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Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
How often do the ME bus run?
I can't seem to find this information on the website at all, so sorry if this seems like a silly question. 
TIA! 
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Posted 9/6/11 3:24 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
I am pretty sure they run continuously. At the airport, there's a check in counter where they assign buses based on the resort and head out after a certain time (I think 30 minutes) after the first guest gets on the bus. Going home, you schedule a pick up which is 3 hours before you flight time.
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| Posted 9/6/11 4:12 PM |
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
Posted by Christine
I am pretty sure they run continuously. At the airport, there's a check in counter where they assign buses based on the resort and head out after a certain time (I think 30 minutes) after the first guest gets on the bus. Going home, you schedule a pick up which is 3 hours before you flight time.
I got the airport thing down, just wondering how often they run to the parks from the resorts, if it's every half hour or every hour, etc.
I'm so stressed over this. This is the first time where we didn't rent a car....I'm already having regrets haha (because I am a control freak and the thought of relying on something /someone else makes me uneasy!)
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| Posted 9/6/11 4:23 PM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
"They" say every 20 minutes but it's usually less then that unless it's an off peak time or at Downtown Disney. For some reason the waits there are ridiculous. But they aren't on a schedule - you just show up to the depot and hope for the best.
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| Posted 9/6/11 4:49 PM |
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hazeleyes33
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 13060 total posts
Name:
Ginger
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
Posted by LadyBugN2Buggies
Posted by Christine
I am pretty sure they run continuously. At the airport, there's a check in counter where they assign buses based on the resort and head out after a certain time (I think 30 minutes) after the first guest gets on the bus. Going home, you schedule a pick up which is 3 hours before you flight time.
I got the airport thing down, just wondering how often they run to the parks from the resorts, if it's every half hour or every hour, etc.
I'm so stressed over this. This is the first time where we didn't rent a car....I'm already having regrets haha (because I am a control freak and the thought of relying on something /someone else makes me uneasy!)
ME does not run to the parks. That is just from the airport to the hotel.
The buses run every 10 mins as we were just there and that was the longest wait we had and that is what the woman told us at the hotel.
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| Posted 9/6/11 4:54 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
They run often, but if you are staying at a PACKED resort, like a value...you could be waiting longer than 10 minutes if the line is long. We have had to wait a half hour on occasion. We typically don't stay until the park closing to avoid long bus lines.
Last trip we rented a car and it was PERFECT. Don't think we'll ever do the busses again. Didn't have to deal with rude people on the busses, men who don't give up their seat for children, waiting for multiple wheelchairs pulling up w/ their entire parties getting to board first, etc. Disney bus etiquette leaves A LOT to be desired IMO.
Message edited 9/6/2011 7:38:40 PM.
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| Posted 9/6/11 7:37 PM |
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islandersgirl74
Love Being A Mommy!
Member since 6/06 5804 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
You are right. Magical Express only runs to and from the airport and hotel.
The other busses run from the hotels and theme parks about every 10 minutes.
The only place we waited for a while to get back to the hotel was leaving Downtown Disney.
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| Posted 9/6/11 7:38 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
They run all day - how often depends on how long it takes to fill the bus. During busy time they pull up, fill, and leave. If it is a slower time I think they wait a little while and try to fill the bus then go.
They really are pretty efficient. Especially because most go to more than one hotel so for example you have GF, Contemp and Poly all on one bus - so they fill faster.
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| Posted 9/7/11 9:41 AM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
Posted by LadyBugN2Buggies
I got the airport thing down, just wondering how often they run to the parks from the resorts, if it's every half hour or every hour, etc.
I'm so stressed over this. This is the first time where we didn't rent a car....I'm already having regrets haha (because I am a control freak and the thought of relying on something /someone else makes me uneasy!)
The answer is it depends. They run MUCH more frequently when the parks are opening and closing to get people in and out. Then I think it is about every 20 mins during the day - but I have seen them call for additional buses if the lines are longer and they need them.
Having a car is great in some ways b.c you can come and go at your will, the buses are often standing room only which stinks when you have small children and a stroller and bags. But keep in mind if you drive (parking is free if you stay on property) that you will most likely have to take the shuttle from the parking lot to the entrance and that can be a pain (unload car, pack stroller, unload stroller, get onto shuttle, get off reload etc). So it doesn't always make like easier.
We have done 100% rental car, 50% rental-50% buses, and 100% buses. There are pluses and minuses. A lot depends on what time of year you go, what resort you stay at, do you plan to return for a rest during the day, etc.
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| Posted 9/7/11 9:45 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
DME, to be clear, are the buses to and from the airport. It's generally a 10-30 min wait from when you get into the bus queue. You essentially wait in 2 lines - one line to give in your paperwork, and then they direct you a numbered queue based on your resort. I think up to 6 buses can load at a time. They can dispatch buses based on who is waiting. They give slight preference to Deluxe resorts.
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| Posted 9/7/11 3:10 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
Posted by Lillykat
Posted by LadyBugN2Buggies
I got the airport thing down, just wondering how often they run to the parks from the resorts, if it's every half hour or every hour, etc.
I'm so stressed over this. This is the first time where we didn't rent a car....I'm already having regrets haha (because I am a control freak and the thought of relying on something /someone else makes me uneasy!)
The answer is it depends. They run MUCH more frequently when the parks are opening and closing to get people in and out. Then I think it is about every 20 mins during the day - but I have seen them call for additional buses if the lines are longer and they need them.
Having a car is great in some ways b.c you can come and go at your will, the buses are often standing room only which stinks when you have small children and a stroller and bags. But keep in mind if you drive (parking is free if you stay on property) that you will most likely have to take the shuttle from the parking lot to the entrance and that can be a pain (unload car, pack stroller, unload stroller, get onto shuttle, get off reload etc). So it doesn't always make like easier.
