I love Disney’s Magical Express, Disney World’s complimentary bus service between the Orlando International Airport and Disney World Resorts.
Note: Disney’s Magical Express will be ending! Reservations beginning on 1 January 2022 will no longer receive Magical Express service!
A new paid third party option starts 1 January 2022. See: Mears Connect
Disney’s Magical Express is a service that Disney provides exclusively to those staying in Disney Owned Hotels, it is not available for Shades of Green Guests, but those using Disney’s Armed Forces Salute discount at Walt Disney World Resorts are eligible.
Shades of Green guests should see this page.
Grab a Free Ride from Mickey, from Orlando Intl. Airport to WDW
Note: During the current operating situation, Magical Express luggage service from your departure airport to your room is not available.
See our special pages on the current situation that are linked at the top of this post!
Note: Disney World has announced that Disney’s Magical Express will be ending! Reservations beginning on 1 January 2022 will no longer receive Magical Express service!
How to Find the Magical Express
When you arrive at your airline arrival gate at the Orlando International Airport, follow the signs for baggage claim.
You’ll board an elevated subway like train which will take you to the main terminal. Once you pass out of the secure area you’ll enter a large atrium. In this atrium there is an Official Disney Store, called the “Earport.” You will be on level 3 of the airport. Baggage claim is on level 2 and transportation is on level 1.
See our Guide to Orlando International Airport
Walt Disney World’s Earport
There are 2 “Terminals” at the airport A & B. They are on opposite sides of this central atrium area. Each has its own baggage claim area and transportation areas. Continue to follow the baggage claim signs to your Baggage Claim area (either A or B). You’ll go down the escalator to level 2.
Disney’s Magical Express is on the B side. So if you are picking up your bags on the A side, after getting your bags you’ll go back up to level 3 and cross over to the B Side.
If your baggage area is on the B side, you’ve picked up you bags on the A side, or you only have carryon proceed to the level 1 transportation area on the B side.
You’ll then see signs directing you to Disney’s Magical Express, which is at the far end.
Once you are there step up to the counter to check in. You will need the Magical Express letter that you received in the mail ahead of time or a Magic Band to check in. They can also look up your reservation, but that takes a little longer.
Once checked in, the Disney castmembers there will direct you to one of several numbered lines.
Each line is for a specific Disney Resort. After a wait you’ll board a bus to your resort. These buses make several Resort stops and your Resort might not be the first one.
The driver will take your luggage and place it in the cargo area of the bus for you.
While you are enroute to your hotel there will be Disney videos playing in the bus.
The bus has charging stations at each seat (they don’t always work) and a bathroom if needed.
Once the bus arrives at your hotel just hop off and the driver will get your bags for you. Tipping is encouraged.
Now you can check in if you haven’t checked in online, or you can head right to the theme parks if you are going to use your tickets that day. If not your could do one of the many free or low cost things to do at WDW and save your theme park ticket for the next day.
Departure Letter
On your departure day the service works essentially the same.
The day prior to check out a letter will be hung on your room door telling you when and where to catch your bus to the airport (usually about 3 hrs prior to your plane’s departure time). Your luggage will ride with you this time.
You or a bell hop will bring your luggage to your pickup location. The bus driver will load the bags on the bus for you.
Once at the airport the driver will get you bags for you and you’ll then take thems to the airline check-in area yourself.
Note: Disney’s Magical Express must be booked at least 10 days prior through disneyworld.com, the Disney Reservations Center by calling 407-W-DISNEY or your travel agent.
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This MDT Post By: Steve Bell Steve is the the Military Disney Tips Founder. He a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way. Check out Steve's Bio. Subscribe to Steve's email newsletter to get website updates and news by clicking this link. |
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:
- Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation Guide
- Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist
- Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
- Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
- Dining Overview Page
- Transportation Overview Page
- Technology Overview Page
- Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort
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I had a totally (and unpleasant) experience with the Disney Magical Express when we arrived at Orlando. It should be noted, for disabled or elderly patrons that the DME location is at the very end of the 2nd airport building, so there is a LOT of walking to get to it. A LOT!
Also, we had to stand in line for some time just to get our line number. After that, we stood in the next line for an hour waiting for our bus. By the time I could finally sit down, I wished I had just rented a car (the car rental counters are before the DME location) and driven to WDW.
The return trip was better, other than the DMW video not functioning properly. But if you’re flying on one of the listed airlines, you don’t need to take your bags onto the bus. You need to check them at the resort a little over 3 hours before your flight time, as the resort has you leaving 3+ hours before. They will then worry about getting your bags to the airport and onto your plane.
Thanks of the report Peggy
Are you saying in the article above that if I am using the military Salute tickets AND staying at Shades of Green I can use the Magic Express bus to get to Shades? A little confused.
Hi there Linda,
No, as noted in the post, “Disney’s Magical Express is a service that Disney provides exclusively to those staying in Disney Owned Hotels, it is not available for Shades of Green Guests.”
Shades of Green is not a Disney owned Hotel, it is owned by the DoD.
There is no free provided transportation to Shades, you’ll have to obtain and pay for your transport.
Thank you. I see where I read it wrong. It was when you use Salute tickets and staying at the resorts.
You bet, thanks for visiting the site!