For those leaving soon-info on Magical Express...

[horner5]

We leave for Disney next Sunday and my DH called ME one more time just to make sure they had our flight info (which they did) and whoever he spoke with (Megan, I believe) had some enlightening info. We have not received our luggage tags yet and she said that yes, they are behind in getting them out, but we should have them before we go. She said that those leaving around the 10th-11th are getting them now. Also, my DH brought up the problems happening at MCO (but in a nice way) and she told him that they were supposed to have computers up and running to be able to scan luggage, etc, but they aren't yet and that's why people are waiting in line just for the baggage situation at MCO-everything is being written down by hand and is causing major delays. Once the computers are up and running this week, she said everything will be extremely smooth at that point and they will be able to scan the baggage. She seemed very upbeat and positive, he said, so we are willing to be guinea pigs and give it a chance. I think once these first few weeks are over, it will be a very smooth operation.

 

[BettyCv]

Thanks for posting! I hope you were told the truth. We leave on 5/15 and no tags here yet. The last time I called (a couple days ago) I was told we might not have them before we leave. Yuck!

Did the person you spoke with say if they are still Fed-Exing the tags? If they don't get these luggage tags out to people, there won't be anything FOR them to scan, will there? Or do they "scan" the regular baggage claim tickets that we are supposed to hand over to them if we don't get our ME tags?

Betty

 

[mrscoobs]

Thanks for the info! I believe when I called last Monday to check to make sure they had our info that I spoke to Megan too! She was very upbeat and personable. We just received our tags via fedex Friday afternoon for our May 10th trip, so I am sure that you will get your sometime this week (knocks on wood). Maybe those computers will be up and running to scan our luggage by Tuesday We'll guinea pig before you and hope to be able to post once we get there.

 

[mrscoobs]

Thanks for posting! I hope you were told the truth. We leave on 5/15 and no tags here yet. The last time I called (a couple days ago) I was told we might not have them before we leave. Yuck!

Did the person you spoke with say if they are still Fed-Exing the tags? If they don't get these luggage tags out to people, there won't be anything FOR them to scan, will there? Or do they "scan" the regular baggage claim tickets that we are supposed to hand over to them if we don't get our ME tags?

Betty

Almost posting at the same time, I could have hit two birds with one stone

Ours, as my first post were fedex. We didn't sign for them because we weren't home at the time and they left it in our front porch screen door (we live down a wooded drive, so the delivery guys just leave our stuff there all the time) We know another family leaving on the 14th who had them USPS express mail. So look for both ways of delivery!

When we called last week we were told not to expect our tags at all either...something along the lines "You MAY receive your tags before you leave, but we are experiencing delays with our printing" and she went on, very nicely, to go directly to the ME agent in the aiport who would be in the main terminal as soon as we exited the tram and they would assist us in getting out luggage where it needs to go. Luckily the tags came though so we have one less thing to worry about, and it goes to show that there is still hope for getting those tags, even if it seems last minute

 

[horner5]

Did the person you spoke with say if they are still Fed-Exing the tags? If they don't get these luggage tags out to people, there won't be anything FOR them to scan, will there? Or do they "scan" the regular baggage claim tickets that we are supposed to hand over to them if we don't get our ME tags?

Betty[/QUOTE]

My DH didn't think to ask about the Fed Exing of the luggage tags. It was an afterthought for me too otherwise I would have flagged him down to ask! I think they're having problems with the scanning of the baggage claim tickets right now. These are the people that have to wait in line for a loooong time just to turn in their baggage claim tickets since they didn't get the luggage tags. Since they have to write down the customer's name, where they're staying, their luggage claim ticket number(s) and other pertinent info by hand rather than by being able to scan it (which Megan said they were supposed to have up and running already), it's causing a large delay in getting the vacationers to their resort busses. If you have your luggage tags on your suitcases, you'd bypass that step, check in and get on your bus (from what I understand).

 

[srcrmcky#1fan]

I saw this post and have some hopeful information (that I hope helps!)...

