DME won't pull your luggage after 11pm??

[taximomfor4]

My sister and I were supposed to arrive at 9pm at MCO, but due to a cancelled flight, arrived at 11pm. We dragged our tired bodies to the DME desk, and were shocked to be told "After 11pm, we can no longer TOUCH your luggage. I hate to do this to you, but you guys have to go back to your airline's baggage claim, and get your own luggage and bring them back here."

I have never, never heard this before (maybe because we were not SUPPOSED to arrive that late?!)

The girl at the DME counter went and got a manager (I think), showed her my flight info, and they typed on the computer for a few seconds. Then they said they would be able to go ahead and pull my bags for me, since my flight had been completely cancelled. I would have been beyond furious if I had to go all the way back and wait for my bags.

See, When our direct cleveland-orlando flight was cancelled, we were rerouted through St Louis. We had 14 minutes to get through security and run all the way to our gate, where the plane was waiting for us. They told us right up front that our luggage probably didn't make it, and would arrive about 2 1/2 hours later than us off a CHICAGO flight. If DME had made me sit there, waiting for my bags till 2am, I would have lost my mind.

I am still reading over the info, and not finding this 11pm "rule" anywhere. The DME Counter person did tell me that it is a new rule the AIRPORT made.

Anyone know when this started??

Beth

 

[katmattsmom]

I can't tell you when it started, but we're going next week and my sister's flight doesn't arrive until after 11pm and they told her on the phone that they can't get her luggage and she'll have to get it herself and take it on the bus.

 

[CastleLight]

I'm arriving close to midnight and no one mentioned this to me when I called to make our DME reservation.

 

[taximomfor4]

I can't tell you when it started, but we're going next week and my sister's flight doesn't arrive until after 11pm and they told her on the phone that they can't get her luggage and she'll have to get it herself and take it on the bus.

So is her luggage handling tip still included?? Or is she going to add a few $ to her pocket, to tip the DME driver who sticks her bags into the bus and pulls them back out?!

Funny thing is, our bus was really full...if everyone had brought their suitcases, how on earth would they have all fit under the bus, with the carryon bags and strollers?!

after 11pm is the time I would absolutely NOT want to drag my suitcases across the airport.

Beth

 

[WOODY13]

I talked to DME in Sept. 2006 and they told me that I would have to get my own luggage if arriving after 11PM.

 

[clkelley]

Just called DME and spoke with "Toni". I told her that what had been reported here. She said that bags would be pulled, but it would most likely be the next morning before you received your bags. If you want them that evening, that you should get them yourselves. If your flight comes in after midnite, you most definitely will not get them till later that morning as those sit at the airport till the first morning run.

So, late night fliers, pack your nightclothes and the next mornings clothes in a carryon, and go to your resort and crash!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I am still reading over the info, and not finding this 11pm "rule" anywhere. The DME Counter person did tell me that it is a new rule the AIRPORT made.

Edd? Can you please check this "rule" when you get a chance? Thanks!

 

[taximomfor4]

Edd? Can you please check this "rule" when you get a chance? Thanks!

Yes, Edd, please! The people at the DME counter were quite adamant that I did NOT have the option of letting DME deliver my bags to me in the morning. They were very apologetic while telling me that I had no option but to go all the way back to baggage claim myself. Until they checked my flight cancellation, that is!

If this IS a rule now, the info should have been printed in the DME booklet. It isn't -- I read it cover to cover, looking for this "rule."

Beth

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Just called DME and spoke with "Toni". I told her that what had been reported here. She said that bags would be pulled, but it would most likely be the next morning before you received your bags. If you want them that evening, that you should get them yourselves. If your flight comes in after midnite, you most definitely will not get them till later that morning as those sit at the airport till the first morning run.

So, late night fliers, pack your nightclothes and the next mornings clothes in a carryon, and go to your resort and crash!!

That makes sense to me!

So it's really a matter of...

• If you're arriving after 11 PM and you don't want to wait until the next morning, you must handle your own bags.
  
• If you're arriving after 11 PM, you can still enjoy the benefit the DME luggage delivery, but you'll need to pack an overnight carry-on because your bags won't be delivered to your room until the next morning.

If I were arriving late, I would choose the second option. I'd want to bypass baggage claim, take the first motorcoach to my resort, check in at the resort, and get to bed as quickly as possible. I would not want to wait around baggage claim and deal with all of our luggage at the airport and at the resort.

If this is really no longer an option, as the OP suggests, then I'd also like to know.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I agree with Horace - it makes perfect sense; but until Edd confirms it, I don't believe it's an airport rule

 

[Lewisc]

Another website had posted this rumor as fact almost a year ago. The fact was DME only ran one luggage truck after 11:00p and that guests would probably have to wait until morning to get their bags.

It's possible the number of guests, arriving on late flights, that took advantage of luggage delivery wasn't enough to justify DME staffing the luggage section that late. I'm interested in what Tyler has to say. Ed is a driver, with connections to the airport but he isn't in a position to know official Disney policy.

I doubt it's an airport rule.

 

[katmattsmom]

So is her luggage handling tip still included?? Or is she going to add a few $ to her pocket, to tip the DME driver who sticks her bags into the bus and pulls them back out?!

I honestly didn't ask her about that, but I'm sure they'll tip the DME driver.
I called her and asked and she said she didn't get an option to wait until morning for luggage, she was just told that she has to get it.

 

[Lewisc]

Some passengers don't grab their bags quick enough. The airlines put those bags in an unclaimed luggage office. I know DME employees look for DME bags there. My guess is bags with a DME tag will wind up being shipped to WDW the next morning, no matter what we're told.

