Magical Express Problems!

[ericafny]

Thanks jackskellingtonsgirl for replying!

I am still worried

Oh well, just have to pray by July they have worked this thing out!!

Erica

 

[Georgieut]

While reading all of this I thought of an experience I wanted to share with you all.
I have gone without my bags in the Guatemala jungle. The bags didn't make it onto the plane. Down there its hotter than you can ever imagine Florida to be and I haven't be there yet. So from that experience of not having any clothes for 36 hours and sweat just dripping off ya while your just standing there I always put a change of undergarments and at least a shirt in my carry on. I always take some bathroom necessities. Deoderant!, your contact stuff. All around the world we take flights every day that have connecting flights and we just have to trust that our bags will make it onto the same plane that we are on but it doesn't always happen. This is no different. And let me tell you Disney is a whole lot more organized than Guatemala. Rest arsure we can handle the little inconvience and be thankful that the airport, the buses, and resorts are air conditioned. We all have reasons why we go to disney and thats because its wonderful. At least I hope my frist trip in 32 days will be. I read theses things and get scared and then I thought of my trip to the jungle. Then said there is nothing to be scared of. We have it made at WDW.
Just my 2 cents. I love the boards, what a great place.

 

[kathy0513]

I am leaving on the 7th and don't expect to get tags. I am going to put a clear tag on suitcases with my name and the hotel we are staying at. I will also make sure that I bring some key things on the plane with me including hats, bathing suits, pair of shorts, suntan lotion & other key personal items. At least then if we get to disney without our bags we can still go for a swim or spend our first day without bags.

My concern is that we arrive in the evening and if there is a big delay with the confusion of bags coming to bus with tags/with no tags, brought by passengers etc that we will get to the disney site really late.

If it seems to be out of control, I will just hop in a taxi and argue with Disney later.

 

[Karmel96]

I just called (for my parents) and the rep told me that our tags should be here in 3 days (we leave 5/12). He also gave us the following number: 1-866-599-0951 should we not receive them. I love the idea of keeping a swatch of the material you use for your luggage to give to the CM; it could make things go a bit faster when trying to find the luggage (even for yourself least you forget what's on there!). I too pack like Georgieut and put a few emergency items and/or things I know I'll need in my carryon. I plan to do the same with my dd's carryon too. I'm trying to take the attitude of not getting too upset with things that are out of my control; I have too much stress in other areas of my life to let this get me down! I say just keep the important stuff (plus a few extras) on you and mark your bags as originally as you can! Remember: WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY!!!!

 

[Debs1963]

Please dont take this the wrong way Georgieut as I appreciate you optimistic outlook. But, If I wanted to go to the Guatamala jungle I would have booked a trip to the jungle. I booked a trip to WDW and the thought of being there without clothes for 3 days is far less appealing. I guess I could ride the safari ride in AK for 3 days straight-the animals wouldn't care what I was wearing.

 

[jpeltier]

I posted this the other day but it was moved to transportation.

Important news about Magical Express
I received this email and wanted to share it with those who plan to use Magical Express soon:

The first mailing of Magical Express baggage tags has been delayed. Those who want to use this complimentary transportation from MCO to their Disney resort must have their bags tagged with the correct tags. The Magical Express tags are **** NOT ***** the ones that come with your Magic Your Way package documents. You should receive the Magical Express tags in a separate mailing.
If you are leaving within 10 days and have not received your baggage tags, and you are certain that you gave Disney or your travel agent your flight information, then contact your travel agent or the Magical Express service toll free at 1-866-599-0951 right away.

 

[Georgieut]

Please dont take this the wrong way Georgieut as I appreciate you optimistic outlook. But, If I wanted to go to the Guatamala jungle I would have booked a trip to the jungle. I booked a trip to WDW and the thought of being there without clothes for 3 days is far less appealing. I guess I could ride the safari ride in AK for 3 days straight-the animals wouldn't care what I was wearing.

