Checking in a bag separately from Magical Express

[nursemelis374]

In light of all the new regulations regarding what you can take in your carry-on, I had a question. We are taking a red eye from LAX and arriving at 6 am. We want to be able to freshen up and head to Animal Kingdom for opening, but realize we may not have our bags yet. Could we put all of our stuff in one bag and check it in personally, not using hte ME tags? Then we could pick it up ourselves from baggage claim and take it on the ME bus. Would this work?

 

[kimntrent]

That is what we are planning to do. We are going to take like a backpack or carryon size bag and then not put Magical Express tags on them and then pick them up at the baggage claim and proceed to the Welcome Center. Magical Express has got to understand that people are going to have to stop for potty breaks and all that so they can't expect someone to be there right away lickity split. They tell you in the book that you can take your carry on on the bus. So....

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Interested in this as well...has anyone done this?

 

[tmt martins]

You can also send someone to the ME check-in ( as they only let one in the line anyhow) to get you all checked in . One to get the bag from the baggage and the rest waiting.

But YES this can be done just like you said everything with the Yellow tags but the freshen up bag.

 

[Bev J]

Yes, we have taken our bags on the bus with us, they will store them under the bus for the drive to your resort. If it is a small carry on then you can keep it on your lap or I think there was a overhead area for a small bag...
You won't have any problem, they are not waiting around for you to get there at a certain time, people just show up when they get there...don't stress- your on vacation!!

Bev

 

[busytxmom]

We did this last year. Our initial flight was cancelled due to an ice storm in Dallas. We were fortunate to get on a flight, but it didn't get into Orlando until after midnight. When we called to tell ME that our flight had changed, they suggested that we get our own baggage and take it to the bus instead of using the ME. They said that we may not get our stuff until the morning. I think that this is fairly common.

 

[KTSMOM]

We did this last week. I used ME tags for all our bags but one. My DH just picked that bag up while I went and checked us in for ME. It worked out quite well.

 

[Lori of the Lodge]

Have you considered replacing your liquid toiletry products with non-liquid alternates and packing them in your carry-on.

Instead of toothpaste/mouthwash try pre-packaged tooth wipes (Oral B Brush-Ups), and Listerine PocketPak breath strips.

There's also a wide array of products, including fragrance, makeup, makeup removers, and sunscreen, available in towelettes.

You can no longer carry eye drops or contact lens solutions so wearing glasses may be more comfortable, especially on long flights.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

You can carry up to 4 ozs of contact lens solution now.

I hadn't thought of sunscreen towelettes...thanks for the suggestion...that was the only thing I thought that we might have buy down there.

 

[LuvAriel]

My question is this....

I am arriving late & I am planning on packing a separate bag for Pj's, toothpaste etc. Then going to baggage claim & only getting this one bag, bring it on ME. The rest of my bags will have the yellow tags and be delievered to the resort.

Here is my question, are they going to knock on my door in the middle of the night with my remaining luggage, or will they store it until the morning???

 

[chanty]

OK... this is what I would do.
Pack everything I need for the night (PJ, change of clothes, comb/brush, mints, make-up, etc.) in my carry-on and just bring it on board!! OK, you can't bring toothpast... oh well, bring the rub-ons or just skip it for one night!
If you can't handle it, i'm sure they sell some at the store in your resort/hotel! Hairspray, gel, whichever... same here. Either buy some at the store or wear a baseball cap/hat for the next day!

I'd rather have my carry-on with less stuff, then have to hunt down my bag at the luggage pick-up carrousel... and then OOPS, they lost it. Now you're in trouble! hahha lol

So people...if I were you right now... i would just not stress about toothpaste!! Life is simple

 

[princesspwrhr]

Beware the efficency of Disney. we were a bit late getting to baggage claim for one reason or a thousand and found one of our bags but not the other(all we had was carry on). Go to the desk to look, not there, thought it was lost and it ended up that DME comes and checks tags of left baggage when they get pulled form the conveyor belt and loads them. I swear it was only a coffee stop, a potty stop and accidently going to the wrong baggage claim, not a long time, but they got my bag.

Here is my question, are they going to knock on my door in the middle of the night with my remaining luggage, or will they store it until the morning???

I asked at the front desk for them to call if it was past a certain time, but they just stopped by with it. Another poster on another board came in and asked that their bags be delivered even thought it was going to be 2 something am, but they weren't delivered until normal hours. So my best advice is to tell the front desk what you want them to do (hold it or stop by) and then go to sleep.

 

[missygayle]

My question is this....

I am arriving late & I am planning on packing a separate bag for Pj's, toothpaste etc. Then going to baggage claim & only getting this one bag, bring it on ME. The rest of my bags will have the yellow tags and be delievered to the resort.

Here is my question, are they going to knock on my door in the middle of the night with my remaining luggage, or will they store it until the morning???

No, They won't knock on your door in the middle of the night. I usually check in after 10pm (a couple times after midnight) and was originally worried about that. The next morning you either need to go down to bag services and get them or call bag services and they will bring them to you.

Just take anything you may need for the overnight with you and you can get a good night's sleep and get your bags in the morning.

 

[hellokitty86]

This is what I'm planning on doing. We are getting in at about 3 pm, and we want to rest for awhile and then go to Epcot. We have reservations at 8 pm for Le Cellier. I'm not sure if our bags will get to our room in time, so I'm going to pack our first night outfits, make-up, tooth brush etc. in my bag, and put the tags on my other luggage, and hopefully when we get in our room, our other bags will arrive.

I don't think it will be a problem.

 

[dismom]

This is a great idea. We have to leave at 4:30 am to drive to the airport for our 6:45 am flight. Before this most recent terrorist scare, we had planned on just packing our hairspray, gel, foundation, sunscreens, etc. in our carry-on, so we could freshen up & head straight to the park. But now since we can't pack any liquids, we were sure we'd be buying all of these things at the ridiculously expensive prices at WDW. This will be a great alternative. We'll send DH to baggage claim while DD, DM & I can check in at Magical Express. Thanks for solving this problem! I have been looking all over for the sunscreen towlettes & I cannot find them ANYWHERE!!

 

[Lori of the Lodge]

I just found the sunscreen towelettes on Drugstore.com.

Desert Essence Sunscreen Towelettes, SPF 30, 25 count
On Sale!regularly: $12.99
our price: $6.49

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh, wow - thanks, Lori!

Magical Express has got to understand that people are going to have to stop for potty breaks and all that so they can't expect someone to be there right away lickity split

Just for the record, Magical Express DOES understand and DOESN'T expect everyone to run right from the plane to the Welcome Center. You have a reservation to be transported to your Disney resort on DME - you don't have a reservation for a specific bus. They know you're coming - you could stop and have lunch; you could hang around the airport for three hours waiting for the rest of your party to fly in; you can stop for a facilities break.. doesn't matter. DME knows you're coming and WILL transport you.

If you can't handle it, i'm sure they sell some at the store in your resort/hotel! Hairspray, gel, whichever... same here. Either buy some at the store or wear a baseball cap/hat for the next day!

I agree! The only specific product I need that I can't carry onto the plane AND can't easily replace at Walt Disney World is my conditioner. But since I'll have washed my hair before my flight, I can go one day without it.

 

[dismom]

Thanks, Lori! I'll have to decide if I want to order the towelettes, or just check the extra bag. My Mom is having fits at the thought of making it through a 4 hr flight w/out hand lotion, let alone the whole day. So we may just pack the bag. Especially since I probably won't do much at 4:30 in the morning, yet I'd like to look somewhat decent before I head to the parks! (You know, so I can sweat it all off! )