DME bus, Can I bring ALL luggage with me?

[lorivegas]

We are checking into AKL late enough , that I am sure our room will be ready and thats why i want my luggage with me. Is this TABOO? Will the bus driver get "mad' at us? I usually dont do this, but since we are arriving late afternoon...it just makes sense for us. I know, to give a larger tip... just hope they dont give us any dirty looks!

 

[Jestocost]

We are checking into AKL late enough , that I am sure our room will be ready and thats why i want my luggage with me. Is this TABOO? Will the bus driver get "mad' at us? I usually dont do this, but since we are arriving late afternoon...it just makes sense for us. I know, to give a larger tip... just hope they dont give us any dirty looks!

That's OK.

 

[Traveliz]

You can bring all of your luggage with you...that has always been the case. I have never seen a driver give a passenger a dirty look for having luggage; it's sort of all part of the job.

I do it all the time. Rarely do I have the luggage delivered to me (not because of distrust issue, only because of a convenience issue of wanting my stuff now)

Liz

 

[dudspizza]

We are checking into AKL late enough , that I am sure our room will be ready and thats why i want my luggage with me. Is this TABOO? Will the bus driver get "mad' at us? I usually dont do this, but since we are arriving late afternoon...it just makes sense for us. I know, to give a larger tip... just hope they dont give us any dirty looks!

You can do it. You should tip the driver for every bag handled.... if you use the luggage delivery service to your room (which I really like), gratuities are included already.

Not taboo, but can slow things down a bit. No big deal.

 

[lorivegas]

oh yeah, I know the tipping deal... I always feel bad for these guys, even though its their job. like I said ... its NOT a mistrust issue.... just so I can have all my stuff! We will move fast... I promise!

 

[wdw4rfam]

We always got our own luggage at baggage claim and took it on ME. They just put it underneath. Just a matter of not wanting to wait for it, and a little OCD. Now we just drive, or I'd still do it.

 

[goofy4tink]

The driver won't give you a dirty look, but I might!! Kidding!!! Why do I say this? Well, there was one trip on DME that took close to 90 mins for me. That was a first..most usually ran about 70 mins or so. And why did it take so long? Because there had to be at least 5 families that brought all their checked luggage with them (some stood there in the line, putting on the yellow DME tags!). A couple of the families had two bags pp...and with a family of 5? That's a lot of luggage!! When we got to each resort stop, the driver had to get all the luggage out before he opened the bus doors...said it was a safety issue. So, there we sat, while he dug out all those bags. And then, sat there, waiting for each family group to take their bags and 'properly' tip the driver!!! The driver made people wait so that he was helping each family...no one could just walk up and take their bags and walk away.
This happened at the first two stops...of course, that was the one time that Pop was the last of three stops. Usually? Pop was the first stop!!! So, we spent an addtl 5-8 mins at each resort. Doesn't seem like much, but believe me, when you're just sitting there, waiting to get to your resort? Seems like forever.

I understand that the drivers can no longer hold the passengers 'hostage' while they unload stuff. Hopefully that's true. We were told that the driver needed to be on hand to help you off the bus since the steps were so high off the ground.
In all seriousness? I highly doubt anyone is going to give you any dirty looks. I knew that we were spending too much time at each resort only because I've used DME so many times!!! The vast majority of guests don't have that same experience!!!
So, go ahead, bring the bags with you. No biggie!!!!

 

[WizardLarz]

DME luggage that has the yellow tags never makes it to the carousel so make sure you don't use them if you intend to pick up your bags.

Disney says that bags are usually delivered 2-3 hours after Resort Check-In. But you have to decide in the end.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

and thats why i want my luggage with me

Do you really need ALL your luggage right away?

Is it really worth detouring to baggage claim, waiting for your bags to show up, and dragging them to DME? Is it worth arriving at your WDW resort a half hour later because you didn't go directly to DME to board the first DME motorcoach to your resort?

To me, the best of both worlds is bring a carry-on with everything you want right away and using DME luggage transfers for your checked bags. You don't have to be in your room when your bags are delivered. Disney tips the bell services CM.

Of course, the choice is yours.

just hope they dont give us any dirty looks!

You're planning to tip the driver when your bags are returned to you, there should be no dirty looks from the driver.

 

[maxiesmom]

So why do you want all of your stuff with you? You know you don't need to wait in the room for it to show up if DME handles it for you, right? You can go out and enjoy the parks or have a nice meal, and when you get back to your room your luggage will be waiting for you.

Why waste time and money hauling it to the bus yourself?

 

[bumbershoot]

Because there had to be at least 5 families that brought all their checked luggage with them (some stood there in the line, putting on the yellow DME tags!)

Painful.


The only time we used DME was when we were arriving after midnight, and therefore had to take our bags. My goodness, what a pain. Tip the driver, tip the bell guy, bleah. If we're ever in that situation again, hopefully I'll take the earlier flight so we can use the baggage service. I pack everything I feel that I need in my carryon and personal item...the things in my checked bags are just clothing and extra stuff like glowsticks.

 

[Greysword]

The driver won't give you a dirty look, but I might!! Kidding!!!

So, if you see someone snarling at you in the back of the bus, make sure to ask Tink for her autograph!

Is it really worth detouring to baggage claim, waiting for your bags to show up, and dragging them to DME?

For me, it is. While we rent a car usually, we still get our bags before boarding DME. This is because I honestly don't fully trust the airline. If the baggage was misplaced, damaged, or looted, then I would rather make the claim then and there, instead of hours afterwards when the bag never shows up. If the bag is damaged, then the airline, RAC, and Disney start the blame game while pointing at each other.

