Layover/Magical Express luggage

[dbennett3899]

Magical Express luggage..

My family and I are planning a trip to the world in October and if jet fuel prices keep rising we may be forced to change our typical travel plans that we have grown accustomed to throughout the years. Typically we always take the earliest direct flight (6:30am) to Orlando to arrive there around 10:15am. However this year the price seems to be stuck around the $196 (granted I’m looking at Sept dates because October is not out until next week) BUUUT with that said and to be proactive; assuming the prices don’t go down on this particular day of the week we may be forced to change things up. In this case we would be able to fly into Orlando the night before with a quick layover for only $82 which is a no brainer (we’d get to Orlando at 9:55pm.) There are far more pros then cons in this situation IMHO. The only problem is that I’m a worry wart and am afraid my bags may get lost during the layover. I’m sure people have layovers all the time getting to the world, has anyone had any experience with this and the magical express receiving or not receiving your bags. Also when does the last bus make its trip from the airport to the resort? I’m a seasoned Disney veteran but also a creature of habit and I’ll be a bit out of my realm here so any info/guidance would be great!

Thanks!!!

Dave

 

[seashoreCM]

If you stay overnight near Orlando Int'l Airport and check into Disney the next day, you must not use the yellow tags and you must claim your baggage (and take that to your motel). As is the case anywhere in the world anytime, file a baggage claim before leaving the carousels if your bags don't show up.

Then bring it all to the Magical Express welcoming area the next morning.

There has been a special procedure for those staying overnight at the Hyatt in the airport main terminal where the bellhop can put bags into Magical Express the next morning.

If you lay over overnight (stop over) in a different city, then you must claim your bags there in the same way. When you return to the airport to continue your trip and will take DME immediately upon arrival, you put the yellow DME tags on your checked bags as usual. DME runs each evening as long as flights with DME guests are expected in, which is one reason why they ask for your flight number.

Simply changing planes on the way to Disney and taking DME as soon as you get to Orlando, you put the yellow tags on at your originating (usually home) airport.

 

[dbennett3899]

We will not be staying off property at all. We will be going directly to our resort when we land at 9:55 but I am concerned our bags may get lost during the layover and magical express may not receive them. Not sure where you got the idea that we are staying off property for the night but I do appreciate your response.

 

[Jestocost]

We will not be staying off property at all. We will be going directly to our resort when we land at 9:55 but I am concerned our bags may get lost during the layover and magical express may not receive them. Not sure where you got the idea that we are staying off property for the night but I do appreciate your response.

It can happen, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. DME will be looking for your bags and will begin a search with the airlines if they don't show up.

One thing you should consider with that itinerary, however, is that if your flight is delayed getting into MCO by even five minutes you will have to collect your bags yourself as DME stops pulling luggage at 10:00 p.m.

 

[sam_gordon]

First, yes, if you have a layover you've doubled(?) your chances of a bag (probably not more than one) not making it to Orlando. That's part of the gamble of flying.

I believe when you check in at the ME desk at MCO, you'll tell them "I had three bags, they (did/did not) have the yellow ME tags on them." I think you give them a copy of your claim tickets so they can track the numbers. If they only get two of your three bags, they'll start the investigation process with your airline.

 

[Jestocost]

First, yes, if you have a layover you've doubled(?) your chances of a bag (probably not more than one) not making it to Orlando. That's part of the gamble of flying.

I believe when you check in at the ME desk at MCO, you'll tell them "I had three bags, they (did/did not) have the yellow ME tags on them." I think you give them a copy of your claim tickets so they can track the numbers. If they only get two of your three bags, they'll start the investigation process with your airline.

They will ask you how many bags. They will not check your actual claim tickets unless you have not tagged the bags.

 

[dbennett3899]

One thing you should consider with that itinerary, however, is that if your flight is delayed getting into MCO by even five minutes you will have to collect your bags yourself as DME stops pulling luggage at 10:00 p.m.

So it sounds like If we decide to fly in the night before we should just collect our own bags to avoid any choas. Do you know when the last bus leaves for the resorts? I thought it was 11:00pm but cant seem to find the answer ha. Thanks!

 

[sam_gordon]

They will ask you how many bags. They will not check your actual claim tickets unless you have not tagged the bags.

Here's a question...

Let's say I (hypothetically) have three checked bags. The airline puts their luggage tag & bar code on each bag. Call it 'bag 1, 2, 3'. I put the ME tags on the bag. The ME tags identify them as 'bag 50, 51, 52'.

I get to MCO, go to the ME counter and tell them I have three bags. I get on the bus, check in to the resort, and go enjoy the parks for a couple hours. I get back to my resort that night and have bags 1 & 2, but not 3. I call ME, they don't have any record of it getting to MCO.

Now, ME would have already contacted the airline looking for the bag, right? But how do they know it's 'bag 3' (which is how the airline identifies it and can search for it)? Or do they tell the airline 'we have bags 1 & 2 from this reservation, but not 3'? But they don't have my reservation number. So, how do they track the bag with the airline without either the claim numbers or my airline reservation number?

 

[sharona]

Have you considered doing all carry-on? There was a thread the other day about how to pack for a week in one bag. IMO, that definitely involves doing laundry - especially if you are traveling in Sept when the weather is humid. Would it be worth doing laundry mid-stay to ease your mind about the bags? If not, just take normal precautions - don't check any valuable items or items that would be difficult to replace quickly/cheaply while at WDW. For me that means my favorite tshirt, most comfortable shoes and bathing suit stay with me along with toothbrush, pjs, and at least one change of clothes.

 

[thewesterberg]

So it sounds like If we decide to fly in the night before we should just collect our own bags to avoid any choas. Do you know when the last bus leaves for the resorts? I thought it was 11:00pm but cant seem to find the answer ha. Thanks!

ME runs around the clock, seven days a week. It's the only the luggage service that ends at 10pm.

ETA: Here's a LINK for more ME info

 

[Big Willie]

Note*** You can also handle your own bags instead of having ME do it for you

1. Do not put the ME tags on your bags
2. Pick up your bags at the airline baggage claim as you normally would
3. Roll you bags to the bus.
4. The driver will help load them underneath
5. When you arrive at the resort the driver will hand you your bags
6. If your room is not ready..roll your bags to Baggage Services and they will store them till you return or call for them to be brought to your room

We do this often

 

[nkereina]

I travel for work every other month and 90 percent of the time have a layover. I have only had my bags get lost once and that was on a direct flight! So, bags can get lost on any flight. I'd venture to say most people have layovers where they're going so the airlines deal with it on a daily basis and try NOT to lose your bag. I wouldn't worry about it, I never do.

Whenever I go to Disney, no matter what time, I always get my own bags and go to ME. Not because I don't trust ME, just because I hate not having my bags for a couple hours. I always need something in it. I am an overpacker so my bags are always huge but have not found it to be a problem with ME. I just wheel it out to the bus, the driver puts it underneath, and then when we get there, he gets it out and that's that! Bell service will even help you bring it to your room if needed.

 

[waffles77]

I usually come in late at night and have been better off not having ME take care of my suitcases. I usually don't tag them and then I retrieve them from baggage claim then take them with me on my ME ride.

I told my husband to do this during his last trip, but he didn't want to listen. We traveled separately and he arrived at 8:30pm. His luggage got to our room at 2:30am after he called multiple times looking for it.

If you are arriving close to the time that they stop the luggage service 10:00pm - I would suggest handling your own bags.

If you still decide to have Disney deliver them to your room, expect to get them the next morning and then simply pack accordingly with your carry on.