night, you pick up your bags at baggage claim before preceeding to check in at the ME desk. That way, your bags will definitely get on the same bus you do, and if the bell staff cant get it to your room right away, you can take it yourself.

Just a thought.

Smallworld

[momofaprincess]

Just wanted to update with a new # -- since I've had to call 3 times now because our Magical Express pack has still not arrived!!!

1-866-599-0951

The number that is on the first page is for group reservations.

[nubeanie]

my parents are flying in at 9:30am tommorrow. we are meeting them at the resort since we're driving. what time should we try and get there at? we live 2.5 hours away...

[VickieMouse]

I have found that the ME can be quick on some trips and quite time consuming on others. I have gotten off my plane and walked right on the ME but I have also waited in a long line to check in for the ME and another long line to get on the bus.

I would say it will take your parents probably about an hour to an hour and a half to get to the resort via the ME.

It is super convenient but can take some time.

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by nubeanie

my parents are flying in at 9:30am tommorrow. we are meeting them at the resort since we're driving. what time should we try and get there at? we live 2.5 hours away...

The should be at their resort about 90 minutes after landing.