THIS
if you look in the Unoffical Guide they have a table that tells you how long it takes (min and max) to get to each resort using your own cars vs. the bus. I think the bus is usually better. In the mornings they might come right behind each other and less so as the day wears on. There's someone by the bus stops, so they can change and add buses depending on demand at the time. The one time we stayed at a moderate, we found the bus service to be a bit better than at the values. Don't forget that if you drive your own car at most resorts you have to park and then get on a tram to get to the park wheras the Disney buses drop you off at the park gate. At park closing, which is the only time there's really a horrendous line for the buses, there's also a horrendous line for the trams so it's 6 of one half a dozen of the other.
I would say rent a car only if you plan to go to other places like Universal, if you plan to save money by taking in meals offsite, or if you are staying somehwere with a kitchen and need to grocery shop. Otherwise the Disney transport is VERY efficient. Like I said at park closing thousands of people are leaving at once, and your feet already hurt and you're tired, so that's when it's truly the worst, but it's often not bad at all, and the DIsney bus drivers ca be fun and knowledgable.
Also, sometimes we'll play a game and just get on the first bus that comes.
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| Posted 9/9/11 1:52 PM |
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islandersgirl74
Love Being A Mommy!
Member since 6/06 5804 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
There are hotel busses that run to Universal as well as the other parks too!
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| Posted 9/10/11 9:22 AM |
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hazeleyes33
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 13060 total posts
Name:
Ginger
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
Posted by islandersgirl74
There are hotel busses that run to Universal as well as the other parks too!
Which hotel has a bus that goes to Universal? None of the ones I have ever stayed at in Disney do that as it is not a Disney park.
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| Posted 9/10/11 10:20 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
Posted by hazeleyes33
Posted by islandersgirl74
There are hotel busses that run to Universal as well as the other parks too!
Which hotel has a bus that goes to Universal? None of the ones I have ever stayed at in Disney do that as it is not a Disney park.
None of the Disney hotels do. Maybe offsite ones. I think Mears has a bus that goes from the TTC that you can pay for.
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| Posted 9/10/11 12:28 PM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by hazeleyes33
Posted by islandersgirl74
There are hotel busses that run to Universal as well as the other parks too!
Which hotel has a bus that goes to Universal? None of the ones I have ever stayed at in Disney do that as it is not a Disney park.
None of the Disney hotels do. Maybe offsite ones. I think Mears has a bus that goes from the TTC that you can pay for.
Yep, Mears offers shuttle service from resorts to other area attractions. You have to schedule and pay for it but it's an available option.
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| Posted 9/10/11 1:32 PM |
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hazeleyes33
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 13060 total posts
Name:
Ginger
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
Posted by Christine
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by hazeleyes33
Posted by islandersgirl74
There are hotel busses that run to Universal as well as the other parks too!
Which hotel has a bus that goes to Universal? None of the ones I have ever stayed at in Disney do that as it is not a Disney park.
None of the Disney hotels do. Maybe offsite ones. I think Mears has a bus that goes from the TTC that you can pay for.
Yep, Mears offers shuttle service from resorts to other area attractions. You have to schedule and pay for it but it's an available option.
Great thing to know. Thanks :)
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| Posted 9/10/11 3:42 PM |
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DancinBarefoot
06ers Rock!!
Member since 1/07 9537 total posts
Name:
The One My Mother Gave Me ;-)
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
Posted by hazeleyes33
Posted by Christine
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by hazeleyes33
Posted by islandersgirl74
There are hotel busses that run to Universal as well as the other parks too!
Which hotel has a bus that goes to Universal? None of the ones I have ever stayed at in Disney do that as it is not a Disney park.
None of the Disney hotels do. Maybe offsite ones. I think Mears has a bus that goes from the TTC that you can pay for.
Yep, Mears offers shuttle service from resorts to other area attractions. You have to schedule and pay for it but it's an available option.
Great thing to know. Thanks :)
Check Florida's bus service Lynx as well. We're planning on using it from Downtown Disney to Sea World when we go.
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| Posted 9/11/11 11:05 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
Another option would be to only rent a car for a day or two if you want to do universal. National rents from the WDW car care center (In WDW) and from the Dolphin hotel (Dolphin and the swan hotels in WDW). If you go to mousesavers.com they always have tons of rental car codes and how to save money. There might be another close location. If you don't want to be on Mears schedule you could consider renting the car just for a day or two this way you can come and go or be on your own schedule if you want to say go to Universal or Sea world.
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| Posted 9/12/11 10:29 AM |
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4ForMe
:)
Member since 11/05 5666 total posts
Name:
Barbara
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
We go to Disney almost every year. Last year we drove and had our minivan. Even though the bus system isn't terrible, it was so awesome to have our own car there.
We're flying down in 2 weeks. I've been looking into Hotwire.com for renting a minivan and the prices aren't terrible. We are considering it....
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| Posted 9/12/11 12:42 PM |
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billswife
LIF Infant
Member since 1/08 216 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
We go every year also. We always rent a car.
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| Posted 9/12/11 12:54 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney Magical Express question - how often do they run?
If you want to go the car route, sign up for Alamo insiders and look for the coupon codes on mousesavers.com. You can get a good deal.
For me it was so much easier to just get the luggage, use the electronic kiosk at the car counter, go over to the garage, pick out a car (they are all in a row and you grab one according to class), throw in the luggage and be out of the garage. I find it takes less time than waiting in the ME line, then boarding, then waiting for your bus to fill up to leave.
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| Posted 9/12/11 6:06 PM |
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