Can you use DME for luggage only?

[NandP]

Has anyone ever just sent their luggage with the Disney Magical Express ?

I have a rental car booked, and I was thinking of not waiting for my checked luggage... and have it show up in our room later that day....

I have my luggage tags, can I just not use the bus??

I still don't feel comfortable not being able to control the time I come and go to the airport.
Thanks...

 

[Lewisc]

Been asked at least once a week. If you dont check in at the DME desk and if you don't board the bus (your driver scans your voucher as you board) Disney will assume you missed your flight and will keep your luggage at MCO.

I'm not sure what will happen if you just leave the bus after your voucher is scanned but at that point you might as well take the bus to your resort and rent a car at WDW.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

As Lewisc said, nope, it doesn't work that way.

However, I highly reccomend that even if you do use ME you get your own bags anyway - it's just not worth the risk, at least to me. Just take the 10 minutes to get your bags...you'll be much happier that way.

N.E.D.

 

[Lewisc]

As Lewisc said, nope, it doesn't work that way.

However, I highly reccomend that even if you do use ME you get your own bags anyway - it's just not worth the risk, at least to me. Just take the 10 minutes to get your bags...you'll be much happier that way.

N.E.D.

If your airline in on the "B" side of the terminal you'll waste a lot more than 10 minutes. With all the posts in all the internet boards I haven't seen any guest not get his luggage. Excluding the first few weeks everyone seems to be getting their bags a few hours after checkin.

A few posters had reasons not to use the luggage checkin.

One poster was staying at FW, his luggage included his tent and he was arriving in the late afternoon. He decided to at least pick up his tent since he didn't want to be setting it up after dark.

Get your own bags and you'll get to your resort at least 30 minutes later and you'll be tipping the DME driver and possibly a bellhop.

 

[CleveRocks]

As Lewisc said, nope, it doesn't work that way.

However, I highly reccomend that even if you do use ME you get your own bags anyway - it's just not worth the risk, at least to me. Just take the 10 minutes to get your bags...you'll be much happier that way.

N.E.D.

Before I comment on your post, I have to comment on your caption under your name (on the left) -- I LOVE IT!!!

Anyway, I for one would NOT be much happier to get my own luggage. I was thrilled to have DME do it for me. Other than when I have cruised, having my luggage handled for me and not having to worry about it was a unique and very pleasant part of my WDW vacation.

I'm totally boggled as to why some people trust their airline to transport their luggage hundreds or thousands of miles but yet don't trust DME to take it the last few miles.

To each's own. The bottom line is, no matter how attractive a service looks to me, or how risky it looks to you, each of us will be happy only if we're NOT fretting over something. I'd be fretting if luggage handling was offered but I had to get my luggage myself. You'd be fretting to not have your luggage safe and secure with you at all times. We each do what increases the chances of enjoying our vacation experiences. GOD BLESS AMERICA.

-- Eric

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm totally boggled as to why some people trust their airline to transport their luggage hundreds or thousands of miles but yet don't trust DME to take it the last few miles.

I agree.

But I've learned from this board that there are some folks who just can't relax until they see their bags after a flight. They'd rather wait at baggage claim then take the first available Magical Express motor coach to their resort. They'd rather drag their checked luggage through Orlando International than to go to the Magical Express Welcome Center with just their carry-ons. They'd rather tip the Magical Express driver and the hotel bellman for baggage handling than to enjoy the free inbound bellman gratuities that Disney provides when Magical Express is used as designed.

I think it's good when people point out that handling your own luggage is an option. (Just don't use the yellow tags, and your bags will go to baggage claim.) However, it's also good to point out that the inbound luggage handling is a wonderful feature of Magical Express -- which saves time, saves effort, and saves money.

 

[Lewisc]

I agree with your general rule but some exceptions:

1) A guest was staying at FW, arriving around 6:00 and wanted to be able to setup his tent before sundown. Makes sense for him to pick up at least some of his luggage (his tent).

2) A guest had a golf tee time shortly after he landed. I don't think you can carryon your clubs it was iffy if he could even make the tee time but that was the only time he could schedule.

