Special Info for these Crazy Times:
Big News:
Everything is Different at WDW since it Reopened See these Posts to see what's different!
- Planning and Executing Your Walt Disney World Vacation During These Trying Times
- Our Return to Walt Disney World
- Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World
- Using the Walt Disney World Theme Park Reservation System
I recently had the opportunity to use Disney’s Magical Express, Disney World’s complimentary bus service between the Orlando International Airport and Disney World Resorts. I have to say the experience was great and the trip seamless!
I usually drive to WDW but on this occasion I flew into Orlando. So this was my first ever time using this service.
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 WDW 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 there have been changes to Disney Transportation.
- Magical Express luggage to room service is not available
See our special pages on the current situation that are linked at the top of this post!
If you’ll be checking luggage on your flight into Orlando you should advise Disney or your travel agent how many bags that you will be checking when making your resort reservation.
Prior to your travel date you’ll receive special luggage tags in the mail. When you place these on your bags it identifies them as bags destined for Walt Disney World and they will bypass the regular baggage claim area and go directly to the Magical Express area.
Your bags will be loaded for you onto a bus heading for your hotel and will be placed in your room. This will not necessarily be the bus that you are on, so hand carry anything that you might need before your bags get to your room.
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 a monorail 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”.
Walt Disney World’s Earport
You’ll continue to follow the baggage claim signs down the escalator. Then follow the signs for ground transportation, not baggage claim it is ahead to the right and down a second escalator. You’ll then see signs directing you to Disney’s Magical Express.
Note: If you arrive after 10 PM luggage service will not be available. You will need to claim your luggage yourself and take it with you to the Welcome Center for Disney’s Magical Express.
It is at the far end of the building (a bit of a walk).
Once you are there step up to the counter to check in. the Disney castmembers there will quickly look up your reservation, give you a bus ticket, and direct you to one of several numbered lines.
Each line is for a specific bus which is destined for a different set of hotels. These buses make several hotel stops and your hotel might not be first.
I had minimal waiting through this whole process and my bus was on the way within 10 minutes of my arrival at the counter.
While you are enroute to your hotel there will be introductory videos for Disney World playing in the bus.
Once the bus arrives at your hotel just hop off and check in. you can then head to the theme parks if you are going to use your tickets that day, or do one of the many free or low cost things to do at WDW and save your theme park ticket for the next day.
On your departure day the service works essentially the same.
The day prior to check out you’ll be told when and where to catch your bus to the airport (about 2 hrs 45 min prior to your plane’s departure time). Your luggage will ride with you this time.
You or a bell hop will bring it to your pickup location. Once at the airport you’ll then take your bags to the airline check-in area yourself.
It is possible to both check in for your airline and check your bags to your destination right at your Disney hotel for participating Air Carriers. Check with the Bell Hop Staff.
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- JetBlue Airways
- Southwest Airlines
- United Air Lines
- US Airways
For those flying into Orlando International and Staying at a Disney Resort, I highly recommend this complimentary service!
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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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!