Magical Express and Gate Checked luggage

[rlthomas7]

We are starting to put together our stuff and, well, there's a lot of it. I said that we could check two bags and take two wheeled carry-ons that we could gate check if necessary. But I realized that lately I've noticed that gate-checked luggage is going to baggage claim - I rarely see it available when you exit the plane. How does Disney work luggage that is gate checked with Magical Express? Can I request additional luggage tags just in case?

 

[seashoreCM]

If there is no Magical Express yellow tag on it then picking it up at the carousel is your choice (mandatory after 10 PM). See the agent at the DME welcoming area if you do not go to the carousel.

If there is a DME tag on it then picking it up at the carousel is not possible (still mandatory after 10 PM).

 

[boufa]

We are starting to put together our stuff and, well, there's a lot of it. I said that we could check two bags and take two wheeled carry-ons that we could gate check if necessary. But I realized that lately I've noticed that gate-checked luggage is going to baggage claim - I rarely see it available when you exit the plane. How does Disney work luggage that is gate checked with Magical Express? Can I request additional luggage tags just in case?

To clarify (not sure the previous post, while correct, did justice to your question). Anytime the yellow tags are on your bags, and the airline gets control of them, DME will take them to your resort. Without the yellow tags they end up on the carousel. If they gate check your bags, and they don't have them waiting when you get off, then the yellow tag rule takes over. However, I am not sure where disney takes control of your bags. Odds are the yellow tags would be enough, but in the case of a gate checked bag going down to the carousel I might stop at the DME desk and mention it. I am sure they will know if it ends up in their system right away or if they need to go get it.

Also realize that MCO handles a lot of Disney luggage. Anytime they see a yellow tagged bag, where it doesn't belong, I am certain that it will find its way to the appropriate location to be transported. For example, if the carousel is otherwise empty, everyone has picked up their bags, but 1 lonely bag just keeps going around and around, I am certain that when it get pulled off the carousel, they will see the yellow tag and know exactly what to do with it.

 

[goofy4tink]

If a checked bag doesn't have a yellow DME tag on it, it will go to the regular baggage claim carousels. You have two choices at that point....go there, yourself, and get it and take it to the DME bus with you, or....head right to DME and let them know that you have untagged checked bags. they will ask for the claim receipt (which I imagine you will get on the plane) and a description of the bag. The bag will still go the regular baggage carousel..but a DME person will get to it eventually and get it sent to the resort.
It would be unusual for a DME tagged bag to get to the regular baggage claim area. If you think, for any reason, you may need more tags, then yes, order more. But, be advised, DME needs a 10 day lead time to get them to you.

 

[Allison Joy]

I've got a DME question also. We've already booked our resort, but I can't book my flight until Dec 8th, because Southwest doesn't release my return date until then (My departure date is already released... Go figure that I'm between release dates with Southwest!)

How exactly does DME work? (Well, I mean... not exactly. I don't need anyone to get into the physics of how buses move... Though I suppose Disney buses run on Pixie Dust? ) I've read questions on Disney, and... it's not very informative. If I have the yellow tags, do I have to do anything with my checked bags, or does DME take care of all of it? It sounds like I put these yellow tags on my bags, and they just appear in my room?? If that's the case... Wow. That IS magical. With two checked bags and my backpack as my carry one, all 4'10" of me would look like a pack mule... I'd love to not have to pull the pack mule look, but perhaps I could dress as Eeyore? Anyway, sorry for that random aside. I think my main question is how do I add on DME once I have my flight information?

P.S. My vacation isn't until May. Certainly not a pressing issue, but I'm just a BIT excited, and love to freak out over anything at random moments. Thus, I like to be prepared as far in advanced as possible.

 

[boufa]

Does anyone here actually understand gate checked luggage? It goes on the plane with you, like a carry-on, then, for one of many reasons, the crew take it and stow it for you. Generally not with the rest of the bags. Then upon landing you get it back, usually it is lined up along the gangway. I find it highly unlikely that those bags would be grabbed and taken by dme... since they boarded the plane as a carry on. The OP is stating that lately she has noticed that rather than leave the bags on the gangway, they have begun routing the bags to the regular luggage carousel.

Since they may not have come off the plane in the same pile as the rest of the luggage, I think that there is a valid concern. I still feel that 1) when in doubt head to the carousel and see if your bag shows up, or 2) have faith that if your bag ends up unattended on the carousel with a yellow tag on it, someone will be smart enough to get it to disney.

My bigger question is... why would you plan for gate checking. It's not really something you can plan or have control of. It is at the discretion of the airline crew, based largely on how full the plane is. Are you going to put yellow tags on your carryon just in case?

 

[seashoreCM]

Increasingly nowadays, gate checked bags go to the carousels. Usually not lined up in the gangway or arrival area as you step off the plane.

If there are medicines, valuables, keys, etc. in your carryon and they want you to check it, stop right there, open it up, and remove those items.

 

[nkereina]

Does anyone here actually understand gate checked luggage? It goes on the plane with you, like a carry-on, then, for one of many reasons, the crew take it and stow it for you. Generally not with the rest of the bags. Then upon landing you get it back, usually it is lined up along the gangway. I find it highly unlikely that those bags would be grabbed and taken by dme... since they boarded the plane as a carry on. The OP is stating that lately she has noticed that rather than leave the bags on the gangway, they have begun routing the bags to the regular luggage carousel.

The last several times I have had to have my carry-on bag gate checked, it was sent to baggage claim where I had to pick it up. I suspect they do this for a number of reasons - lack of staff, easier, have to turn the plane over more quickly and can't have all these people waiting on the jet bridge, etc etc. Either way, it's very common to have it go to baggage claim.

For OP, if you put a yellow DME tag on it and it has to be gate checked and will be sent to baggage claim (they will tell you when you gate check if it will), I suspect it would still be routed the same as all the other luggage that was checked normally and would be re-routed to/intercepted by DME. Worst case, it goes to the baggage carousel and is later retrieved by an airline employee when it's not claimed, who presumably would send it to DME when they see the yellow tag. I suspect if this happen, it may take longer to receive your bag at the resort. If you don't want to risk this, just leave the yellow tag off and grab it at the carousel yourself (if indeed it goes to baggage claim).

 

[siskaren]

How exactly does DME work? (Well, I mean... not exactly. I don't need anyone to get into the physics of how buses move... Though I suppose Disney buses run on Pixie Dust? ) I've read questions on Disney, and... it's not very informative.

1. If I have the yellow tags, do I have to do anything with my checked bags, or does DME take care of all of it?

2. It sounds like I put these yellow tags on my bags, and they just appear in my room??

3. I think my main question is how do I add on DME once I have my flight information?

1. Just put the yellow tags on your bags, and DME does the rest. Your bags won't even show up at the baggage claim carousel. However, if you're due to arrive after 10pm, DME doesn't operate the luggage service after that time, so you wouldn't use the tags in that case.

2. Yep, but keep in mind that they're not supposed to arrive until 3-4 hours after you check in, so just make sure that anything that you want right away is in your carry on.

3. I think the only way to do it is to call DME.

 

[Allison Joy]

1. Just put the yellow tags on your bags, and DME does the rest. Your bags won't even show up at the baggage claim carousel. However, if you're due to arrive after 10pm, DME doesn't operate the luggage service after that time, so you wouldn't use the tags in that case.

2. Yep, but keep in mind that they're not supposed to arrive until 3-4 hours after you check in, so just make sure that anything that you want right away is in your carry on.

3. I think the only way to do it is to call DME.

Thank you!