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Walt Disney World announced an innovative new service today called
"Disney's Magical Express" which offers complimentary
airport shuttle, luggage delivery and airline check in for Disney
hotel guests.
Beginning May 5, 2005, guests of Disney hotels* using Disney's
Magical Express service can check their bags at their hometown airport,
bypass baggage claim at Orlando International Airport (OIA) and
board state-of-the-art motor coaches to the Walt Disney World Resort
-- as their bags "magically" appear in their room upon
check in. The round-trip service, which is available and complimentary
during Disney's Happiest Celebration on Earth event (which also
begins May 5, 2005), is designed to give Disney hotel guests the
stress-free vacation they want.
With Disney's Magical Express service, a family of four can save
more than $80 (based on round trip shuttle or taxi transportation,
plus tip, for two adults and two children).
"We are extremely excited to add Disney's Magical Express
to the extensive list of ways we make Disney guests' vacations easier
and more enjoyable," said Al Weiss, president of Walt Disney
World Resort. "In essence, this benefit provides a hassle-free
experience for our guests from the airport to our hotel room door
and back again."
"Disney's Magical Express service will set new standards for
convenience, value and comfort for guests traveling between the
airport and Walt Disney World Resort," Weiss added. "Orlando
International Airport is one of the premiere airports in the world.
We believe Disney's Magical Express will not only transform the
airport experience for Disney hotel guests, but will further enhance
the world-class status of OIA and drive additional visitation to
Central Florida."
* Disney's Magical Express service will not be available to guests
of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels, the Shades of
Green and the seven hotels near Hotel Plaza Boulevard.
How Disney's Magical Express service works:
- Disney's Magical Express must be booked at least 10 days prior
to arrival through disneyworld.com, Disney Reservation Center
by calling 407-W-DISNEY or a travel agent beginning Jan. 2, 2005.
The service commences May 5, 2005.
- Guests check their specially-tagged luggage at their departure
airport.
- Upon arrival in Orlando, guests bypass airport baggage claim
and go directly to the Disney Airport Welcome Center.
- Guests board state-of-the-art motor coaches that take them to
their Disney hotel.
A team of Disney representatives at the airport will pick up guests'
luggage and transport it to their hotel room.
Disney's Magical Express service makes guests' return to OIA hassle-free
as well. This convenient system lets guests flying with participating
airlines avoid airport check-in lines by enabling passengers on
domestic flights to check their luggage and receive a boarding pass
before ever departing their Disney hotel. As an added benefit, guests
with flight departures later in the day no longer have to worry
about their luggage after they check out of their hotel. They can
simply check their luggage at the Resort Airline Check-in Desk and
then enjoy the last day of their stay.
In addition to partners at Orlando International Airport, Walt
Disney World developed this innovative service in conjunction with
private and public sector leaders including: the Mears Transportation
Group, the largest provider of ground transportation to the Walt
Disney World Resort; BAGS Inc., the provider and innovator in off-airport
passenger check-in services for the hotel, convention, cruise and
airline industries; ARINC Incorporated, a leading global provider
of technology systems for airports and airlines; the Transportation
Security Administration; and airline partners including: American
Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Song, United Airlines
and Ted. Walt Disney World hopes to add other air carriers to the
resort airline check-in service in the near future.
Congressman John L. Mica (FL-7), Chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee
on Aviation, called Disney's announcement "welcome news."
"Not only does resort airline check-in provide a convenience
for the traveler, it also helps to expedite and improve security
checks by reducing congestion during the busiest times," Mica
said. "By combining Walt Disney World Resort's destination
volume and operational expertise with BAGS' innovative processes
and exclusive technology, a new industry model will be established."
Disney's Magic Your Way
Disney's Magical Express is the newest addition to Disney's Magic
Your Way program, an exciting new plan, which allows Walt Disney
World guests to create their own tickets and vacation packages for
a customized vacation. Starting Jan. 2, Walt Disney World Resort
guests will be able to purchase tickets to the various theme parks,
attractions and other entertainment offerings that are tailored
to the length of their vacation and the interests of their group
-- and allow them to save more per day based on their length of
stay. Under Magic Your Way, a family of four will be able to enjoy
a six-night/seven-day Walt Disney World vacation -- including a
stay at a Disney Value hotel, with theme park tickets -- for as
little as $1,500.
Disney's Magical Express is also added to the long list of premier
benefits that are afforded to guests staying at Disney hotels. This
includes the recently-announced Extra Magic Hours, where each day
one of our theme parks opens one hour early or stays open up to
three hours after regular park closing for guests of select Walt
Disney World Resort hotels. **
"Disney's Magical Express adds even more value to a Walt Disney
World vacation," Weiss said. "And with the myriad of new
attractions and shows premiering this spring in conjunction with
the Happiest Celebration on Earth -- our global celebration marking
50 years of Disney theme park magic -- the timing couldn't be more
perfect."
Booking Disney's Magical Express
Walt Disney World guests can book Disney's Magical Express starting
Jan. 2 along with the new Disney's Magic Your Way tickets and packages.
Guests can log onto the new disneyworld.com, call the Disney Reservations
Center at 407-W-DISNEY or contact their
travel agent.
** Valid theme park admission and resort identification required.
Click
here for Magical Express FAQ
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