I am a person who has been to Walt Disney World many times. I am considered enough of a Disney expert that I write for a Disney blog. The very one you’re reading now. But when I land at the Orlando International Airport, all of that expertise, that past experience, vanishes. Because I get lost on the way to the Magical Express every. single. time. Every single time, y’all!
Normally I have Mr. B with me, and he is a much better navigator. But on this recent Girls Trip it was just me, myself, and I, and none of us had any clue what we were doing.
Eventually, I did find my way. But not before I had to text my travel agent Elizabeth with an “SOS. Lost in Airport. Send help” text. Now that I’m safely there and back again, a Kristen B’s tale, let’s look at the mistakes that were made and how you can avoid them.
Look at the Map Magical Express Sends You
Obvious, no? Not to this Junior Wilderness Explorer! When you book with Disney’s Magical Express, they’ll send you some handy stuff in the mail. This includes luggage tags, your confirmation number and itinerary, and a map of MCO, with a dandy little Mickey on it to help you find your way. In my pride, I thought I didn’t need the map. Y’all, I needed the map.
Read the map before you go and maybe put it in your carry on.
Know Where You Are Going
Disney’s Magical Express is located in the Ground Transportation Area in Terminal B, Level 1.
If you arrive in Terminal B, take the train to the main terminal. There, you disembark on level 3 but you want to head to level 1. If you’re coming from Terminal A, you want to get over to Terminal B. Don’t ask me how. I was in Terminal B and I still ended up lost. Godspeed.
Read the Signs
There are a trillion signs all over the Orlando International Airport, but the only ones that matter to you have a little bus with a Mickey face on them. Follow those signs. Now, sometimes, the signs get tricky and disappear completely. Sometimes it’s like the signs were never there. Sometimes you might start to wonder if Magical Express is even real. But if you get turned around (which I did) the thing you want to find is sign with a Micky Bus.
If you are smart, like I was not, you would have your map with you and then you could use that in conjunction with the signs. Which I did not.
Document Your Progress
If, like me, you find yourself helplessly lost, take a picture. This will help ease the tension and also provide a very cute picture for your “Missing’ Sign.
Ask for Help (or, Follow People in Disney Gear)
This ended up being my saving grace. I saw a very nice looked retired couple, she with a Minnie Backpack and he with a Mickey shirt. I approached them slowly, so as not to spook them. “Excuse me,” I said in my most polite lost blogger voice, “would you happen to be heading to the Magical Express?”
“Yes, we are!” The wife laughed. “What gave us away?” We all laughed for a second and then they made to move away but I was hot on their heels. “Mind if I follow you?”
The three of us then made our way to the Magical Express, chatting merrily about how silly it was that I got lost for the 12th time. “You know,” the wife began, “we never go this way usually. So it’s a good thing we did or we wouldn’t have run into you. And who knows where you would be?”
Who knows indeed.
“You can’t blame yourself,” said the husband. “Remember, they used to have things on the floor that pointed the way. And this airport is so big.”
So true, new friend, so true.
My best advice is, if you get lost, find the nicest people who look like they’re also going to Disney World and let them shepherd you to safety.
There’s also help desks at the Orlando Airport, so that’ll work too.
Rejoice! You’ve Made It!
Have I ever been so happy to be told to go stand in line? No, I have not.
Once you find Magical Express, you’ll be swiftly checked in by a cast member who has no idea the drama you had to go through to find this place. Or maybe he does and he’s just trying to help you move on by not mentioning the crazed look in your eye.
At any rate, he’ll scan your MagicBand, and send you to a numbered queue to await your bus.
After a short wait, you’ll check in again with a separate cast member, who will direct you to the correct bus. There, you’ll be greeted by this beauty.
My bus driver thought it was hilarious I was taking pictures of the bus, and he goes, “You’re just happy to be here, eh?”
Sir, you have no idea.
Disney’s Magical Express is a terrific perk offered to guests who stay on site, and despite my lack of sense of direction, I highly recommend it to anyone staying at one of the Disney resorts. If you’re looking to book a Disney Vacation and have questions about the Magical Express, reach out to one of our amazing travel agents, Elizabeth Mallers or Erin Manor Johnson. They know how to get around all things Disney.
Have you ever gotten lost trying to find the Magical Express area? Were you the kind couple who took me under your wing? Tell me your Magical Express stories in the comments!
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey five years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!