DME how long for luggage to arrive?

[JewelzL]

We are arriving at 2:30 and being taken to the Contemporary. We have 7:30 dinner reservations at California Grill. Should I pack clothes for dinner in the carry-on or am I safe?

 

[Jestocost]

Definitely pack your dinner clothes in a carry-on bag.

With DME, you should have your bags within three hours of resort check in. Given that you should plan on it taking 90 minutes to get to your resort (even though the average time is closer to 70 minutes) and allow some time for the check in process, you could be looking at 4:30 p.m. before you are checked in. If DME takes the full three hours to get your luggage to your room, that's 7:30 p.m. and you need to have left for dinner well before that.

FWIW, however, as a general rule--DME or non DME, Disney trip or any travel--you should have what you need for the first 24 hours of your trip in your carry-on bags. Airlines lose or misdirect luggage and other things happen.

 

[Alesia]

FWIW, however, as a general rule--DME or non DME, Disney trip or any travel--you should have what you need for the first 24 hours of your trip in your carry-on bags. Airlines lose or misdirect luggage and other things happen.

Absolutely.

 

[hearts8701]

i waited 6 hours for my luggage!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

We believe you, but that's not the norm. Most of the time, luggage arrives in the room within three hours after the Guest checks in/room is ready.

Sometimes 'late' luggage is attributable to Magical Express. Most of the time, it's the fault of the airlines.

 

[MinnieLee]

I would definitely take your clothes and anything else you might need for that night. Landing at 2:30, even if the luggage arrives three hours later (which it ususally does, I have never had a problem), that brings you to 5:30. You probably would want to freshen up so you don't want to worry about when your luggage will get there. You should be checking in at the Californa Grill 15-20 minutes before your reservation. Why start your vacation worrying? It probably will be there in time but it's better to be safe.

 

[JewelzL]

I have taken your advice and everything we will need is in the carry-on..... I cannot wait until Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Alderbrook]

We're opting to get our bags at MTO & then hop on the ME. We're scheduled to land around 4:00 pm & we'll need our bags before 7 pm. My 3 years old is going to be exhausted from a day of travelling & will probably hit the sack early & I don't want them delivering bags if he's asleep. So that's an option too.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

We're opting to get our bags at MTO & then hop on the ME. We're scheduled to land around 4:00 pm & we'll need our bags before 7 pm. My 3 years old is going to be exhausted from a day of travelling & will probably hit the sack early & I don't want them delivering bags if he's asleep. So that's an option too.

Yes, that's an option too.

However, keep in mind that "getting your own bags at MCO and then hopping on the DME" means:

You will have to go out of you way to baggage claim instead of going directly to the DME counter.

You will have to wait somewhere between 15 and 60 minutes for your bags to appear at baggage claim, depending on how busy the baggage handlers are and if there are any thunderstorms that afternoon.

You will have to carry your bags and your 3-year-old's bags through the airport (or tip a porter to do so). If you arrive on the "A" side at MCO you will need to navigate on three different levels of MCO.

You are likely to be on a DME coach departure 30 to 60 minutes (or even 90 minutes) later than if you had gone directly to DME, depending on how much time you spend at MCO and how far away your baggage claim is. So you will arrive that much later at your resort.

It's customary to tip anyone who helps you with your luggage at the airport (except for airline employees at the ticket counter and TSA employees), at the DME coach (the driver), and at the resort (bell services).

If the airline delayed your luggage (which, unfortunately, is too common) you'll have to file a claim at the airport. The airline will eventually deliver the bags to your resort, but not to your room.

In any case, you should bring a carry-on with anything you or your child will need right away (as well as medicines, valuables, and fragile items).

Please don't consider this to be an attack. These are just some things to think about.

DME's inbound luggage service, when used as designed, is very convenient, especially when traveling with young children. You arrive at the resort more quickly. You don't have to be in your room when the luggage is delivered because DME takes care of the bell services tip.

