Disney's Magical Express -- Luggage Tag Info

[CleveRocks]

Ok, I have read through all 31 pages and still am wondering about my situation. I booked a room only on the AAA website and now would like to book DME. Who will my info go to - AAA or me? Technically, I didn't use a travel agent, and if I have to call AAA and talk to a TA, I will be charged for their services. Anyone have any experience with this situation?

If you booked through the AAA website, then technically you DID use a travel agent. AAA is your travel agent. Just the same as if you booked through the Orbitz.com website ... in that case, Orbitz would be your TA.

 

[schpug03]

Okay, I am new to the boards, and I am very confused about DME and checking in for my outbound flight. Since we will already have the luggage tags on our bags, do we still need to check our bags in with American when we depart? Or do we just tell American that we are using DME when we check in for the flight? I guess I'm confused because we always check in on the airline website and all we do at the airport is check our luggage. So how will American know about our bags?

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Okay, I am new to the boards, and I am very confused about DME and checking in for my outbound flight. Since we will already have the luggage tags on our bags, do we still need to check our bags in with American when we depart? Or do we just tell American that we are using DME when we check in for the flight? I guess I'm confused because we always check in on the airline website and all we do at the airport is check our luggage. So how will American know about our bags?

Yes, you need to check your bags with your airline just as you always do. They'll put their luggage tags on your bags in addition to the DME tags. The American tags will get your bags to the Orlando International Airport. Once there, DME takes over. They'll intercept your bags before they go to the luggage carousel and transport them to your resort.

If you were to ask a DME question at check-in with American, the airline employee probably won't have any idea what you're talking about. The DME luggage transfer is something that happens automatically at the Orlando airport for bags that have DME tags. It's not something the airline coordinates at check-in or indicates on your ticket.

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay, I am new to the boards, and I am very confused about DME and checking in for my outbound flight. Since we will already have the luggage tags on our bags, do we still need to check our bags in with American when we depart? Or do we just tell American that we are using DME when we check in for the flight? I guess I'm confused because we always check in on the airline website and all we do at the airport is check our luggage. So how will American know about our bags?

Here's the deal....before you leave home, you will put one of the yellow DME luggage tags on each of your checked bags. Then, check your bags at your home airport. The bags will then 'magically' appear in your resort room up to three hours after you checkin at the resort.
Now...for your return home flight...since American is considered a 'participating' airline, you will be able to check your bags right at the resort. As long as your flight home departs after 8:30 am you're all set. You will just take your bags to be checked down to the lobby area. There will be a RAC counter, usually close to Bell Services, staffed by CM's wearing DME uniforms. They aren't truly DME employees but it helps keep things simple. There, you will show your ID, just like at the airport, your bags will be tagged and you will get your boarding passes. Then, when it's time to leave the resort, just head to the bus at the time you were told. Your bags will go to MCO all by themselves and appear at your home airport baggage claim.
The thing to keep in mind is that you have to have this transaction completed no less than 3 hrs before your flight departure. So, if you have an 8:00 am flight, you won't be able to check your bags at the resort. They will just go with you, underneath the bus you are on.
Hope this is clear..if not, ask again...sometimes I get carried away and miss the actual question..oh, and welcome to the DIS boards!

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Actually, I'm reading your post for a second time. Are you talking about your trip back home? If so, the DME tags are no longer applicable. In fact, you should take them off to avoid the possibility of your bags accidentally heading back to your resort instead of to your home airport.

If you're going to use the Resort Airline Check-in (RAC) service for your return trip, you'll take your bags to the RAC desk at your resort. They'll print your boarding passes and put the airline luggage tags on your bags when you check-in. They take your bags from you here and deliver them to the airport. The next time you see them will be on the carousel at your home airport.

When using RAC, you do not need to check in with the airline when you get to the airport. You can go right to your gate.

If you're flying on an airline that doesn't participate in RAC or choose not to use RAC, you'll need to take your bags on the DME bus for the trip to the airport. The driver will place them in a compartment under the bus at your resort, then return them to you at the airport. You'll then need to take your bags to the airline's check-in counter and check in using the typical airport procedures.

 

[schpug03]

Thank you for answering me so quickly. I know my question was confusing and both of you did answer what I was asking. This is such a wonderful forum. I wish I had found this sooner!!

 

[ameraumi]

I did a quick glance thru the posts but did not see an answer to my question.

We received our packet today, which I was pleasantly surprised since we still have almost 5 weeks to go. We had a flight number change since I booked, the information was corrected on our packet but not my in-laws. I have a call in to my TA to have it corrected but my question in the mean time is this: will they need new tags to reflect the correct flight information? We are flying a participating airline (Delta) and didn't know if they flight number had to be correct with the books.

 

[goofy4tink]

No, it's not really neccesary. They don't really need the flight info to be correct.

 

[mrs_hower726]

I am doing a Land/Sea DCL Package with transportation. My question... The last trip we used DME, our tags were yellow. With this land/sea trip, the tags are trimmed in blue with DCL on them and the resort name, our names, and our stateroom number. Do they still work the same as the yellow tags. When we get off of our SW flight, do we still just go down to the DME buses and expect our luggage at the resort? Or, should I be expecting yellow tags in a separate package?

