Bad experiences with DME luggage delivery?

[nkereina]

Curious to hear about any bad experiences you may have had with DME luggage delivery service. Have you ever returned to your room late at night to find one (or more) of your bags are missing? Has the delivery ever taken significantly longer than the 3-4 hours they estimate? What happens if the airline loses your luggage?

We usually take a late flight in and claim our own bags, but will be taking an early flight in next trip and are considering using this service for the first time. We'll be checking into the resort around 11-11:30am and won't be back to the room until 10-11pm. I'm nervous about there being an issue and having that much time elapse before it's addressed. If DME luggage issues occur with any regularity, I might just wait the extra time and collect my own bags.

Appreciate your thoughts!

 

[luvmy2babies]

I'm not a pro by any means. We've only flown twice. But it's been great. Our first trip we pretty much ran to the bus stop to go to MK right after putting our backpacks down in the room, but the bags were there when we got back.

Last time after we put our backpacks down we went to the food court to eat lunch and when we were coming down the hall towards our room, the man was there with the bags.

3rd time coming up.

 

[sam_gordon]

Curious to hear about any bad experiences you may have had with DME luggage delivery service. Have you ever returned to your room late at night to find one (or more) of your bags are missing? Has the delivery ever taken significantly longer than the 3-4 hours they estimate? What happens if the airline loses your luggage?

We usually take a late flight in and claim our own bags, but will be taking an early flight in next trip and are considering using this service for the first time. We'll be checking into the resort around 11-11:30am and won't be back to the room until 10-11pm. I'm nervous about there being an issue and having that much time elapse before it's addressed. If DME luggage issues occur with any regularity, I might just wait the extra time and collect my own bags.

Appreciate your thoughts!

I'm sure there have been issues. But DME and luggage services have been around for years. They've pretty much ironed out all the kinks.

If the airline misdirects your bags, DME will file the claim on your behalf. They know they're expecting 4 bags from you and only get 3, they notify the airline.

Travel with enough stuff in your carryon for the first 24 hours.
"Cross pack" for everyone across your checked luggage (mom, dad, & kids have something in every bag)
Don't worry

The first two items you should do whenever your fly, regardless of the destination.

 

[nisiemouse]

I am down here now and it worked flawlessly and was a huge help to me since I just had surgery and have weight restrictions as far as lifting.

 

[Arenita]

I've used DME 7 or 8 times. I have had no major issues.

I have had two VERY minor issues. Once, travelling with four people in two rooms, our suitcases were not put in the correct rooms. This was no big deal, as we were next door to each other. Only once was the luggage not delivered within the 3 hour window. It took about 4 1/2 hours. Again, this was no big deal. (I went down to Bell Services to ask for a status and they told me my luggage was being delivered to my room right then. Should have gone down and asked earlier! )

I agree with the PP about taking clothes in a carry-on and cross-packing. I always carry my swimsuit, nightclothes, next day park clothes plus necessary toiletries (those not offerred by WDW), chargers and medicine in my carry-on. By doing that, I thwart the Lost Luggage Trolls.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[kscraig]

We had a flawless experience last year coming in to the resort but when it was time to go home we followed all the instructions they left us and reserved someone to come to the room to get the bags down to the bus, just like the paper they gave us said. We went down to eat breakfast and when we got to the bus, our bags were not there. No one was interested in finding them. We had to get a tad unhappy before they would send someone up to the room, where no one had gone to pick up the bags. We almost missed the bus, but managed to get on at the last minute. They were not interested in helping, acted as if we were at fault and were pretty rude about it. I guess it was because we were leaving. My advice is to wait with your luggage until someone comes to the room for them.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Once they left my suitcase sitting out in the rain for an extended period. This is a large suitcase and everything in it was soaked through and through. I don't know if it was DME or the airport though. All I know is it was soaked when it got to my room.

 

[sscornette]

We arrived at POR last fall at 8pm and didn't get our luggage until 1am, and that was after calling. We didn't realize it would take too long and sort of wished we had just taken our luggage ourself.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

We arrived at POR last fall at 8pm and didn't get our luggage until 1am, and that was after calling. We didn't realize it would take too long and sort of wished we had just taken our luggage ourself.

I've always heard that they say to allow up to 6 hours for luggage delivery.

 

[sam_gordon]

We had a flawless experience last year coming in to the resort but when it was time to go home we followed all the instructions they left us and reserved someone to come to the room to get the bags down to the bus, just like the paper they gave us said. We went down to eat breakfast and when we got to the bus, our bags were not there. No one was interested in finding them. We had to get a tad unhappy before they would send someone up to the room, where no one had gone to pick up the bags. We almost missed the bus, but managed to get on at the last minute. They were not interested in helping, acted as if we were at fault and were pretty rude about it. I guess it was because we were leaving. My advice is to wait with your luggage until someone comes to the room for them.

IIRC, DME doesn't pick up bags from your room. The resort baggage services (bellhops) will take your bags from your room to your car, the DME bus area, or the RAC check in counter, but you should be in your room when they collect them and stay with them unless the bags are going into storage.

Unless the procedure has changed, it does sound like you misunderstood the directions.

 

[sam_gordon]

I've always heard that they say to allow up to 6 hours for luggage delivery.

It's 3-4 hours from resort CHECKIN. Since you're supposed to allow 90 minutes to get off the airplane to your resort, that could be the 6 hours (90 minutes from when the plane gets to the gate + 3-4 hours after checkin) you're hearing.