I agree.

But I've learned from this board that there are some folks who just can't relax until they see their bags after a flight. They'd rather wait at baggage claim then take the first available Magical Express motor coach to their resort. They'd rather drag their checked luggage through Orlando International than to go to the Magical Express Welcome Center with just their carry-ons. They'd rather tip the Magical Express driver and the hotel bellman for baggage handling than to enjoy the free inbound bellman gratuities that Disney provides when Magical Express is used as designed.

I think it's good when people point out that handling your own luggage is an option. (Just don't use the yellow tags, and your bags will go to baggage claim.) However, it's also good to point out that the inbound luggage handling is a wonderful feature of Magical Express -- which saves time, saves effort, and saves money.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I agree with your general rule but some exceptions:

1) A guest was staying at FW, arriving around 6:00 and wanted to be able to setup his tent before sundown. Makes sense for him to pick up at least some of his luggage (his tent).

2) A guest had a golf tee time shortly after he landed. I don't think you can carryon your clubs it was iffy if he could even make the tee time but that was the only time he could schedule.

Yes, those are good reasons taking some luggage onto the motor coach, rather than checking the luggage all the way to the resort room.

Actually, if someone really can't relax until they see their bags after a flight, that's also a good reason not to use Magical Express luggage transfers.

It's great that Magical Express offers a choice. I just hope that people make an informed decsion, with full awareness of waht they're gaining and what they're giving up in each case.

 

[keishashadow]

I agree.

But I've learned from this board that there are some folks who just can't relax until they see their bags after a flight. They'd rather wait at baggage claim then take the first available Magical Express motor coach to their resort. They'd rather drag their checked luggage through Orlando International than to go to the Magical Express Welcome Center with just their carry-ons. They'd rather tip the Magical Express driver and the hotel bellman for baggage handling than to enjoy the free inbound bellman gratuities that Disney provides when Magical Express is used as designed.

I think it's good when people point out that handling your own luggage is an option. (Just don't use the yellow tags, and your bags will go to baggage claim.) However, it's also good to point out that the inbound luggage handling is a wonderful feature of Magical Express -- which saves time, saves effort, and saves money.

One small detail keeps me from using ME, my lost luggage in February from MCO to PIT. FYI, if you don't fill out a lost baggage form "before you leave the airport"; the airline is technically not responsible for said bag. If you check your bags @ home airport & you don't know they're missing until that night @ your resort; who's on the hook and what is their liability to you? Any good lawyers in the house?

 

[safetymom]

Disney takes care of that if the bag doesn't make it to MCO. They will do the paperwork.

 

[keishashadow]

Disney takes care of that if the bag doesn't make it to MCO. They will do the paperwork.

Not much worse than watching the carousel slowly empty and your bag's not on it. Stressful filling out a lost luggage claim - one of life's great pleasures .

So Disney, as your agent, fills out the form @ the airport if it's lost; and you describe the bag & contents @ a later time? What happens if the bag is lost between the airport & your resort? Does Disney provide the same recourse/liability as the airlines?

Too much stressing for me. You become more possessive about your stuff once it's been lost/stolen from; even if it's recovered. No one plans on losing their luggage.

 

[safetymom]

I quit stressing about losing my luggage a long time ago. I fly so often and only had problems twice. I don't fly with anything I can't afford to lose.

Not sure what happens between MCO and the resort. For the return if you check luggage at the resort it should be the airlines problem.

 

[keishashadow]

I quit stressing about losing my luggage a long time ago. I fly so often and only had problems twice. I don't fly with anything I can't afford to lose.

Not sure what happens between MCO and the resort. For the return if you check luggage at the resort it should be the airlines problem.

"...only had problems twice", you have quit stressing.

 

[jetsetter90]

I understand and will use DME inbound to Disney. What happens on day of departure? I have checked my bags in at the hotel and flying Song so can actually checkin. I now decide I don't want to leave 3 hours earlier or miss my bus and decide to take a taxi. Will my bags make it on the plane with me?

TTFN
Jetsetter90