Drive or Fly?

So how are you getting to Walt Disney World? Are you driving? Flying? 

Flying

First make sure you are flying into Orlando airport (MCO). There you will catch the Magical Express to your resort. When you arrive at Orlando International Airport, you will proceed to the Ground Transportation area on Side B, level 1. You will follow the signs and proceed to Disney’s Magical Express welcome center. Don’t pack your magic bands! Wear them! This is the quickest and easiest way to look your reservation up. The Cast Member will direct you to the motorcoach that will take you to your resort.

About 2-4 weeks prior to departure you will receive an envelope in the mail with your magical express tags in it. These are yellow tags you will attach to your checked luggage.

What does this do? Once you check your bags you won’t have to handle them again until you get to your room. Disney will deliver them right to your room! (If landing after 10pm, you will need to pick up your bags at baggage claim and take them to Magical Express with you) AND when it’s time to check out most resorts have baggage check! You’ll check them at the resort and won’t have to handle them until you arrive at your home airport!

Magical Express will also take you back to the airport. The day before you check out you will receive a note on your door with the pick up time from your resort. Find out more about Magical Express here.

That’s it! Easy right!

If booking with My Magical Holiday, as soon as you book your flight, send your agent your flight numbers so they can link them!

If you are not booked with My Magical Holiday, be sure your flight is linked to your reservation.

To add or change flight information for a Disney’s Magical Express Reservation, you may do so through your My Disney Experience Account by selecting the option to “Change Reservation” or “Modify Reservation” on the Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Reservations in question, then scroll down to Ground Transportation link and make the necessary alterations. You may also contact Disney’s Magical Express at (407) 939-1936, let them know what your are needing to change or add and they will do it for you.

Driving 

There are parking fees at resorts and parks. 

Standard overnight self-parking is available to registered Guests for a fee that will be applied to their hotel folio upon check-out. All parking fees include applicable tax.

Standard Overnight Parking charges per Resort Category:

• Disney Value Resorts: $15 per night
• Disney Moderate Resorts: $20 per night
• Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts: $25 per night

Theme Park fees

Guests pay one fee for a parking pass good all day at all 4 theme parks—Magic Kingdom park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Our special preferred parking lots are located conveniently close to the theme park entrances. All parking fees include applicable sales tax.

• Preferred parking: car or motorcycle – $45-$50 per day*
• Standard parking: car or motorcycle – $25 per day
• Oversized Vehicle Parking: Shuttle, Limo, Camper Trailer, RV, Bus or Tractor Trailer – $30 per day

Find more info here.

Here some helpful tips for traveling with littles:

1. SNACKS: An obvious one, but pack snacks that your child rarely gets and will be excited about.
2. If you have an older toddler think about making a bento box full of bite size treats.
3. Invest in or make a full size bib that covers the car seat. Here’s a great one on Amazon and a DIY to make your own. 
4. Make activity bags. (brown paper bags filled with new activities, CDs and books to give every 2 hours).
5. Shop at the Dollar Store & Target dollar bin for new toys and give your child a surprise every hour.
6. Listen to new music (the library is a great spot to stock up on CD’s)
7. Open an Audible account and listen to children’s books — The Golden Book Poky Little Puppy, Dr.Seuss stories and Beatrix Potter come recommended!
8. Pack a few older toys and books your child hasn’t seen in awhile.
9. Rotate who sits in the back with your child and who drives.
10. Make or buy a tray for them to do activities on. Here’s a great one on Amazon!
11. Sketch with a spiral bound notebook and mess-free markers or twist-up crayons (be careful with regular crayons sitting in the heat).
12. Plan your stops. Research rest stops and playgrounds vs. stopping at fast food chains so your kid(s) can run around and get fresh air.
13. Color Wonder markers + paper.
14. Take the pages out of coloring books and use a clipboard for easier coloring.
15. Reusable sticker books.
16. Organize all your snacks and keep them up front in a basket by your feet. Don’t forget a trash bag.
17. Buy an over-the-seat holder for your iPad and preload it with movies and shows for when the times get rough. (We have this one)
18. Have everything organized for your stops so it’s easy to jump out of the car and save time, whether that means having a separate bag or filling your diaper bag with everything you need (food, utensils, change of clothes etc.)
19. Use a small cookie sheet (we found one at the Dollar Store) as an activity board – bring a bag of magnets.
20. Pack a clean up kit with resealable plastic bags (for soiled clothes, dirty diapers and in case anyone gets car sick), disinfecting wipes, mini can of Lysol (accidents, car sickness clean up), paper towels.