Skip to Content

How Magical Express works at Disney World (Magical Express ended in 2022)

How Magical Express works at Disney World (Magical Express ended in 2022)

So, you’ve made your resort reservations and booked your flights. Now, how will you get from the airport to your resort?

Thankfully, Disney has thought about that and offers its own transportation called Magical Express.

This free service is one of the benefits of staying onsite, but whether it is the best option for you and your family depends on a few things. 

Check out the information below for all the details on how it works (and whether or not we recommend it).

IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Magical Express ended January 1, 2022

The complimentary shuttle service that transports Disney Resort hotel guests to and from the Orlando International Airport no longer offers service beginning with arrivals Jan. 1, 2022.

For trips originating January 2022 and beyond, Mears Transportation (the company that ran Magical Express for Disney) has their own service called “Mears Connect“.

Read more about how Mears Connect works.

mears connect shuttle at walt disney world
Photo courtesy of Mary Blair

There’s also a new service launching on Feb. 1, 2022 called “The Sunshine Flyer.”

It will offer both One-Way and Round-Trip reservations for adults and children. Children rates apply to children between the ages of 3 and 8. Children 2 and under ride free.

Read more about The Sunshine Flyer.

sunshine flyer orlando international airport

Luggage service and Resort Airline Check-in temporarily suspended

Disney has announced that Magical Express luggage service and Resort Airline Check-in will not be available during the initial reopening of Walt Disney World.

This means that if you are taking Magical Express, you will need to pick up your luggage from the luggage carousel and carry it with you to the bus. Additionally, you will not be able to check-in for your flight or check your bags at the resort on your departure day.

For the most updated info on traveling to Walt Disney World during 2021 and beyond, be sure to read our advice on what you need to know

What is Magical Express?

Magical Express is a service that operates 24/7 and provides free bus transportation between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and the Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

Off-site resorts, like the Swan, Dolphin, Shades of Green, and the Disney Springs-area hotels are not eligible for Magical Express.

In addition to transporting you and your family, in the past one of the big selling points of this service is that they will also transport your luggage so you don’t have to.

You could literally check your bags at your home airport and not see them again until they are delivered to your room.

Alas, since the reopening, this perk of Magical Express has been suspended. However, even without this handy part of the service, we still think Magical Express is a good option for families.

Note: guests also have always had the option of bringing their bags with them on the bus if they didn’t want to wait for them to be delivered—more on that below.

What to do before your trip

How Magical Express Works at Disney World

Sign up for the service

When you book your trip, you can specify that you want to use Magical Express and input your flight info then if you have it.

If you don’t specify this info when you book, you can go to Disney’s Magical Express website to sign up, at least 10 days before your trip begins (preferably much earlier – weeks in advance if you can).

Magical Express form

You can also call 866-599-0951 to sign up.

After you land in Orlando

Disney's Magical Express

Find the Magical Express area at the airport

Once you arrive at Orlando International Airport, you will navigate to level 1 of Terminal B to get on a bus (stop by your baggage claim first to retrieve your own bags).

Before going down any escalators, check to see which side you are on.

Magical Express sign

Both sides look very similar, and it is easy (even for frequent visitors) to accidentally wind up on the wrong side.

Once you’re on the B side of the terminal, then you can go down the escalators.

Look at the graphic below to see which airlines arrive on the A-side and which are on the B-side.

How Magical Express Works at Disney World

Get in your resort’s line

You will need to be wearing a mask and have your MagicBands or vouchers to check-in, so make sure you have those on you (and not in a checked bag!).

scanning Magic Band for Magical Express

You will then be directed to the line that corresponds to your resort, and you’ll board your bus when instructed.

Disney Magical Express

You will likely wait at least a little bit before the bus departs (up to 30-40 minutes), which will include both some time waiting in line and time waiting on the bus.

Take a bus ride

Once the bus departs, a video will play on the screens with Disney World info (this video annoys some people, but it helps you get excited about your trip).

Magical Express video players

After about 25-35 minutes or so, your bus will arrive at Disney World.

Each bus stops at a few resorts, so you could end up stopping a couple of times before arriving at your resort.

You should plan on budgeting up to 90-120 minutes from when you enter the line to the time you are dropped off at your resort.

Unload and tip

Once you arrive at your resort, the bags will be unloaded from the storage compartment.

Tips are appropriate for anybody who has helped to handle your bags at a rate of $1/bag.

Magical Express bags being unloaded

Cast Members will not ask for tips, but there is a sign on each bus saying that tips are accepted.

For more information, check out our guide on when to tip at Disney World.

