Disney's Magical Express -- Luggage Tag Info

[goofy4tink]

Does ME participate with Southwest/Pop Century?

DME participates at every single Disney owned resort, in Orlando. It is RAC that has 'participating' airlines. RAC is not the same entity as DME. It is a completely different animal.

DME is the service that gets you to and from the airport to your resort. It will also deliver your checked bags upon arrival if properly tagged.

RAC (remote airline checkin) is pretty much the same thing as curbside service....but the 'curb' is quite a distance from the airport. If you are flying home on a 'participating' airline (which SW is now..except at CBR and OKW to the best of my knowledge), you will be able to check your bags at your resort the day of your departure, and get your boarding passes issued. Then, when it is time to head back to MCO, you can ride the DME bus if you have reserved it, drive your rental car or hire a cab or car service. Everyone is allowed to use RAC as long as you are staying at the resort and you are flying home on one of the participating airlines.

 

[jvattes]

Can I choose to keep one (smaller) piece of luggage without the DME tags and claim it myself at MCO? We are traveling with 2 small children and I am thinking that there will be more "necessities" that we will need than will fit in our carry-ons? I'd like to let DME handle the heaviest/largest/most luggage But I'd like to have on that we handle ourselves. Is this okay?

16 days to go!!!

 

[CleveRocks]

Can I choose to keep one (smaller) piece of luggage without the DME tags and claim it myself at MCO? We are traveling with 2 small children and I am thinking that there will be more "necessities" that we will need than will fit in our carry-ons? I'd like to let DME handle the heaviest/largest/most luggage But I'd like to have on that we handle ourselves. Is this okay?

16 days to go!!!

Sure, you can do whatever you want. It's not an all-or-nothing deal. Tag what you don't want to claim, don't tag what you do want to claim.

That's the facts, now here's an opinion:

You CAN pack everything you need in your carry-ons. Anything that you consider a "necessity" shouldn't be in ANY checked bag to begin with, just in case the airline delays your bags.

When we first went to WDW a few years ago, our kids were 5 and 2.5, the younger one still in diapers; our 5-year-old son was in kindergarten, and our 2.5-year-old daughter was (and still is) very very petite for her age. Each ticketed passenger is entitled to a carry-on, so we each had our own carry-on. Our kids were very very proud of their special travel backpacks. In each kid's backpack was fun stuff to keep then occupied for the flight itself, plus his/her bedtime buddy stuffed animal, plus PJs, plus a bathing suit, plus a change of clothes for the next day. This actually takes up very very little space (think about how much space is needed for one set of PJs and the next morning's clothes for one child ... you could almost fit that in your pocket!).

My wife and I, of course, had the diapers, allowable toiletries and snacks, plus our own bathing suits, PJs, and next morning's clothes.

So I'll skip over the idea that if you claim one bag you're really delaying yourself getting to your resort and starting your vacation. Instead, I'll seize on the fact that you CAN bring all of your "necessities" in carry-ons, and to protect yourself against airline-caused baggage delays you should pack for your first 24 hours' needs in your carry-ons.

 

[jvattes]

Sure, you can do whatever you want. It's not an all-or-nothing deal. Tag what you don't want to claim, don't tag what you do want to claim.

That's the facts, now here's an opinion:

You CAN pack everything you need in your carry-ons. Anything that you consider a "necessity" shouldn't be in ANY checked bag to begin with, just in case the airline delays your bags.

When we first went to WDW a few years ago, our kids were 5 and 2.5, the younger one still in diapers; our 5-year-old son was in kindergarten, and our 2.5-year-old daughter was (and still is) very very petite for her age. Each ticketed passenger is entitled to a carry-on, so we each had our own carry-on. Our kids were very very proud of their special travel backpacks. In each kid's backpack was fun stuff to keep then occupied for the flight itself, plus his/her bedtime buddy stuffed animal, plus PJs, plus a bathing suit, plus a change of clothes for the next day. This actually takes up very very little space (think about how much space is needed for one set of PJs and the next morning's clothes for one child ... you could almost fit that in your pocket!).

My wife and I, of course, had the diapers, allowable toiletries and snacks, plus our own bathing suits, PJs, and next morning's clothes.

So I'll skip over the idea that if you claim one bag you're really delaying yourself getting to your resort and starting your vacation. Instead, I'll seize on the fact that you CAN bring all of your "necessities" in carry-ons, and to protect yourself against airline-caused baggage delays you should pack for your first 24 hours' needs in your carry-ons.

With the limits on toiletries now, it makes it tough. Especially regarding sunscreen, which I have yet to find in "trial" or "FAA approved" size. My other concern is re: lugging carryons through the airports and trying to corral the little ones all at once. I'm seeking to maintain my sanity LOL. But I see what you're getting at otherwise! Thanks for the info

 

[CleveRocks]

With the limits on toiletries now, it makes it tough. Especially regarding sunscreen, which I have yet to find in "trial" or "FAA approved" size. My other concern is re: lugging carryons through the airports and trying to corral the little ones all at once. I'm seeking to maintain my sanity LOL. But I see what you're getting at otherwise! Thanks for the info

Backpacks are wonderful carry-ons for exactly this purpose.

If need be, you can transfer sunscreen from the original container into one of an allowable size ... there's no requirement that liquids and gels be in their original containers, it's just that the containers have to be labeled for size/volume. We've gone to WDW with the kids twice since the restrictions on liquids/gels in carry-ons began in August 2006.

Of course, you'll do what you feel most comfortable doing. I'm just offering suggestions about how to make it as easy on yourself as possible.

