Another DME Question:Baggage Claim

[famsen]

We are signed up to use DME when we arrive in Orlando.
I want to pick up our own checked luggage, instead of waiting for DME people to get them for us.
So I don't put the DME luggage tags on the bags, correct?
I go and get my bags, then proceed to the DME waiting area?
Will the driver unload my bags when they drop me off at my resort or do them get unloaded off the bus later?

Never did this before so I have no clue.
Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you want to pick up your own luggage, go ahead. Simply DON'T attach the yellow tags at ANY point - throw them away.

Yes, the driver will load and unload your luggage in association with the same bus you ride (assuming it all made it to Orlando).

PLEASE remember it is customary to tip anyone who handles your luggage - skycaps, porters, bus drivers, bellhops... not an issue when the yellow tags are used, since Disney handles that (and only) that tipping.

 

[goofy4tink]

Absolutely correct. You have been given 100% correct info. Toss those yellow tags and head to baggage claim to get the bags. Be sure to add an addtl 15-20 mins to your overall time though. Then take them to DME with you, they will be loaded underneath the bus. The driver will then take them out when you get to your resort and you will have them with you.
Just be sure that you have some cash to tip with....the bus driver will expect a tip when you get to the resort, and bell services will also expect a tip if they touch your bags in any way (for instance,if your room isn't ready and you have to store your bags).

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I want to pick up our own checked luggage, instead of waiting for DME people to get them for us.

I guess it depends on how you define waiting.

I don't like waiting, so I use DME's free luggage service.

Keep in mind that it's not unusual to wait a half hour for luggage at Orlando International, so you will probably be on a later DME motorcoach, and you'll have to deal with your luggage at the airport and at your resort. It's customary to tip the DME driver if he or she handles your luggage. Also, if you use bell services at your resort, it's also customary to tip. You may have to wait in your room for bell services if they're busy (or, if your room is not ready at check-in, you'll need to wait in your room for bell services after you get your room).

Many of us think the luggage transfers are the best part of DME. If you use inbound DME as designed, you'll get to your resort sooner, your inbound luggage tips are paid by Disney, and you don't have to wait in your room for luggage delivery.

You can be out having fun or eating dinner. The bags will be delivered to your room, even if you're out doing something else.

(Just take a carry-on for anything you'll need the first day.)

 

[Alesia]

I guess it depends on how you define waiting.

I don't like waiting, so I use DME's free luggage service.

Keep in mind that it's not unusual to wait a half hour for luggage at Orlando International, so you will probably be on a later DME motorcoach, and you'll have to deal with your luggage at the airport and at your resort. It's customary to tip the DME driver if he or she handles your luggage. Also, if you use bell services at your resort, it's also customary to tip. You may have to wait in your room for bell services if they're busy (or, if your room is not ready at check-in, you'll need to wait in your room for bell services after you get your room).

Many of us think the luggage transfers are the best part of DME. If you use inbound DME as designed, you'll get to your resort sooner, your inbound luggage tips are paid by Disney, and you don't have to wait in your room for luggage delivery.

You can be out having fun or eating dinner. The bags will be delivered to your room, even if you're out doing something else.

(Just take a carry-on for anything you'll need the first day.)

I absolutely agree! Picking up you own luggage means much more waiting!

 

[kaytieeldr]

The intervening posters bring up a good point. Guests who allow Magical Express to deliver their luggage as the program was designed don't have to be in the room for their luggage to be delivered. This is not true of self-checked luggage. Bell Services will NOT bring the luggage until/unless the Guest is in the room. They're so adamant about this that when I stayed at OKW last year, despite having the tip money in my hand when I went to the Bell Desk and asked to get my luggage, I still had to go back to my room at wait for it to be delivered.

 

[goofy4tink]

The intervening posters bring up a good point. Guests who allow Magical Express to deliver their luggage as the program was designed don't have to be in the room for their luggage to be delivered. This is not true of self-checked luggage. Bell Services will NOT bring the luggage until/unless the Guest is in the room. They're so adamant about this that when I stayed at OKW last year, despite having the tip money in my hand when I went to the Bell Desk and asked to get my luggage, I still had to go back to my room at wait for it to be delivered.

This is the one thing that bugs me about changing resorts during a trip. I have Disney move my bags for me, so Bell Services gets it. I can't 'prepay' my tip, I have to be in the room in order to get my bags. And with Disney moving the bags, there is no way to really know when the bags are going to get there!! So, I basically have to wait until late at night to get my bags sent to my room.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh, I agree with you! Remember that time I was 'late' getting to Epcot? I could have caught a bus right after stopping at the Bell Desk - but noooooo, I had to go back to my room and wait; and yes, this was the day I changed from SSR to OKW.