Luggage on disney magical express

[Minnesota!]

DME is one of the best things WDW has ever done. I love that it is so seamless. I check my luggage at MSP, and it just shows up in my room in WDW!

We have used it 15 or so times and it has been perfect for us each time. 3 hours from when we check in. We did have to call once - we arrived late, so they decided to hold it until AM. But I called and asked them to deliver it and they did...quickly.

Also, we bring anything we need for the first 24 in a carryon. An outfit for everyone, swimsuit, brush, etc.

 

[MsMagical]

Thanks for this thread! We have used ME on all of our previous trips (except the last where we went to Universal first). We are arriving at the airport at about 7:30pm and I was wondering if it would be preferable to pick our luggage up ourselves since we'll be in so late. After reading this, we'll definitely get it ourselves.

As for packing a 24 hour bag - that's fine, I think, unless you are also traveling with 2 small children, 1 stroller, and 1 car seat (used as a stroller with a travel attachment). Then one extra carry-on bag with enough clothes and swimsuits, etc. for 5 people is too much. We are not going to a third world country so if we have any issues, we know where we can get any supplies we need.

 

[Alesia]

To me the whole point of using Magical Express is to have Disney handle your bags for you. Why waste more time at the airport when you don't have to?

I've used ME many times and have never had a problem with the bag delivery being late. Or with them losing my bags. But I agree with the other posters who state that anything valuable, or anything you need right away, needs to be in your carry-on. And should be even if you plan on picking up your bags at the airport. The airlines are way more likely to misdirect your bags than DME is.

Agreed.

I can only assume people who worry about DME luggage delivery have never had the pleasure of waiting (and waiting. and waiting) at the luggage carousel for their bags, only to realize that they aren't going to show up. And then getting to spend time filling out paperwork before leaving the airport.

I have. More than once. It is not a pleasant way to start a vacation. I'm more than happy to let DME take care of it.

 

[jco_direwolf]

Agreed. I can only assume people who worry about DME luggage delivery have never had the pleasure of waiting (and waiting. and waiting) at the luggage carousel for their bags, only to realize that they aren't going to show up. And then getting to spend time filling out paperwork before leaving the airport. I have. More than once. It is not a pleasant way to start a vacation. I'm more than happy to let DME take care of it.

I can only assume you've never had to explain 27 times to an airline why you left MCO without filling out the paperwork when your luggage wasn't available. And trying to DME to get you back to the airport to take care of the report.

Having done this its a really not fun way to start a vacation and I don't see how you think DME will take care of this.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) DME for luggage is so common that folks do not understand how it works.
2) The way it works, (* = scanned into the computer system)
. . . you place the luggage tag on the luggage prior to arrival at airport
. . . you check your luggage as usual at departure airport
. . . at MCO, the luggage is pulled and sent to BAGS, INC secured location *
. . . BAGS INC sorts the luggage and puts your luggage into a sealed cage
. . . the cage is loaded onto a delivery truck for the resort *
. . . the cage is delivered to a special location at the resort *
. . . a CM removes the plastic cage seal and pulls the luggage
. . . the luggage is sorted and staged for delivery to the room *
. . . if the guest has checked-in a bellman will deliver to the room *
. . . the DME Bellmen get a preset tip from Disney and none is ever paid-due-expected from the guest
. . . the room delivery is not scheduled and there is no particular order
. . . there is no first-in-first-out rule
. . . AT ANY TIME, the guest can ask the resort Concierge to check the status/location of the luggage
. . . the luggage location is ALWAYS available through the computer program
. . . if you are told the luggage location is not known, do not accept that answer
4) CM's are instructed to tell guests
. . . room delivery CAN BE 3-hrs after check-in at hotel
. . . there is no guarantee delivery lag time
. . . bag delivery to hotel after 11:00-11:30pm may wait until 7:00am for room delivery
. . . guests arriving after 9:00pm are urged to carry their luggage to the DME bus
. . . DME drivers will load your bags into the bus luggage compartments
. . . (a tip s usually expected for luggage handling by driver)

NOTE: Bus service and luggage delivery are not Disney-owned, but they are contracted to
MEARS Transport and BAGS INC. The cost-overhead-profit, of these services are included
within your resort invoice - whether you used DME or not. Also, at some resorts, the bag
handling is performed by non-Disney employees.

 

[Alesia]

I can only assume you've never had to explain 27 times to an airline why you left MCO without filling out the paperwork when your luggage wasn't available. And trying to DME to get you back to the airport to take care of the report.

Having done this its a really not fun way to start a vacation and I don't see how you think DME will take care of this.

If you tell DME how many bags you have, they do take care of it. At least, they used to.

 

[jco_direwolf]

If you tell DME how many bags you have, they do take care of it. At least, they used to.

DME/bags inc. Didn't when this happened to me. They simply told me the bags were not in there system yet which meant that they had not made it to them at MCO (and likely not to MCO, since I think bags inc does all the baggage at MCO.)

They told me I would have to file a lost luggage report with my airline. Which involves getting back to the airline at MCO or spending time on the phone with them (at the time I don't remember them telling me I could file it online.)

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

I really need my luggage when we get to the resort. I have heard they don't usually drop it off until 9/10 at night. My question is....

Can I bring my luggage with on the bus?
Is it frowned upon?
Do you think it would take to long to get my luggage that I may miss the bus?

Have you ever grabbed your luggage first before riding?

~Yes, you can bring your luggage with you and no -- this is not frowned upon at all. You will have to manually retrieve your luggage from baggage claim and bring it with you on the Magical Express bus. There is plenty of room underneath the bus to hold luggage.

~There will be CM's lined up, waiting at the curb with luggage carts to greet and assist guests on ME. If your room is not ready, they will give you a ticket and hold your luggage.

~Remember, don't use the yellow tags. Have fun!