Help with Magical Express

[disissue]

My DH and I are leaving Wednesday morning for BWV, and about 3 weeks ago I booked ME. I never received my confirmation or bag tags, I don't need the tags I will get my own bags but do I need to confirm? I only used ME one other time and I had all the paperwork, can someone help.

 

[goofy4tink]

You may have booked a bit late for getting the info packet. Give them a call today, just to be sure you're in their system. Phone is...866-599-0951

 

[wildernessDad]

I think that 3 weeks notice should have been fine. Definitely call them to see what gives.

 

[Chester's Mum]

The first time we used ME I only booked it about 3 days in advance, hence no tags. When we checked in they took a photocopy of my baggage claim tags, and asked me to look at pictures of bags and select which ones most closely resembled them (colour, shape etc). Then they sent me off to the bus. We checked in at the resort and went out to dinner. When we arrived back at our room the bags were there (that was about 4hours later).

The tags are not essential. The ME staff are very good about this.

 

[White_Sox_Fan]

Can you claim your bags and just put them on the bus with you? I really wouldn't have a problem waiting the extra 15 minutes to get my bags.

 

[btrim]

You can pick up your own bags and give them to the bud driver to store under the bus. People usually tip the bus driver if he/she has to handle their bags. Some airlines are not listed as one of the preferred airlines, so if you fly any of those, you have to pick up your own bags. We have done that when we flew Southwest before. It really doesn't add that much time on your trip unless the airlines are slow getting the bags off the plane.

 

[dvcdisney]

Some airlines are not listed as one of the preferred airlines, so if you fly any of those, you have to pick up your own bags. We have done that when we flew Southwest before.

Is there a list of these airlines?

 

[wildernessDad]

Flying down, I do not believe it matters which airline you are on. As long as you have the ME bag tags on your bags, it should be okay.

Flying back is when it matters if you want to do airline check in at your resort.

AirTran, Alaska Airlines, American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Northwest, United (including TED) AND USAirways are the participating airlines for airline check in at your resort.

 

[disissue]

Thanks for the "heads up" everyone, I just got home from work and called and we were not even in the system! Now we are all set to go....can't wait to arrive "home" at BWV. Thanks for your help .

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip)....Some airlines are not listed as one of the preferred airlines, so if you fly any of those, you have to pick up your own bags. .....

This is not true. For arrival at MCO, the airline doesn't matter. As long as you have the yellow tags, your bags will get sent to your WDW resort and delivered to your room. As already mentioned, if you do not get the tags in time, you just tell the CM at the Welcome Center and they will take care of it for you.

If you wish, you may also pick up the bags yourself and bring them on the bus with you. If you want to do that, do not use the yellow tags.

The return trip (from your WDW resort to the airport) is where participating airlines matter. If your airline is participating, you can check your bags at the resort. You won't have to deal with them again until baggage claim at your final destination. This service is called Remote Airline Check in. If you use Southwest or any other airline that does not participate, you must take the bags on the bus with you. At the airport you take your bags to the check in counter and check them there yourself.

 

[aggiemullins]

If you need your bags right away when you get to the resort, don't use the tags upon arrival. It can be a big hassle getting the bags yourself and hauling them down to the bus terminal, but on the flip side, you have your bags with you as soon as you arrive at your resort and don't have to depend on ME to bring them to you at their convenience.

With our small children, what we've learned to do is tag all but one bag and pack that one with things we'll need for that day and night for ourselves and the kids. (food, snacks, swimsuits, pajamas, diapers, toiletries, etc) Make sure you pick up that bag, and take it to the bus terminal with you. Tag your other bags and have ME deliver them.

Both times we've used ME, our bags haven't shown up at the room until late in the evening and we were fortunate to not have to worry about the things we needed right away. Some people get lucky and their bags show up earlier, but it can be very stressful trying to put kids to bed without your items.