Keep your own luggage on Magical Express

[tjmw2727]

Thank you, I think the drivers complaint was along the same lines as above, only he sees it every day he works, not once a year. Bus drivers like to drive, not act like a glorified luggage boy. The DME idea was to get passengers and bits of luggage to Disney in an efficient manner, with the luggage getting there in another manner. The tone I gather is that it is being abused now, probably even worse than the Disney take the luggage and I will get a car service idea.

I agree that the luggage delivery feature is one of the best parts of DME but I disagree that if I choose to take my own luggage I am "abusing" DME. If I arrive after a certain time in the evening I will probably elect to get my own luggage. I will tip for the service the driver provides and I will make sure that it is still ok with DME to do so. How is this abuse?

IMHO I am actually declining a feature rather than taking advantage. For reference, so far I have used DME 3x, 2x I let Disney deliver the luggage and the other I got the bags myself. We travel to WDW in April and we plan to use ME with the luggage delivery feature.

What about the return trip - are the drivers upset if I don't fly a particiating airline? I fly SWA so I must bring my luggage with me to be loaded under the bus. Again I tip as did most people I noticed with bags. Do the drivers not want to deal with me and my bags on the way back to MCO either?

I am confused as to why its a problem at all, and even more so why its a problem on the way to WDW but not an issue on the way back.

TJ

 

[Lewisc]

35 pieces of luggage is maybe 10 pieces per stop. It shouldn't take the driver an additional 15 minutes to unload 10 bags.

Too many guests take their own luggage Disney will just "gate check" the bags and send it over to the cargo hanger to go with the rest of the trucked bags.

you'll have about 35 pieces of large luggage that are going to have to be off-loaded, in addition to the smaller carryon bags. And that has been my experience. I've watched the bus driver stowing large numbers of bags...boggles the mind. In May, I almost wanted to ask people why they were dragging their bags around with them!! But, I kept my big, fat ole mouth shut and minded my own business. But, it will start impacting the efficiency of DME, and that will begin to impact my experience. If that happens, as I said before, I'll seek other transportation.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

The last time I rode the DME, I arrived in Orlando at 7:00 p.m. but my luggage didn't show up at my door until 3:30 a.m. I didn't enjoy that experience too much. That's the reason why I'm choosing to drag my luggage onto the bus next time.

 

[Edd]

I have a great idea: rather than gate checking allow a passenger only carry on luggage at the DME center. If they have other luggage let them use the commercial transportation available at the airport or charge them for each extra piece of luggage the passenger brings along. Maybe something like $5.00to $10.00 a bag.

That ought to discourage thoughtless passengers slowing down the rest, which trying to drag luggage around will eventually do, who want to get out there quickly. Loading luggage on the bus is now having an effect on the time it takes to get to your destination according to drivers who do this work daily.

 

[goofy4tink]

I think the issue here is that DME was designed to provide guests with a quick and easy mode of transportation to their resorts. While I don't think that the bus is sitting at each resort for 15 minutes while the driver takes out pieces of 'checked' luggage, it does slow down the process. When you're sitting on the bus, eager to start your trip, even a 5 minute wait 'seems' excessive. For the trip back to the airport, it just isn't as big a deal to people. Well, not unless the bus stops at 3 resorts, and the driver has to stow all that luggage and it takes over an hour to get to the airport..then people start getting nudgy about making their flights. But, for whatever reason, it just doesn't seem to be an issue going back to MCO.
So.....should we be denigrating those who wish to keep their baggage with them? Of course not. There are many reasons someone would want to do just that. It's not for me to question them. But, if a lot of people start bringing all their baggage to the bus with them, then the bus won't be able to carry as many people. But, you will ask, how can the bus carry those bags back to the airport? Because a lot of people use the off-site checkin desk and get rid of their baggage earlier in the day. So, it's probably close to a wash.

If someone wished to get off the plane, go to baggage claim and wait for their luggage, and then head to the DME bus, then so be it. That is their choice. Disney has not told anyone they can't do that. And a lot of us feel that by doing this you are missing the best part of DME's service. Me? I think the best part is the price. Not having to get my luggage is just a perk. Others obviously disagree.....that's okay.

 

[tjmw2727]

I have a great idea: rather than gate checking allow a passenger only carry on luggage at the DME center. If they have other luggage let them use the commercial transportation available at the airport or charge them for each extra piece of luggage the passenger brings along. Maybe something like $5.00to $10.00 a bag.

That ought to discourage thoughtless passengers slowing down the rest, which trying to drag luggage around will eventually do, who want to get out there quickly. Loading luggage on the bus is now having an effect on the time it takes to get to your destination according to drivers who do this work daily.

OK when DME makes this decision then I will either use the luggage delivery feature or hire a towncar. Until then DME, like it or not, DME allows passengers to bring luggage on the DME bus. Why do you keep bashing those of us who occasionally choose to decline the luggage delivery feature? Your prior post called it an abuse of the system and your above post called those of use who bring luggage "thoughtless" I am not a thoughtless person.

As the solo adult traveling with two young children if my flight arrives after a certain time of night I am going to choose to pick up my own luggage. If DME allows me to bring it on the ME bus then I will. If they change the policy and no longer allow luggage then I will arrange alternate transportation.

You still haven't addressed the return trip - many of us fly airlines that don't particpate in the RAC. Should they discontinue ME if we fly a non-participating airline so as not to slow down others and keep the drivers happy?

TJ

 

[annie1995]

We are letting ME haul all our stuff with the exception of 1 bag. We land in the morning, so no worries here.

 

[tjmw2727]

I
snip
If someone wished to get off the plane, go to baggage claim and wait for their luggage, and then head to the DME bus, then so be it. That is their choice. Disney has not told anyone they can't do that. And a lot of us feel that by doing this you are missing the best part of DME's service. Me? I think the best part is the price. Not having to get my luggage is just a perk. Others obviously disagree.....that's okay.

Well said and ITA, the luggage delivery is the best part and we use it most of our trips. On the few occasions that I need my luggage that evening and choose to bring it on DME I don't appreciate being thought of as thoughtless or abusing the system. Each time I have taken DME it has still been faster than previous town car trips despite waiting for luggage to be unloaded.

I would never intentionally delay anyone. In fact I didn't even consider getting my own luggage until I realized the way the DME was dispatched and that a bus wasn't waiting on me based on my flight info. Despite a loaded carryon with enough for the trip and a substantial delay if I am arriving after 10pm with two young children if I can get my luggage I am going to do that. Even if it means paying for a towncar! But as you said DME is free and if at all possible I am going to let them deliver my luggage. However if need be and they allow me to bring my luggage I am thankful that I have that option.

TJ

 

[TDC Nala]

My carryon is big enough to take aboard the plane but too big to haul onto the bus. They'll still be storing carryons and strollers and car seats underneath the bus.

It's not an issue getting back to MCO because 1) luggage service is not available for many guests and 2) they pick you up 3 hours before your flight time.