 

[ohiotinkfan]

I am new to the ME system and I am a bit nervous. Since DH can't go on this last minute July trip my DD and DS and I will be using ME for the first time. We are flying Allegiant (I got some low rates + AP great rates = July last minute trip) and we have only carry-on bags. Where do we go once we arrive at the airport? When I booked the trip the lady on the phone said you don't go to baggage claim to get on ME you go to the Disney Welcome Center at the airport. Where is the Welcome Center? Yikes! Thanks for any help!

 

[CleveRocks]

I am new to the ME system and I am a bit nervous. Since DH can't go on this last minute July trip my DD and DS and I will be using ME for the first time. We are flying Allegiant (I got some low rates + AP great rates = July last minute trip) and we have only carry-on bags. Where do we go once we arrive at the airport? When I booked the trip the lady on the phone said you don't go to baggage claim to get on ME you go to the Disney Welcome Center at the airport. Where is the Welcome Center? Yikes! Thanks for any help!

Your DME booklet will have an easy-to-follow airport terminal map in it, along with verbal directions.

 

[ohiotinkfan]

Thank you!

 

[kaytieeldr]

With the limits on toiletries now, it makes it tough. Especially regarding sunscreen, which I have yet to find in "trial" or "FAA approved" size.

Do you have a Rite-Aid near you? I was in one Saturday (in North Reading, MA, I don't know how close you are to Massachusetts ) and they had a LOT of 1.5 ounce 30 spf sunscreen on a keychain. I can't think of the name, but it was a brand name. The last couple of years, Walgreens has had a store brand high spf sunscreen in three ounce containers.

They're out there.

 

[PinkJade]

I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but I am hoping someone can answer my question.

We will be arriving one day before we are going to Disney. So we will arrive on 7/10 but not go to Disney until 7/11. We just got our travel documents and there is no information about Magical Express on there. I know we won't need any tags but we still want to use the bus.

Do we need to do anything to use Magical Express or can we just check in at the desk? Do we need to do anything to use the Magical Express to return back to the airport?

Just want to make sure we will be able to use the service with out any problems.

Thank you!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Your Magical Express documents come entirely separate from your room/package reservation documents. They can arrive anywhere from six weeks to ten days before your trip. You made your DME reservation, right? Then no problem. Worst case, you go to the Welcome Center and tell them you don't have your packet. They'll have you in their system and issue you new vouchers.

If you don't have reservations, they can't transport you.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but I am hoping someone can answer my question.

We will be arriving one day before we are going to Disney. So we will arrive on 7/10 but not go to Disney until 7/11. We just got our travel documents and there is no information about Magical Express on there. I know we won't need any tags but we still want to use the bus.

Do we need to do anything to use Magical Express or can we just check in at the desk? Do we need to do anything to use the Magical Express to return back to the airport?

Just want to make sure we will be able to use the service with out any problems.

Thank you!

Did you actually book your DME reservation with Disney?? You can not just walk up to the counter and ride the bus...you MUST have a prior reservation. So, call Disney today and have them add DME to your reservation. If you give DME 2 weeks notice, they can usually get your packet out to you. You can also make your return reservations at this time as well.

 

[goofy4tink]

With the limits on toiletries now, it makes it tough. Especially regarding sunscreen, which I have yet to find in "trial" or "FAA approved" size. My other concern is re: lugging carryons through the airports and trying to corral the little ones all at once. I'm seeking to maintain my sanity LOL. But I see what you're getting at otherwise! Thanks for the info

http://www.minimus.biz/ Try this site. I love the variety of stuff that is available. I make a big order once a year and it covers all my trips.

 

[DiSnEyFrEaK22]

Hi everyone! My co-worker requested that I ask a question on the boards for him. He is using Disney's Magical Express, but he wants to know if it's possible to put his luggage only on the bus and have it delivered to his resort. His wife and children would like to rent a car and explore and not have to wait for Disney transportation. Can this be done? Thanks in advance!

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi everyone! My co-worker requested that I ask a question on the boards for him. He is using Disney's Magical Express, but he wants to know if it's possible to put his luggage only on the bus and have it delivered to his resort. His wife and children would like to rent a car and explore and not have to wait for Disney transportation. Can this be done? Thanks in advance!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2015788

This thread should give you all the info you need.

 

[DiSnEyFrEaK22]

Thank you Diane!

 

[PinkJade]

Did you actually book your DME reservation with Disney?? You can not just walk up to the counter and ride the bus...you MUST have a prior reservation. So, call Disney today and have them add DME to your reservation. If you give DME 2 weeks notice, they can usually get your packet out to you. You can also make your return reservations at this time as well.

Thank you for the information! I'm not sure because my in-laws booked the trip through a travel agent. I just asked MIL to check with them. I think she mentioned earlier that we just go to the desk, but I was thinking that didn't sound right. They won't have an issue with us wanting to go on a different day than we arrive, right?

 

[goofy4tink]

Thank you Diane!

You're quite welcome.

Thank you for the information! I'm not sure because my in-laws booked the trip through a travel agent. I just asked MIL to check with them. I think she mentioned earlier that we just go to the desk, but I was thinking that didn't sound right. They won't have an issue with us wanting to go on a different day than we arrive, right?

As long as you are listed on the resort reservation, and that reservation is in effect, and you have reserved your ride ahead of time...yes.

 

[Magalex]

We might have a flight arriving at MCO at 9:30 PM in Nov. That is close to the 10 PM time when ME stops transporting the luggage for the day. Should we pick up our luggage at bag. claim and transport it with us on the bus?

 

[mstinson14]

Magalex-
You would Probably be okay, but just to be on the safe side, I would pick it up and take it on the bus with me.