Disney's Magical Express -- Luggage Tag Info

[goofy4tink]

We all understand that feeling...want everything to go right and get on our way to WDW. Have a great trip!!!

 

[jcarwash]

Awesome!! Thanks!!
As you can see Im a little anxious....

You're in good shape for the DME mail. 45 days out is the final payment deadline. About a week or so after I made my final payment (right at 44-45 days) I got the DME mail. Best mail ever.

 

[Dan1]

I've used DME about 10 times so far....have yet to have a problem. Just about the only reasons bags wouldn't make it to a resort room would be...
A...the airline misdirected it
or
B...DME delivered it to the wrong resort.

If it was B, it's a very easy fix. If it's A, DME should track the missing bag for you.

I don't often hear about someone not having their bags in their room.

Last year my DD and I traveled along for the first time. We checked one suite case and her two canes bundled by the air line check-in in a large see through plastic bag (think of a typical bag which holds skis),

Both were delivered to our room in OKW between the time we check-in and when we then returned from a couple of hours at Disney's Market Place Village.

Dan

 

[raugust]

A quick question. I have two room reservations for Poly in late Nov. early Dec.
My wife and I have one ressie and my daughter and her family have the other. Each of us have one bag (two for our res. and four for my daughter's). I also have a van rented from MCO. I plan on driving the van to the Poly while the other five ride the DME. I was led to believe that if at least one person, per reservation, checks in at the bus, all luggage for that reservation is loaded, I.E. My wife and my bags on our and my daughters family on theirs. True? I would hate to have my bag sitting at the MCO

 

[jcarwash]

A quick question. I have two room reservations for Poly in late Nov. early Dec.
My wife and I have one ressie and my daughter and her family have the other. Each of us have one bag (two for our res. and four for my daughter's). I also have a van rented from MCO. I plan on driving the van to the Poly while the other five ride the DME. I was led to believe that if at least one person, per reservation, checks in at the bus, all luggage for that reservation is loaded, I.E. My wife and my bags on our and my daughters family on theirs. True? I would hate to have my bag sitting at the MCO

From what I've read, and what makes sense to me anyway, is that all bags with yellow DME tags are picked up at MCO and delivered to the resorts. There's no effective way to reconcile bags at the airport with who gets onto the buses. Your plan will work.

 

[goofy4tink]

A quick question. I have two room reservations for Poly in late Nov. early Dec.
My wife and I have one ressie and my daughter and her family have the other. Each of us have one bag (two for our res. and four for my daughter's). I also have a van rented from MCO. I plan on driving the van to the Poly while the other five ride the DME. I was led to believe that if at least one person, per reservation, checks in at the bus, all luggage for that reservation is loaded, I.E. My wife and my bags on our and my daughters family on theirs. True? I would hate to have my bag sitting at the MCO

We have a 'stickied' thread here that will give you all the info you need. But, I will summerise for you.
DME is not intended to be a luggage delivery service. It is meant to transport guests from MCO to their resorts. These guests, utilizing DME, are given the perk of luggage delivery..they tag their bags and don't see them again until they get to their resort room.
So, can you tag those bags and then not ride the bus? Yes, you can. It is not Disney's intended way to use the service, but as of this moment they have done nothing to cut down on the practice.
But...here's the issue. Let's say, for instance, that you have 3 bags tagged. You arrive at MCO and head right to the car rental counter. Get in your car and drive to your resort, checkin and then head to the parks to start your fun. Your bags have arrived at MCO. BUT...only 2 bags arrive. If you had been on the DME bus, you would have checked in at the DME welcome center, and been asked how many bags you checked. This number is then put into the system. This way, they know how many bags to look for. As bags come off the plane, they are scanned...actually scanned several times at various points along the way.
Because you didn't check in and tell them how many bags to look for, they have no idea that there should have been 3 bags for that particular reservation. So, the 2 bags are sent to your resort and then put into your room. Meanwhile, that 3rd bag has gone to Seattle (or wherever). You get back to your room, many hours later, expecting to find all 3 of your bags, and you find 2. Well...if you had used DME correctly, they would have realized a bag was missing and started the search for it. But you didn't...so many, many hours have gone by. You now have to deal with the airline..who is now going to tell you it's DME's fault. And on and on it will go.

