DME, lost luggage, and worry (hypothetical)

[esmetutu]

Sense a theme here? I worry. A lot. *sigh*

The first thing I do when I get off a plane is worry about my luggage.
Did it arrive?
Is it lost?
Will it all be waiting for me there once that darned baggage chute starts spitting out bags?

But with Disney's Magical Express HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR LUGGAGE IS ALL RIGHT? How do you just trot off to the parks without worrying that maybe your luggage is lost? I just can't do it.

Is there any way to find out if your luggage is all there at the airport waiting to magically appear in your room 3 hours later? I mean and not have to wait at the baggage claim area to find out...

I've read stories, horror type ones, about families much like yourselves going off to the Magic Kingdom for a day of fun, getting back to the hotel and finding no magical bags! And not being told for FOURTEEN HOURS that their bags were lost.

I don't know what my point is here. Just... doesn't anyone worry? What do you do with that worry? I don't want to get my own bags... that's why ME is so darn... MAGICAL! Plus the plane lands at 6:10pm and I just want to get over to MK to catch Wishes! Our very first Wishes!

 

[Kevenswife2]

I have the same worries! As much as I'd like to trust ME I still can't shake the feeling that one of my bags just won't make it to my resort. I HAVE to have my bags 'in hand' when I leave the airport. I'm a very trusting person...but not in this case.

 

[CleveRocks]

I think if you can't stand to be apart from your bags then you really have no choice but to claim your own bags, the same as you'd do at any other airport in the world. It seems an easy choice to go and claim your own luggage and then head to the DME Welcome Center, and then have the bus driver stow your bags under the very bus you'll take to your resort. This will slow you down, yes, but it will alleviate your fears. As the saying goes, "You can't have your cake and eat it, too." Even though DME, as Tyler has thankfully explained, has a system of barcode checks as the luggage goes through each stage in the process, I can't in my wildest imagination figure that DME is set up to give people on-demand updates about the current location of their luggage -- that sounds like it would take extra CMs, extra computers, a call center, yada yada yada ....

So, OP, I think it's essentially a no-brainer for you. From the way you described yourself, the stress of not knowing if your bags are present and accounted for will HUGELY outweigh any convenience of not having to carry them. Vacations are to be enjoyed.

I'm exactly the opposite. I think DME's luggage delivery service is the best thing since the jet engine. I used it in its infancy and I'll be using it again in November.

GOOD LUCK!

Oh, and as for any "horror stories." I'll bet there've been a small handful -- NO system is perfect. But I also think it's largely become the stuff of urban legend. You know, my sister-in-law said her daughter saw on DISboards that someone's brother's pool man's cousin twice removed had her luggage delayed for 12 hours ....

 

[tmt martins]

Remember they are transporting many bags with no problem.

Also did you know that 12 -15% of lost bags happen right at the Carosel when they are Stolen by thieves.ME cut this completely from happening as they are pulled in the back before they even hit the general public.

 

[MrShiny]

Yes, airlines do loose bags sometimes, and there is no way ME can stop that!

Still, it's worth the risk, IMHO.

First, anything that you cannot do without, put in your carry on. Put a change of clothes and pj's in there too (even if not lost, bags might come in the middle of the night). That way, you are set for the first day, no matter what. If the bags don't show up then, you'll probably get to go shopping on Disney's dime (keep your receipts in case they do show up though!).

I don't think your chance of loosing luggage is really any greater with ME than without. Yes, you will know sooner woithout, but with a days worth of clothes, it won't matter.

 

[sluggo]

If/when an airline does delay your bag, if you not using DME, that will require you to stand in a line (if AA, a really long line) to talk to the airline baggage people to file a claim. When the bag does finally arrive, the airline will send the bag to resort using a 3d party delivery service which can take up to 6 hours after the bag finally arrives at the airport.

If you are using DME, you go to the parks and have a good time. If the bag arrives on one of the next flights (which usually happens), you will probably not even realize that one of your bags was delayed. However if a claim does need to put in with the airlines, the DME CM's will put in the claim for you.

Also, summer is fast approaching. For those people familiar with Central Florida, you know that means a thunderstorm almost everyday between 3PM to 7PM. When this happens, the airport shuts down all baggage operations until the storm is completely gone. This can take an hour or more. During that time everyone just waits at the carousels cursing themselves for not letting DME take care of their bags.

Sluggo

 

[deedeetoo]

I agree with other posters. The airline might lose your luggage but usually it gets found within one day. I've had this happen to me many times before, and it always been delivered to me the next day.

When we go, each person carries a backpack containing a bathing suit, pajamas, toiletries, and a complete change of clothes for the next day. It doesn't take up much room. In fact I usually throw two changes into the kids packs, because kids will be kids They still have plenty of room for books and toys to keep them busy on the plane.

 

[esmetutu]

All good points... MY OP was, a bit, mocking my own worrying nature.

My concern, however, was not ME losing my bags, but the airline losing them and my not knowing about it until I get back to my room after a long day at one of the parks. It would be great if they could let you know when you "check in" with ME they indeed have all x number of your bags. Or even when you check in at your resort. Just a thought!

 

[paulmc80]

I'm not sure what kind of system the airlines have for tracking checked baggage, but I know most of them do have some kind of system.

