We are going to Disney in a few weeks, staying at the Boardwalk Inn - family of four, 'kids' are 21 and 24 -most plans made with great help from the many Disney experts here on an earlier post -

Our "package" has arrived and one thing it includes is an option of a Disney Magical Express with luggage tags - so you never go to the luggage carousel, they pick up your bags and deliver them to your room, although they clearly say it could be up to three hours to receive them.

A few questions:

Has anyone used this service before (only post I could find was a yr or more old) and would you do it again or suggest it as a good thing for us with adult children?

Admit I feel a tad uneasy about not actually physically taking my own bag off the carousel (what if Disney messes up - what if my bag doesn't arrive do they follow through with airline or am I apt to have to make the calls, go back to airport, etc....) or is this one of those things DIsney has down to a T. (although I know anything could happen anytime) - Disney takes my baggage claim tickets, so I am assuming they make the effort while there - and perhaps they even would get quicker answers if they have this arrangement with the airlines?

Anyone w/ experience that it truly is a max 3 hr window?

Also, daughter will get in at 10:30am, and us not until
12:30 - so our plan now is possibly to do MGM for that late afternoon/evening and wondering about doing that and not knowing if luggage ever gets to the room -

is it silly/expensive/a hassle- to make our own arrangements so we actually have our bags at check in?

Also, the transport Disney then provides to and from the resort - is it one of those things where it leaves frequently enough and/or does it make waaay too many stops before I'd get to the Boardwalk that it makes more sense for us to just grab our own bags and hail a taxi or have made arrangements for our own transport service? And if the latter, how easy is this to do at the airport or prior?

It isn't as if I am traveling with little kids who can't wheel their own luggage -

On the return home - the info it says Disney picks you up 3 hours prior to flight -
I don't know how long it takes to get from Disney to the airport - and for US Travel (Orlando to Boston for 3 of us and to NYC for one of us) - I am bad and would usually arrive one hour prior to flight - so even if I planned to get to airport on my own, is this about how much time you would suggest I'd leave anyway or does it depend on time of day -

we leave at 1pm, my daugher at 12:30pm - meaning we'd get picked up around 10am and 9:30 am -

Been to Disney many times -many years ago when they were young but we always drove from my moms in Florida, so this is part of the planning is new to us.

Part of it for me is I admit to liking the option of freshening up before heading out and not having to bring necessary items to do that on a carry on - but not if it becomes a hassle and people think the Magical Express makes it all so much easier that it is worth that small annoyance of the carry on for mom

Thank you for any info on this. Sorry if my questions are disjointed, I'm sort of thinking it through and talking out loud as I look through all these tags, coupons and info that just arrived !

We stayed at the Boardwalk Inn last month and used the Magical Express for our way home. We had a rental car when we arrived as we were first headed over to Cocoa. Anyway, it was very easy to use, and everything went just as it should. They did pick us up 3 hours before the flight, they loaded our luggage onto the bus, and we were off. We only made one other stop at some other resort, and then went directly to the airport. I too was thinking we had way too much time, but that was not the case. Security took forever! It was a jumbled mess, so be prepared. Anyway, our luggage made it home just fine.

The Boardwalk Inn employees were always very helpful, and there is a separate luggage desk if you have any questions or concerns.

I would use the Magical Express and try not to worry. I know...there just seems something wrong about not really knowing where your bags are, lol. I think this is one of those Disney things that yes, they do have it all fine tuned, so go and have fun! And I would love to hear how your trip goes

mms, thank you -
did you do a trip report and if so do you know the link and if not, any particular restaurants or something that you found in area of Boardwalk you would share?

I have used Magical express three times now, twice for Pop Century and once for Boardwalk - both ways. I always got my luggage, it was not an issue. Obviously mistakes are made sometimes but I got my luggage within three hours, in my room. It was wonderful. What I did, however, is bring an extra pair of undies, socks and swimsuit in my carry-on so I didn't have to worry about the luggage getting there at a specific time. and one time, we had a luau dinner so we brought the clothes for that in our carry-on so we didn't have to worry about getting clothes on time. If you do things like that, your stress on the issue will be much relieved.

Usually, there are 2 or 3 stops for each bus for different resorts - nothing too long though.

For leaving for the airport, you talk to guest services the day before and they will tell you which bus you are on and at what time. They will also happily print any boarding passes you will need.

for my stays at disney, I will not use anything but magical express.

for restaurants, I would recommend the Flying Fish - while expensive, it is good. I have heard Spoodles is good too - have you made your dinner reservations yet? if not, do it asap as they don't often have seats for walk-ups. I would recommend going to www.disboards.com which has more info then you could ever need.

radiofanatic thanks for the info -
I think we will give it a go with Magical Express and pack a few items in the carry on.

Thanks for the restaurant rec ! That is next on my list, and a likely post looking for suggestions, so thank you - so it appears I should get on this (we leave the 25th) and make some rezzies prior.

thanks again

Besides those that radiofanatic already mentioned, there are a couple other places right in there. There is a great little bakery right next to Spoodles. They have small tables outside which is where we had our breakfast each morning. Near that is the ESPN Club, which does not take reservations. The food here is not gourmet obviously, but it was very good with some fun drinks and if your "kids" like sports at all, definitely go there. Spoodles also has a takeaway pizza window that they may like.