 

[clkelley]

We're arriving 11:50ish pm in September. I'm planning on having a carryon with overnight and next morning essentials. (I can live with Disney shampoo for one night). If the folks at the desk tell us we have to go get our bags, I'll just tell them we have carryon only and head for the bus. As Lewisc said, worst case, they'll end up at the unclaimed office with yellow tags and get pulled in the morning.

Worst, worst case, I give my claim checks to the front desk the next night and have them track them. That's what DME is supposed to do.

Very worst case, we will have two changes of clothes and Disney has washers and dryers and lots of stores that sell shirts. We will live.

 

[taximomfor4]

Some passengers don't grab their bags quick enough. The airlines put those bags in an unclaimed luggage office. I know DME employees look for DME bags there. My guess is bags with a DME tag will wind up being shipped to WDW the next morning, no matter what we're told.

I would be fine with this option, lol. Better than dragging my bags around the airport at midnight, ya know? But then, would you lie at the DME desk and tell them you have no bags? They asked us, and when we said yes, that is when they told us the new airport rule doesn't let them touch our suitcases after 11pm, so "I really, really hate to do this to you but you all are going to have to go to baggage claim and get your bags yourselves, and bring them back here. I am so sorry!"

I just called DME myself, and was told the same thing by the phone rep. That there isn't an option to wait till morning. That they cannot pull your luggage at all at 11pm or later.

And darn it, I forgot to ask about the tip again!!
Beth

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks to those of you who have called and spoken directly with DME reps. My only issue here is that it does not state this any place that I can see. If, in fact, they are not allowed to 'touch' bags after 11:00 pm, then wouldn't you think they would put it in writing someplace? Or are they afraid that won't seem quite as 'magical' to guests. Obviously it isn't going to be the 'luggage magically appears in your room' experience that is touted by DME. They could at least let those making reservations know, ahead of time, what the story is...this would avoid a lot of frustration at 11:30 pm when a tired guest arrives at the DME checkin desk only to find that they can either go find their own luggage, or wait until morning (at some point) for the luggage to appear.
The big 'draw' of DME is that you don't have to lug your bags, they appear magically in your resort room, and you don't need to worry about tipping anyone. If you arrive late at night, and you want your bags with you, then you do have to tip the driver, and there is now way it is going to magical when you have to wait until the next morning when you assumed you would get them sooner. And yes, I do realize that most arriving late, even if the bags can be 'touched' that late, those bags won't arrive until the wee hours. But, at least people know that going in.

 

[clkelley]

Thanks to those of you who have called and spoken directly with DME reps. My only issue here is that it does not state this any place that I can see. If, in fact, they are not allowed to 'touch' bags after 11:00 pm, then wouldn't you think they would put it in writing someplace? Or are they afraid that won't seem quite as 'magical' to guests. Obviously it isn't going to be the 'luggage magically appears in your room' experience that is touted by DME. They could at least let those making reservations know, ahead of time, what the story is...this would avoid a lot of frustration at 11:30 pm when a tired guest arrives at the DME checkin desk only to find that they can either go find their own luggage, or wait until morning (at some point) for the luggage to appear.
The big 'draw' of DME is that you don't have to lug your bags, they appear magically in your resort room, and you don't need to worry about tipping anyone. If you arrive late at night, and you want your bags with you, then you do have to tip the driver, and there is now way it is going to magical when you have to wait until the next morning when you assumed you would get them sooner. And yes, I do realize that most arriving late, even if the bags can be 'touched' that late, those bags won't arrive until the wee hours. But, at least people know that going in.

I agree. When my paperwork arrives for my trip with my tags, if that paperwork doesn't say anything about after 11pm pickup, then I'm going to hold them to that.

Also, if the paperwork does say after 11pm I have to get my bags, I'll get them, but I will be very upset because then that means Disney is not providing the same service to ALL of their guests.

That is my biggest beef about the RAC desk only being open from 5 am till 1pm. I understand about certain airlines not participating, but there is no excuse for the limited operating hours. They could also easily operate that desk from 5pm - 9pm so early morning flyers could use the service and so late night flyers don't have to wait so late in the morning to check their bags.

 

[Lewisc]

The hours make sense. 1p is late enough to accomodate those guests who manage to get a late checkout. I doubt the airport will accept bags the day before. RAC bags are screened in a seperate facility in MCO. I doubt that facility opens prior 6a. I'm not sure how many flights leave MCO prior to 8:00am, probably not enough to open the RAC desk any earlier. Will guests really get up early enough to check their bags 3 hours before an early am flight?

That is my biggest beef about the RAC desk only being open from 5 am till 1pm. I understand about certain airlines not participating, but there is no excuse for the limited operating hours. They could also easily operate that desk from 5pm - 9pm so early morning flyers could use the service and so late night flyers don't have to wait so late in the morning to check their bags.

 

[DebbieB]

I honestly didn't ask her about that, but I'm sure they'll tip the DME driver.
I called her and asked and she said she didn't get an option to wait until morning for luggage, she was just told that she has to get it.

I thought the tip was for the bellman at the resort, not the DME driver.

 

[clkelley]

I realize most folks don't make early flights, but what really aggravates me is the late evening flights. I usually try and get the latest flight out possible, which in some cases has been as late as 8:30pm, which means I have to hang around the resort till 8:30am to use resort airline checkin. If it was open for a few hours in the evening, that wouldn't be necessary and wouldn't kill the entire morning. We are ALWAYS out by 6:45 each morning.