It is better from a claims standpoint to claim your baggage from the airport before heading to DME. Any issues can be resolved at that time, which is appropriate. Otherwise, it would be very difficult to get resolution from the airline and/or insurance since it is difficult to prove who damaged/lost the luggage.


Just my point of view. YMMV.

 

[gmeh1]

The driver won't give you a dirty look, but I might!! Kidding!!! Why do I say this? Well, there was one trip on DME that took close to 90 mins for me. That was a first..most usually ran about 70 mins or so. And why did it take so long? Because there had to be at least 5 families that brought all their checked luggage with them (some stood there in the line, putting on the yellow DME tags!). A couple of the families had two bags pp...and with a family of 5? That's a lot of luggage!! When we got to each resort stop, the driver had to get all the luggage out before he opened the bus doors...said it was a safety issue. So, there we sat, while he dug out all those bags. And then, sat there, waiting for each family group to take their bags and 'properly' tip the driver!!! The driver made people wait so that he was helping each family...no one could just walk up and take their bags and walk away.
This happened at the first two stops...of course, that was the one time that Pop was the last of three stops. Usually? Pop was the first stop!!! So, we spent an addtl 5-8 mins at each resort. Doesn't seem like much, but believe me, when you're just sitting there, waiting to get to your resort? Seems like forever.

I understand that the drivers can no longer hold the passengers 'hostage' while they unload stuff. Hopefully that's true. We were told that the driver needed to be on hand to help you off the bus since the steps were so high off the ground.
In all seriousness? I highly doubt anyone is going to give you any dirty looks. I knew that we were spending too much time at each resort only because I've used DME so many times!!! The vast majority of guests don't have that same experience!!!
So, go ahead, bring the bags with you. No biggie!!!!

It seems that the practice at MCO is to have the pax. unload, while the driver stands by the door to assist and then he unloads the bus. Not sure what they do at the resorts.

 

[kaytieeldr]

So, if you see someone snarling at you in the back of the bus, make sure to ask Tink for her autograph!

Nah. She'd mentally grimace, outwardly smile, then come here and politely vent her frustration

 

[goofy4tink]

Painful.


The only time we used DME was when we were arriving after midnight, and therefore had to take our bags. My goodness, what a pain. Tip the driver, tip the bell guy, bleah. If we're ever in that situation again, hopefully I'll take the earlier flight so we can use the baggage service. I pack everything I feel that I need in my carryon and personal item...the things in my checked bags are just clothing and extra stuff like glowsticks.

That's why I don't understand those arriving late morning and bringing all that stuff with them!!! They may have to store their bags anyway since the room may not be ready!!! I can completely understand bringing your bags with you any time after 6pm though....especially if it's 10pm and they've stopped luggage service!!

Nah. She'd mentally grimace, outwardly smile, then come here and politely vent her frustration

Yep, that would be me. I 'get' that some people just don't understand how it all works, and that there are going to be situations that warrant having all your bags with you....but, when it's that many families??? Yeah, I get snarly!!! And no, no one knew I was so unhappy!!!
And by the way??? I seldom sit in the back of the bus!! I'm usually the one up front, chatting with the driver!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

It seems that the practice at MCO is to have the pax. unload, while the driver stands by the door to assist and then he unloads the bus. Not sure what they do at the resorts.

And that makes sense. I think that they put a stop to the whole 'hostage' thing...many people complained about it. I'll be sure to watch when I'm on that bus in late May!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

And that makes sense. I think that they put a stop to the whole 'hostage' thing...many people complained about it. I'll be sure to watch when I'm on that bus in late May!!!

Driver ran late and also holds you all on the bus outside MCO and also the security line is long that day so you have to run for your plane? IMHO you can blame Magical Express fully and security not at all.

It would have to be that extreme before I would write to Disney but if I did then I would ask for a perk. I would probably be happy with several rounds of extra fastpasses for next time. Now if this situation caused me to miss my plane I would expect Disney to somehow make it look like a force mineure (schedule irregularity) missed connection.

It would take sanctions coming down on the driver from his supervisor to stop this hostage practice. It would take sanctions coming down on Mears Transportation from Disney to get the bus supervisors interested.

We were told that the driver needed to be on hand to help you off the bus since the steps were so high off the ground.

So true (in some situations). In my other activities I sometimes come in contact with groups of people on tour buses and it is necessary to help some of them off. Often we tell someone to walk down the steps backwards and believe it or not, that helps. Also, in the name of multitasking, I like to get people off the bus as soon as and as quickly as is possible.

 

[lorivegas]

Since i am sick, all my meds and supplies are in my carry on. I am trying to stay for 10 days with 2 bags. hopefully we wont hold up the bus

 

[clanmcculloch]

If the bag is damaged, then the airline, RAC, and Disney start the blame game while pointing at each other.

The one time we had a bag delivered to our room with damage, the CM who was delivering it told us that he arranged for a credit to our room for the cost of one of a smiliar sized Disney suitcases from the gift shop (I mean one of the hard sided expensive ones) to replace it. We told him we were sure it must have been the airline and not DME but he said that since they had no of being sure that he took care of it. We didn't ask for this and the credit was on our account already before he every told us. We just happened to be in our room when our luggage was delivered but the credit was there before he arrived so it had nothing to do with anything we said.

This is abviously a YMMV situation but it does show how great the Disney customer service is and it is an example of why I don't worry about Disney handling my stuff.

 

[gmeh1]

And that makes sense. I think that they put a stop to the whole 'hostage' thing...many people complained about it. I'll be sure to watch when I'm on that bus in late May!!!

Sometimes, they do close the doors and open the luggage bays before they unload the pax. You can tell I have no life since all I did on my breaks was watch the DIS busses unload. LOL