Last month we talked about ways to get to Walt Disney World and this month, we will explore how to get around once you arrive.
If you fly to Disney and are staying at a Walt Disney World resort, your first transportation will be Disney’s Magical Express. Just as the name applies, this Express will whisk you to a magical place – your hotel! This service is free to all guests staying on Walt Disney World property. Just check with your travel agent or Walt Disney World when you book your rooms for reservations. They will need to know your airline, flight number and arrival and departing times. Before you leave home you will receive a package with tags and instructions on how the process works. The tags will be for any luggage you will be checking at the airport. Be sure to attach these to your suitcases, so they are easily be identified once they (and you) arrive at MCO (Orlando International Airport).
Once your flight lands in Orlando, make your way off the shuttle and into the main building at Orlando International Airport. The easy to read signs saying Disney Magical Express will direct you to Level 1, Terminal B. Be sure and have your magic bands available since they are linked to all of your reservation details. Once your magic bands are scanned, you will be instructed which line will take you to your hotel. Oh and don’t worry about your checked luggage – it will be delivered to your hotel room within about 4 hours. Be sure to have what you may need before it arrives, such as all your magic bands, medicine, bathing suits if you plan to go swimming and anything else you may need within that time period. Disney’s Magical Express bus service runs 24 hours, although if you are arriving after 10 p.m. your bags will NOT be transported by Disney’s Magical Express and you will need to pull them yourself before getting on your bus. And even if you arrive early evening, I would still advise that you pull your bags and bring them with you on the bus, since you don’t want someone knocking on your door with your luggage at 11 p.m.!
We took the Magical Express the last 2 trips and were very happy with the service and speed of getting to the hotel. Expect to catch Disney’s Magical Express for your departing trip (commonly referred to as the “Tragical Express” for this leg) about 3 hours before your flight leaves. You will receive a note to your room indicating the time to meet the bus at your hotel, on your last day. This time frame can change depending on if you are flying international or domestic. And in case you are wondering, these are luxurious tour buses and are very comfortable. They even will have shows to watch on your trip to the hotel and back to the airport. Each bus will have stops at several hotels once on Disney property, so depending on which hotel you are staying at, you could be the first or last stop or someplace in between. We actually enjoyed this part – it allowed us to see the other hotels along the way.
Once you’ve checked in, the most common way to get around Walt Disney World Resort is using the Walt Disney World bus service. These buses can take all around Disney property. The bus stops are clearly marked at each hotel and park, and will also let you know to which location each bus will going. Bus service from the hotels will begin about 45 minutes before park opening and run to well after park closing. When in doubt, just check with a Cast Member at the parks or Guest Service at each hotel for hours. Luggage and alcohol beverages are not allowed on the buses.
Each bus is equipped with spaces for scooters or wheelchairs and these guests will be loaded first. All strollers must be easily folded and out of the aisles. If you are taking a bus either first thing in the morning when the parks are at their busiest or after the parks close and returning guest to the hotels, don’t be surprised if you will need to stand. It is amazing how many people they can get on each bus! For those sitting, giving your seat to an older adult or someone holding a child, will be very much appreciated. Don’t worry, there are plenty of handles and poles to hold on to and straps along a top bar if you can reach higher.
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Debbie and her husband live in Collegedale, TN where her youngest son is going to college. She is a huge Disney fan who dreams of someday retiring and working as a tour guide at Walt Disney World. She has enjoyed many trips to WDW with children, grandchildren and sometimes adults only. It is her ultimate goal to make sure everyone who visits WDW has the same magical time that she enjoys every time she visits.
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