Undertand...this doesn't happen often. But it can. If someone on each reservation checks in at DME and uses it as set up, it can prevent that from happening.

So, now you know the worst possible scenario. I don't think we've heard more than one or two stories of the worst case scenario happening. But, I just want to be sure you understand, 100%, what 'could' happen.

Here's my take on it....I hate having to wait for my checked bags to get to my room. I actually prefer to have them with me. But, since it's a 'free' service, I'll ride the bus and have them take care of my bags. If I were paying for transportation to my resort, there is no way I would be waiting for my bags. I would be there at baggage claim, and arriving at my resort with my bags in hand.

 

[Alesia]

We have a 'stickied' thread here that will give you all the info you need. But, I will summerise for you.
DME is not intended to be a luggage delivery service. It is meant to transport guests from MCO to their resorts. These guests, utilizing DME, are given the perk of luggage delivery..they tag their bags and don't see them again until they get to their resort room.
So, can you tag those bags and then not ride the bus? Yes, you can. It is not Disney's intended way to use the service, but as of this moment they have done nothing to cut down on the practice.
But...here's the issue. Let's say, for instance, that you have 3 bags tagged. You arrive at MCO and head right to the car rental counter. Get in your car and drive to your resort, checkin and then head to the parks to start your fun. Your bags have arrived at MCO. BUT...only 2 bags arrive. If you had been on the DME bus, you would have checked in at the DME welcome center, and been asked how many bags you checked. This number is then put into the system. This way, they know how many bags to look for. As bags come off the plane, they are scanned...actually scanned several times at various points along the way.
Because you didn't check in and tell them how many bags to look for, they have no idea that there should have been 3 bags for that particular reservation. So, the 2 bags are sent to your resort and then put into your room. Meanwhile, that 3rd bag has gone to Seattle (or wherever). You get back to your room, many hours later, expecting to find all 3 of your bags, and you find 2. Well...if you had used DME correctly, they would have realized a bag was missing and started the search for it. But you didn't...so many, many hours have gone by. You now have to deal with the airline..who is now going to tell you it's DME's fault. And on and on it will go.

Undertand...this doesn't happen often. But it can. If someone on each reservation checks in at DME and uses it as set up, it can prevent that from happening.

So, now you know the worst possible scenario. I don't think we've heard more than one or two stories of the worst case scenario happening. But, I just want to be sure you understand, 100%, what 'could' happen.

Here's my take on it....I hate having to wait for my checked bags to get to my room. I actually prefer to have them with me. But, since it's a 'free' service, I'll ride the bus and have them take care of my bags. If I were paying for transportation to my resort, there is no way I would be waiting for my bags. I would be there at baggage claim, and arriving at my resort with my bags in hand.

That's all true, but it answers a different question than the one that raugust asked. He isn't asking about using the DME luggage transfer only while everyone else goes in the rental. He is the only one going in the rental car - everyone else will be taking DME, so the will be able to let DME know how many bags there are.

Yes, raugust, you can absolutely do what you asked.

 

[goofy4tink]

That's all true, but it answers a different question than the one that raugust asked. He isn't asking about using the DME luggage transfer only while everyone else goes in the rental. He is the only one going in the rental car - everyone else will be taking DME, so the will be able to let DME know how many bags there are.

Yes, raugust, you can absolutely do what you asked.

Yup, you're right. I got a bit carried away with my response, forgetting exactly what he was asking.
So, in short, you can rent the car while everyone else takes the bus. All the bags will get there, even yours.
Sorry for the longwinded explanation that didn't really apply to you.

 

[hgreene87]

My DD3 and I are sharing a checked bag. Which means we'll have her tag left over....should we put this tag on the stroller even though I want to have it gate checked? Also, can I bring the stroller on the DME bus or should I let it be transported with our suitcase? Another question on a different note is should I pay for the baggage fee for the RAC NOW or can I pay that at the resort?

 

[goofy4tink]

My DD3 and I are sharing a checked bag. Which means we'll have her tag left over....should we put this tag on the stroller even though I want to have it gate checked? Also, can I bring the stroller on the DME bus or should I let it be transported with our suitcase? Another question on a different note is should I pay for the baggage fee for the RAC NOW or can I pay that at the resort?

