The Excitment Builds when the Luggage Tags Arrive!

You've checked your reservations over and over again on-line at www.disneyworld.com and fawn over all the little details, making countdown calendars, for dining, special activities, advanced dining reservations. You've made that final payment and now all you can think about is the mail. You're waiting anxiously for those luggage tags from Disney's Magical Express. It even makes going to the mailbox exciting amidst the bills and flyers...even all that seems trivial in comparison to receiving those luggage tags.

The day finally comes when you open that mailbox and there it is, the Magical Express envelope containing those blessed little tags just for you and your family. That is a moment of elation, one where I can't wait to photograph the whole opened package which I can't wait to post on various social media sites. You know all your friends will be happy and excited for you as your vacation draws near. My extended family still doesn't get it. I sometimes wonder if they realize how sincerely happy and excited my Disney trips make me and my immediate family. How we really economized just to be able to indulge in these trips, how my husband works so hard and picks up as much over-time as he can to be able to take us on a Disney vacation. They don't get it and I'm past that kind of energy because I'M GOING BACK TO MY HAPPY PLACE!!!!

                                                                           

Now, I can add this to my travel folder with all my Disney goodies that accompanies me on every trip.

Disney's Magical Express is a wonderful service, which has for now been extended at no cost to guests until 2015. This service should be requested when booking through Disney Reservations or through your Travel Agent and when you are able, you'll need to provide flight information. If you haven't booked this service yet, you'll need to take care of this at least 10 days prior to your arrival.

Before leaving your home for Walt Disney World, place the Magical Express luggage tags on your luggage. They provide you with one tag for each member of your family but if you need more just call them at 407-W-DISNEY or speak to your Travel Agent. Tags must be put on all baggage intended to be checked on the airplane.

Once you arrive at Orlando International, simply de-plane, catch the shuttle to the Main Terminal Building on B side level 1, by-pass luggage claim (woo hoo) and proceed to the Disney Welcome Center. Please have your transfer vouchures and photo identification within easy access. The Cast Members with the blue jackets and large Mickey hands will wave you to your proper resort line to await your motorcoach. I get super excited at this point and am always at least ten paces ahead of my stragglers (as if that will get them to move faster...not!)

                                                                         

If you've already received your vouchures then you'll be directed to the resort lines to wait for your bus. The lines are clearly marked with resort names and depending on the area, they group resorts together.

 If your flight arrives after 10 p.m., you'll have to go to Baggage Claim, retrieve your luggage, and then take the elevator down one level to the Disney Welcome Center, where you'll be greeted as normal by a Cast Member who'll then direct you accordingly.

                                                                           
Once on the Magical Express motorcoach, sit back, relax and enjoy the videos of Mickey and the Gang giving you some important tips. Before you know it you'll be going under that wonderful, wonderful welcome gate with Mickey and Minnie on either side and you're officially at Walt Disney World Resort!!!!!

                                                                           

You're FINALLY here! Once you check into your Disney resort, head out and do what you like while you're room is being prepared for you. Hopefully, you've packed a Day Bag with important items, such as medications, sunscreens, hats, sunglasses, bathing suits. This comes in handy while you wait for your luggage to arrive, which normally takes a few hours to arrive in your room. Go have fun!

On your return trip, Disney's Magical Express will pick you up from your resort at least 3 hours before your departure time. You'll receive a letter in your resort room the day before your departure explaining procedures. Disney offers a Resort Airline Check In service to resort guests. This service allows you to check your luggage in right from your resort and Disney will see that it gets on your flight safely. They have these booths at every Disney resort and here, the Cast Members will weigh your luggage, tag it with your flight information, and give you your boarding passes. A fee might apply if you're over your luggage weight restriction. The following airlines are on the list: Air Canada, Aer Lingus, AirTran, Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, United and US Airways. I believe that Southwest is now on that list too.

This is the sign you should look for at your resort when you're ready to leave. :(

Once you arrive at Orlando International, you can by-pass the Airline Check In Counter and head to the Security screening and then onto your gate. There is also last minute shopping at the airport Disney Store for those items you forgot to buy back at the World.

I'll share a little tip with you. Check for Bounceback Offers, usually found on your resort table or near the T.V. I always find one and book the next trip before I leave the current one. This makes leaving a little easier because you know you'll be back!