At the end of your trip

Disney's Magical Express

Find out pick-up time

The day before you’re scheduled to depart, you’ll receive a note in your room telling you what time you’ll be picked up to go back to the airport.

Magical Express departure notice

The pick-up time is usually about 3 hours before (sometimes 4) your flight departs for domestic flights and 4 hours for international flights.

DO NOT MISS YOUR BUS.

You may not be able to use Magical Express if you miss the one you were supposed to take.

Use Luggage Bell Services

At this time, your only option is to bring your bags with you to the airport. 

If your flight departs later in the day and you want to spend time in the parks, you can use Luggage Bell Services in front of your resort to hold your luggage until you’re ready to go.

Bell Services

Just make sure you leave yourself a bit of time to pick up your luggage before Magical Express arrives to take you to the airport.

Luggage service (not currently available)

When luggage service was available, this is how it worked:

Get luggage tags and vouchers by mail

In the past, a few weeks before your trip, you would receive luggage tags in the mail that you would then affix to your bags.

However, currently, luggage service has been suspended, and until it resumes, you won’t receive luggage tags in the mail.

You’ll be responsible for retrieving your own bags when you arrive at Orlando International Airport.

Magical Express package envelope

When in use, the yellow luggage tags have a barcode with your resort information, and you would attach a tag to each piece of luggage to be retrieved.

Historically, you’d receive 1 tag per person, but if you need more than that, you could call 866-599-0951 to let them know you needed more.

Yellow Magical Express luggage tags

Note: If you wanted to get your own bags and carry them to the bus, you wouldn’t need to use the luggage tags.

In the past, people who arrived after 10 p.m. had to retrieve their own luggage. 

And what would happen if you didn’t get tags in the mail or you forgot to put them on your bags?

As long as you arrived in Orlando between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., you could provide your baggage claim numbers upon arrival at Magical Express, and they’d get your bags for you.

Good packing tip: spread items from each member of the travel group among all of the bags. That way, if a bag is lost, 1 person isn’t at a total loss. That applies any time you fly, but with the added step of being handled by Disney, it’s even more important. Anybody who encounters any issues, including lost bags, should call them at (866) 599-0951.

luggage cart at airport with yellow Magical Express luggage tags

* International guests (outside of the U.S. and Canada) will not receive vouchers and luggage tags in the mail but can still use Magical Express. These people will find it easier to retrieve their own bags at the baggage claim at the airport after clearing customs, but you can talk to the employees at the airport desk if you’d like your luggage picked up, and they will be able to help you.

Wait for your checked luggage to be delivered

When luggage service is available, there was a delay between when you would arrive and when your luggage would be delivered to your room.

In fact, sometimes, that process could take up to 4 hours or so.

The good news was you did not have to be in the room when your bags were delivered. If you weren’t there to answer the door, they would set them inside for you.

That delay meant that you had to be sure to have things with you that you might need while you wait.

Tipping is not required or even really possible with the people handling your checked bags because you would likely never see or interact with them.

Resort Airline Check-in (not currently available)

Another one of our favorite luggage services, Resort Airline Check-In, is also not currently available to guests. 

This service allowed guests flying on certain airlines to have the option to get boarding passes and check their bags for their flights at their resort.

Resort Airline Check In sign

Historically when operating, this convenient check-in service was available for the following airlines:

  • Alaska Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines (U.S. Domestic Flights Only)
  • JetBlue Airways
  • Southwest Airlines
  • United Airlines

And – definitely, if it comes back and you are booked on a participating airline, we highly recommend you give it a try.

Resort airline check-in

It makes the entire process of returning to the airport so much easier!

There is no word on when the luggage service will return to Magical Express or when Resort Airline Check-in will return to the resorts.

We know for many families (especially those with small children), the luggage service made arrival and departure days a lot easier to manage. 

That’s why we are hopeful we’ll see it come back someday.

Alternatives to Magical Express

If you don’t want to use Magical Express, you’ll have several other options, including rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft or renting a car.

Check out this comparison of airport pickup options to see what other choices you have.

FAQs about using Disney’s Magical Express

Can I take my child’s car seat on the bus?

If you have a car seat, it can be stowed under the bus with the other luggage, but it can’t be used on the bus seats.

Can Magical Express drop me off at one of the theme parks?

No. Magical Express can only drop you off at the resort where you have a room reservation.

How long does Magical Express take?

It can vary, but it typically isn’t super fast. We recommend budgeting up to 90-120 minutes from when you enter the line to the time you are dropped off at your resort.

What if I just want to take a bus 1 way and not round trip?

You can do that.

Can I take Magical Express to/from Disney World at a different time than when my flight is scheduled?

