Picking up my own luggage?

[Aimros]

My DBf and I are heading to Disney in a couple of weeks. Last time we used DME, our luggage didn't arrive to our room until late late late at night, even though we arrived fairly early in the day. I was considering picking up our own luggage this time and then heading to DME. Is this allowed? If we bring our own bags, will they load them onto the bus for us and then let us grab them once we reach our resort? I wasn't sure if you were taking DME if you HAD to have them get your luggage for you. Thanks!

 

[fleurbie]

I would like to know answer to this too Thank you

 

[prncess674]

You do not have to use the free luggage delivery service. Be sure not to put the yellow DME tags on your bag. When you land head to baggage claim, pick up your bags and bring them with you to DME check in. When you get to your bus the driver will stow them beneath the bus. When you reach your resort the driver will remove them from below. You are expected to tip the driver for this service.

 

[backyardponder]

Last week we had DME handle our bags for us. We checked into our room at POFQ at about 1:00 and went to DTD. We got back about 3:30 and our bags were there. No problems.

 

[dburg30]

Just dont use the yellow DME tags and you can collect your bags like any other traveler at MCO. Then take your bags with you to the DME bus. They will load them underneath and you unload them at your resort. A tip is traditional in this instance of $1-2 per bag..


One question to the OP, did you check into your room as soon as you arrived or did you leave your carry ons with bell services and then head to a park or something else? Only reason I ask is they say you will get your bags within 3 hours of resort check in. THere are times that bags take a while, but it's not the norm...

 

[disneyfaninaz]

If you get to your resort early in the day, you should go ahead and check in, even if your room is not ready. As stated above, luggage is delivered within 3 hours after you check in, not after you land at the airport. You do not need to be in your room to have your luggage delivered. You can check in and then go enjoy the parks.

 

[Aimros]

Just dont use the yellow DME tags and you can collect your bags like any other traveler at MCO. Then take your bags with you to the DME bus. They will load them underneath and you unload them at your resort. A tip is traditional in this instance of $1-2 per bag..


One question to the OP, did you check into your room as soon as you arrived or did you leave your carry ons with bell services and then head to a park or something else? Only reason I ask is they say you will get your bags within 3 hours of resort check in. THere are times that bags take a while, but it's not the norm...

Thanks everyone, we might go this route - I will definitely tip the driver of course. Last time we went we checked right in and did not leave our carry ons with bell service. We probably arrived to Pop around 3:30 or 4 (maybe earlier), checked in, hung out in the room a bit, went to dinner at WCC, got back around 10pm and our bags still weren't there. We had to call and speak to several different people to figure out where they even went. It was only frustrating since we couldn't bring fluids in our carry on's, we didn't have a lot of stuff we needed for bed time. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks everyone, we might go this route - I will definitely tip the driver of course. Last time we went we checked right in and did not leave our carry ons with bell service. We probably arrived to Pop around 3:30 or 4 (maybe earlier), checked in, hung out in the room a bit, went to dinner at WCC, got back around 10pm and our bags still weren't there. We had to call and speak to several different people to figure out where they even went. It was only frustrating since we couldn't bring fluids in our carry on's, we didn't have a lot of stuff we needed for bed time. Thanks for all the advice!

Something to think about - if the above delay was caused by the airline then you would have been waiting at the airport rather than at WDW starting your vacation.

I would also advise anyone traveling to have at least 24 hours of necessities with you in your carryon just in case the airline delays your bags. This has happened to us twice now (not wdw trips) and having what you need is a lifesaver. It does mean dealing with 3oz liquids and your 3-1-1 bag but it can be well worth the small hassle.

We have had great service with the luggage delivery feature of DME so far but as posted above you can leave off the tags and get your own bags if you wish.

 

[Aimros]

Maybe I should specify... I had all of MY necessities in my carryon, DBf on the other hand was missing a toothbrush, pj's, etc.

 

[tjmw2727]

Maybe I should specify... I had all of MY necessities in my carryon, DBf on the other hand was missing a toothbrush, pj's, etc.

LOL - yea

I was on my way to a friends wedding when my bags were lost - yes the bridesmaid dress was in my checked luggage. Luckily it was delivered the day prior to the wedding but I learned quite a lesson.

 

[dburg30]

. Last time we went we checked right in and did not leave our carry ons with bell service.

Cool, sometimes folks just think they can head off to the parks then check in when they get back. Also, as stated, there really isnt any way to KNOW where the issue was. I could have been DME, or if could have been the airline also. The only way you WOULD have known, would have been if you collected your bags, and they werent there. At that point you would have known it was the airline.. Of course, do what makes you most comfortable, we're just pointing out what 'could' have happened...