I didn't take your post the wrong way. I just meant by my comment is Disney isn't going to loose our bags for days possible a few hours if at all which we all hope wont happen. Just from reading previous posts take a few things you feel you can't leave without on the plane with ya. I just referred to my experience because that changed what I take as a carry on. So if my bags don't make it with me it won't be the end of the world. Just an opinion. I am a very pesimistic person but reading on these boards for the last month of what could happen on my first trip to WDW I know it wont be perfect and I will have to deal with it.

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

I leave on the 10th. I called ME directly and was not in their sysytem. I was also told not to expect my tags and the same as the others posted before. I am not worried. The CM was very nice and its still a free ride.

I worry about all the people who dont know about the DIS and are attaching their tinkerbell luggage tags thinking thats what they need and the rude awakening when they get to the airport. Thats not a good way to start an expensive vacation. At 6000 people a day and of those probably less than 50 of those a day have read these threads and know whats going on. Thats 5950 upset guests a day in the first few weeks.

I have to say though the Cm I spoke with at ME was wonderful and excited about the new program. I think it will work great, after JUNE 5th

 

[gradtchr]

I can't wait to try the service in July, granted the kinks will probably be worked out by then but I am excited none the less. I was not expecting this service to be available when I booked my trip but am more than thrilled that it is now available. I truly hope that this is a success for Disney and that it continues into the future. I will have my bags clearly marked and will also have a change or two of clothes in my carry on, as well as my wedding dress (can't lose that no matter what) I do this anyway on trips so it's not that big a jump for me.

Yeah free shuttle!

 

[seashoreCM]

You aren't supposed to bring your luggage on the bus because it slows loading and unloading. That's why they have the trucks take your luggage. Otherwise it wouldn't be that different than a regular shuttle.

It's very different from a regular shuttle. It's FREE!

Some of us will have to fetch our own luggage from the carousel because the tags didn't arrive in time. Those of us from outside the U.S. must get our luggage to go through customs. While there is supposed to be a way to get the luggage back "into the system" for automatic resort delivery (not by dropping it back onto the public carousel and walking away), we must be prepared to haul it to the bus particularly if it is late at night and the Magical Express welcoming center is about to close.

 

[mrscoobs]

I called DME this afternoon since our luggage tags have not arrived yet. I spoke with an absolutely wonderful CM who checked to make sure I was in the system (which she confirmed through my last name and then making sure I was on my way to the contemporary) and then said that I *should receive my tags next week (which is fine, I am not to worried. As others have mentioned, it is a free ride!) The interesting thing about the conversation was the CM told me that if the tags do not arrive on time for our departure that upon passing through security we should head directly to the DME check in on the third floor and then give the CMs there my baggage claim numbers and description of luggage or if they are available they will go to baggage claim with me to pull it and send it on the truck while we then go to bus. I thought that was rather interesting and we will have to wait and see!

 

[chipscinderelly]

Those of you that are telling us that you have changed your minds and are going with a rental or a towncar service...you still have to go to baggage claim for your stuff. Then lug it to your 'car'. And pay on top of that. Nope, I'll take my chances with Disney.

I am one that rented a car this trip and because I travel so frequently for work and pleasure I try my hardest not to check luggage into MCO because of how long it takes. Luckily for us this trip is not more than 4 days so we can do this with strategic packing. When we waltz off the plane our bags will be with us, we'll head straight to Emerald Aisle for National and be out of the airport in less than 20 minutes. I didn't want to "take my chances with Disney" since we are onsite for a short time and although I'm paying $50 (with fees and taxes) for my rental car it gives me more freedom this trip to leave WDW on our schedule - not on MEs return shuttle schedule. As I said before we'll be using ME in September.

 

[marriedmarylander]

Wow. I'm at least relieved I'm not the only one who hasn't gotten the tags yet...but this makes me worried about handling stuff once we get to the airport.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Wow. I'm at least relieved I'm not the only one who hasn't gotten the tags yet...but this makes me worried about handling stuff once we get to the airport.

Yep, I'm getting a little irritated as well. Was waiting to call since I read about the delays here, but I'm at 9 days now and don't want to have to deal with garbage when I get to MCO.

