One of the perks to staying on site during your Disney World Vacation is taking the Magical Express Bus From The Airport to Walt Disney World. The Magical Express is a fleet of motor coaches operated by Mears Transportation for the Walt Disney World company. The motor coaches will take you directly to the lobby of your Disney World Resort for FREE!
When you book your Disney World reservation, just let them know that you would like to use the Magical Express service. You will be sent your Magical Express confirmation in the mail along with your luggage tags. There will be a note of the Magical Express use with your reservation, so you can access Magical Express with your Magic Band! If you use the luggage tags provided by Disney’s Magical Express service, you can head straight to the bus when you arrive at MCO. Your luggage will be picked up by the Magical Express and will arrive in your room a few hours later, like magic!
When you land at the airport, follow the signs to the Disney’s Magical Express Welcome Center in the Main Terminal Building, B side, Level 1. Upon checking in, you will scan your Magic Band or show your confirmation letter. You will then be directed to your resorts queue. Keep in mind that you will share the bus with other resorts on property (usually it’s only up to 4).
Once you are on the Magical Express, you can sit back and relax and watch this super cute movie featuring Disney characters. Hopefully you will also get a funny bus driver too. The ride will take you about 30 minutes.
Upon arriving at your Disney resort, you will be able to head straight to the lobby to check in or skip the lobby if you already completed your online check in (they will text you when your room is ready). A few hours later, your luggage will magically arrive in your room. I highly recommend that you pack at least one change of clothes in your carry on since there is no telling how long it will take the luggage to arrive.
If you want to head to the parks after the Magical Express drops you off, just ask Luggage Services to hold your carry ons for you. They will give you a pick-up tag and when you get to your resort room later that evening, you can call Luggage Services and they will deliver it to your room.
Towards the end of your trip, usually the day before you leave, Magical Express will slide an envelope under your door. This will include your return trip confirmation. On the day of departure, take your luggage to the Magical Express station at your resort. They will provide luggage tags and can hold your luggage for you until the motor coach arrives. The Magical Express will pick you up 3-4 hours prior to your flight time for domestic flights and 4 hours prior to your flight time for international flights.
Keep in mind that children must be 12 years of age or older to ride alone.
Learn more about the transportation around the Walt Disney World parks.
Learn more about planning your Walt Disney World vacation. Plus overwhelmed with all the planning? Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect trip.
Tonya says
I am going for a conference and the hotel is already booked and paid for. Can I still use the magic express service?
Amber says
ive used the magic express and we love it the only thing was that we had an early flight and ended up on the bus at 3 on the morning and my daughter threw up everywhere, there is a bathroom on board but no bags and since it’s not always easy to get to the bathroom in time it would’ve been nice if there were some bags
Christine says
Great website and great advice for those traveling to Disney, love the idea of using the ME for transportation no need to worry about luggage to and from the airport. Thank you for a great site..I will definitely be back to read more..
Cyndi says
we had a great experience with this the last time we were there. They actually came with a van to our room and pick us and our bags up, we didn’t touch them again until the airport
Kate says
We traveled on the ME when we visited last month. It was AWESOME! There’s no need to deal with the hassle and headache of picking up your luggage and lugging it around the airport. It also saves you SO much time. When we arrived at Pop, we headed to the express check-in line and 10 minutes later we were in our room to check things out, then we were off to the park. When we got back later that evening, our luggage was in the room. I HIGHLY recommend taking advantage of this FREE service
Shannon says
Just a heads up, if you are staying at Shades of Green the express is not available.
Cara P. says
I went to Disney/Universal with a few of my friends this past summer and this was the best thing ever! While we didn’t take the bus to the hotel, they did take our luggage to our rooms. Since we only had 3 full days in Florida, it saved so much time not having to worry about our luggage the first day. We did end up taking the bus back to the airport, which was nice because we had to be at the airport by 5am. Such a life saver though!
Carol McLean says
I LOVE taking the Magical Express :) In fact, for my upcoming trip in March, I will be travelling with my son, my daughter, son-in-law and 6yr old grandaughter. The family will be renting a car to get to the resort, but I will be using the Magical Express and have the 6yr old with me on the bus, so she can experience the trip (it’s her first visit). Thanks for writing this article :) p.s LOVE your Tye-dye shirt :)
Katie R says
We’ve used Magical Express for the last 3 trips we’ve taken and will again for the next one coming up in May. Beware of the wait time for luggage. If your flight arrives in Orlando late, make sure you have enough toiletries and/or pjs in your carry-on because it will still take your luggage a few hours to make it to your room. The front desk will hold your luggage until you call in the morning, if you request it. My other piece of advice is that although leaving earlier in the day may give you time to settle in on the home side of your trip, getting picked up at 4 AM to catch your 7 AM flight is a rough way to end a vacation! We’ve learned and don’t pick flights earlier than noon to give us a more relaxed morning.
Cynthia Phillips says
we loved using the Magical Express. The whole week. But it was really great in the airport. and not havinag totote the luggage on the bus or pay extra for a cab. and best of all it’s FREE when you stay on property