Disney Magical Express Luggage

[Capo]

Hi All,

Quick question on magical Express luggage. Were flying down on our trip and we weren't planning on checking any bags, just doing carry on. However, I noticed we have a late boarding number and may have overhead bin space run out.

If that happens and they have to check our bags at the gate, can these still go the normal magical Express route and be picked up by Disney or will we need to pick them up?

Just want to make sure I'm prepared for that scenario If it happens.

Thanks.

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

When this happened to us, we went to retrieve the bag from the carousel ourselves. When it is gate checked, you don't get a claim ticket for it.

 

[sam_gordon]

When this happened to us, we went to retrieve the bag from the carousel ourselves. When it is gate checked, you don't get a claim ticket for it.

ummm... you should get a claim ticket.

With Delta, there are two situations where you "gate check" a bag...
1) The plane is small, there's really no overhead bins and you have to "check" the bag. Delta will put a pink tag on the bag, will give you a stub with a matching number and you leave the bag at a designated area (sometimes it's plane side, sometimes it's partially down the jetway). When you get off the plane, you find the designated area (again, sometimes planeside, sometimes partially up the jetway) and your bags are returned there.
2) If the bag is being fully checked, they will put an actual luggage tag on the bag that will send it to your final destination. You should get a claim ticket just like if you checked at the desk. These get picked up at baggage claim.

As far as DME, if it was me, I'd take the yellow tags with me. If they say you need to check the bags, clarify where you pick up the bags. If they say at baggage claim, put a DME tag on it and let Disney handle it.

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

ummm... you should get a claim ticket.

With Delta, there are two situations where you "gate check" a bag...
1) The plane is small, there's really no overhead bins and you have to "check" the bag. Delta will put a pink tag on the bag, will give you a stub with a matching number and you leave the bag at a designated area (sometimes it's plane side, sometimes it's partially down the jetway). When you get off the plane, you find the designated area (again, sometimes planeside, sometimes partially up the jetway) and your bags are returned there.
2) If the bag is being fully checked, they will put an actual luggage tag on the bag that will send it to your final destination. You should get a claim ticket just like if you checked at the desk. These get picked up at baggage claim.

As far as DME, if it was me, I'd take the yellow tags with me. If they say you need to check the bags, clarify where you pick up the bags. If they say at baggage claim, put a DME tag on it and let Disney handle it.

Maybe we did get something, and I just don't remember any more. This was 2013 and on US Air in Philadelphia, which had probably the worst reputation for handling bags. We had already checked bags so we didn't have any yellow tags left. The bag also contained things we didn't want to wait for (extra diapers, extra clothes), so we retrieved it ourselves and let the rest of the big suitcases be delivered later.

I agree, if you have the yellow tag, put it on your carry on. I'd do it while waiting to board, it won't hurt anything if it's there and you end up being able to take the bag with you.

Also there have been stories of gate checked bags not making it to their destination, so put anything you really need in a bag that will fit under the seat.

We fly enough that I applied for the AA credit card (actually US Air still) so I'd get priority boarding and not have to deal with that again.

 

[drwadadli]

Hi All,

Quick question on magical Express luggage. Were flying down on our trip and we weren't planning on checking any bags, just doing carry on. However, I noticed we have a late boarding number and may have overhead bin space run out.

If that happens and they have to check our bags at the gate, can these still go the normal magical Express route and be picked up by Disney or will we need to pick them up?

Just want to make sure I'm prepared for that scenario If it happens.

Thanks.

The only way (in this scenario) that your gate-checked bags would go directly to the resorts is if you put the DME luggage on them. If there is not DME luggage tag, then Disney CM and airport staff don't know that the luggage needs to be set aside.

Like you, we typically carry-on a small roller bag but sometimes the overhead bins are full by the time we board. We carry our DME luggage tags and put them on at the last minute. If you think you will need additional DME luggage tags, call them so they can send you more.

If you don't put a DME luggage tag on your gate-checked bags, then you have to pick them up.