 

[pigletgirl]

This is why I am planning on putting everything we'll need for the first 24 hours in our carry on bag. I don't want to feel like I'm stranded.

 

[bellanotte10]

IIRC, DME doesn't pick up bags from your room. The resort baggage services (bellhops) will take your bags from your room to your car, the DME bus area, or the RAC check in counter, but you should be in your room when they collect them and stay with them unless the bags are going into storage. Unless the procedure has changed, it does sound like you misunderstood the directions.

This is how I remember it as well. I remember telling my family they'll drop them off and you'll be spoiled but you have to bring them back on the bus with you.

 

[sam_gordon]

This is how I remember it as well. I remember telling my family they'll drop them off and you'll be spoiled but you have to bring them back on the bus with you.

You don't have to bring them back on the bus either (well, your carryons you do). Checked bags can be checked at the resort RAC counter. They'll be tagged and brought to the airport on their own. I don't think all the airlines participate, but the major ones do. It's also only open from 5a-1p and you need to be completely checked in no later than 3 hours before your flight.

 

[bellanotte10]

You don't have to bring them back on the bus either (well, your carryons you do). Checked bags can be checked at the resort RAC counter. They'll be tagged and brought to the airport on their own. I don't think all the airlines participate, but the major ones do. It's also only open from 5a-1p and you need to be completely checked in no later than 3 hours before your flight.

Yeah we do either super early or super late flights and that's never been open for us except for the last two times.

 

[sam_gordon]

Yeah we do either super early or super late flights and that's never been open for us except for the last two times.

LOL. I understand. I just want to make sure others reading know RAC is an option. And the lateness of the flight really doesn't matter. Your flight can be going out at 11:30pm, and you can check your bags when RAC opens at 5am.

 

[bellanotte10]

LOL. I understand. I just want to make sure others reading know RAC is an option. And the lateness of the flight really doesn't matter. Your flight can be going out at 11:30pm, and you can check your bags when RAC opens at 5am.

... Haha I didn't know that. I'm glad I mentioned it! Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

We had a flawless experience last year coming in to the resort but when it was time to go home we followed all the instructions they left us and reserved someone to come to the room to get the bags down to the bus, just like the paper they gave us said. We went down to eat breakfast and when we got to the bus, our bags were not there. No one was interested in finding them. We had to get a tad unhappy before they would send someone up to the room, where no one had gone to pick up the bags. We almost missed the bus, but managed to get on at the last minute. They were not interested in helping, acted as if we were at fault and were pretty rude about it. I guess it was because we were leaving. My advice is to wait with your luggage until someone comes to the room for them.

I'm not sure what 'instructions' you were following. I've used DME for return to the airport more times than I can actually remember...I have never seen anything about reserving someone to go to the room and get the bags, and bring them to the bus. There must have been some kind of misunderstanding. You should always be in the room if you want bags picked up!

Once they left my suitcase sitting out in the rain for an extended period. This is a large suitcase and everything in it was soaked through and through. I don't know if it was DME or the airport though. All I know is it was soaked when it got to my room.

Most likely at the airport. If there is a thunderstorm at MCO, all bags are literally left where they fall and employees take cover. So, bags can get wet. Once DME has the bags, they are put in big wired bins and loaded onto the truck for resort delivery.

DME works very well, the majority of the time. Yes, 'stuff' can happen, but it isn't very often.
Bags can be expected in your room up to 4 hrs after you checkin at the resort. I have had just one incident where it took longer...that I know of at least. And it wouldn't have been an issue if my adult dd had packed her carryon the way I told her to. But no, she put all her extra shoes in her carry on (no idea why!!), and really wasn't able to leave the resort until she had showered and changed into 'summer' clothes!!! Drove me nuts...and of course, it took almost 5 hrs for the bags to get to our room. I have a feeling it was a combination of bad luck and being at Pop! I normally don't hang around waiting for my checked bags to arrive..just check in and head to a park.

As long as you know how DME works, and what to expect, you should be fine.

 

[Minnesota!]

IIRC, DME doesn't pick up bags from your room. The resort baggage services (bellhops) will take your bags from your room to your car, the DME bus area, or the RAC check in counter, but you should be in your room when they collect them and stay with them unless the bags are going into storage.

Unless the procedure has changed, it does sound like you misunderstood the directions.

We have used DME, without fail, pushing 10 times. Always flawless. We love it.

 

[keri125]

Only used it once, and they did lose my bag, but it wasn't their (DME) fault. I only had one DME tag (long story) and was told to just make sure I tell the guy at the airport when I check in that I needed another DME tag (this was five years ago, so my memory is a little fuzzy!). I did and he nodded at me and said he would take care of it, grabbed my luggage and threw it on the conveyer belt behind him. I was concerned but thought, "oh well, he must know what he is doing!" LOL Of course it didn't get tagged so DME didn't pick it up with my other luggage and it was put in the unclaimed room at the airport. I contributed to this as well because I had borrowed my mother's luggage, so her name and info were on the luggage tag, so they didn't match the two bags together. However, DME (even though NONE of this was their fault) went SUPER FAR out of their way to ensure that once the airport had found my luggage it made it on the next bus and I had it within 24 hours. I was REALLY impressed with the service and my dad, who is not easily impressed, was also blown away. Like I said, the details are fuzzy, but it seems like they put someone on it really early in the morning, like 5am, to make sure I had my luggage by that day. They were really great.