Air Canada and Magic Express & Locks on Suitcases

[kkana]

Does anyone know if Air Canada is able to use the Magic Express

Also -what is the concensus of putting locks on luggage? A coworker just told me they were recomended not to when they took a trip in Feb.

Inquiring minds want to know

 

[Mysteria]

Not sure about Air Canada and ME. I heard Canadians can use ME but have to deal with their own luggage. Someone else will probably know more or be able to elaborate for you.

Locks on luggage I can answer though. You can put them on if you want but they have the right to remove them to inspect your luggage. Which will result in damage to your lock and possibly your luggage. I leave them off now.

Myst

 

[OntFamily]

With regard to ME, luggage on any inbound (that does not have to clear US customs in MCO) will be handled by Disney, as long as the ME baggage tag is affixed to the bag. Any airline, including Air Canada is included.


For outbound flights, luggage on Air Canada cannot be checked in @ the Hotel -- you must take it on the ME bus with you.



On locks, any lock may be opened by TSA (including being broken if need be). You may want to invest in the "special" locks you can buy, that TSA has master keys (ie TSA won't break the lock if they want to inspect your luggage).

 

[katypop]

Hi, I'm flying from Detroit next month but a friend is flying Westjet from TO and has been told she can use ME , as OntFamily states, it works for the trip down, but for the trip back you can still use the bus service but will have to take your luggage on the bus with you. The only thing I wonder about is customs. I flew Westjet in Dec. and was told I would clear customs in TO but when I arrived at Pearson airport that had changed, I was told I had to clear customs at MCO. Not sure how this would affect ME

I used to lock my luggage but 2 yrs ago they did break my locks to inspect my luggage. Since then, I don't bother. I bring a lock with me so I can lock one at the resort if I decide I need to.

Kathe

 

[mbb]

if you really feel the need to lock it up Dollar Store has 'em for...what else, $1 That will get you a package of 50-100 of varying sizes. I just put the extras, along with an infant size nail clipper in the fron/outside pocket of my checked bags...

...of course, we won't be checking bags anymore..
*sigh* Still no luggage!!LOL!

For ME on the return trip...I'm thinking that you *might* be able to use it if you're flying with AC...they codeshare with United - you have to use United's desk at checkin..

katypop, how had the "system" changed in December? When we traveled in January, there was no Canadian pre-clearance at MCO...just curious

 

[Amberle3]

Gotta agree with MBB - I always use cable ties now. I've also never had a hotel front desk refuse to let me use their scissors when checking in (to cut off the cable ties).

From what I'm told, if TSA has to inspect your bag they'll cut off the cable tie and then replace it with one of a different colour, so that you know the bag has been gone into (of course they're supposed to leave a note too).

 

[katypop]

mbb-the change was on the way down, not on the return trip. I was told I'd clear customs in TO but apparently they were backed up so our flight had to go through customs at MCO. On the return trip customs was at Pearson.
Kathe

 

[Dolphin_Girl008]

I'll be flying Westjet from Toronto to MCO in May. I emailed Disney about the ME and here's the reply I got from them:


The process for International guest using Disney's Magical Express is as follows:

1.)Guest clears US customs

2.)Guest goes to Disney's Magical Express Desk and gets luggage tags(we currently being told that we can not send these tags to our International guest which is why you have to pick them up at MCO. If you get them sent to your house (processes are always changing)you can put them on after you clear US customs)Please tell your friends this. If they put the tags on before US clearing customs their bags will be pulled by the DME team and may cause them to have a more complicated trip through customs at MCO.

3.)Guest goes to baggage carousel and put luggage tags on bags, guest then puts baggage back on carousel (luggage will then be transferred by Disney's Magical Express agent).

4.)Guest boards Disney's Magical Express shuttle.

 

[OntFamily]

Hi, I'm flying from Detroit next month but a friend is flying Westjet from TO and has been told she can use ME , as OntFamily states, it works for the trip down, but for the trip back you can still use the bus service but will have to take your luggage on the bus with you. The only thing I wonder about is customs. I flew Westjet in Dec. and was told I would clear customs in TO but when I arrived at Pearson airport that had changed, I was told I had to clear customs at MCO. Not sure how this would affect ME

Kathe

Did this happen to you, or were you told it may happen? It would be difficult for Westjet to switch the gate from a secure gate afer US customs, to a "normal" gate. I'm not doubting your statement, only seeking clarification.

