Magical Express - do you collect your own luggage?

[pigby]

Using ME again very soon - once again our flight gets into Orlando in the evening. I don't know about you, but when we get to Disney - with the time differnce and the fact that we've been up since 5am UK time, when we get to our resort, we just want to go to bed - especially if we're on an indirect flight. The only time we used them, we had to stay up to wait for our cases.

This time, even though it will only be early evening (fingers crossed!) when we arrive, thinking of picking up our own cases from the carousel and taking them on the coach - will the driver think we're odd? Plus just read on another post on the US boards that values don't deliver luggage after midnight and knowing it can take 'up to 4 hours' - don't really want to risk not having our luggage till next day as it is our anniversary - early start and 2 TS meals that day - don't want to be in previous day clothes.

 

[suzycute]

Have done ME twice. First time luggage wasn't delivered until 1am Florida time - this was in 2006 when airline hand luggage was limited to a small see through plastic bag and we had NOTHING to wash with / change in to!! Vowed never to make that mistake again! Last October, we took our luggage on ME with us - no strange looks at all - and we had every thing we needed right from when we checked in to SSR.

I think luggage collection / delivery via ME is a great idea for many but probably not so great for us from the UK who arrive later in the afternoon and have been awake for nearly 24 hours before arriving at the resort and need to change / chill and get to bed fairly early.

We're going to BLT this September and will be taking our luggage with us on ME again.

 

[paulh]

first time we let them take to room, never again as they arrive too late.always pick up no problems at coach
Paulh

 

[1andrea]

We have always collected our own luggage and now you can carry it on the airport monorail shuttle thingy with you its even better.

Others carry luggage with them too so no strange looks for us!

 

[pigby]

We have always collected our own luggage and now you can carry it on the airport monorail shuttle thingy with you its even better.

Others carry luggage with them too so no strange looks for us!

Didn't know about this - does that mean that you don't wait for your luggage twice anymore - the last few times we have flown into Sanford, so I've forgotten the procedure at MCO

 

[amystevekai&bump]

can you do both??!!

I was wondering whether we could pack one bag with all the things we would want for first few days and take that with us and then let Disney deal with the rest??

(DH gets really stressed about carrying loads of luggage, so I've really sold him on Disney doing the hard work!! But equally I don't want to wait up for the luggage to arrive, so I though if we had one bag then it wouldn't matter if everything else didn't arrive until the next morning??)

Any ideas if this is OK to do??

 

[jockey]

can you do both??!!

I was wondering whether we could pack one bag with all the things we would want for first few days and take that with us and then let Disney deal with the rest??

(DH gets really stressed about carrying loads of luggage, so I've really sold him on Disney doing the hard work!! But equally I don't want to wait up for the luggage to arrive, so I though if we had one bag then it wouldn't matter if everything else didn't arrive until the next morning??)

Any ideas if this is OK to do??

That's a great idea. My DH hates getting the luggage too

 

[Elise79]

I was planning on this too - I don't know why it wouldn't be allowed.

He thought we could keep one case plus hand luggage with us on the monorail and then let Disney deliver the rest. We can manage one case plus hand luggage and pushchair!

If we wanted to take all our cases it would mean we would have to go down to side A level 1 collect luggage (from Virgins belt by the car hire) then back up to level 3 cross to side B and down to level 1 for ME! Seems like too much of a pain!

 

[tracipierce]

Wow, this all sounds really complicated

I've never used ME before as we've always flown into Sanford, but in August we will be using it for the first time.

From the previous posts it seems that were you pick up your baggage isn't anywhere near where you go to get on the bus?

Also could someone clarify what usually happens please (yeah I know I'm a bit dim ) from when you get off the plane what do you do next....

Does sound like a good idea to pack a case with the first few days stuff, I'm wondering if it would be worth taking a small case as a carry on?

Any help would be gratefully received

 

[PaulaSB12]

I have used dme 3times using putting on the luggage tags and letting them take the cases. They are not sending the tags anymore so you give them the luggage ticket you get from the airline, I am also going to put named luggage straps on them to make it easier. I prefer to let them take the luggage and have usually had the luggage by about 10pm. I don't know how long it takes as I usually go out for dinner and they are in the room when I get back. What you do when you get off the plane is get the luggage go through customs, then you have a choice send the luggage on the belt for dme or yourself to collect at the other end or take it with you.

