Check luggage with ME but rent car?

[pixie08]

Hi everyone! I am wondering if all the experts on here can help me...

I am planning my wedding in Disney (set for June) and as you can imagine some of my guests who are making the trip to Disney (esp first timers) are throwing all these questions at me from left field. Most I can handle but here is a head scratcher...

My dh2b's parents are flying jet-blue to mco which is a "participating airline". Now they are renting a car. Now they are a bit older and perfer not to have to wait for their luggage and drag it to the dar rental (which can be a bit taxing because my dh2b and I have done this before) SO- can they check their luggage as if they are riding ME but not get on the bus and pick the luggage up later?

What would they do just put the tags on the suitcases, check in at mco but then go pick up their car and for go the bus? Yikes! thanks for the help I am a bit stumped on this!

 

[bradk]

the fact that it's a participating airline means nothing unless it's time to leave the resort at which point they can use remote airline checkin (RAC) to check in for their flight and check their bags directly at the resort for applicable flights.

as far as going to the resort, DME is officially not a baggage delivery service and they virtually promise that if you don't ride the bus, your luggage does not get delivered to you, so at least one person must ride the bus.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

What bradk wrote is correct.

Take a look at the official Disney's Magical Express FAQ http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/common/helpFAQ?id=HelpFAQDMEPage

Q. Can I book a "luggage-only" transfer?

A. No. To utilize Disney's Magical Express Service, you must participate in both the motor coach transportation and the luggage transfer services.​

However, on check-out day, guests can check their bags with Resort Airline Check-in, the remote skycap service -- even if they aren't using Magical Express for the ride back to the airport.

Q. Do I have to use Disney's Magical Express Service to participate in the Resort Airline Check-In Service?

A. No. The Resort Airline Check-In Service is available to guests staying at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels who are flying domestically on participating airlines departing from Orlando International Airport. You may take any transportation from your Resort hotel to Orlando International Airport.​

Read the FAQ for more details.

 

[Edd]

What may be written on paper and what really happens is not the same. We have discussed it many times on the boards. All luggage coming into the Orlando International with a Disney tag on it gets to Disney and your resort. There is nothing left behind because you didn't participate in the bus transportation.

The luggage tagged with Disney tags is immediately split off by the airlines and shipped to a processing center where it is separated and shipped to the specific resorts. Now you may be taking a chance that Disney might change its process sometime in the future, but for the present time, those are the facts.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

What may be written on paper and what really happens is not the same. We have discussed it many times on the boards. All luggage coming into the Orlando International with a Disney tag on it gets to Disney and your resort. There is nothing left behind because you didn't participate in the bus transportation.

The rules are crystal clear. DME does not allow "luggage-only" transfers.

Edd may be right that guests who use the yellow DME tags, but then pile into a rental car, taxi, towncar, limo, or SUV, will be reunited with their luggage at their resort anyway. Edd is suggesting that it's both okay and dependable to flaunt the rules.

I don't agree. Disney knows if someone is cheating. Disney knows if someone neither checked in for Magical Express, not had their voucher scanned when boarding the motorcoach. Disney can then choose to deliver the bags anyway or to handle the situation in way that discourages guests from cheating (even if that's not what they've done in the past).

Disney isn't just offering the free Magical Express service just to be nice. Disney transports you and your luggage, and, in return, you're a captive audience; you spend all your attraction, dining, and shopping dollars on-site, rather than wandering off to competing attraction, off-site restaurants, and local outlet malls. Sure, it's possible to rent a car for one or more days while you're staying at WDW, but most Magical Express guests won't bother to do so.

Of course, if you use a taxi, towncar, limo, or SUV service, you're still be a captive audience. But if you use a rental car, chances are you will take your wallet off-site.

 

[Edd]

That is Bull. The luggage transfer is there if you want to use it. The passenger transfer is there if you want to use it. The scans when you board the bus are taken for billing purposes. That is done by Mears employees, if you have noticed, not Disney employees and those scans will be the basis of the charge that Mears will collect from Disney at the end of the month.

