Disney's Magical Express -- Luggage Tag Info

[Alesia]

Originally Posted by CleveRocks

If your flight NUMBER changed, it will be helpful to call DME (866-599-0951), but that has nothing to do with the usefulness of the DME tags.

and even then, it doesn't matter for your inbound flight. They need the correct info for your departure flight for timing reasons, but they don't care what flight you arrive on.

[CleveRocks]

Originally Posted by Alesia

and even then, it doesn't matter for your inbound flight. They need the correct info for your departure flight for timing reasons, but they don't care what flight you arrive on.

Well, there is actually IS a reason to let them know about a change in your inbound flight, for your own convenience and peace of mind.

DME's computer tracks flights. They know if a flight is running late. The DME area closes down around 11 p.m. unless there are still flights scheduled to arrive, which includes flights normally scheduled to arrive earlier but that have been delayed.

In other words, let's say you are the only person on your flight with a DME reservation. And let's say your flight scheduled to land at MCO at 6 p.m. was delayed due to whatever, and you end up landing at MCO around midnight. If the last flight with DME guests landed on-time at 11:10 p.m., then the DME area is dark when you walk up to it after midnight ... no cast members, no buses, and you're stuck in MCO having to pay for your own transportation to your Disney resort.

The reason you'd have to pay for it yourself is that you didn't give Disney your new flight information, and they had no way to know they were supposed to wait for you.

Again, just to make sure no one misinterprets this, if your flight NUMBER changes then you should contact DME. But if your flight number remains the same and it's just that your airline changed the flight TIME, then there's no need to contact DME ... your DME reservation already has your correct flight number and their computer knows about that scheduled time change.

[mcouling]

I have a question about Disney's Magical Express. I have 2 flights to get to Orlando. When making DME reservations, it only lets you enter information for one flight. So, do I enter the info for my orginating flight or the second flight? Thanks!!

[siskaren]

Originally Posted by mcouling

I have a question about Disney's Magical Express. I have 2 flights to get to Orlando. When making DME reservations, it only lets you enter information for one flight. So, do I enter the info for my orginating flight or the second flight? Thanks!!

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

[stnet]

Question - we are booked as a group through Anthony Travel. I had to input each persons information (33 people) into the Magical Express section on the travel agencies website. We are 11 days out from our trip and still have not received anything. I'm not as worried about the tags as I am about arriving at MCO and going to ME to find out there is no "reservation" for us. I have spoken with the travel agency who assures me everything is fine but I am not comfortable with arriving in MCO without having something in my hands that guarantees us on ME. Any suggestions for what I should do or I am I over thinking it?!?!?

[goofy4tink]

Originally Posted by stnet

Question - we are booked as a group through Anthony Travel. I had to input each persons information (33 people) into the Magical Express section on the travel agencies website. We are 11 days out from our trip and still have not received anything. I'm not as worried about the tags as I am about arriving at MCO and going to ME to find out there is no "reservation" for us. I have spoken with the travel agency who assures me everything is fine but I am not comfortable with arriving in MCO without having something in my hands that guarantees us on ME. Any suggestions for what I should do or I am I over thinking it?!?!?

How long ago did you give them the information? DME needs at least 10 days to print up the packets and get them to the guest. In this case, the packet will be sent to the travel agency, who in turn, will get it to you. I would talk to the travel agency and have them send you something that assures you that you have a valid reservation on DME.

[stnet]

I filled out the online form several months ago but the agency told me that they don't actually forward that info to Disney until a month out from the event - they also told me that the mailing would be coming directly to me from Disney and not go to them first. This travel agency is in charge of all Disney sports related events so I know it's not new to them but I am really nervous about arriving at the airport without any documentation for ME. What happens if I don't get the stuff from Disney and the agency can't give me a confirmation number or something do I just go to the ME counter and hope they have the information? Will they allow us to use the service if I don't have the booklet from ME?

[goofy4tink]

Originally Posted by stnet

I filled out the online form several months ago but the agency told me that they don't actually forward that info to Disney until a month out from the event - they also told me that the mailing would be coming directly to me from Disney and not go to them first. This travel agency is in charge of all Disney sports related events so I know it's not new to them but I am really nervous about arriving at the airport without any documentation for ME. What happens if I don't get the stuff from Disney and the agency can't give me a confirmation number or something do I just go to the ME counter and hope they have the information? Will they allow us to use the service if I don't have the booklet from ME?

You should be fine. The odd thing is that DME generally sends out their info packets 4 weeks prior to travel....so it's too bad that your travel agency didn't get the info sent in on a timely basis. But, if they say the documents should come to you, then I guess you'll have to believe them.
I would bring anything that showed you have DME reserved with you, to the DME counter, just in case. No, you don't have to have the vouchers in hand. But you do have to have a prior reservation in their system. With no vouchers in hand, you will have to show ID proving you are the guest listed on the reservation. Not sure how they will handle that with the number of people you are traveling with though.
But, be sure to bring ID with you if you don't get the vouchers in time.

Actually? At this point in time, I would be very tempted to call DME and make sure they have you listed in their system. At least that way, you can sleep at night!!! One less thing to worry about.