 

[wideeyes]

I am thinking of using the luggage collection for the first time this year, in the past we took them on the bus ourself however this is my first trip with my DD alone so I want to make it as easy as possible getting through the airport.

 

[paulh]

I am thinking of using the luggage collection for the first time this year, in the past we took them on the bus ourself however this is my first trip with my DD alone so I want to make it as easy as possible getting through the airport.

take a carry on bag with first night things and clothes for first day and you will be fine
Paulh

 

[poppie123]

Wow, this all sounds really complicated

I've never used ME before as we've always flown into Sanford, but in August we will be using it for the first time.

From the previous posts it seems that were you pick up your baggage isn't anywhere near where you go to get on the bus?

Also could someone clarify what usually happens please (yeah I know I'm a bit dim ) from when you get off the plane what do you do next....

Does sound like a good idea to pack a case with the first few days stuff, I'm wondering if it would be worth taking a small case as a carry on?

Any help would be gratefully received

You are not alone Traci, I am still confused by it all despite having explained.

I think we may take our cases with us rather than wait for Disney to deliver them, my girls will go into a state of panic what with their straighners etc being inside.
As to where you go after the plane i have no idea, hopefully someone will be along and be able to explain again.

 

[paulh]

You are not alone Traci, I am still confused by it all despite having explained.

I think we may take our cases with us rather than wait for Disney to deliver them, my girls will go into a state of panic what with their straighners etc being inside.
As to where you go after the plane i have no idea, hopefully someone will be along and be able to explain again.

http://www.orlandoairports.net/ops/bus_taxi.htm links to airport maps as well
If struggling finding just ask an airport worker
Paulh

 

[Elise79]

When you arrive at MCO you go straight to immigration. After clearing immigration you collect you cases and the go through customs. Once through customs you go through a set of doors and turn left. In front of you will be a luggage belt and to the right an esculator (Note there is no lift). At this point if you can manage your luggage without a trolley you can take it up the esculator and onto the monorail. If you can't you will need to put it on to the belt where it will be taken to the main terminal for you.

You then proceed up the escualtor and catch the monorail to the main terminal.

If you have dropped your luggage off on the belt you will need to collect it again - if you have arrived on Virgin there luggage belt is on level 1 side A and BA is level 2 side B.

The Magical Express welcome desk is on Side B Level 1.

 

[pigby]

When you arrive at MCO you go straight to immigration. After clearing immigration you collect you cases and the go through customs. Once through customs you go through a set of doors and turn left. In front of you will be a luggage belt and to the right an esculator (Note there is no lift). At this point if you can manage your luggage without a trolley you can take it up the esculator and onto the monorail. If you can't you will need to put it on to the belt where it will be taken to the main terminal for you.

You then proceed up the escualtor and catch the monorail to the main terminal.

If you have dropped your luggage off on the belt you will need to collect it again - if you have arrived on Virgin there luggage belt is on level 1 side A and BA is level 2 side B.

The Magical Express welcome desk is on Side B Level 1.

Thanks for this - how does this procedure differ if you are coming in from an airport within the US as we will have already cleared immigration at Newark?

 

[stephensmum]

Yes great instructions but I too will have cleared customs so would like to know the differences it will intail.

 

[scarletlancer]

Yes great instructions but I too will have cleared customs so would like to know the differences it will intail.

I believe that if you have already cleared US customs you can go directly to the handing over your baggage ticket to the Disney official part without having to bother with the first baggage claim.

 

[Elise79]

Thanks for this - how does this procedure differ if you are coming in from an airport within the US as we will have already cleared immigration at Newark?

If you are arriving on a domestic flight you will leave the plane and head back through the departure area to the monorail. Once at the main terminal you can collect your bags or head straight for the Magical Express desk.

 

[torsie24]

Lol, I'm lost in MCO just reading all of this! I will sure be glad once I get on the ME!