 

[Alderbrook]

Thanks for the input. We are travelling with my parents as well so there's lots of people to help. Not really concerned with the time it will take us to get to the resort, we're not in a rush, it's a holiday . Even if the airline loses my luggage that won't help ME. We never use a porter at the airport, our bags all clip together & there's only 1 bag we're checking anyways. I have travelled with my son before, with luggage, stroller & my DH's golf clubs, we'll be ok. My parents want their luggage anyways. We've done bigger airports than MCO before. We're flying with AT & I believe we will be on the same side as the ME. I always carry my valuables with me in my carry-on, which isn't much lol I'm not concerned with tipping. It will be a total of 3 bags

I've spoke to lots of people that always get their luggage their self even doing the ME.

 

[KellyNY]

Thanks for the input. We are travelling with my parents as well so there's lots of people to help. Not really concerned with the time it will take us to get to the resort, we're not in a rush, it's a holiday . Even if the airline loses my luggage that won't help ME. We never use a porter at the airport, our bags all clip together & there's only 1 bag we're checking anyways. I have travelled with my son before, with luggage, stroller & my DH's golf clubs, we'll be ok. My parents want their luggage anyways. We've done bigger airports than MCO before. We're flying with AT & I believe we will be on the same side as the ME. I always carry my valuables with me in my carry-on, which isn't much lol I'm not concerned with tipping. It will be a total of 3 bags

I've spoke to lots of people that always get their luggage their self even doing the ME.

True, I saw a lot of people having their bags on DME, although I prefer not to, but on the other hand I always get nervous till my bags appear in my room. Last year we arrived in the early afternoon, checked in, went to parks and when we were back, bags were not in the room. We called and they brought our bags in minutes. This past trip no problems at all, our bags were in room when we came back from parks.
Anyway, I pack whatever I will need for 24 hours in my carry on, just in case.

 

[maxiesmom]

It is good that your biring your valuables in your carry on, but I'll never understand wanting to get your own checked luggage. To me that is the best part of ME, not having to wait for your bags and then schlep them thru the airport.

 

[Alderbrook]

I would love to have them deliver them, but I don't want them coming while my son is sleeping. Bedtime is 7:30 at home & after a day of planes, trains & buses I can see him crashing right after supper. It's only 1 more bag anyways, we have no plans to do anything that day but relax & get settled.

 

[Judy WI]

We get in late to MCO. 9:35 what is the best to do with the luggage. I believe it said up until 10:00 they will pick up luggage but would it be safer to pick it up myself?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I would love to have them deliver them, but I don't want them coming while my son is sleeping. Bedtime is 7:30 at home & after a day of planes, trains & buses I can see him crashing right after supper. It's only 1 more bag anyways, we have no plans to do anything that day but relax & get settled.

Are you going to have enough/the right items in your carry-on luggage in case the airline misdirects what you checked? Are you aware there's still an alternative? You can tell Bell Services at your resort that you don't want your checked luggage delivered that night, and for double protection put the "Privacy Please" card in your door's key slot. Plus, if your son is as exhausted as you expect him to be, it's likely he'd sleep through the luggage delivery anyway.

Please note, I'm not trying to convince the OP to let Magical Express transport their checked luggage - keep in mind, though, that there are other people reading this thread to get information from it as well.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We get in late to MCO. 9:35 what is the best to do with the luggage. I believe it said up until 10:00 they will pick up luggage but would it be safer to pick it up myself?

Nah, let Magical Express do it. The CMs who pull the luggage behind-stage go off duty at 10 PM. If your flight arrives on time, no problem. If you arrive after 10, or if you're not sure, you can swing by the baggage carousel on your way to the Welcome Center (yes, I know - less convenient if you're arriving on Side A). See if yellow-tagged luggage is coming out with the other bags. If so, wait for yours. Otherwise proceed to DME registration.