Everyone in Orlando is interested in passenger service including Disney, Mears and the Orlando International airport. DME is provided for your convenience and any part you don't want to use Disney is happy with that. The three companies working together, Disney, Mears and Orlando International airport, have contracted DME for your convenience and to provide that service for you. If there is a service you don't want to use than that is your privilege. If your bags are tagged with Disney tags they will go to Disney with no questions asked. Disney does not question that.

I am not trying to skirt the rules. It is not sensible to book a luggage transfer only because the DME is free. So there is no process for booking just luggage transfer. If you book both than you have a choice to not either use one or the other or both. Many choose not to use the luggage transfer part of the DME. Does that mean they cannot use the motor coach transfer?

The answer stated in order to be eligible for the DME you must use the motor coach and the luggage transfer service, so I assume from that answer if you pick up your own luggage and drag it to the Welcome Center you are not eligible to ride the bus. So basically because Disney accepts passengers who do not use the luggage service and lets them board the busses than anyone who does not use the passenger service can go ahead and use the luggage service.

The answer you use to base your findings on contradicts itself, in reality, which to me voids out the whole Q & A. I have found no other documentation other than that Q & A that Horace is basing his postings on.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

That is Bull. The luggage transfer is there if you want to use it. The passenger transfer is there if you want to use it.

Edd,

Clearly, what you're writing is at odds with Disney's FAQ.

May I offer a friendly suggestion? If you honestly believe that Disney does not have an issue with "luggage-only" transfers, despite what their FAQ says, then you (as an individual) or the Greater Orlando Livery Association ought to work with Disney to change the FAQ and to change what Disney's Magical Express Guest Services CMs tell people who ask for "luggage-only" transfers.

It would be great for livery (towncar, limo, and SUV) services and their passengers. Just as Magical Express passengers bypass baggage claim, so too could livery service passengers. In fact, livery services would clearly offer the fastest, most convenient, most carefree way for passengers to get from their arrival gate to their resort.

And as long as passengers are using a livery service instead of a rental car, Disney would still gain the on-site spending dollars of the captive audience.

However, as long as Disney's answer is no, I have a problem with the advice that cheating is okay, and that Disney will never, ever enforce the rule in any way.

 

[Edd]

Horace,

Your Q&A contradicts itself. It is not the official word. The Answer states you must use both luggage and coach to be eligible for DME. Obviously you can turn down the luggage option and still get the coach option. The answer you are basing your opinion on is not right!! It is not right because there are passengers using the coach option and not using the luggage option, but yet are able to ride the DME. Do you see that or are you basing your opinion on part of the part of the answer that suits you best.

Disney has not said no. If you want to get down to the very basic contract, you will find that Disney has agreed, with the airport and all the airlines involved, to transfer all luggage that is tagged with the Disney tags. There are no exceptions mentioned. This involves the airlines who send Disney tagged luggage in a different direction than the regular luggage. The only way this can be changed is through negotiation of the current contract and that isn't going to happen. After 2300 at night the is a slight change of procedure, but it still requires Disney to pick up all the bags tagged with Disney tags.

 

[bradk]

ok, the point of arguing on this is what?

first, Edd, what you call contradicting itself clearly isn't. whether you use yellow tags or claim the luggage yourself, DME is still physically transporting luggage.

but regardless, what Edd suggests could very well be the case. I for one have never doubted DME's official policy enough to test it, nor will I. but certainly anyone is fully capable of making their own informed decision.

 

[Lewisc]

I have no doubt Ed is giving us the real world answer. The only issue would be if Disney decided to enforce a no luggage only policy in the future

I wonder what would happen if a guest showed up at the DME desk, told the CM they changed their mind, decided to rent a car and asked how they could get their yellow tagged luggage? I have little doubt the CM would tell the guest the luggage will appear in their room. I don't think Disney has a system to move luggage from the sorting facility back to the baggage claim carousels.

The danger is if Disney changed the system.

BTW the OP asked about checking in at the DME desk then grabbing a rental car. I don't see how this could be an issue.

 

[Edd]

Thank you. Anyone can do what they want and they will suffer any consequences involved. I don't feel like the board should mislead the people inquiring in favor of a gain for Disney. Most posters on these boards favor Disney very highly and maybe tend to get blinded by Disney. Let's be as fair as we can. I am sure if Disney decided to change their policy I will find out or they will let everyone know the exact policy and how it relates to you, the passenger. However, at this time, there is no clear policy.