 

[OntFamily]

katypop, how had the "system" changed in December? When we traveled in January, there was no Canadian pre-clearance at MCO...just curious

There are no Canadian pre-clearance facilites at any airport outside of Canada -- all travellers must clear Canadian customs at the first airport the plane lands at in Canada.

 

[katypop]

Sorry guys, I must not be making myself clear When I went to wdw in Dec I was told I would clear customs on my way DOWN at Pearson. When I got to Pearson I was told there was a change and I would have to go through the American customs at MCO. So instead of just going to pick up my luggage at the carousel I had to first collect it and go through customs. If this happened using ME would your luggage still be gathered by disney after the customs stop but before the carousel? Probably, but just not sure how this works, and I like to be prepared ahead of time.
There was never any change in going through customs on the RETURN trip. Checked my bags at MCO and went through Canadian customs at Pearson as usual.
Thanks Dolphin for the info We'll see what happens, I was told they are sending me tags to my home so I should receive them in a week or two.
Kathe

 

[Lewisc]

luggage at the carousel I had to first collect it and go through customs. If this happened using ME would your luggage still be gathered by disney after the customs stop but before the carousel? Probably

EXACTLY, Just make sure your ME tags are on your bags after customs.

 

[mbb]

I think you were clear enough...I'm just not comprehending enough!! LOL

and thanks DolphinGirl for the info Can you just imagine the ruckus at Customs in MCO if you did put your tags on before? And DME nabbed them to be transported? You would be WAITING forever to get your bags back to be processed.

Soooooo, moral of the story is ME is:
... ok for baggage if you pre-clear USCustoms&Immigration,
....still a hassle if you don't

And we're still waiting to see on the United/AC codeshare thing for the return trip...?

 

[dimoe]

What do these me tags look like? anyone know... I got tinkerbell ones are these the ones???
Diane

 

[SaraMc]

We bought luggage locks at the dollar store when we went in Feb. DH's luggage was taken by customs and opened. It didnt really bother him, its a 50cent lock that well you can open with a bobby pin. They put a little note inside saying that it had been inspected. If you are going to get locks I would get cheapies that way if they do open it, no big loss.

 

[OntFamily]

We bought luggage locks at the dollar store when we went in Feb. DH's luggage was taken by customs and opened. It didnt really bother him, its a 50cent lock that well you can open with a bobby pin. They put a little note inside saying that it had been inspected. If you are going to get locks I would get cheapies that way if they do open it, no big loss.

What is the value of having locks that are easy to open?

 

[seashoreCM]

Suitcase locks do not provide protection. All they do is prevent accidental opening (hopefully). If someone wants to steal your stuff they could just as well take the whole suitcase.

Someone please re-iterate: Do international guests, after clearing customs in Orlando, really put the luggage back on the carousel? If the Magical Express baggage clerk is behind the scenes, he won't see the luggage going 'round and 'round. (If the guest has the luggage in hand, he can always hand carry it the rest of the way, onto the ME bus.)

I find it hard to believe that the ME clerk could intercept baggage prior to customs.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Joann]

I booked with air canada for may I don't get ME they gave me vouchers for meirs or whatever that bus service is that people have to pay for that will take us to the hotel??

 

[seashoreCM]

I booked with air canada for may I don't get ME they gave me vouchers for meirs or whatever that bus service is that people have to pay for that will take us to the hotel??

You reserve ME directly with Disney, and at least 10 days in advance.

You can use ME and check your baggage the normal way for carousel pickup, just as you would do with Mears' normal shuttle service. Don't miss out on Disney's free airport transportation because the optional special baggage handling seems to be confusing.

 

[blunoz]

What do these me tags look like? anyone know... I got tinkerbell ones are these the ones???
Diane

Hi everyone, been lurking for a while...

I'm interested in the luggage tags too. I received Tinkerbell cards with my hotel voucher. Page one said that my ME voucher was included then another sheet stated it would come later. I'm at 20 days away now and not sure if I should start panicking or not.

When I spoke with Disney they told me WestJet was partnering in ME and I could clear customs at Pearson on my way down but would have to take my own luggage to MCO on departure date.

I'm confused...could someone clarify?