 

[Alderbrook]

For us to just get our luggage it will be easier. I want a shower that night & I need shampoo, etc & can't put that in my carry on, plus we plan on heading out early the next morning & I will have breakfast stuff in there (we're doing breakfasts in the room to save time in the morning). We're travelling light this year, all my son's stuff is going in the carry on, plus my & DH clothes. Shoes, towels,snacks, cereal & other things I can't bring in carry on are going in my checked. My parents are checking all their bags though & they want to get them (they don't fly much) & are nervous about Disney getting their bags. So it's no big deal. Them having their luggage & feeling better is easier to deal with than my mother freaking out about her bags.

I'm not sure why you so badly want me to have ME get my bags for me? If it's not a big deal to me. Lots of people like having their bags with me. I'm not doing parks on arrival day so we have time to spare.

 

[Jestocost]

For us to just get our luggage it will be easier. I want a shower that night & I need shampoo, etc & can't put that in my carry on, plus we plan on heading out early the next morning & I will have breakfast stuff in there (we're doing breakfasts in the room to save time in the morning). We're travelling light this year, all my son's stuff is going in the carry on, plus my & DH clothes. Shoes, towels,snacks, cereal & other things I can't bring in carry on are going in my checked. My parents are checking all their bags though & they want to get them (they don't fly much) & are nervous about Disney getting their bags. So it's no big deal. Them having their luggage & feeling better is easier to deal with than my mother freaking out about her bags.

I'm not sure why you so badly want me to have ME get my bags for me? If it's not a big deal to me. Lots of people like having their bags with me. I'm not doing parks on arrival day so we have time to spare.

I don't think anyone "badly" wants you to use DME for your luggage. As I read it, there were only cautions that you should take what you need for the first 24 hours in carry-on bags regardless of whether or not you plan to have DME transport your luggage. That's good advice, IMO.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm not sure why you so badly want me to have ME get my bags for me?

I actually don't care what you do. I think I pointed out in an earlier response on this thread that there are other people reading - but not responding to - this thread. I just confirmed - there are 18 responses but 250 views here. Those others might benefit from knowing they have alternatives.

In that vein

I want a shower that night & I need shampoo, etc & can't put that in my carry on

Many products come in travel size containers (and have, since lonnnnnnng before any air security liquids restrictions). If one's brand/version of preference does not, the product can be transferred to a generic, acceptably-sized container which can be transported in carry-on luggage.

My parents are checking all their bags though & they want to get them (they don't fly much) & are nervous about Disney getting their bags.

As is their right; however, passengers nervous about Magical Express claiming and delivering their checked luggage should note (a) Disney's been doing this for over four years and over ten million Guests; and (b) one's checked luggage is FAR more likely to be misdirected by the airline than Magical Express.

Plus, when that happens, Magical Express will act as the passenger's 'agent' in claiming and delivering late luggage. In fact, misdirected luggage is the most likely reason someone's luggage doesn't get to the room in the indicated three hours. Passengers picking up their own luggage are stuck at the airport even longer - first waiting and discovering it didn't show, then at the lost luggage office...

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm not sure why you so badly want me to have ME get my bags for me?

What I've written in this thread is just friendly advice to help readers make an informed choice.

My reply was also meant for anyone who thinks there's no downside to claiming bags before using DME transportation. People don't think about how it means wasting time at the airport, lugging bags through the airport, arriving at the resort later, and dealing with bags at the resort -- and that it's easy to have what you need upon arrival at the resort by packing a carry-on (which is a very good idea in any case).

Some people choose to throw away the yellow tags and go to baggage claim. That's their decision. Some have good reasons and have thought it through. But others just don't understand Magical Express and have unfounded fears about it.

I'd rather get to the resort more quickly, even if I'm not going anywhere that night. I'd rather relax at the resort than deal with the crowds at baggage claim. I don't like to spend any more time at an airport after a flight than I have to.