HORROR STORIES w/Magic Express

[jl]

We flew Airtran Feb. 06 & thought ME was great. We had the Guest Services print our boarding passes @ Riverside/Port Orleans 24hrs. in advance of our return flight. Also, we had a skycap tag our luggage @ MCO, so only had to wait in the security line.....long line!!

 

[goofy4tink]

I've seen mention that you can check your baggage at the hotel for some airlines (Delta) but not others (Southwest). I tried to look up ME on Disney's site , but did not find much...

Can anyone tell me what airlines are part of the program? OR better yet, where does Disney list the same? Since our trip is (exactly) 500 days away, we won't be able to book air right away and that list could change....

Thanks!

I can't tell you verbatim which airlines are considered 'participating'....among them are American, United, Northwest, Alaska, Delta, JetBlue. Check out the Transportation Board..there's lots of DME info there. Disney doesn't actually list them because that option really isn't within Disney's bailiwick. It's regulated by the air people.

 

[DisneyGerry]

We have used it a few times--the last two we didnt get into MCO until after 8p

There were no lines so they combined a couple of resorts but not a big deal--they show a video to get all exited

Two times ago they delivered the luggage at 2a--yes they knocked at door, etc

Last time it came around 11p or so

Gerry

 

[Eeyore4me764]

EEEKKK We will be arriving into Orlando at about 9:00 pm. So I could possibly be woken up at 2:00 am???? I was going to pack a couple of necessities in my overnight bag so we could prepare for bed. I guess I thought because arriving later in the evening and after the "check-in" time that we wouldn't have to wait too long.....need to get my sleep so I can be ready to hit our first adventure in the Kingdom.

 

[angelsmom920]

We used ME in April and it was fine. The only thing was we arrived at 1130pm (hotel checkin at 1am). We could have asked to have our baggage held at the front desk, but I wanted my luggage so I woke up at 3am when the delivery man showed up with our luggage. 12 of us in 4 rooms arrived at that time and I was the only who woke up. We were able to go over to the luggage area and pick up everyone elses things! Upon checkout, our flight was at 6am and we had to be up and over to the bus stop at 3am! That was a little tough, but it was very smooth. I would definately use ME again.

 

[spaceoddity]

If your arriving that late, and don't want to have your luggage delivered late either have them check it in at front desk. Or just claim it yourself...you don't have to have the ME get your luggage. That way you'll have everything you need to start your day without being disturbed late at night

 

[bellenbuzz]

Glad to hear good positive feedback on this.
Will be using DME for 1st time in November.
Also, POR sounds like it will assist in return flight baggage & boarding passes, huh ??!!
We have a group of 10 ppl, will we all be together on 1 shuttle bus ???
How big are the DME busses ???
ANd they show videos ????

 

[Eeyore4me764]

Well thats cool; if we do arrive late and if I pack some necessities in my overnight bag I don't have to worry about getting my luggage until the morning....I will just let them know to hold the bags until the am.

Can't wait.....5 more days!!!

 

[Pdowning98]

We arrived home Saturday from our trip and used ME, 11 people in party. It went very smoothly. We arrived to our hotel checked in, put our carry on's in the room and had lunch, by then our luggage had arrived. We flew American so our luggage was checked at our hotel on the way home and they held our carry on's and we came back and grabbed them prior to leaving. So overall we definitely would do ME again.

Have a great trip and don't be worried!

 

[angelsmom920]

We have a group of 10 ppl, will we all be together on 1 shuttle bus ???
How big are the DME busses ???
ANd they show videos ????

The shuttles are charter buses and hold many people. We stayed at CSR and there were people on the bus from a couple diffrent resorts. There is plenty of room for your party and then about 40 others! They do show a little welcome to Disney video which gets you more excited for the trip! Have a great trip!

 

[bellenbuzz]

Geezzz Even the Bus Ride Will Get Us MORE Thrilled !!
Sounds like Disney Came up With a Winner with the DME !!

