First time using ME

[jennypenny]

We're heading to BCV at the end of the month. We always rent a car, but this time it doesn't look like we'll need a car so we decided to try ME. Anything I should know? I called a couple of weeks ago and added it and MS told me I'd get the luggage tags in time.

Hubby is nervous about using the luggage tags. He's afraid the bags will get lost. (he travels for his job so he knows how that goes ) I'm afraid we'll wait for the bus, wait on the bus, get to the airport too early--basically that it will take too much time.

Any experience with this?

 

[patsal]

Been using ME for several years. I have never had a luggage problem. My experiences have varied at the airport with a 6 am flight from Buffalo and in the parks by 11:30 after checkin and a bus to MK to waiting for the magical express for about 20 minutes and not getting into the parks until after 12;30 either way not too bad. You will arrive at the airport about 2 to 2 and a half hours before you need to be there. For us it has made it more relaxing. We take our time before going through security, we stop and have a meal before getting on the plane and enjoy not having to stress about getting a rental car returned, lugging all the bags, etc. You give up the hassle of bags and in return you get some down time. Not really a bad trade off.

 

[crazyangel]

Never Had A problem with the ME. If it will make your husband feel better, DON'T use the luggage tags,and pick up your luggage at the airport. You can just bring them with you on the ME.(bus driver stores them under the bus)

 

[abdgeek]

I always do ME when I go to WDW and have never had a problem(I've been to WDW about 10 times in the past two years). I like not having to schlep to get my bags at MCO because my bags are never at baggage claim B. This means that I have to go to A, get my bags, get back in the elevator, go to side B, and then go to ME. When you go to ME, they will ask you how many bags they are picking up.

Keep in mind that it will take about 3 hours from the time you check-in to the resort to get your bags. If you're not in the room when they deliver them, they will leave them inside your door.

I like the freedom ME gives me. My goal whenever I go to WDW is to get in the park as soon as possible. I always check-in to my hotel first. Most of the times my room has been ready. For the one or two times it wasn't, I gave my carry-on bags to bell services, went to the park, and I was texted with my room number when the room was ready.

Disney handles bags all the time(DCL, ME, etc). Tell your hubby not to worry.

 

[disneynutz]

We're heading to BCV at the end of the month. We always rent a car, but this time it doesn't look like we'll need a car so we decided to try ME. Anything I should know? I called a couple of weeks ago and added it and MS told me I'd get the luggage tags in time.

Hubby is nervous about using the luggage tags. He's afraid the bags will get lost. (he travels for his job so he knows how that goes ) I'm afraid we'll wait for the bus, wait on the bus, get to the airport too early--basically that it will take too much time.

Any experience with this?

DME transports around 2 million Disney guests per year and they all have their luggage delivered. It is a proven process operated by a outside contractor. Mears operates the buses and a division of Mears, Bags Inc. processes the luggage.

For added assurance you can call DME directly to verify your reservation: 866 599-0951.

Bill

 

[k3chantal]

We're heading to BCV at the end of the month. We always rent a car, but this time it doesn't look like we'll need a car so we decided to try ME. Anything I should know? I called a couple of weeks ago and added it and MS told me I'd get the luggage tags in time.

Hubby is nervous about using the luggage tags. He's afraid the bags will get lost. (he travels for his job so he knows how that goes ) I'm afraid we'll wait for the bus, wait on the bus, get to the airport too early--basically that it will take too much time.

Any experience with this?

We have used the ME four times and never had a problem. It is so nice to not have to worry about waiting for your luggage to get to the carousels and it's lovely that it is delivered to your room. And, we have never waited more than 20 minutes for the bus to leave even when there was a 'mess up' and we didn't have our boarding tickets (our first trip on the ME).

I always do pack a carry on with my necessities like a swimsuit, underwear and medication just in case but that is my type A personality insuring as much as possible that nothing will go wrong.

I love this service. Over the years, the video they show as you drive has aged but sitting in a cool, spacious bus and not having to negotiate traffic or pay for a rental car that will sit in a parking lot for most of the trip is awesome.

On a complete side note, without a car you may want to consider ordering groceries from one of the companies that delivered. Equality wonderful to not have to bring groceries up to your villa!

 

[rocketriter]

Never had a problem with ME. The luggage tags work. And the suggestion to use a grocery delivery service is also excellent. They usually deliver before your arrival and the front desk holds your groceries for you (and yes, they separate the frozens and store them appropriately). You can have them sent up when you arrive.

 

[Sunshine22]

We haven't had any problems and love using ME! The first time our luggage tags didn't arrive in time so we picked up our bags at baggage claim and brought them on the bus with us. The other two times, we used the luggage tags and loved not having to worry about dragging our bags to the bus.

