UPDATE!  Disney has committed to continue this service through 2011! (Source: Screamscape.com, Sept. 2006)

I'm surprised how many people aren't aware of this free service!

If you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort, and are flying into Orlando, WDW offers the Magical Express Service.

If you're planning on staying on Disney property through your entire vacation - and even if you plan a day trip away from WDW - this is a wonderful way to save money, time and hassle.

At least a month before your trip to WDW, once you know your flight numbers and which resort you're staying, call Disney at their main number: (407) W DISNEY.  Tell them you're wanting to register for the Magical Express Service.  They will require your name, the flight numbers, dates and times of both your arrival and departure, and the Walt Disney World resort where you will be staying.

In a week or two, you'll receive special Magical Express luggage tags.  Place them on all your luggage and once you check them in at your home airport, you can forget about them entirely.  Disney picks them up at the Orlando terminal and transports them to your resort for free - and then to your room.

Once you arrive in Orlando, go to the luggage and car rental level of the airport and look for the Magical Express Service counter.  You'll be placed in a queue line depending on which resort you'll be staying.  At this point, Disney loads you on a bus and once your particular bus is full (10-20 minutes maximum) you're off to WDW.

Along the way, people are entertained by Mickey Mouse and his friends via in-bus televisions.  For first-time Guests to WDW, it's a great way to become acquainted with the four parks, extra activities and general information about the resort area.  For veterans, it's just a wonderful way to start the "magic" without having to fight the traffic yourself.  Tipping the bus driver is not required, but a nice gesture especially if you have carry-on luggage stored underneath the bus.

Once you arrive at your resort, you can go through the normal check-in process with your resort.  Your luggage should arrive within an hour or so.  We normally leave a tip for the delivery people ($1/bag) in our room, along with a note of thanks.

Returning Home

Heading back home is just as convenient with Magical Express.

Talk about convenience!  Depending on the airline you're using, you may be able to check your bags at your Disney resort and they'll take care of bringing them through security and all.  You'll need to be at the resort's lobby at least 3 hours before your flight departs (Disney will inform you of when they want you there), but the convenience far outweighs the time factor.  The next time you'll see your luggage is back in your hometown.

Advantages, Disadvantages & Solutions

The Magical Express Service is a great service from Disney.  But there's of course a reason for their "gift" to Guests.  And depending on how you like to vacation, it can be a blessing or take some additional planning.

Advantages -- MES is very convenient, if you're going to stay on Disney property the entire time.  You don't have to rent a car to get from the airport - or use one of the transport services such as Mears - and you don't have to deal with the hassle of standing around, waiting for your luggage.  It's also very convenient when checking out of your Disney resort, and allows you to start the relaxation of your Disney vacation from the moment you arrive at the airport (instead of having to fight the Orlando traffic, tolls and crazy vacation drivers).

Disadvantages - Using the MES means you have no transportation if you want to spend time off of Disney property (thus, the reason for Disney's kindness in transporting you to their resort from the airport.  This means, if you were wanting to do shopping off Disney property (where there are some great Disney outlets selling some of the same items as sold in the parks for less), or traveling to Universal Studios or Sea World - or any of the other great entertainment in the area - you're stuck... or are you?

One Solution - We found a cost-effective solution that gave us flexibility while saving us money was to rent a car for one day from Alamo.  They have a location ON Walt Disney World property at the Dolphin resort.  The cost of renting a compact vehicle for one day was under $30 and it gave us the freedom needed for a day away from WDW.  To get to the Dolphin, travel to any of the parks or to Downtown Disney, catching Disney bus transportation to the Dolphin resort.  Of course, if planning on renting a car, reserve the car in advance to assure getting the size you need at the price you want.

Getting around Walt Disney World is simple without a personal vehicle...so unless you're planning on doing extensive exploring off WDW property, the Magical Express Service is wonderful!

If you learned something from this article, I'd appreciate you marking it HELPFUL below.