DME newbie with question

[Dimmsdale]

While we've been to WDW we've never used DME before. 2 quick questions if someone has time to answer
Where exactly in MCO is the DME area is located? Near baggage claim?
How are the buses scheduled? I mean will a bus heading for the Poly only have guests for the MK resorts or is it a mixed group of all WDW resorts?

Thanks

 

[goofy4tink]

DME is located on level 1, Side B of MCO. Baggage claim is located on level 2. When you get off the tram from the gate, you are on level 3. There are two sides of the airport...Side A and Side B.
It's a good idea to tag checked bags with the yellow luggage tags that DME sends you. That way you don't have to grab your bags before heading to the bus...can add up to 20+ mins to your timing.

The buses run every 15-20 mins throughout the day. They will stop at 2 or sometimes 3 other resorts along the way. A bus to the Polynesian may possibly stop at CR, GF and/or WL. Could be another combination...no way to tell since the routes do change. The average time, from gate to resort, is about 70 mins.

 

[Dimmsdale]

There's no reason I can't take checked luggage on DME if we chose to is there?

 

[magicaldisney]

You can absolutely bring your checked luggage with you, but it sure is nice to have it delivered to your room. You don't need to be in your room for the delivery to be made. If you choose to take your luggage with you, make sure you don't put the yellow tags on them.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

There's no reason I can't take checked luggage on DME if we chose to is there?

None whatsoever. However, if you choose to do this, don't put the WDW destination tags on your luggage before you check it at your home airport.

 

[clkelley]

You are perfectly welcome to take your checked luggage on the DME bus with you, but it will add AT LEAST 20 minutes to your time in the airport, more likely 30 or 40 minutes, then will add time to your DME departure because the driver has to load your bags under the bus.

You will also need to tip the driver and your resort Bell Services. If you let DME get the bags you save that 20+ minutes plus it will save you the tips.

Also, if your flight lands on side A, then you will need to go to level 2 side A, claim your bags, then BACK UP to level 3, then cross over to Side B, then down to Level 1 Side B. All the while schlepping those bags your self (or paying the porter to schlep them for you.)

 

[goofy4tink]

You are perfectly welcome to take your checked luggage on the DME bus with you, but it will add AT LEAST 20 minutes to your time in the airport, more likely 30 or 40 minutes, then will add time to your DME departure because the driver has to load your bags under the bus.

You will also need to tip the driver and your resort Bell Services. If you let DME get the bags you save that 20+ minutes plus it will save you the tips.

Also, if your flight lands on side A, then you will need to go to level 2 side A, claim your bags, then BACK UP to level 3, then cross over to Side B, then down to Level 1 Side B. All the while schlepping those bags your self (or paying the porter to schlep them for you.)

Took the words right out of my mouth!!!

In any event...be sure to pack your carryon bag with anything you may need to start your trip..even if you plan on collecting your own checked bags. Airlines still misdirect bags, so if that should happen to you, you will be okay because you packed your carryon correctly.

What do I pack in my carryon?? Travel sized toiletries (toothpaste, deod.), toothbrush, change of clothes, teeshirt to sleep in, any paperwork (conf. #s, itinereries, park passes, etc.) clean underwear/socks and a bathing suit if it's going to be warm. Then, if something happens to my checked bag, I can at least get through that first day and evening without stressing.

 

[Dimmsdale]

Thanks and I hear you about schlepping all over the place and tipping. Just trying to get a handle on it since this is a surprise trip spung on me this past Friday. It's the kind of surprise I like very much!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

I am still undecided as to whether I will check my bags with DME or get them myself. I know the basic reason for checking them (I don't have to deal with them) but I know I'll stress until I have my bags. At what point can you notify them that your bags are missing? Do you do that with DME or the airline?

Also, what are the tipping guidelines if you a) check your bags and don't have the driver load/unload them, and b) if you let DME handles them entirely?

Another thought-do the airlines send bags to MCO on earlier flights if you check in early and there is room? I wonder if that would impact the time it takes to have your bags arrive.

Is there a link that describes the behind the scenes activity of DME?

TIA

 

[goofy4tink]

I am still undecided as to whether I will check my bags with DME or get them myself. I know the basic reason for checking them (I don't have to deal with them) but I know I'll stress until I have my bags. At what point can you notify them that your bags are missing? Do you do that with DME or the airline?

Also, what are the tipping guidelines if you a) check your bags and don't have the driver load/unload them, and b) if you let DME handles them entirely?

Another thought-do the airlines send bags to MCO on earlier flights if you check in early and there is room? I wonder if that would impact the time it takes to have your bags arrive.

Is there a link that describes the behind the scenes activity of DME?

TIA

1. When you get to the DME checkin area, they will ask you how many bags you tagged and checked. They enter that number into their system. As the bags come off the plane, those with the yellow DME tags are pulled and put aside. They are scanned. Then, they are sorted into resort groups...and scanned again. As they are scanned, the system is tracking how many bags have shown up for each DME reservation. If all the bags come off the plane, and there are any missing, according to the DME system, DME CMs will start a search for them.

2. There is no tipping involved if you use DME to handle your bags. It's all included. BUT..if you decide to not tag your bags, and go to baggage claim yourself and get the bags and bring them to the bus??? Yes, then you are expected to tip the bus driver, and then Bell Services at your resort for luggage handling.

3. Not sure what your question is here....do you mean if you were put on an earlier flight? I would assume that your bags would be handled the exact same way. At least that was my experience when JB put us on an earlier flight. OR, do you mean do bags get put on flights other than the one you are on? If that is the question, then I doubt it happens very often. The only time my bags have arrived on a flight earlier than mine was the one time we got stuck, due to a mechanical issue, for almost 5 hrs. I went to go to baggage claim when I met up with my dh at the home airport. He told me that my bags had come in about 2 hrs ago!!! Yep, poor guy had been sitting there waiting all that time!!
If your bags were to be put on an earlier flight, then yes, they would most likely get to the resort much sooner and you wouldn't have to wait for them to be delivered.

Really, DME is a great service. I have't heard reports of them losing any luggage. Yes, there have been a few reports of them sending luggage to the wrong resort, but the bags were on Disney property so it wasn't hard to get them to their rightful owners. It's much more likely that the airline will misdirect your bags...not DME. I have no issue at all allowing DME to take care of my bags. I hope my answers have given you some idea as to how DME works. It is very organized...the bags are scanned multiple times.

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Thanks for the great response
All my questions answered and my mind put at ease
I think we'll let them handle our bags and just forget about it. We are planning an early flight, so it shouldn't be an issue/won't need them right away.