 

[kpk89]

Maybe the horror stories were from a year ago, when the service was just getting up and running?

We've used it twice now (and once was on Day 2 !) and both times found that even with long lines there are lots of CMS and it's a pretty efficient process. If you're sure to bring along whatever essentials you need for the first few hours of your vacation in your carryon, you'll be fine!

 

[Goobergal99]

We used it last August and since I am major OCD we opted to get our own luggage and just bring it to the bus (then we tipped the ME driver for handling it) But there was absoultely no line at the ME counter and the bus came in less then 15 minutes, we were alsothe first stop on the bus, but our bus was practically empty anyway. I wouldn't hesitate to use them, although I still will claim my own luggage (only b/c I am super OCD though )

 

[Boncho]

We used it last August and since I am major OCD we opted to get our own luggage and just bring it to the bus (then we tipped the ME driver for handling it) But there was absoultely no line at the ME counter and the bus came in less then 15 minutes, we were alsothe first stop on the bus, but our bus was practically empty anyway. I wouldn't hesitate to use them, although I still will claim my own luggage (only b/c I am super OCD though )

I'm showing my ignorance now, but, what is an OCD?

 

[Goobergal99]

I'm showing my ignorance now, but, what is an OCD?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Like Jack Nicholson "in as good as it gets" but my compulsions involve checking instead of washing

 

[Boncho]

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Like Jack Nicholson "in as good as it gets" but my compulsions involve checking instead of washing

I'm right there with you - have to check everything over and over again then still think I forgot something or forgot to do something until I can relax and say ' oh well"'

 

[CleveRocks]

Maybe the horror stories were from a year ago, when the service was just getting up and running?

Well, I used DME on May 8, 2005 (and again on May 14 back to MCO) when it was 4 days old, and everything was great.

I think the problem is that people read thread titles like "HORROR STORIES with DME" but don't read the thread and then incorrectly assume they "know" that DME is fraught with bad problems. I'm sure there have been a few actual horror stories here and there, but have we read of any on DISboards? I've read about a few glitches that got fixed, but no actual horror stories that I can recall.

But I've read many threads on DISboards started by people trying to learn about DME who express anxiety about it. So we read about a lot of people who haven't used it but are nervous and skeptical, and other people probably figure "where there's smoke there's fire" -- and then think something like, "Boy, there's all this anxiety about how bad DME might be, so it must in fact be pretty bad." Most of us know better.

Urban legend, that's what it is ....

 

[keishashadow]

Haven't used ME yet, couple questions for return trip to airport (AirTran)...

1) We'll be checking out & returning to parks, then will return to hotel for bus. Where do we leave our luggage.

2) Is there an actual ME desk @ resort to check in with prior to departure?

TIA

 

[Gerweniel]

We used ME last December we arrived MCO at 9:48AM and were checked in our room at CBR by 11:15AM!!!! Eating lunch at Earl of Sandwich by 12:00! It went off without a hitch.

To answer your questions keishashadow, the CBR at least had a separate desk for checking in the bags you want to go on the plane. We flew Song, so we could get our bags checked and boarding passes really early the morning of our departure.

We left our carry on bags with the bell captain at the hotel for storage until we came back to pick up the bus for return flight .

 

[keishashadow]

thanks - not so concerned about trip in, just don't want to miss flight home (DH usually insists we climb in the car far earlier than the 3 hours I hear ME follows?)

We used ME last December we arrived MCO at 9:48AM and were checked in our room at CBR by 11:15AM!!!! Eating lunch at Earl of Sandwich by 12:00! It went off without a hitch.

To answer your questions keishashadow, the CBR at least had a separate desk for checking in the bags you want to go on the plane. We flew Song, so we could get our bags checked and boarding passes really early the morning of our departure.

We left our carry on bags with the bell captain at the hotel for storage until we came back to pick up the bus for return flight .