 

[Aimros]

Cool, sometimes folks just think they can head off to the parks then check in when they get back. Also, as stated, there really isnt any way to KNOW where the issue was. I could have been DME, or if could have been the airline also. The only way you WOULD have known, would have been if you collected your bags, and they werent there. At that point you would have known it was the airline.. Of course, do what makes you most comfortable, we're just pointing out what 'could' have happened...

Yeah, definitely a good point. I don't know, I guess we'll decide that morning... this trip is a bit different since we're meeting a friend there, so if we have any issues with anything we have someone who is familiar with the area and who has a car to get around.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have had the worst luggage delivery experiences while at POP. Not sure why that is, but there it is. I have had to wait over 5 hrs for my bags to arrive in my room there. We arrived and checked in by 11:30am, but our bags didn't get to us until past 5pm!!! And it wasn't just us...we saw many others having the same issue that had been in the checkin line with us. It may be that it is because it's a value resort and they handle luggage differently but it was the worst luggage service to date. In fact, I won't even have them pick up luggage to move it to another resort anymore...I'll lug it to them myself. It's so much better than waiting 2 hrs for them to get to my room. And no, I am not leaving it standing there, unattended, hoping they pick it up and move it.

So, yes, you can grab your own bags at baggage claim. Do not tag them with the yellow tags though. They will be handed off to you when you reach your resort. The other thing to remember is that not only will the bus driver be looking for a tip, the person that brings your stored luggage (if your room isn't ready for you) to you will be looking for one as well. Tips are only included if you use the DME delivery service.

 

[Aimros]

I have had the worst luggage delivery experiences while at POP. Not sure why that is, but there it is. I have had to wait over 5 hrs for my bags to arrive in my room there. We arrived and checked in by 11:30am, but our bags didn't get to us until past 5pm!!! And it wasn't just us...we saw many others having the same issue that had been in the checkin line with us. It may be that it is because it's a value resort and they handle luggage differently but it was the worst luggage service to date. In fact, I won't even have them pick up luggage to move it to another resort anymore...I'll lug it to them myself. It's so much better than waiting 2 hrs for them to get to my room. And no, I am not leaving it standing there, unattended, hoping they pick it up and move it.

So, yes, you can grab your own bags at baggage claim. Do not tag them with the yellow tags though. They will be handed off to you when you reach your resort. The other thing to remember is that not only will the bus driver be looking for a tip, the person that brings your stored luggage (if your room isn't ready for you) to you will be looking for one as well. Tips are only included if you use the DME delivery service.

I've read in some guide books that delivery to the values takes longer, because they aren't considered priority compared to the mods and deluxes. Since we are staying in a value again, this is one of the other reasons why I'm considering picking up my own luggage. Plus, I don't think that we will have that much stuff anyway... we're only going for a few days.

 

[Alesia]

I've read in some guide books that delivery to the values takes longer, because they aren't considered priority compared to the mods and deluxes. Since we are staying in a value again, this is one of the other reasons why I'm considering picking up my own luggage. Plus, I don't think that we will have that much stuff anyway... we're only going for a few days.

That isn't true.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I've read in some guide books that delivery to the values takes longer, because they aren't considered priority compared to the mods and deluxes. Since we are staying in a value again, this is one of the other reasons why I'm considering picking up my own luggage. Plus, I don't think that we will have that much stuff anyway... we're only going for a few days.

Interesting analysis by those books. As an informed and experienced Disney - and Pop - visitor, I would attribute any non-airline delay to the fact that the Value resorts don't provide individualized luggage service, NOT that Disney considers them to 'not be a priority'. With almost 3,000 rooms and hourly luggage delivery, it's far more like - using goofy4tink as example - that one's luggage might have been off-loaded from the truck JUST after a delivery went out, and so there'd be an additional hour or so wait (plus, if one's adult child trusts the parent's advice and packs more than just all her shoes in her carry-on luggage, no waiting for delivery would have been necessary )

 

[fleurbie]

Thanks for info, coming from England, i want to check my luggage is with me so i just want to know it's on the bus , if i put on bus myself will they then deliver it to our room, or will i have to then do it myself, don't mind either way.

 

[dburg30]

Thanks for info, coming from England, i want to check my luggage is with me so i just want to know it's on the bus , if i put on bus myself will they then deliver it to our room, or will i have to then do it myself, don't mind either way.

If it's on the bus, you need to get it and take it with you once you get to your resort.

 

[fleurbie]

Right now i get it

 

[Aimros]

Quoted from my popular Disney guidebook (which shall not be named):

"Plan to either carry your own luggage or wait awhile... unlike other Disney resorts, luggage is delivered at their convenience, not yours."

Perhaps I exaggerated a bit by saying values aren't considered priority, but that's sort of the feeling I get from this info.