Everything you need to know about Disney’s Magical Express.
What is Disney’s Magical Express?
Disney’s Magical Express is a free motorcoach service that can take Walt Disney World Hotel guests from Orlando Intl. Airport to their hotel and then back to the airport when their stay is over. The service includes baggage retrieval and delivery to your hotel room from the airport with proper tagging on checked baggage (read more below).
On the ride from the airport to your hotel (approximately 45 minutes) you’ll be treated to nice cool air conditioning, some fun TV, and of course the amazing Disney service we’ve all come to love. Typically guests will make a Magical Express reservation in advance to ensure room on the bus and to arrange for their checked baggage to be taken care of. Last minute requests and even on the spot reservations are available too.
Where can it take me?
Disney’s Magical Express can take you to all the Walt Disney World Property Hotels. The only exclusions are the Swan and Dolphin Hotels. They are technically not managed by Disney anyway so keep that in mind. Here’s Disney’s list of hotels included for Magical Express drop-off and pick-up:
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
- The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
What if I booked through a 3rd party?
Guests who booked their hotel through 3rd party companies such as Expedia, Priceline, Hotels.com, Booking.com, and others can still use Disney’s Magical Express. You will need to get your hotel confirmation number from either the hotel company you booked with or by calling Disney at (407) 939-1936 and telling the system you have an existing reservation. A Cast Member will tell you your Disney confirmation number. Keep in mind that some 3rd party reservations can take up to 72 hours before entering Disney’s system.
With your confirmation number you’ll want to call (407) 939-1936 and tell the system you’re wanting to make a Magical Express Reservation. A Cast Member will assist. Be sure to have your flight info available as they will need this. Occasionally the link to make online reservations works but a lot of times it becomes expired. A simple Google search for “make magical express reservations online” will get you the correct page with the first result.
What about my luggage?
If you make a Disney’s Magical Express reservation far enough in advance you will be mailed luggage tags and a map. The tags can be placed on any checked baggage you’re bringing. After checking the baggage at the airport you don’t need to worry about it again. Disney will automatically pick-up your luggage at Orlando Intl. Airport and have it delivered to your hotel room. This is always a weird concept so we’ll say it again:
You don’t need to go to the baggage carousel at Orlando Intl. Airport to pick-up your luggage. Disney will do this for you and even deliver it right to your hotel room. Keep in mind that this service can delay your luggage by 2-3 hours after you have arrived at your hotel meaning, you won’t have access to that luggage for approximately 2-3 hours after checking in at the hotel. Any items you may need between checking your baggage and checking in to the hotel and a few hours after this you will want to keep with you.
This service is only offered between the hours of 5am and 10pm. Arrivals outside these hours does require you to pick-up your own luggage.
Where is Disney’s Magical Express located at Orlando Intl. Airport?
Always a great question.
Take the train from your arrival gate to the main terminal. You will be on Level 3. Between 5:00 AM and 10:00 PM, head directly to Disney’s Magical Express, located in the Ground Transportation Area on Side B, Level 1. Guests arriving on Side A of the airport are advised to cross to Side B before proceeding down to Level 1.
What if I didn’t make a Magical Express Reservation?
Not to fear. Disney is prepared to take you to your hotel anyway! Just let the Cast Member know you don’t have a reservation. They’ll get you on the next available motorcoach.
