What to Expect when taking Disney's Magical Express
One of the things I love about Walt Disney World is if you fly there (into Orlando International) and are staying at one of their resorts, you get free transportation to your resort. The Disney magic starts as soon as you step off the plane in Orlando! Normally for any checked baggage that you have, it is magically transported to your resort. However, current Covid protocols have you picking up your own luggage before heading to the Magical Express area.
When you make your Disney resort reservation you can add the Magical Express transportation option at that time. Once you know your flight info you’ll want to update your reservation with the airline and arrival information. Be sure to let them know if your flight number changes. This is happening more often during Covid times as airlines adjust to capacities. Once your trip is close you’ll receive arrival instructions in the mail. Once the luggage protocols go back to normal, you’ll also receive luggage tags for you and everyone in your party to put on your checked baggage. This alerts the staff at Orlando International that they are going to be picked up by Disney and therefore won’t go to the regular baggage claim area. Once you drop your bag off at your home airport, the next time you see it will be in your Disney resort room! Be sure to put the Magical Express letter that you received in the mail in your carry on bag - along with your magic band - so the Cast Members in Orlando can look up your information easier.
Once your trip is close you’ll receive this Magical Express letter in the mail along with luggage tags.
When you are off the plane you’ll follow the easy-to-find signs in Orlando International Airport to Disney’s Magical Express. Try not to get distracted by the Disney stores - you’ll have plenty of time to visit those before your return flight. 😂
The signs will lead you to the elevators and you’ll select Level 1 to go to. Once you’re on Level 1 there will be more signs directing you where to go. As you walk in that direction you will see desks with logos of Mickey in his Magical Express cap awaiting your arrival.
At the check in desk you’ll give the cast member your Magical Express letter and show them your Magic Band. Once they verify your information, they’ll direct you to a row to wait in. This row number will correspond with your resort. You’ll see your resort name near the front of the line. They have TV’s with all sorts of Disney information to watch while you wait on your bus.
Once your bus has arrived and is ready to be boarded, a cast member will direct you to get on. With current Covid protocols, you will likely be assigned a seat. The bus driver will assist you in putting any bags or strollers in the storage area in the bottom of the bus before boarding.
Once on the bus, just sit back and relax! The TV on the bus will give you more information about Disney and the bus ride itself. Every bus will drop off at multiple resorts but the bus driver will tell you the order so you’ll know when it’s your turn.
Relax and enjoy some Disney cartoons on the way to your resort!
Once you are at your resort a cast member will assist you with any luggage you may have below the bus. If your room isn’t ready you can have the front desk hold your bag(s) for you.
One to two days before your departure date you’ll find a Magical Express envelope on your resort room door. This envelope will contain your departure information. It will tell you what time you need to be at your resort’s main building for pick up. Again, your bus will go by multiple resorts so the time could be earlier than you would expect. If you want to spend your final hours in the parks you can leave your luggage with the front desk until your departure time.
The ride back to the airport will be similar to the arrival route - your bus will have multiple resorts to pick up at and you’ll have Disney cartoons to watch on the TVs. You’ll be dropped off at one spot at the airport and from there you can navigate to your airline counter or to the security area. The way back to the airport is often called the Magical Depress or the Tragical Express. And I couldn’t agree more because it means your Disney trip is over. But, you can take the time on the ride to start planning your next magical adventure!