DME - Wasn't so bad, but...

[cgorn]

I returned from WDW last night. We did not receive our Magical Express information in the mail *until the day before we left!!!* In the package was everything you need and need to know about navgating DME, including the famous yellow tags. But since our info arrived so late, we had already decided not to use them.

That turned out to not be a problem at all. I would say about half the people in line for DME did not use the tags. Finding the DME check-in was no problem, and not far at all from the baggage claim (though on a different floor). You have to check in at the desk before getting in line, and there are different lines for each resort.

On the bus, they do tell you that there may be two stops before yours. I was told that the DME stops at several resorts, but either they fixed that or that person was mistaken. They show you a cute film to get you pumped for your vacation.

Going home, you have to transport your own luggage like you normally would. I think we lucked out because a Disney Cruise Line bus *happened* to arrive about the time our DME bus was scheduled. Since that guy was going back to the airport, he drove us. We were the only ones on the bus!

So DME wasn't so bad. I would recommend getting your own luggage, though, for your peace of mind. Even if you have to have them hold it at the resort, you know where it is.

Chad

 

[dcgrumpy]

Going home, you have to transport your own luggage like you normally would. I think we lucked out because a Disney Cruise Line bus *happened* to arrive about the time our DME bus was scheduled. Since that guy was going back to the airport, he drove us. We were the only ones on the bus!

Actually if you're on a "participating airline" you can check your luggage and get your boarding pass at your resort

So DME wasn't so bad. I would recommend getting your own luggage, though, for your peace of mind. Even if you have to have them hold it at the resort, you know where it is.

Chad

Everyone's different, the whole reason I use DME is so I don't have to deal with my luggage. LOL

 

[seashoreCM]

. I think we lucked out because a Disney Cruise Line bus *happened* to arrive about the time our DME bus was scheduled. Since that guy was going back to the airport, he drove us. We were the only ones on the bus!

Sometimes DME and DCL share buses. Did the driver say he was doing DME as well, or simply that he was going to the airport?

If the DCL or Mears (sometimes the bus is all white with "Mears" in one inch high letters) driver says he is doing DME, chances are he is the DME trip for that half hour or whatever time interval. You do need to be careful about getting in unmarked vans or taxis whose driver proclaims DME because there are a lot of gypsies out there.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

 

[goofy4tink]

Could I ask you a question? You say that since you had already decided to not use the tags beforehand, that it was not a big deal when you got them the day before you left. My question would be why didn't you just attach them to your bags before you went to the airport? In June, we got our tags/packet the day before we left also, but we used them. Everything worked out great. I loved not having to lug my luggage around. Now, I make sure to fly a 'participating' airline so I don't have to lug it back to the airport also!!!

 

[GEM]

I would recommend getting your own luggage, though, for your peace of mind. Even if you have to have them hold it at the resort, you know where it is.

I know everyone's different, but I have to totally disagree with that. Not having to wait around to claim the luggage, mess with the luggage, or deal with the luggage in any way is the number one reason I love using DME! We've used it several times with no problems at all. We usually fly on Delta, so we don't have to deal with luggage on the way home either. It's great! For us, checking our luggage in Little Rock and having it appear in our resort room is a huge perk. On the way back, we can check it at the resort and not have to worry about it until it comes off the carousel in Little Rock. We love it!!

 

[cgorn]

We didn't use the tags because a) we were frustrated from receiving them so late, and were convinced we weren't going to get them. I know technically it doesn't matter if you get them a day ahead or a month ahead, but...

b) we had read enough horror stories about late or lost luggage. We only had one checked bag, and our room happened to be ready when we arrived, so it was very nice to be able to settle in as soon as we arrived.

I see your points, though, and I would probably use the tags if we had several pieces of luggage. And I might seek out a "participating arline" next time, at least to be able to check in prior to getting to the airport.

As for the bus, he said he was doing DME as well, but it was clear that he wasn't looking for us, but just dropping people off. We guessed that he happened to be going back to the airline and didn't mind taking us.

Thanks for the replies!!

Chad

 

[kaytieeldr]

"Late" luggage is relative.
Where and how much have you read aboout lost luggage?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

"Late" luggage is relative.
Where and how much have you read aboout lost luggage?

I seem to recall a couple of postings over the past 9 months about seriously delayed (several days) or missing luggage. With 5 to 10 thousand people per day using DME, that doesn't seem to be a real problem. And, even when this happened, I wonder if DME was really at fault, or if it was the airline.

