Magic Express evening arrival question

[deerislemaine]

My son and I will be visiting WDW and staying at OKW (studio) for SWW. Our flight arrives into MCO around 6:10PM. Should we use the luggage tag that came with the Magic Express voucher or pick up our bag? We'll only have one checked bag, and it's not that heavy. We arrive on a Wednesday night and leave on Monday morning. We don't want bell services waking up up around 10AM or midnight, and we'd pack our toiletries in our checked bag.

 

[mch04049]

I believe you have the option of getting your bags at the baggage claim yourself and continuing on to the DME.They will store them underneath the motor coach. If you do it this way do not use your tags or they will go straight to the resort.

 

[OKW Lover]

Let ME handle the bags. To avoid a potential late deliver of your bags, tell bell services to hold them until the morning and hang the do not disturb sign on your door. Then in the morning, give them a call and they will bring it to you.

 

[CarolMN]

Moved from DVC Boards

 

[kaytieeldr]

Picking up your own luggage delays your DME check-in and trip.

It's always advisable when traveling by air to pack a carry-on with whatever items are needed for the first 24 hours following landing, including travel size toiletries. It's Plan B in case the airline misdirects luggage.

Disney takes care of any tipping involved in handling DME-tagged luggage in Orlando. Guests who pick up their own bags should be advised that it's customary to tip anyone who handles your luggage.

As stated above, and with a properly packed carry-on, DME-handled luggage can be delivered at your convenience.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

I would pick up your bag and take it on ME yourself. That's what we do no matter when we arrive. I just like knowing I have my bag, it goes to the room when I do and honestly, it takes only about 10 or 15 more minutes at the airport. If you choose to pick up your own bag, just don't put the ME tags on your luggage and claim it like you normally would. Take your bag to ME, you may be surprised on how many people prefer to do it this way.

It's just personal preference on how you choose to handle the bags and ME.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

My son and I will be visiting WDW and staying at OKW (studio) for SWW. Our flight arrives into MCO around 6:10PM. Should we use the luggage tag that came with the Magic Express voucher or pick up our bag?

It's not like you're arriving at 9:30 p.m.

With a 6:10 p.m. arrival, I would recommend letting DME handle your checked bag.

Although throwing away the yellow DME tags and waiting for your bag at baggage claim is an option (and a necessity for arrivals after 10 p.m.), it's usually not a desirable choice. It's not unusual to wait 30 minutes for bags at Orlando. Between that wait and the extra time trudging to and from baggage claim, it's likely you'll be on a later DME coach, so you'll arrive at your resort 30 to 60 minutes later than if you had used DME's free inbound baggage delivery.

The way Disney puts it, your bag will arrive "within 3 hours after you check in at the resort." If often much less than 3 hours, but it might take up to 3 hours.

If you use the DME inbound baggage service as designed, Disney covers the tips. You don't even have to be in your room.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Based on what you said about packing your toiletries in your checked bag, I'd just not put on the yellow DME bag and get your checked luggage yourself.

I use the DME luggage service most times. In February 2011 my son and I arrived at MCO at 7pm and used DME and loved it. After checking in at the resort, we went to Epcot for the evening and when we returned to our room at 11pm, our bag was there.
We did bring a carryon with our toiletries, night clothes and an extra change of clothing for the morning just in case.

 

[deerislemaine]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I think that we'll take the advice of going to one of the parks on our arrival to see fireworks or get an ice cream. We'll take a carry on with one night's stuff just in case. It's a non-stop flight so hopefully the bag won't get lost. I didn't realize about the tips and other things, so thanks for the advice. Hopefully the bag will be there when we get back from the parks.

 

[CleveRocks]

I think you made a great choice.