DME - please tell me like I'm a 5 year old.

[torsie24]

Hi all I've read the DME stickies but still have a couple of questions - hope you don't mind!

Although I'm coming from the UK I will be clearing customs in Detroit and so arriving in MCO from the US. Normally when I get to the states I have a huge line for immigration, what is MCO like when arriving internally? Will we just get thrown out right by baggage reclaim? Or is there still a passport/ID check?

I keep hearing about there being 2 baggage carousels, and that you collect your bag and then put it back on another carousel? Do I have to do this, we don't want the DME to look after our luggage as we have quite a late arrival and would rather have our stuff straight away once we get to our hotel.

My final question is, we are staying at AKL, do the buses normally share with other resorts? Having looked on a map I won't be surprised if it's us and CSR together.

Eeee, I'm so excited! Just a shame that manifests itself as having to know every single detail of everything!

Thanks for reading!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Will we just get thrown out right by baggage reclaim? Or is there still a passport/ID check?

Neither. You will get off the plane in a "remote" terminal. All that means is it'll be one of the four busy standard "wings" of the main terminal; then - because you already cleared Customs - you'll take the tram to the main terminal along with (probably) most, if not all, your fellow passengers. Just follow them and the signs.

I keep hearing about there being 2 baggage carousels,

Doesn't matter. You don't need to go near any baggage carousel. Having the DME reservation as you do, you will proceed directly to Level 1 of Terminal B - don't worry, it's all one building here, even though they're designated as Terminals A and B - to the DME Welcome Center. Since, as a UK resident, you won't have gotten the DME luggage tags, you will instead show the Cast Member at the counter your claim checks. Disney will get your luggage and transfer it to your resort.

My final question is, we are staying at AKL, do the buses normally share with other resorts?

Pretty much always. It's extremely rare that a DME bus goes to just one resort, but it could happen. Travel from getting off the plane to getting to your resort averages 70 to 90 minutes. Routing is fluid. Your bus will probably go to Pop Century, and one or more other resorts (i.e. CBR because it's close to Pop) along with AKL. Or your bus may have entirely different resorts on its route.

 

[torsie24]

Thanks Katie - so do I have no option but to let DME get my luggage? I'd really rather pick it up myself. As we'll have been awake for over 24 hours and I'll just want to get to our resort, bath and get into bed. Rather than wait for luggage.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks Katie - so do I have no option but to let DME get my luggage? I'd really rather pick it up myself. As we'll have been awake for over 24 hours and I'll just want to get to our resort, bath and get into bed. Rather than wait for luggage.

Yes, you can get your own luggage...just don't put those yellow tags on them. Only the bags with the special yellow luggage tags will be taken before hitting the public baggage claim carousels.
When you get off the plane, at MCO, you are arriving on level 3. You will take the tram from your gate, to the main terminal. If you have arrived on Side A, you will need to stay on Side A but go down to level 2, baggage claim, and get your bags. Then, go back up to level 3, cross over to Side B. Now, do down to level 1 (past Side B's baggage claim level), to ground transportation. At the end of that area, past the car rental counters and Mears area, you will find the DME counter. You check in with them, go to the appropriate bus line, go to the bus, hand your bags off to the driver who will stow them under the bus, and off you go. You will most likely stop at POP, CSR and then AKL..or it could be reversed. That is the most likely route, but it could change.
Your bags will be taken out for you when you reach AKL, don't forget to tip the driver.

Then, have a terrific vacation!!

 

[torsie24]

Yes, you can get your own luggage...just don't put those yellow tags on them. Only the bags with the special yellow luggage tags will be taken before hitting the public baggage claim carousels.
When you get off the plane, at MCO, you are arriving on level 3. You will take the tram from your gate, to the main terminal. If you have arrived on Side A, you will need to stay on Side A but go down to level 2, baggage claim, and get your bags. Then, go back up to level 3, cross over to Side B. Now, do down to level 1 (past Side B's baggage claim level), to ground transportation. At the end of that area, past the car rental counters and Mears area, you will find the DME counter. You check in with them, go to the appropriate bus line, go to the bus, hand your bags off to the driver who will stow them under the bus, and off you go. You will most likely stop at POP, CSR and then AKL..or it could be reversed. That is the most likely route, but it could change.
Your bags will be taken out for you when you reach AKL, don't forget to tip the driver.

Then, have a terrific vacation!!

Thank you very much!!

All the up and downing seems a bit complex, I think we arrive on Side B as I had a look at which gate our flight has gotten in on in the past. But I'm guessing i'll just be following the crowds.

 

[PoohsFan1]

You did mention that you have a pretty late arrival time at MCO, what time are you expected to land there? I am asking because Disney implemented a new rule this past year with DME stating that if your flight lands at 10pm or later, then DME will not be able to get your bags and send them to your room, but rather you will have to get them yourself....a little FYI

 

[crashbb]

Yes, you can get your own luggage...just don't put those yellow tags on them. Only the bags with the special yellow luggage tags will be taken before hitting the public baggage claim carousels.

The OP won't have yellow tags. DME only sends yellow tags to travelers from Canada and the US (there was a thread about this change a while ago).

So, she can either pick up her own bags (as you described) or give the luggage tickets/description of bags to the DME people when she checks in for the bus.

 

[uva185]

I keep hearing about there being 2 baggage carousels, and that you collect your bag and then put it back on another carousel?

Yes, you will do this in Detroit. You land, clear Immigration, collect your luggage, clear Customs with all your luggage in tow, and then after immigration there will be a spot to drop it off / re-check it to MCO.

Just remember if you bought any duty free items that are liquids you will have to put them in your checked luggage before re-checking it at DTW.

 

[torsie24]

Thanks everyone.

No UK guests don't get DME tags sent, but as you know this doesn't worry me as I want my cases.

Thanks for the heads up about late arrivals. We only arrive around 6 or 7 pm, but by the time we get to the hotel it'll be gone 1am UK time and we'll have been awake since 2am the day before, so I really don't want to have to stay up and wait for luggage. I'm also going to try and use unpacking as a method to keep myself awake until 9 or 10 pm.