There have been numerous people on this board who have complained that they had to wait several hours in their room for their luggage to be delivered before they could do anything else. Those people missed the point about DME. Yes, it's going to take a few hours for the baggage to be delivered. After all, the baggage needs to be unloaded from the aircraft, sorted at the airport, transported on a baggage truck, unloaded at the resort, and delivered when the bellmen aren't busy with guests who are checking in or with earlier DME baggage. However, there's no reason to wait in the room. Disney pays the inbound gartuity, so you don't have to be in the room. The trick is to take a small carry-on with anything you need upon arrival; that's what Disney recommends.

 

[Lewisc]

DCL is using DME for transportation between MCO and WDW. Mears runs both services and it doesn't make any sense to run DCL and DME buses between WDW and MCO.

DME is more popular than originally projected and Mears is using DCL buses, and other buses, to supplement the DME fleet.

Did the OP book through a TA? The DME stuff goes to your TA and some of them aren't very quick to forward the packet.

The vast majority of people seem to get their luggage in their room 3-4 hours after landing. A few people have actually had their luggage beat them to their room.

 

[IlovePiglet]

Sometimes DME and DCL share buses. Did the driver say he was doing DME as well, or simply that he was going to the airport?

If the DCL or Mears (sometimes the bus is all white with "Mears" in one inch high letters) driver says he is doing DME, chances are he is the DME trip for that half hour or whatever time interval. You do need to be careful about getting in unmarked vans or taxis whose driver proclaims DME because there are a lot of gypsies out there.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

Mears uses DME, DCL, black/yellow, and white buses to do DME. All of Mears buses have a decal somewhere on them that says Mears Transportation and a DOT number. Also, all Mears employees have photo ID. If in doubt, ask. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Joan S.]

HI -Does anyone know what time at night that you HAVE TO claim your own luggage before getting on DME?? My DS swithced flights(he arrives at MCO at 10:55)and when I called to switch his time with DME the CM said not to use the yellow tags that it was too late and he should claim his own luggage. Thanks, Joan

 

[dbarker]

OK, I don't mean to sound really stupid, but....what are "gypsies"? They are mentioned in a previous post about unmarked vans claiming to be DME. I'd rather sound stupid now, than to be stupid later.

Thanks,

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

HI -Does anyone know what time at night that you HAVE TO claim your own luggage before getting on DME?? My DS swithced flights(he arrives at MCO at 10:55)and when I called to switch his time with DME the CM said not to use the yellow tags that it was too late and he should claim his own luggage. Thanks, Joan

When I called DME at 1-866-599-0951, I was told that DME runs 24 hours a day, and they will transport your luggage regardless of when you land. However, the agent told me that if I'm arriving late and I want my luggage immediately, I can claim my own luggage and take it to the motorcoach, instead of using the yellow tags.

I'd rather bring a carry-on overnight bag on the aircraft and use DME as designed for the rest of our luggage. I would use the yellow tags, but I'd attach additional tags with a message such as, "Please do not deliver until after 8:00 a.m," to avoid a knock on the door at 2:00 a.m.

One big advantage of skipping baggage claim upon arrival would be getting an earlier motorcoach and arriving at the resort sooner.

 

[IlovePiglet]

OK, I don't mean to sound really stupid, but....what are "gypsies"? They are mentioned in a previous post about unmarked vans claiming to be DME. I'd rather sound stupid now, than to be stupid later.

Thanks,

Gypsies are those claiming to be another company in order to "scoop" the fare. The only vans that would do DME are Mears vans and they are clearly marked.

 

[ghostriderrb]

HI -Does anyone know what time at night that you HAVE TO claim your own luggage before getting on DME?? My DS swithced flights(he arrives at MCO at 10:55)and when I called to switch his time with DME the CM said not to use the yellow tags that it was too late and he should claim his own luggage. Thanks, Joan

I've been hearing that if you arrive after 11 pm that your luggage will be delivered sometime during the next morning. I would recommend packing a small bag of anything you may need over night and clothes for the next day.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I've been hearing that if you arrive after 11 pm that your luggage will be delivered sometime during the next morning. I would recommend packing a small bag of anything you may need over night and clothes for the next day.

Many of us recommend ALWAYS doing that when you fly. The airlines misdirect over three million pieces of luggage a year, and permanently lose over 250,000 (figures are from 2005; misdirections/losses have increased since August 2006, but I don't have those numbers).

 

[Edd]

Mears will use DCL, DME, Yellow and Black Mears busses and I have even seen white Mears/Disney busses used to pick up DME passengers at the airport and at the resorts. The little sign you may be talking about is on the side of all busses and it says "Mears Destinations Services." That makes it official.

If Mears is unable to pick you up with the busses they will dispatch a Mears shuttle van or maybe even a Mears taxi to pick you up. There will be no money involved. The gypsy vans that hang around will not want to talk to you if they don't get some amount of money committment from you.