Magical Express: 2 Questions

[wdwjunkie2005]

If I use ME, can I go without using the ME tags and pick up my own luggage at baggage claim and take it on the ME bus with me or do I have to use their luggage delivery service?

Also: What about tips? For the driver? The person who delivers the luggage? I never know when to tip and I don't want to end up being rude.

 

[CleveRocks]

If I use ME, can I go without using the ME tags and pick up my own luggage at baggage claim and take it on the ME bus with me or do I have to use their luggage delivery service?

Yes, you can pick up your own luggage if you wish, and of course you're right about the need to NOT put the DME tags on your bags. I thoroughly enjoyed not having to even think about my luggage and just having it "magically appear" later on.

Also: What about tips? For the driver? The person who delivers the luggage? I never know when to tip and I don't want to end up being rude.

If the driver is handling your luggage for you then you absolutely should tip him/her. The DME drivers are not Disney CMs but rather are employees of a subcontractor, Mears. If you're getting your luggage yourself then obviously you won't have to tip "the person who delivers the luggage." But let's just say you do take advantage of the full range of DME services. The Bell Services CM who delivers your DME luggage is "pre-tipped" by Disney. This isn't just code-speak by Disney. Tyler, a CM who often posts here, has explained the Bell Services CMs receive a specific guaranteed rate per bag or per room (I'm not sure which), and that those CMs really like those assignments. I suppose one of the reasons Disney did this is because the whole point of DME is that your luggage "magically appears" in your resort room, that you don't have to wait for it or be there to accept it. Thus, the Bell Services CMs would go largely untipped.

When you check out of your resort, however, if you use Bell Services it would be customary to tip the Bell Services CM (Disney only covers the INBOUND luggage delivery for you). Similarly, it would also be customary to tip the DME driver if he/she is handling your luggage.

ENJOY YOUR TRIP!

-- Eric