Disney's Magical Express -- Luggage Tag Info

[siskaren]

I have a flight going from Los Angeles to Austin. then a short layover and then flying from Austin to Orlando. My question is when making a reservation for magical express, for the departure flight info do I need to put the flight # for the flight from Los Angeles to Austin, or the flight # for Austin to Orlando?

They only need to know when you're arriving in Orlando.

 

[domiii]

Didn't get DME booklet or tags (but don't have luggage), but did get Magic Bands.

I heard that you can use your Magic Bands to board the bus is that correct or do I still need the booklet?

 

[CDoobee]

That worked for us! We haven't even had DME reservations for our last 3 trips, only the last one having Magic Bands. We often fly standby, since DH works for an airline, so we never know what flight we will actually make it on. When we arrive at MCO, DH goes to collect the luggage while I go to DME and explain the situation. They just look up our reservation to confirm we are staying at WDW and stick us in line. This last time, they just scanned our Magic Bands for this info. Never been a problem!

 

[CDoobee]

Speaking of DME, since it's been so long since I've actually made reservations with them, I've forgotten how long before travel should I expect the DME booklet, tags, etc? My DH will be flying standby solo this time. I'll be flying with DD and DGS, so will have a confirmed seat. Not used to buying flights though, especially three!
We leave in a little over 3 weeks!

 

[goofy4tink]

That worked for us! We haven't even had DME reservations for our last 3 trips, only the last one having Magic Bands. We often fly standby, since DH works for an airline, so we never know what flight we will actually make it on. When we arrive at MCO, DH goes to collect the luggage while I go to DME and explain the situation. They just look up our reservation to confirm we are staying at WDW and stick us in line. This last time, they just scanned our Magic Bands for this info. Never been a problem!

Don't count on this working every time...especially if you don't have MBs! Even if you aren't sure when you're flying into MCO, you should make a reservation with DME....they only need the day you plan to arrive..not the actual time or even the actual flight info.

Speaking of DME, since it's been so long since I've actually made reservations with them, I've forgotten how long before travel should I expect the DME booklet, tags, etc? My DH will be flying standby solo this time. I'll be flying with DD and DGS, so will have a confirmed seat. Not used to buying flights though, especially three!
We leave in a little over 3 weeks!

We have been seeing packets arriving about 3-4 weeks prior to travel.

 

[PrncessA]

This is our first time using DME and I had a couple of question I hope someone can answer.

First:

Our flight is scheduled to land at 9:40pm, cutting it close to the cut off of luggage pick up by DME. Obviously if we are running late it will be past 10pm. Is it iffy that they will not pick up the luggage at 9:40pm since it is so close? Should we just pick up our luggage ourselves?

Second:
If they do pick up our luggage, can we request that it not be delivered until the next morning?

Third:
I know that our DME ride back to MCO will be 3 hours before our flight, putting us at 7:30am. We are flying Southwest. Can we hand our bags over at the luggage counter for transport to the airport that morning or do we need to check our own bags at the airport? Last time we went we handed our luggage over hours before we left for the airport, this time we are leaving very early so I don't know how that works.

I hope that all made sense. Thank you so much in advance!

 

[pbruce706]

I would recommend in your circumstance to not bother putting the luggage tags on the luggage and pick up the bags yourself when you arrive. That way you don't need to worry if you arrive late, or if you arrive early and someone doesn't get the message not to pick up your bags late.

My understanding is that if you do arrive late (after the 10PM cut off), you have to pick up your bags, otherwise they will sit unclaimed at the airport over night.

It will take a little more time to claim your luggage before hand than otherwise, but since you're arriving late and not rushing to get to a park (I'm presuming), it shouldn't affect you too much.

Just my 0.02

 

[kanga5roos]

I tried to read most of this thread but I didn't find my answer, sorry to repeat this if it's been answered before. We are flying on an airline that I don't believe is "participating".

So that means handling the bags is basically up to us, right?

We check them with our airline like normal. Then we must get our own bags at baggage claim upon landing at MCO and take them to the DME desk (or bus?) ourselves?

Are the tags then mostly for Disney use from the time we get them to the bus at the airport forward - just to get the bags to our hotel rooms based on the reservation #s on those tags?

And upon check out, we must take our own bags to the DME/bus stop at the hotel and then when we get to the airport, we get them off the bus ourselves and check them in ourselves MCO?

Is there an updated list of "participating airlines" anywhere? just curious...

Thanks for clearing up the whole participating/non-participating airline thing for me.

 

[siskaren]

I tried to read most of this thread but I didn't find my answer, sorry to repeat this if it's been answered before. We are flying on an airline that I don't believe is "participating".

So that means handling the bags is basically up to us, right?

We check them with our airline like normal. Then we must get our own bags at baggage claim upon landing at MCO and take them to the DME desk (or bus?) ourselves?