I wouldn't bother with tagging the stroller, unless you actually check it. If you gate check it, they will have it ready for you as you deplane...no need for the tag. When you get to the bus, the stroller will be stowed underneath and handed back to you when you get to your resort.
As far as your tagged suitcase goes...once you hand it over at your home resort, you won't see it again until it arrives in your resort room...so, no, you can't put the stroller with your checked bag. If you do decide you don't need the stroller with you, once you get to the airport, and you won't need it until later in the day, then sure, go ahead and tag it. BUT you won't have it until you get your bags delivered to your room...and that could be 3 hrs after resort checkin.

I would just wait until checkout to pay for your bags.

 

[raugust]

That's all true, but it answers a different question than the one that raugust asked. He isn't asking about using the DME luggage transfer only while everyone else goes in the rental. He is the only one going in the rental car - everyone else will be taking DME, so the will be able to let DME know how many bags there are.

Yes, raugust, you can absolutely do what you asked.

Thanks every one. This answers my question.

 

[jcarwash]

My DD3 and I are sharing a checked bag. Which means we'll have her tag left over....should we put this tag on the stroller even though I want to have it gate checked? Also, can I bring the stroller on the DME bus or should I let it be transported with our suitcase? Another question on a different note is should I pay for the baggage fee for the RAC NOW or can I pay that at the resort?

gooft4tink answered your question nicely...just wanted to add for others that if you have extra DME tags you don't need to use them. You just need to tag the bags you want located by the baggage service at MCO and delivered to your room.

If you don't want the baggage service and you want to handle your own bags, don't use the DME tags.

And when you get your bags at your resort, take the yellow DME tags OFF. You don't need them to go back home.

 

[goofy4tink]

gooft4tink answered your question nicely...just wanted to add for others that if you have extra DME tags you don't need to use them. You just need to tag the bags you want located by the baggage service at MCO and delivered to your room.

If you don't want the baggage service and you want to handle your own bags, don't use the DME tags.

And when you get your bags at your resort, take the yellow DME tags OFF. You don't need them to go back home.

Too bad you weren't traveling with the family next to us in the DME bus line last summer. Had to be about 6 or 7 in their group. And they had brought all their luggage with them..checked and carryon size. As they stood in the line, waiting for the bus, they started attaching the yellow tags to every single piece of luggage. The woman in front of them very nicely turned to them and said..'You don't need those tags now...you're going on the bus.' They just stared at her and said 'Yeah, the DME bus.' Okay....never mind then. I have to wonder if they tipped the driver for handling so many bags...probably not...I mean, DME says gratuities are taken care of!!!

 

[jcarwash]

Too bad you weren't traveling with the family next to us in the DME bus line last summer. Had to be about 6 or 7 in their group. And they had brought all their luggage with them..checked and carryon size. As they stood in the line, waiting for the bus, they started attaching the yellow tags to every single piece of luggage. The woman in front of them very nicely turned to them and said..'You don't need those tags now...you're going on the bus.' They just stared at her and said 'Yeah, the DME bus.' Okay....never mind then. I have to wonder if they tipped the driver for handling so many bags...probably not...I mean, DME says gratuities are taken care of!!!

Ha, good story, yes, I enjoy those groups lugging their luggage with the yellow tags still attached.

 

[garris3404]

What do I do if I need extra Magical Express tags and luggage tags. We only received 1 per person. We might need an additional set?

 

[tinkerbell60]

What do I do if I need extra Magical Express tags and luggage tags. We only received 1 per person. We might need an additional set?

Just call Magical Express - the number is in the packet.....they will mail extras, no problem. I needed to do this in July.

 

[garris3404]

Just call Magical Express - the number is in the packet.....they will mail extras, no problem. I needed to do this in July.

Any one have the ME number handy? I'm at work and want to call today so my extra tags can get in the mail today?

 

[goofy4tink]

any one have the me number handy? I'm at work and want to call today so my extra tags can get in the mail today?

866-599-0951

 

[southelginband]

Thank you! Reading this post answered my questions

 

[ecarley]

I am traveling with a group of six people. We received six luggage tags, but have seven bags. What is the best way to handle this so that all seven bags are picked up by DME?

Thanks.