Yes, you can do that by either inputting other flight times when you make your ME reservation, or you can call them at 866-599-0951 to let them know what times you prefer. This is especially handy if you arrive late, want to stay at a hotel at the airport, and then take a bus to Disney World the next day.

Can Magical Express drop me off at a different resort than where I am staying?

Nope. Magical Express can only drop you off at the resort where you have a reservation.

What if I only want to have my luggage picked up at the airport and delivered to my resort, but I don’t want to ride a Magical Express bus?

Note: There is no luggage service currently available. However, we are leaving this information below in the hopes it does return.

Sorry, that’s not allowed. Many people would like to have their luggage transported to their resort and head straight to the parks in a rental car or taxi. If that’s your goal, I would suggest making a quick stop by car/taxi at your resort and leaving your luggage with luggage bell services right at the front of the resort, and then hopping back in your car/taxi to go to the park.

What if different parts of our group are arriving/leaving at different times?

They will be able to accommodate you. Make sure each name is on the room reservation and then give Magical Express the flight information for each person.

I’m flying into an airport other than Orlando International Airport. Can I still use Magical Express?

No, you won’t be able to.

What if I need to use the bathroom?

There is a bathroom on the bus.

What if I’m from another country and want my luggage picked up and delivered to the resort? 

Note: There is no luggage service currently available. However, we are leaving this information below in the hopes it does return.

If Orlando is your first entry in the U.S., you’ll need to claim your bags and clear customs. You will then give your luggage back to the airport officials, where you can either pick it up at the baggage claim or have Disney get it for you. Once you arrive at the Magical Express area, let them know you’d like them to get your bags, and they will.

If Orlando is not your first entry into the U.S., you can proceed just as domestic guests do – get your bags from baggage claim and take them to Magical Express, or you can just go straight to Magical Express and let them know you want them to get your bags.

Do we recommend Magical Express?

There are definitely times when it makes sense and other times when it doesn’t.

People who benefit the most tend to be those who:

  • Are on a strict budget and don’t want to add any extra costs for transportation
  • Have an interest in checking their bags at their home airport and don’t want to handle it again until they receive it at their resort (not currently available)
  • Don’t need a grocery stop
  • Won’t mind if it takes a little extra time to get to their resort

People who probably shouldn’t use it are those who:

Video: How Magical Express Works at Disney World

***********************

Have other questions or info to share? Please feel free to share in the comments.

The following products and services give us a commission on sales.

Get our free Quick Start Guide

Have our guide delivered right to your inbox with our 6-step Disney World planning process to make it less overwhelming. Snag our free guide ➡️

Take our course

Check out our course that will help you learn all about Walt Disney World planning with dozens of videos and downloadables for each step along the way. Get access now ➡️

Our recommend travel agency

We partner with Small World Vacations, Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacations Planners in business since 1996. Get a quote now ➡️

Want to stay deluxe on a moderate budget?

It’s 1 of our top fave ways to save! By renting DVC points, you can stay in deluxe accommodations for a fraction of the price. Check availability ➡️

Private car service

Quicksilver Tours will transport you in style. They assist with luggage at the airport, provide car seats, and include a free grocery stop. Book your car ➡️

Need a stroller, wheelchair, or scooter?

Buena Vista Scooters is a company with a great reputation who offers in-person resort drop off and pick up of strollers, scooters, and wheelchairs. Book your rental ➡️

Amazon recommendations

Check out our Amazon shop with trip essentials we love. Start shopping ➡️

WDW Prep merch

Get WDW Prep merch to show off your Disney knowledge (especially fun for spotting others during your trip!). Check out the WDW Prep merch shop ➡️

Shannon Albert
Click here to cancel reply.

Arielle

Sunday 7th of February 2021

I was just chatting with a disney rep who told me that I can take ME to a DS resort. But this article says I cant

Shannon Albert

Wednesday 17th of February 2021

You can in 2021, but not in 2022.

Liv

Sunday 28th of October 2018

If my flight arrives at MCO at 7:30 am and I am staying at All Star Movies, but I want to go to the park as soon as I arrive, how do i do that? Do I have to check into the hotel first and then take a bus to the park?

Gene

Thursday 9th of August 2018

What about handicap scooters? Can we bring them aboard?

Kris

Friday 20th of July 2018

What about a courtesy checked stroller. If we put the checked bag tag on that will it be delivered to the resort as well or would it be better to just wait around and get once it comes off the plane?

Amy

Monday 9th of April 2018

If we arrive in Orlando around 4:30 am, does that mean we cannot have our luggage transported to our hotel? Or do we pick up our own luggage and then get on the Magical Express bus?