Inside the Boardwalk Inn is a nice little bar. Not a typical bar feel at all, very nice. Great drinks too.

we used the magical express to go to port orleans-riverside when we stayed there in november and i would recommend it too.

the check-in line was fairly long but it did move quickly--probably took under 10 min to get through. we were then told which line to get in to wait for our bus. our bus only went to the 2 port orleans resorts. we waited about 15 minutes to get on the bus. they play a little video for you on the way to the resort which helped the 30 min ride go quite quickly.

we also brought a change of clothes in our carry-on and went out soon after arrival. we didn't return for about 4 hours and our bags were waiting for us in our room.

i also was wondering what would happen if the airline lost our luggage. but i figured disney has to have the process down pretty well.

the next day we moved resorts and hooked up with family so didn't use the magical express for the return trip.

if you need restaurant recommendations, I would recommend the community board of www.disboards.com which has a specific board for restaurants. These are my faves:

Magic Kingdom

Liberty Tavern - sit down, like thanksgiving dinner
Columbia Harbour House - counter - great fish and chips

Epcot

In World Innovations, the Land has AWESOME counterservice. Coral Reef is a great sit down meal if you like seafood

In World Showcase, my fave sit downs are Le Cellier (great steakhouse) in Canada and Chefs de France, in France. My fave counters are Germany and Mexico.

MGM
Brown Derby is fave sitdown with the Sci Fi theatre a close second. ABC Commissary is my fave counter service.

Downtown Disney

Our trip is not a trip unless we go to Fulton Crabhouse one night for dinner.

Resorts

Beaches and Cream - a great ice cream and burger place at Beach Club Resort which is just across the lake from the Boardwalk.

Boma - a great african buffet at the Animal Kingdom lodge- has something for everyone!

California Grill - and very fancy but great place at the Contemporary with a view of Magic Kingdom

Polynesian Luau at The Poly - You MUST have reservations it's a great dinner show

Hoop de Doo Revue - another great dinner show for which you need reservations at Fort Wilderness - it's a wild west type theme with spare ribs, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, strawberry shortcake

Whispering Canyon - great home cooked type food at the Wilderness lodge

Hope this helps!

radiofanatic, many many thanks -you just saved me from a ton of work - between your post and some older disney threads i have been reading through, I am now making plans and will likely post back with a new thread for a look over of our somewhat planned itinerary !

thanks again!

no problem, you just happen to be asking questions about one of my fave places in the world - if you have any other questions, just ask!

Radiofanatic:
so we are all set for dinner the first night at MGM at the Sci-Fi place - Brown Derby was full but this looks like a good place for us - we all love burger, fries, shakes and are movie nuts -

we also got a rezzie at California Grill one night (9pm was all they had left!) - I am amazed, I thought last wknd in january would be a slow time - and last we were there - decades ago - we made rezzies when we got there or that day at epcot so my, how things have changed !

So we are working on the last two nights, with the 'kids' making some pics -

we also snagged tix to the Cirque du Soleil one night at 9, - do you have any suggestions for a spot for dinner before that, but I am not too sure where this takes place if there are restaurants near it or how long the shuttle takes to get us to the show -
I'll have to do some digging thru those disney sites, but if you know I'll take any recs I can get from you!

thanks -

oh and any thoughts on the Italian restaurant in Epcot, b/c both my kids have chosen that as a possibility and they have openings now for the night we want to see the illumination....

Radiofanatic: both your choices for us in Epcot were booked, which is why we are looking at the Italian possiblity....

escargot~ DH and I will be in Disney the week of January 22 and I just made a couple of reservations last night. I couldn't get a dinner reservation at Le Cellier on the 24th, so I settled for lunch. We doing breakfast at Boma one day. I, too, was a little surprised at the lack of availability in January. Live and learn.

We will be using Disney Magical Express, as well. I'm glad you asked these questions! Our trip is a gift from our employer, so some of our meals are already planned for us. Hope you have a good time. I'm hoping for warm weather.

I too am hoping for warm weather...my kids think they want to go to the water park ! just thinking about it in january gives me shivers....
I too was disappointed le Cellier didn't have evening openings left....maybe I can get the family to commit for a lunch there...good idea!

We love the Disney Magical Express. The one time we came in late, we claimed our own bags (don't use the Disney tags) and took them with us on the bus. The driver put them in the luggage area. Then we didn't face having them arrive in the middle of the night or in the morning after we left for a park. Here is a page with very good information: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/dme.html

The Boardwalk is great - this link gives good information: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com...boardwalk.html

We ate over at "Beaches & Cream" in the Beach Club (just across the lake). It was a cute little soda shop style place that we thought was fun.


As for eating near Cirque - Wolfgang Puck's used to get good reviews but there have been quite a few complaints lately. Planet Hollywood has neat theming but the food and service are only so-so at best. Bongo's Cuban Cafe gets pretty good reviews, as does Raglan Road. I loved Cirque du Soleil. Here's a link with Downtown Disney restaurants & menus: http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm#pi

ajcolorado thank you so much for all the advice and links - I am going to work today on a restaurant for prior to Cirque du Soleil - thanks again !

Cirque du Soleil is in DTD so I would recommend Fulton's Crabhouse for dinner.

From what I understand the italian restaurant at Epcot is not very good. I never go there b/c living in upstate NY, I get great italian all of the time. I would recommend the restaurant in England, I think it is called the Rose and Crown. Also, Germany has a fun beer hall buffet. Le Cellier for lunch is also a good suggestion.

I'm jealous you are going to Cirque - I've been to WDW 12 times and I still haven't made it there!

We liked the fish restaurant over at the Boardwalk. Maybe it was... Flying Fish ? Definitely upscale, but good food.

Yes, the Flying Fish is located at the Boardwalk.

For Downtown Disney if you are feeling flush money-wise you might consider eating at Wolfgang Puck's..some of the best food and service we have ever had at Disney and we've eaten at almost all of the restaurants there over the years.

Enjoy "La Nouba" too.