 

[Lewisc]

Ed the written policy is clear. To be fair to Horace a guest who decides to ignore Disney's written policy is taking a risk. The DME CM asks us how many bags we checked. Disney follows through with the airline if the luggage doesn't show up. I'm not sure what would happen if our bags didn't arrive and we didn't check in at the DME desk. I don't know if we'd be responsbile to contact our airline or if Disney would want us to return to MCO to file a claim at the DME desk.

I don't think it's worth the $$$ for Disney to allocate the manpower to pull the luggage of guests who don't check in.

Horace there are a lot of rules many of us don't follow, start with the 55 mph speed limt.

Thank you. Anyone can do what they want and they will suffer any consequences involved. I don't feel like the board should mislead the people inquiring in favor of a gain for Disney. Most posters on these boards favor Disney very highly and maybe tend to get blinded by Disney. Let's be as fair as we can. I am sure if Disney decided to change their policy I will find out or they will let everyone know the exact policy and how it relates to you, the passenger. However, at this time, there is no clear policy.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Your Q&A contradicts itself. It is not the official word. The Answer states you must use both luggage and coach to be eligible for DME. Obviously you can turn down the luggage option and still get the coach option. The answer you are basing your opinion on is not right!!

It's not my Q&A. It's Disney's official DME FAQ.

The question is specifically about "luggage-only" transfers, and the answer is specifically in response to that question. The answer is no, with a further clarification.

If the question were, "Can I claim my own luggage at Orlando International Airport?" the answer would be yes.

Edd, Please respond to my suggestion that that Greater Orlando Livery Association ought to work with Disney to change the rule, to change the FAQ, and to retrain the DME Guest Services CMs.

I for one have never doubted DME's official policy enough to test it, nor will I.

And that's a whole point. DME has an official position. The official position is that the answer to "luggage-only" transfers is no.

There are a lot of things that people know they could get away with, but that they don't do because it isn't allowed for one reason or another.

I have no doubt Ed is giving us the real world answer. The only issue would be if Disney decided to enforce a no luggage only policy in the future

I don't doubt that that "Ed is giving us the real world answer" that people have successfully gotten "luggage-only" transfers without using DME transportation.

The issue is whether it's okay to do something, such as violating a contractual obligation or misusing a service, just because one thinks one can get away with it.

 

[Edd]

Your question about GOLA is hard to answer. If you knew them like I know them you might understand better that GOLA might not work with Disney well. Limousine companies are limousine companies and I think act differently when it comes to most transportation problems. They have no stands at Disney and I am not sure if they still have the stand at the Orange County Convention Center. It is hard to answer your question. So now that I answered your question, maybe you can answer my question.

Why does Disney accept passengers knowing they are skipping the luggage option of the DME, but yet, supposedly, say you have to use both options luggage and coach to qualify for the DME. There are certainly more passengers that skip the luggage option, using the coach option, and go to DME, than passengers who skip the coach option, using the luggage option. The Q&A says you have to utilize both.

Whether you know it or not the answer is passenger service. What is your answer?

 

[VAgal76]

I agree with Horace on this. They clearly don't want to be a luggage handling service. If you ask them to just handle your luggage without the transfer, they'll tell you no. Why even bother attempting it? What if they choose YOUR bags to be the ones they draw the line on and not deliver them? That would certainly stink if you ask me. I'd love to use them as a luggage service and I'm sure there have been those that do it. However, encouraging those to do it despite the rules is just in poor taste IMO. Why don't we pool hop, lie about our kids age to beat the dining plan, etc. while we're at it then?

 

[Lewisc]

I'm not sure the terms contained in a Disney FAQ, that most guest never read, constitutes a contractual obligation. Many, probably most people don't consider using part of a free service misuse.

I sort of agree with your premise that Disney expects we're a "captive audience" as a result of using DME but Disney will never publicly admit that.

My concern would be what would happen if my airline loses my luggage. DME would have no reason or ability to follow up and make a claim.

From my point of view a passenger is free to use DME for luggage only but the passenger assumes some risks.