I've seen this question asked a couple of times and didn't see the answer (I also didn't read all 20some pages) but I have the answer so I wanted to share the wealth.

If you are doing the Land/Sea package, you will get the blue luggage tags instead of yellow ones. The yellow ones are for those doing the land only portion. On the blue, it will state the resort, names, and stateroom number of the cruise portion. When you get to orlando, you just go to the DME buses and do the same as if you were doing just the land portion with the yellow tags and your luggage will get to the resort. Just make sure the blue tags stay on your luggage for both the trip from the airport to the resort and the resort to the cruise ship.

 

[LakeAriel]

My family and I will be at POFQ for a few days before the Disney Cruise. The room reservation is with a TA discount (MY dsil) made online and there is no place to put the magical express info that I could see. Can I call ME myself and add it?

 

[goofy4tink]

My family and I will be at POFQ for a few days before the Disney Cruise. The room reservation is with a TA discount (MY dsil) made online and there is no place to put the magical express info that I could see. Can I call ME myself and add it?

I would have your dsil do it for you. She technically 'owns' the reservation. I'm not sure DME will do it for you, but she could have it added.

 

[LakeAriel]

I would have your dsil do it for you. She technically 'owns' the reservation. I'm not sure DME will do it for you, but she could have it added.

Thanks! I explained to my son in law what he needed to do...and he looked at me like I had two heads. I found the travel agent number for Disney and called. I said I was calling on his behalf..I had all the info and the agent was very kind and knowledgeable and got it all straightened out. Apparently once you book you can no longer modify online at the TA site...
She added Magical Express for our two separate flights..

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks! I explained to my son in law what he needed to do...and he looked at me like I had two heads. I found the travel agent number for Disney and called. I said I was calling on his behalf..I had all the info and the agent was very kind and knowledgeable and got it all straightened out. Apparently once you book you can no longer modify online at the TA site...
She added Magical Express for our two separate flights..

Sorry I called him a her!! But, I'm glad it got straightened out and you're on your way!

 

[LakeAriel]

Sorry I called him a her!! But, I'm glad it got straightened out and you're on your way!

That's OK..I don't know my lingo that well..maybe Dsil is sister in law??

Just glad my T's are crossed.

 

[rico567]

We booked a room at POR for the third week of June, and it's a corporate / convention reservation, which means we booked on the corporate website. Is there a specific place we can call to get the DME service? We have a participating airline.

 

[angelwolf67]

i have not seen this question yet. so for the day of departure if your staying in one resort can you take DME from another resort to the airport? i have an ADR at Ohana's for breakfast and would need to be on a bus by about 11:30.
can i catch the bus there or do i have to go back to my ASMO resort? need to know how to time everything.

 

[goofy4tink]

i have not seen this question yet. so for the day of departure if your staying in one resort can you take DME from another resort to the airport? i have an ADR at Ohana's for breakfast and would need to be on a bus by about 11:30.
can i catch the bus there or do i have to go back to my ASMO resort? need to know how to time everything.

Your DME reservation is tied to your resort reservation. You must leave from the resort you are staying at..in your case, from ASMovies.

 

[goofy4tink]

We booked a room at POR for the third week of June, and it's a corporate / convention reservation, which means we booked on the corporate website. Is there a specific place we can call to get the DME service? We have a participating airline.

I would talk to whomever is taking care of the room reservation. I know that when my dh attended a conferance back in Jan, he was booked through the convention/group area. Our dd was traveling with him, but they forgot to include her in the room reservation. Now, someone else made all those arrangements, including DME for them. But, when we got the DME reservation, dd was not listed. So, I had to call YC group area in order to get dd on the room reservation so she could be listed for DME.
That would be my suggestion...call the person who handled your resort reservations.

 

[skps]

I'm pretty sure that this has been covered, but for the life of me can't find the info
I understand the process with the bags, but what do we do when we actually get to the airport and how long will it take to actually get on the bus and be on our way?
Also, approximately how many stops will we have to sit through before getting to our resort?

Thanks!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm pretty sure that this has been covered, but for the life of me can't find the info
I understand the process with the bags, but what do we do when we actually get to the airport and how long will it take to actually get on the bus and be on our way?
Also, approximately how many stops will we have to sit through before getting to our resort?

Thanks!!!

Hi Kim. This is the process for the people. When you get off the plane, you will take the tram to the main terminal. Then, go Side B, then to the lowest level, level 1 (you arrived on level 3, baggage claim is on level 2)..this is where the car rental companies and other ground transportation companies are located. You will to to the DME checkin counter, hand over your booklet which the CM will stamp (the vouchers). You will then be directed to the appropriate bus line for your particular resort. When you bus comes, you will then board. It's incredibly easy.
How long will it take?? Well, my average time, from deplaning to resort checkin line, has been about 65-70 mins..usually a shorter time than that but I had one time that it took me 85 mins to get to POP (very unusual situation). You may make up to 4 stops, but most routes have 3 stops.