[stnet]

Originally Posted by goofy4tink

You should be fine. The odd thing is that DME generally sends out their info packets 4 weeks prior to travel....so it's too bad that your travel agency didn't get the info sent in on a timely basis. But, if they say the documents should come to you, then I guess you'll have to believe them.
I would bring anything that showed you have DME reserved with you, to the DME counter, just in case. No, you don't have to have the vouchers in hand. But you do have to have a prior reservation in their system. With no vouchers in hand, you will have to show ID proving you are the guest listed on the reservation. Not sure how they will handle that with the number of people you are traveling with though.
But, be sure to bring ID with you if you don't get the vouchers in time.

Actually? At this point in time, I would be very tempted to call DME and make sure they have you listed in their system. At least that way, you can sleep at night!!! One less thing to worry about.

I already tried calling them the lady I spoke with told me that since I booked through an agency that she could not look to see if they had a reservation for us or not - that I would need to talk to the travel agency. I didn't feel like this was right but she put me in such a bad mood about it I didn't pursue it!!. I plan on calling the agency today and getting something on paper from them that shows I have a reservation - if they won't do that for me I don't know what I am going to do!!! Thanks for the help - what do you think about DME not giving me info since I booked through an agency?

[goofy4tink]

Originally Posted by stnet

I already tried calling them the lady I spoke with told me that since I booked through an agency that she could not look to see if they had a reservation for us or not - that I would need to talk to the travel agency. I didn't feel like this was right but she put me in such a bad mood about it I didn't pursue it!!. I plan on calling the agency today and getting something on paper from them that shows I have a reservation - if they won't do that for me I don't know what I am going to do!!! Thanks for the help - what do you think about DME not giving me info since I booked through an agency?

That's not unusual at all. The problem with booking through any type of travel agency is that they 'own' the reservation until you are standing at the checkin counter, at the resort. Of course, there are times when you have to use a travel agency. Sounds like you had to do that with such a large group. Most here prefer to book on their own..just to avoid this issue.
I would certainly have the agency you used provide you with something to show you have DME booked. I can't imagine why it's such a big deal for them to do this.
In all probability? Everything will work out just fine.

[stnet]

Originally Posted by goofy4tink

That's not unusual at all. The problem with booking through any type of travel agency is that they 'own' the reservation until you are standing at the checkin counter, at the resort. Of course, there are times when you have to use a travel agency. Sounds like you had to do that with such a large group. Most here prefer to book on their own..just to avoid this issue.
I would certainly have the agency you used provide you with something to show you have DME booked. I can't imagine why it's such a big deal for them to do this.
In all probability? Everything will work out just fine.

I'm sure it will - its just frustrating!!! I am one of those that always books myself so having to deal with the 3rd party agency is driving me crazy!! As part of the soccer tournament we are playing in we had to book using this agency so I know they know what they are doing I just have a hard time sitting her now 8 days out (mail already came today) and still nothing!!

[stnet]

So I couldn't stand the waiting anymore and I emailed the travel agency here is the response:

We give Disney all of the information for the Magical Express. There is no way we are able to track the luggage tags. You are able to check in without the package at the Disney’s Magical Express counter. Everything would be under the name booked.



Thanks!


I emailed them back and told them that I am not comfortable with showing up with 33 people at the ME counter without some sort of reservation number. They should be able to get this from Disney right?

[stnet]

Ok one more update!!! I called ME again and spoke with a very nice lady who was very helpful and was able to verify the reservation by looking everything up by name. I figured they were able to do this I don't know why the first lady I spoke with last week was so adament that this could not be done. So I feel much better knowing they do have our reservation!! Thanks for all your help.

[Alesia]

Originally Posted by stnet

So I couldn't stand the waiting anymore and I emailed the travel agency here is the response:

We give Disney all of the information for the Magical Express. There is no way we are able to track the luggage tags. You are able to check in without the package at the Disney’s Magical Express counter. Everything would be under the name booked.



Thanks!


I emailed them back and told them that I am not comfortable with showing up with 33 people at the ME counter without some sort of reservation number. They should be able to get this from Disney right?

DME doesn't give you a reservation number, so they're correct that they can't give you something that doesn't exist. They're also correct that they can't track the luggage tags. And, yes, you can ride DME and use the luggage delivery even if your packet doesn't arrive in time.

Why do you believe that the travel agency is lying to you about making the reservation?

[stnet]

Originally Posted by Alesia

DME doesn't give you a reservation number, so they're correct that they can't give you something that doesn't exist. They're also correct that they can't track the luggage tags. And, yes, you can ride DME and use the luggage delivery even if your packet doesn't arrive in time.

Why do you believe that the travel agency is lying to you about making the reservation?

Its not that I think they are lying about it I just wanted to make sure that it hadn't fallen through the cracks. I filled out the ME information months ago and figured it was going straight to Disney then. We were originally told the DME packet would arrive around a month before the trip, then told that they don't actually forward the ME information to Disney until a month out and that we should receive the packet 2 weeks out. As time started getting closer I started getting nervous!!! I usually book all off our trips ourselves and haven't used a travel agency in about 5 years so I guess you could say I was having a hard time turning things over!!! I know you can ride without the packet but I also know that you have to have a reservation. As far as not being able to track the tags I was able to speak with a very helpful lady at DME who was able to tell me that the packet was mailed out on the 3rd. That was really all I was looking for was some sort of confirmation that we did indeed have a reservation. I was in no way comfortable with showing up with 33 people and then finding out that we had no reservation.