My mom, brother, and sister, just flew to see the Mouse on May 7th. They did NOT receive their ME tags prior to leaving and were very apprehensive about the whole process. They called me last night and here's the scoop....
When departing from the plane, you will go directly to the Disney Welcome Center (some point after you get off the monorail, in the main section of the airport.) There, they documented my family's claim ticket numbers for their checked baggage and also took a description of the luggage. (They tied bright green bandanas so try to make the identification process easier.) They arrived about 12pm on Saturday morning, and did have to wait a while at the Welcome Center, but the process went relatively quickly as they had a lot of cast members working. And the computers were up and running.
After checking in at the Welcome Center, they were directed to the ME waiting area and took the ME shuttle from the airport directly to their hotel. After checking in at the hotel, they took off to the parks for the afternoon. They returned to their resort about 8pm and their luggage was waiting for them in their room! Boy, were they relieved!
So, although everything seems to be a mess with ME at this point, everything went fine for my family even without luggage tags!
I hope that this helps you all a bit, especially since no one really knew what to expect these first days of ME.
Hope you all have great trips!!!

 

[Bugdozer]

Hi,
I have been lurking on all the ME Post. I guess it's time to join in. We booked over 1 month ago. I called last week to give them my flight info-used the toll free ME number. I called today to confirm my flight info was there. Talked to Margie. She was AWESOME We talked at least 20 minutes-she answered all my questions and gave me tons of info.

1. Yes my info was in the computer so I feel safe that I should not have to call again.

2. She felt very confident that I should get my ME booklet in the mail before my May 25th trip. She said they are now getting caught up.

3. If I want to have the ME people get my luggage I need to put my Yellow tags on the luggage-she said to make sure the tags say my correct hotel name.

4. If my luggage has yellow ME tags it will they will be removed before they even hit the baggage belt. They are taken behind the scenes she said scanned and put into a locked bin that is marked individually for each resort.

5. We proceede to find a ME rep and they will direct us to the ME desk and get us on a bus.

6. If our tags DO NOT arrive we proceede as above except the ME rep will need to take your baggage claim and a description and get the luggage for you off the luggage belt.

7. Margie said if we are uncomfortable with this or we do not want anyone getting our luggage then she said do not put the yellow tags on and we can get our own luggage and then hand it on to an ME rep who will get it directed to your hotel for you-they will tag it and scan it.

8. If you do not get an ME booklet when you do get to the ME desk they will print one out for you right then as she said that you will need the vouchers in it to return.

9. She also said many of the ME booklets that people atre receiving have your name, hotel etc in it but not your flight info. She said this was to speed up the process and the flight info was more for the customers benefit then theirs since all that info is in the computer for them to see.

10. She did appoligize for the all the confusioin and said that it will improve very quickly. She said that it was not possible for them to do a test run with 6-10,000 people as that is what passed through each of the first couple of days if ME. She said it will run smoothly like it does for their cruise guests.

After spending much time on the phone with her I am not worried. After all I am going to Disney and they have been great to me so far. I figure the worst case senario is we have to get our own luggage and give it to a ME rep. We are saving $190 by not renting a car. The car usually sits in the hotel parking lot from the minute we arrive until we leave-a waste. This is worth a try.

Disney wants to get you and your luggage moved quickly so you can start spending your money!

Just my 2 cents.
Cheryl

 

[MickeyEars]

Thanks for the info Cheryl it makes me feel much better!!! We don't leave until June 4th and I have to believe that Disney will have all the glitches worked out by then. I can't wait until we leave!!!

Carla

 

[Disney_1derland]

Well, the reviews seem to vary widely, so I guess it's a hit and miss thing. I leave on the 12th and I can't even get them to hold onto my info in their system. Everytime I call I have to start all over because they can't find me. I've got a towncar reserved for now, but would love it if they could just get their act together by Thursday at 11:30am!!!

 

[LeahMT]

We leave May 11th and still no luggage tags. It sounds like it's possible I could still receive them. I'm not holding my breath though! Thanks for all the info!

 

[ILoveDisney-Angie]

Thanks for posting. It makes me feel a little better although to tell the truth, I'm still a little nervous after reading some of the other posts.

Here's to hoping it all works out for the rest of us.

 

[seashoreCM]

Flight info is only important to the guest if the arrival is after 10 in the evening. Otherwise its main purpose is for planning the number of buses needed at any given time.

Some folks without baggage tags have given up rather than wait in the additional line to have baggage processed. You don't have to give up.

Important: As you get off the plane and head to the welcoming area, do not ask if you have a Magical Express reservation. Instead assume you have a reservation, ask as few questions as you can get away with, and go with the flow following directions.

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