Are the tags then mostly for Disney use from the time we get them to the bus at the airport forward - just to get the bags to our hotel rooms based on the reservation #s on those tags?

Participating airline only applies to departing, not arriving. Anyone arriving at MCO is entitled to have DME deliver their luggage to their hotel room. If you want DME to deliver your luggage to your room, you need to put the yellow tags on before you check them at your home airport, because those tags are how the employees at MCO know not to put them on the carousel.

And upon check out, we must take our own bags to the DME/bus stop at the hotel and then when we get to the airport, we get them off the bus ourselves and check them in ourselves MCO?

Is there an updated list of "participating airlines" anywhere? just curious...

Thanks for clearing up the whole participating/non-participating airline thing for me.

This is where participating airline comes into play, so yes, if your airline isn't participating, you'll have to take your bags onto the DME bus yourself (well, actually, it gets loaded underneath the bus) and check it in at the airport.

And yes, there is a list of participating airlines in another sticky on this forum titled, "Disney's Magical Express/RAC - What "Participating Airline" Really Means!"

 

[PrncessA]

I would recommend in your circumstance to not bother putting the luggage tags on the luggage and pick up the bags yourself when you arrive. That way you don't need to worry if you arrive late, or if you arrive early and someone doesn't get the message not to pick up your bags late.

My understanding is that if you do arrive late (after the 10PM cut off), you have to pick up your bags, otherwise they will sit unclaimed at the airport over night.

It will take a little more time to claim your luggage before hand than otherwise, but since you're arriving late and not rushing to get to a park (I'm presuming), it shouldn't affect you too much.

Just my 0.02

Do you suggest this even if our flight arrives on time at 9:40pm? Is it cutting it too close to 10pm?

 

[jcarwash]

Do you suggest this even if our flight arrives on time at 9:40pm? Is it cutting it too close to 10pm?

My opinion is when I'm coming in late and going to my resort for the night, I'd rather retrieve my own bags and have everything with me for that night, and for the next morning - pajamas, toiletries, clothes for the next day, etc.

When I'm traveling during the morning (or day) the DME baggage service works better for me, because the carry on can be just immediate essentials, and you'll have the rest of your stuff in time for that night.

So to me it's more about what's more convenient vs. meeting the delivery service cutoff time.

 

[EmyRose]

We are arriving at MCO after 10 pm on SWA, so we will have to take our luggage to DNE ourselves. Are there luggage carts available for that purpose? If so, we may take more than one bag per person since we will be staying more than a week.

We are staying at Saratoga Springs. Am I correct to assume bell services will be available if needed?

 

[jcarwash]

We are arriving at MCO after 10 pm on SWA, so we will have to take our luggage to DNE ourselves. Are there luggage carts available for that purpose? If so, we may take more than one bag per person since we will be staying more than a week.

Yes, MCO has for-fee luggage carts available similar to most US airports.

 

[ghertz]

I got my magical express packet last week and there wasn't a souvenir luggage tag in the envelope. Did Disney stop doing this?

 

[KaLyn]

I got my magical express packet last week and there wasn't a souvenir luggage tag in the envelope. Did Disney stop doing this?

The souvenir tags should come in your other packet. They aren't part of ME.

 

[Alesia]

The souvenir tags should come in your other packet. They aren't part of ME.

Assuming that you booked a package. If you don't have a package, you don't get the souviner tags at all.

 

[MindyDis]

We received our tags, but flight info is blank. I called & gave it to them, so idk what happened. I know they need our info for return flight, but I can do that at check-in. Do they need my arrival flight time/airline? Or can we just show up since they do know the date? Don't want to sit on hold w Disney for 20 minutes if I don't have to!! Thanks!!

 

[ah10is]

We received our tags, but flight info is blank. I called & gave it to them, so idk what happened. I know they need our info for return flight, but I can do that at check-in. Do they need my arrival flight time/airline? Or can we just show up since they do know the date? Don't want to sit on hold w Disney for 20 minutes if I don't have to!! Thanks!!

I received my tags & booklet today too. My flight info was blank as well...even though I know I gave it to them when I booked ME. I called....got a person directly and she added them again. No new book will be sent....but they are in the computer.

 

[DisneyLover0610]

When we originally booked our trip there were just two adults. At 43 days out, we added a third adult. We only received DME tags for the original two. I've called twice, and was told both times that a new packet was sent. We're 23 days out and still no tags. Is there an alternate line for me to call? I've used the normal disney reservation line.
Thanks so much!!

 

[Alesia]

When we originally booked our trip there were just two adults. At 43 days out, we added a third adult. We only received DME tags for the original two. I've called twice, and was told both times that a new packet was sent. We're 23 days out and still no tags. Is there an alternate line for me to call? I've used the normal disney reservation line.
Thanks so much!!

Call DME directly at 866-599-0951