 

[AngiTN]

The only way (in this scenario) that your gate-checked bags would go directly to the resorts is if you put the DME luggage on them. If there is not DME luggage tag, then Disney CM and airport staff don't know that the luggage needs to be set aside.

Like you, we typically carry-on a small roller bag but sometimes the overhead bins are full by the time we board. We carry our DME luggage tags and put them on at the last minute. If you think you will need additional DME luggage tags, call them so they can send you more.

If you don't put a DME luggage tag on your gate-checked bags, then you have to pick them up.

No, you don't. If you have a claim check (which you will get if you gate check to your destination) then you just have to give the claim check to the ME agent when you arrive to check in for your bus. They will log the claim numbers and have the same staff that handles bags get them and deliver them. It's the same instructions ME provides if you don't get your yellow tags in time or if you have more bags than tags.

 

[kylenne]

ummm... you should get a claim ticket.

With Delta, there are two situations where you "gate check" a bag...
1) The plane is small, there's really no overhead bins and you have to "check" the bag. Delta will put a pink tag on the bag, will give you a stub with a matching number and you leave the bag at a designated area (sometimes it's plane side, sometimes it's partially down the jetway). When you get off the plane, you find the designated area (again, sometimes planeside, sometimes partially up the jetway) and your bags are returned there..

This isn’t just Delta, basically every airline does this, and generally on the smaller planes flying regional routes. I fly JFK-YYZ fairly frequently on American, sometimes Air Canada, and do this every time. This is not the same thing gate checking. I know you put it in quotes but it’s worth noting because people who don’t fly those kind of short regional routes might get confused here.

 

[tjmw2727]

I think the term gate check - refers to checking a carryon bag or stroller/carseat from gate to gate. You get a claim check ticket, leave it at the gate (by the door of the aircraft) and pick it up at the same place on arrival. I have had this happen a few times on smaller aircraft with minimal overhead space.

Alternately some airlines offer to check your bag "at the gate" but through to the baggage claim at your final destination without charge when they see that the overhead space is going to fill up.

In both situations you will receive a claim check, in the 2nd example you could just attach a DME luggage tag at the gate or give your claim check to the DME CM when you check in for DME.

 

[drwadadli]

No, you don't. If you have a claim check (which you will get if you gate check to your destination) then you just have to give the claim check to the ME agent when you arrive to check in for your bus. They will log the claim numbers and have the same staff that handles bags get them and deliver them. It's the same instructions ME provides if you don't get your yellow tags in time or if you have more bags than tags.

Apologize for misspoken. We were told by a CM shortly after DME was started that what you described could not be done and that you had to have a DME tag on it for them to transport it to your resort. That was obviously awhile ago and we haven't asked since especially since we only go down with one bag a piece so therefore we use the one tag they give us for each luggage.
Thank you for updating me on the situation in case we ever go with more than one bag.

 

[AngiTN]

Apologize for misspoken. We were told by a CM shortly after DME was started that what you described could not be done and that you had to have a DME tag on it for them to transport it to your resort. That was obviously awhile ago and we haven't asked since especially since we only go down with one bag a piece so therefore we use the one tag they give us for each luggage.
Thank you for updating me on the situation in case we ever go with more than one bag.

Luckily, someone doesn't have to even come across this info on their own.
It's included right on the reservation confirmation and again on the letter ME sends out. Item 2, under Luggage Delivery

But you are right, LOTS has changed in regards to the operations of ME since it starts so many years ago.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We were told by a CM shortly after DME was started that

It's really too bad that CM was so misinformed and shared that information with you. The claim check option has been in effect since DME started; plus, back then, they had binders with pictures of a HUGE variety of suitcases, to help identify nontagged bags.

 

[drwadadli]

Luckily, someone doesn't have to even come across this info on their own.
It's included right on the reservation confirmation and again on the letter ME sends out. Item 2, under Luggage Delivery

But you are right, LOTS has changed in regards to the operations of ME since it starts so many years ago.

Again, thank you for correction. Always prefer posting correct information.