Virgin Holidays and Disney Magical Express

Pans · 14 Apr 19, 09:32 AM

Apologies if this question has been asked before.

Within our holiday booking “complimentary transfers” to and from MCO are included by VH as we are not hiring a car. From past experience, albeit many years ago, this is a Mears type shuttle. On our last trip this was a small mini van that went round the houses and took ages to get to our Disney resort.

This time around we would like to use DME as it will give a real “ Disney” start to the holiday and it will hopefully be a better way to get to our resort.

I am aware that we need to reserve this with Disney in advance and we can do this online.

Just a couple of questions. Firstly I assume we need to tell Virgin? I am assuming that we will still need to drop by the Virgin Desk at MCO to pick up our gift card etc?

Secondly we would prefer to keep all our luggage with us so it goes with us on the DME coach. I am assuming that’s not an issue?

Hopefully a fellow Dibber will have done this recently so can let me know the upto date position.

Sorry realised it’s more than two questions!

Many thanks

disney332 · 14 Apr 19, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by Pans

Apologies if this question has been asked before.

Within our holiday booking “complimentary transfers” to and from MCO are included by VH as we are not hiring a car. From past experience, albeit many years ago, this is a Mears type shuttle. On our last trip this was a small mini van that went round the houses and took ages to get to our Disney resort.

This time around we would like to use DME as it will give a real “ Disney” start to the holiday and it will hopefully be a better way to get to our resort.

I am aware that we need to reserve this with Disney in advance and we can do this online.

Just a couple of questions. Firstly I assume we need to tell Virgin? I am assuming that we will still need to drop by the Virgin Desk at MCO to pick up our gift card etc?

Secondly we would prefer to keep all our luggage with us so it goes with us on the DME coach. I am assuming that’s not an issue?

Hopefully a fellow Dibber will have done this recently so can let me know the upto date position.

Sorry realised it’s more than two questions!

Many thanks

Part of the Virgin info you provide is how you want to get to your hotel

In the case of Disney stays, just say i will make my own way..., then book DME by using the online form from Disney and providing your flight number

Disney332

**loves2plan** · 14 Apr 19, 09:58 AM

If you cancel your transfer with Virgin, then you might get a bit of money back. I know when you do an online quote, there is a charge for their coach transfer. So, just cancel it and then book the DME.

Yes, you'll need to still go to the Virgin desk to get your gift card. It's a bit of a faff as the VH pitstop desk is on side A, level 2, and the magical express is side B, level 1. You can't cross from side A to B on level 2, only level 3. So, to save dragging all of us all over the airport with our luggage, I left my husband and children at the seating area near the fountain on level 3 (you can't miss it). I then went down and picked up the gift card, back up, got husband, kids and luggage and we then all went to the magical express on level 1, side A. We found that definitely made it quicker and easier.

You can definitely keep your luggage with you and take it on the DME. Only US customers get the special luggage tags for the transfer sorry. UK customers can do it, but it's not as straight forward, plus it can take up to 4 hours to get your luggage delivered. We always take it with us on the DME

cjwebb · 14 Apr 19, 10:51 AM

"I am aware that we need to reserve this with Disney in advance and we can do this online"

Here's the link to booking the Magical Express online:-
secure.reservations.disney.g...US/dme/dmeform

Pans · 14 Apr 19, 11:08 AM

Great thanks so much for your replies and the helpful link. We will go ahead and get this sorted out.

**Gill H** · 14 Apr 19, 11:19 AM

Yep, get your money back from Virgin.

Be aware the DME can go to serveral resorts per trip so it might not be any quicker.

Inky · 14 Apr 19, 12:00 PM

We used Magical express last Oct was good , we were at SSR 2nd drop off arter OKW. After us it was POR and PORFQ

gismo1554 · 14 Apr 19, 01:43 PM

I got back around £15 for the transfer that was free

Every little helps

I did however have to ask a couple of times to get it cancelled off - as in they said they had then it reappeared about two weeks later so make sure it does go.

Andybear · 14 Apr 19, 11:26 PM

When I got the ME last year it took 30 minutes from leaving MCO to arriving at POFQ. It stopped at OKW then POFQ then presumably POR.

Pans · 24 Apr 19, 12:11 PM

Just to update matters we have booked DME and told Virgin who have arranged for a refund/reduction of £91 so well worth it. We were going to use this to pay for the V Room but it’s full so on a waiting list.