Disneys Magical Express - NEVER AGAIN

[Petmd]

If the luggage arrives from DME and we are in the room- do we tip the person dropping it off- Disney says "no" - it is included but I don't wanna be rude. I know you tip "bell-hops" at hotels or if you have them come get your luggage when you leave- BUT....can someone help??

I am nervous now about using DME- we usually rent a car at the airport or drive from IL- I hope it is not a headache- we have a 9 month old traveling with us and I HATE waiting in lines - ugh...

I hope we made the right decision- BUT DH didn't want to lug around all of our luggage at the airport like we've done previously.


NERVOUS,

petmd99

 

[CleveRocks]

If the luggage arrives from DME and we are in the room- do we tip the person dropping it off- Disney says "no" - it is included but I don't wanna be rude. I know you tip "bell-hops" at hotels or if you have them come get your luggage when you leave- BUT....can someone help??

Easy answer -- no need to tip if you happen to be in your room when your luggage arrives. The CM delivering your luggage has already been "tipped" by his employer. According to past posts by Tyler, a current Disney CM and a moderator on this board, Bell Services staff are paid something called a "GTY" for DME bags, and he said that Bell Services staff are generally pretty eager to get GTYs. So no, you're not being cheap or rude if you don't tip when your bags arrive if you happen to be in your room. When you're ready to check out and you have Bell Services pick up your bags, yes, you should tip them. Disney also does NOT cover tips for the DME drivers. In my opinion, if they don't handle any of your bags (checked or carry-on) then they don't need a tip, but they certainly deserve one if they gave you the individualized service of handling any of your bags.

I am nervous now about using DME- we usually rent a car at the airport or drive from IL- I hope it is not a headache- we have a 9 month old traveling with us and I HATE waiting in lines - ugh...

The way I look at it, you're trading waiting in line at the DME counter and at the bus queue for waiting at baggage claim and then waiting in the rental car line and then maybe waiting for a car.

I hope we made the right decision- BUT DH didn't want to lug around all of our luggage at the airport like we've done previously.

It really did feel magical not having to lug our luggage around.

Of course, you really should be prepared with well-stocked carry-ons. Forget DME, the AIRLINE could delay your luggage! It's amazing how little room is taken up by complete change of clothes, swimsuit, PJs, meds, toiletries, etc.

ENJOY WDW!!! And by the way, pixie dust is an excellent antidote for feeling nervous.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

If the luggage arrives from DME and we are in the room- do we tip the person dropping it off- Disney says "no" - it is included but I don't wanna be rude. I know you tip "bell-hops" at hotels or if you have them come get your luggage when you leave- BUT....can someone help??

I agree with CleveRocks. If the bell service CM simply delivers the DME luggage to your room, no additional tip is needed. Disney compensates the people who deliver luggage to your room to make up for the tips they would otherwise get. That's why you don't have to be in your room when the luggage is delivered.

If the bell service CM does other things to help you, at your request, then an additional tip would be appropriate.

And, when it's check-out day, if you ask for luggage assistance from the bell service staff, you would tip even if you'll be using DME.

 

[Petmd]

THanks for the info guys!! I appreciate it...I am excited to see how DME can work for so many people and you are right - last January we had to wait for our RESERVED car and then all of the cars were gone- we did get a bigger car but it was frustrating b/c we had a reservation and baggage claim took forever.


leaving in 9 days for our 5th trip


petmd99

 

[JayCT]

WOW, I can not believe how many people replied to this thread. I started it to just give my opinion of DME and now I see all the responses and differing opinions. Thanks everyone for the posts. I hope it helped someone. Jay

 

[OntFamily]

It's important to remember that 10,000 people per day use ME. If even 2% have a problem/delay that means 200 people per day will be upset. However 9,800 will be happy/satisfied. Overall, ME has many happy customers.

 

[kaytieeldr]

WOW, I can not believe how many people replied to this thread. I started it to just give my opinion of DME and now I see all the responses and differing opinions. Thanks everyone for the posts. I hope it helped someone. Jay

Thank YOU for not getting angry because other posters' experiences and opinions differ from yours!

 

[bsusanmb]

DH and I are now empty nesters, with 5 grown kids. 10 years ago paying for Mears bit into our budget. We could never have afforded to rent a car. If we could have the benefit of ME, it would have been wonderful for us. Now we always rent a car - and have a lot more money without 5 kids to support!
I wouldn't take ME unless I had to. It's the same as Mears - my time is valuable.

 

[seashoreCM]

5 grown kids. 10 years ago paying for Mears bit into ...

Could you have rented a car for less than Mears for seven people? Or maybe a little more but made up for it by driving to cheaper restaurants some of the time?

I am hoping if not anticipating that ME, if (likely when) they start charging for the service, will have a per-room rate or "kids ride free" or something special like that.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ah, but "per room" rates for DME would be discriminatory against solo travelers

 

[Stepht5]

Returning isn't much better. They pick you up three hours before your flight (with a town car we leave about an hour and a half before our flight). I guess they really do not want you to miss your flight. We had to sit in the airport for two hours doing nothing. Like I said, never again. Jay

uuummm....Aren't you supposed to get to the airport at least 2 hrs before your flight anyway? SInce 9/11 I thought that was standard.....

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

uuummm....Aren't you supposed to get to the airport at least 2 hrs before your flight anyway? SInce 9/11 I thought that was standard.....

Indeed, it's HIGHLY recommended.

You never know what you might encounter at the airport. You COULD get held up at the ticket counter. You COULD get held up in security. You just DONT know.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I am hoping if not anticipating that ME, if (likely when) they start charging for the service, will have a per-room rate or "kids ride free" or something special like that.

That sounds good. I hope they include "adult" kids (10-17 year olds).

 

[HolliePoppins]

Does the bus have a bathroom? Thanks all

 

[OntFamily]

Does the bus have a bathroom? Thanks all

yes - but it is the usual bus bathroom.......

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Does the bus have a bathroom? Thanks all

Yes. But it's about half the size of an airline restroom... and uhh... I wouldn't want to be in there when the bus takes a turn!