If I ever wanted to use DME for luggage only I'd have at least one member of my group at least check in at the DME desk and probably even take the free bus.

The issue is whether it's okay to do something, such as violating a contractual obligation or misusing a service, just because one thinks one can get away with it.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Why does Disney accept passengers knowing they are skipping the luggage option of the DME, but yet, supposedly, say you have to use both options luggage and coach to qualify for the DME. There are certainly more passengers that skip the luggage option, using the coach option, and go to DME, than passengers who skip the coach option, using the luggage option. The Q&A says you have to utilize both.

Whether you know it or not the answer is passenger service. What is your answer?

Guests who use the motor coach transportation, but not the luggage transfer services, are still primarily a captive audience, just like guests who use both parts of the service.

Guests you use the luggage transfer services, but who rent a car, are creating an expense for Disney without a corresponding increase in on-site spending if they use that rental car to take themselves (and their wallets) to off-site attractions, shops, and restaurants.

DME's statement about having to participate in both parts of DME is within the context of a "luggage-only" transfer.

Again, the official Disney's Magical Express FAQ http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/common/helpFAQ?id=HelpFAQDMEPage says the following:

Q. Can I book a "luggage-only" transfer?

A. No. To utilize Disney's Magical Express Service, you must participate in both the motor coach transportation and the luggage transfer services.​

I agree that the wording could be better, along the lines of...

Q. Can I book a "luggage-only" transfer?

A. No. To utilize Disney's Magical Express Service luggage transfers, you must participate in both the motor coach transportation and the luggage transfer services.​

Or simply...

Q. Can I book a "luggage-only" transfer?

A. No.​

I agree with Lewisc that most guests never read the official DME FAQ. However, many guests talk with DME Guest Services CMs, CRO reservation CMs, and DVC Member Services CMs. The answer to the "luggage-only" transfer question is always no -- or at least I've never heard of any Disney CM telling a guest, "Sure, go ahead. Ed says is okay."

Please understand, I don't care if the answer is yes or no.

I'll take that back. I do care. If the answer to "luggage-only" transfers were yes, I would give serious consideration to using a towncar service under some circumstances and to renting a small, inexpensive rental car (with a trunk that's too small for our luggage) under other circumstances.

 

[Edd]

In the future there will be many more companies who transfer luggage to your hotels and maybe your homes. I am working on the inter-model committee at the airport. Part of our talks contain transferring all luggage to the hotels.

Ten years down the road, but don't count out now, the airport is looking for a lot less luggage to take care of. There is talks about building a new facility to handle this function. A 55,000 square foot facility at MCO. So far the luggage transfers do not involve a way for a passenger to be necessarily connected to a mode of transportation that is involved in the luggage transfer. The luggage transfer will get done and the passenger will provide his or her own transportation. Time will tell whether the current system provided by Disney will remain effect or it will change. My gut feeling is that Disney will continue to be responsible for all their luggage, as this is what airport officials want, and the transportation of Disney passengers will split another way. Of course this is all talk now so who can predict.

 

[Edd]

Well, as of now, Disney has done nothing to clarify their policy, the Q & A is not an official contract, and the wording in the Q & A could be better. So what does that say? There is no real policy. If you feel morally obligated to used both options of the DME than do it. If a different situation presents itself than do that. Disney is about passenger service and I don't think will ever enforce what posters think should be the policy.

It is kind of like the guest at the resort who has a 4 year old child and is asked how old the child is and the parent says 3. Has Disney ever enforced that? Maybe it is 3 years old and 2. Or the next step up youngster to teen. It has been a while since I have had a youngster to take to the magic kingdom so really don't know the age the children start paying. How many times you think that happens a day and how many times does Disney ask for the birth certificate.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Well, as of now, Disney has done nothing to clarify their policy, the Q & A is not an official contract, and the wording in the Q & A could be better. So what does that say? There is no real policy.

Disney says "no" to "luggage-only" transfers in writing in the FAQ (since before the DME service began).

And Disney tells anyone who asks about "luggage-only" transfers that the answer "no."

That seems rather unambiguous to me.

If somebody wants to read that as "no real policy," then there's not much I can say.