I once took an American West flight that was supposed to connect to a Delta flight. The America West flight have techincal problems, got delayed ... and delayed... and delayed until it was finally cancelled. They moved me to a Northwest flight so I could make my Delta connecting flight.

Sure enough, when I got to my destination my checked bags were not there. Checked with the Delta baggage counter and was kindly informed that my bags were on a flight arriving later that evening. The bags were delivered to me the next day.

So, guess they do have something to tell you where your bag should be. Imagine its possible to have an airline check on where your bags are over the phone as well. I'm not positive though.

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

On our first trip to Disney everything went great until we returned to the airport in NJ and found out that some of our luggage along with a few other people was put on the flight after ours. We had the choice of waiting a couple of hours or having it delivered to our house. It was late so we chose to have it delivered. It arrived at our doorstep 3 hours later. You can also purchase baggage insurance. Last year we went to Disney during hurricane season and purchased a package so we purchased trip insurance. I would recommend putting name and address tags on your luggage as well as putting your name and number and hotel or home info. inside your luggage in case the tag comes off. Disney gives you special tags for your luggage when you are using ME. I would recommend taking a few things with you as well in case you want to change or go for a swim sometimes ME can take longer if it's very busy. Have Fun!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Even though DME, as Tyler has thankfully explained, has a system of barcode checks as the luggage goes through each stage in the process, I can't in my wildest imagination figure that DME is set up to give people on-demand updates about the current location of their luggage -- that sounds like it would take extra CMs, extra computers, a call center, yada yada yada ....

What's funny is, there's no way to tell for sure where your luggage is WHILE you're on the plane. Domestic airlines misdirected over three million bags in 2005 alone. With DME-checked luggage, part of the service is that THEY will take responsibility for tracking and delivering your bag. No waiting around the airport, filling out forms, etc. Something Eric usually suggests (and may have, further down the thread) is to ALWAYS pack a carry-on with essentials: travel documents, medications, valuables... basic toiletries, a change of clothes, a swimsuit if you plan to use the pool on arrival, or nightclothes if you're arriving late in the day... specifically to prevent ruining or delaying your vacation if the AIRLINE loses your bags.

It would be great if they could let you know when you "check in" with ME they indeed have all x number of your bags. Or even when you check in at your resort. Just a thought!

Okay, one problem with this is that you'll probably be checked in at the DME counter and already in line for your bus (if not ON the bus) before the luggage is all organized.

 

[TDC Nala]

It's like fear of flying. I don't think disasters happen enough to worry too much about it. And it isn't like I pack anything important in checked baggage. If they lose my luggage I might have to buy some new clothes. Big Whoop.

Like Cleve says, if it bothers you so much that you will be consumed by worry, don't use it. There's no problem with getting your own luggage, just don't put the yellow tags on it.

It would be great if they could let you know when you "check in" with ME they indeed have all x number of your bags.

It would, but I believe the bag service is separate from the human transport service, and they are not coordinated with each other except regarding which resort the bags should be delivered to.

 

[esmetutu]

It's like fear of flying. I don't think disasters happen enough to worry too much about it. And it isn't like I pack anything important in checked baggage. If they lose my luggage I might have to buy some new clothes. Big Whoop.

That's my biggest fear about losing my luggage. Having to buy new clothes! No joke! I am the pickiest clothes buyer in the universe. I'm probably the only woman in the whole world who hates shopping. If I find something I like I usually buy 3 of it in different colors. Black, grey, or pink. On second thought, maybe it *would* be good if the airline lost my luggage...

 

[esmetutu]

With DME-checked luggage, part of the service is that THEY will take responsibility for tracking and delivering your bag. No waiting around the airport, filling out forms, etc.

So, if your bags don't arrive at the airport DME takes care of it, or tries their best? That's awesome! I didn't realize that. I guess I have to do a little more research into DME.

 

[Snow_White]

I hear ya. Ever since my luggage was lost when I was 12 years old and flying from London to Philly, I have been totally paranoid about it!!! My luggage contained all my precious souvineers and I was beside myself with worry until the luggage was finally found, about a week later. Ever since then, I am the first person at the carousel waiting for my luggage to arrive!! I don't feel at ease until my suitcase is in my hand and I'm heading to WDW.

 

[Robindianne]

Well, I was one of those who had a missing bag. After an early morning arrival at MCO, taking DME, and then changing clothes in the lobby restroom (brought a backpack w/clothes change), we headed for downtown disney for the rest of the day. Well upon checking in to our room (late evening) we discovered DH's bag was not there. I called the luggage people at POP and she said not to worry. Leave it to her. She has "people" at the airport to help. We got up the next morning and headed to AK. By dinner time our missing bag was in our room with a special bright neon orange tag on it marked URGENT. IMHO Disney cast members truly rock! They are magical and have magical bag finding powers!

 

[Corinne]

Oh, and as for any "horror stories." I'll bet there've been a small handful -- NO system is perfect. But I also think it's largely become the stuff of urban legend. You know, my sister-in-law said her daughter saw on DISboards that someone's brother's pool man's cousin twice removed had her luggage delayed for 12 hours ....

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree! If you are going to worry so much that you cannot have fun, then you should claim the bags first.

I am also a worrier, but, the beauty of ME is to get to WDW and start having fun as soon as possible. We used ME last July and the bags were in our room when we arrived. Hopefully, they will again in August!