Keep in mind, however, that ME is not for those in a big hurry or who want flexibility regarding their departure time to the airport. You may have a 20 min. wait for the bus to arrive and then it may take another hour + to get to the resort if the bus stops at a few other resorts on the way. Then, you may have to wait at least 3 hours for your luggage to be delivered to your room even if you are able to check into your room upon arrival at the resort. On the return expect your assigned bus to pick you up 3 hours prior to flight departure.

 

[Idreamodisney247]

We're heading to BCV at the end of the month. We always rent a car, but this time it doesn't look like we'll need a car so we decided to try ME. Anything I should know? I called a couple of weeks ago and added it and MS told me I'd get the luggage tags in time.

Hubby is nervous about using the luggage tags. He's afraid the bags will get lost. (he travels for his job so he knows how that goes ) I'm afraid we'll wait for the bus, wait on the bus, get to the airport too early--basically that it will take too much time.

Any experience with this?

That's interesting because we have never had a problem until this last trip from July 26th to August 1st. Usually, my ME materials arrive before my Disney package documents. This time however they never arrived. I was really worried and called ME. They thought it strange and said I should receive it soon. In the meantime they assured me that regardless, I would have no trouble. These are the steps I was given:

1. Give them flight info and disney resort name if you haven't done so already.
2. On the day of departure check your luggage as you would for any flight.
3. When you arrive in Orlando, proceed directly to the magical express counter and inform them that your paperwork never arrived. They will check their computer and give you vouchers for the bus and then they will copy your baggage claim numbers into their computer.
4. Enjoy your bus ride and within approx 3 hours your bags will arrive to your hotel room.

I have to say that they were very prompt and efficient and the process was painless.

Hope this helps.

 

[k3chantal]

That's interesting because we have never had a problem until this last trip from July 26th to August 1st. Usually, my ME materials arrive before my Disney package documents. This time however they never arrived. I was really worried and called ME. They thought it strange and said I should receive it soon. In the meantime they assured me that regardless, I would have no trouble. These are the steps I was given:

1. Give them flight info and disney resort name if you haven't done so already.
2. On the day of departure check your luggage as you would for any flight.
3. When you arrive in Orlando, proceed directly to the magical express counter and inform them that your paperwork never arrived. They will check their computer and give you vouchers for the bus and then they will copy your baggage claim numbers into their computer.
4. Enjoy your bus ride and within approx 3 hours your bags will arrive to your hotel room.

I have to say that they were very prompt and efficient and the process was painless.

Hope this helps.

I have to agree; they really do make it painless when things go 'astray'.

 

[Boomboom27]

We have used ME twice and both times we did not use the luggage tags. If you don't mind getting your own luggage from the carousel at the airport, when you board the bus to go to your resort they put your luggage on the same bus that you are on. When you get to the resort you take your luggage from the bus. Otherwise you could wait for hours to get your bags to your room if you use the luggage tags.

 

[thepops]

We have used ME twice and both times we did not use the luggage tags. If you don't mind getting your own luggage from the carousel at the airport, when you board the bus to go to your resort they put your luggage on the same bus that you are on. When you get to the resort you take your luggage from the bus. Otherwise you could wait for hours to get your bags to your room if you use the luggage tags.

And don't forget to tip your bus driver for handling your bags for you!

 

[jennypenny]

It took 9 days to get the tags. Just FYI

Also, what do you do on the return trip to the airport? We're flying spirit, so we need to check in at the airport. Do they just throw the bags under the bus? Where do they drop you off at the airport?

 

[Irishmom23]

We always use ME and always use the luggage tags. We take the earliest flight from Boston so that as soon as we arrive at the resort, we can head to the parks. On occasion our room is ready at that hour, but if not, no worry. We come back to the resort later, head to our villa, and the luggage is there. Great service.

 

[Irishmom23]

If your are unable to use the resort airline check-in, you will take your luggage with you on the return trip to the airport. Your pick-up time will be delivered to your room a day or so before you leave. At pick-up, driver will store all of your luggage under the bus. They will know as you board the bus which airline you are taking and inform you which terminal you will be dropped off at. The timing is planned so that you are in the airport well in advance of your flight.

 

[CarolMN]

Moved from DVC Boards

 

[goofy4tink]

It took 9 days to get the tags. Just FYI

Also, what do you do on the return trip to the airport? We're flying spirit, so we need to check in at the airport. Do they just throw the bags under the bus? Where do they drop you off at the airport?

Spirit Airlines is not one of the airlines that participate in RAC (resort airline checkin). So, you will have to take your bags to the DME bus when you are ready to depart from your resort. When you get to MCO, you will check your bags there, then head to security. Your bags will be stowed beneath your bus. The bus will make two stops at MCO...one on Side A and one on Side B. You will be on the lowest level, so you will need to go up to departures and check the bags.