Going to call first thing tomorrow AM. If I get told "just mark your bag and describe it to the CM at the gate" I'll be calling back for another CM until I get them FedExed to me like others have. That just sounds like a recipie for disaster - "yeah, it's a rolling suitcase, about 2.5x2' in black". At that point I'd just go get it myself.

It's so funny how powerful Disney can be and how lame it can be sometimes too, LOL. Like having a problem printing up some tags for a service that they have been advertising since January, or the DDE cards taking many months to be printed and sent.

Guess WDW needs to set up a nice new in-house printing system.

N.E.D.

 

[bugsy]

Yep, I'm getting a little irritated as well. Was waiting to call since I read about the delays here, but I'm at 9 days now and don't want to have to deal with garbage when I get to MCO.

Going to call first thing tomorrow AM. If I get told "just mark your bag and describe it to the CM at the gate" I'll be calling back for another CM until I get them FedExed to me like others have. That just sounds like a recipie for disaster - "yeah, it's a rolling suitcase, about 2.5x2' in black". At that point I'd just go get it myself.

It's so funny how powerful Disney can be and how lame it can be sometimes too, LOL. Like having a problem printing up some tags for a service that they have been advertising since January, or the DDE cards taking many months to be printed and sent.

Guess WDW needs to set up a nice new in-house printing system.

N.E.D.

AMEN!!!!!! LIKE DH SAYS " YOU ARE PREACHING TO THE CHOIR!"
BUT STILL A RESOUNDING AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

AMEN!!!!!! LIKE DH SAYS " YOU ARE PREACHING TO THE CHOIR!"
BUT STILL A RESOUNDING AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hehe, I was trying not to sound overly critical, but seriously...LOL.

It takes 2+ months to print up a DDE card, and these baggage tickets just seem to be being done so...oddly. I know people traveling after I am that already have them, and CM's seem to be giving everyone a different story as to what to do.

It's surprising that Disney does so much outsourced printing - I really would assume they'd have their own. That's the reason given for both the ME and DDE delays.

Oh well, once I finally get there it will be magical - but the magical express isn't seeming to be so magical itself.

We will see! Nine days to go!

WHO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!



N.E.D.

 

[Daxx]

Daxx's Wife here. I'm sorry, but why are people who are leaving on later May dates getting the DME tags when they should be delivering to those who are leaving sooner? Come on ... people who aren't leaving until May 21st got their tags before I did? It's May 1, I'm leaving on May 5th and I am still waiting for mine to arrive. My guess is that they're never going to make it. Yet people leaving May 21st have theirs already? How does that make sense!? You would think that Disney would be all about making up for the error to those using the DME right off the bat. Wouldn't they want a successful launch? There's still time to print tags for those leaving in late May!

What upsets me the most is that on 4/27, I called about my DME tags and was told that they were slow in getting them out but mine would be fed-ex'd to me immediately b/c of my departure date. When they didn't arrive by 4/30, I called CRO and asked what was going on and if the tags had been fed-ex'd to me. The CM had NOTHING in the computer about DME tags being fed-ex'd to me. What is up w/that?! Nobody ever told me to call the DME number until yesterday. Now, I have to wait until Mon. to call the DME number but I'm doubtful they'll be able to help as I leave on 5/5. I'm sure I'll get the song and dance about giving my claim check to the CM's.

I know that there are kinks in every system ... but w/DCL doing this for *how* many years, they should have it under control by now. And, if the CM's are saying "Oh, our CM's are trained to pull luggage b/c they do it for the cruise line" ... then why the problem w/the tags? If they're so used to the cruise line, they should know what is required when it comes to tags and printing them. One call to the people responsible for heading up the DCL tags and they would have never been in this boat. And, they've had plenty of time to resolve the tag issues as they would have started printing tags long before announcing the service! I could understand if my luggage got dropped off at a different resort (Poly instead of AKL) b/c they were unloaded at the wrong resort ... but not getting tags to early May departures in time but getting tags out to the late May departures? Sorry -- not kosher.

My complaint is the continued miscommunication and misinformation that I've received. People who aren't leaving for weeks get the assurance of DME tags and those of us leaving early are without and stressed. And, the promise of being "care free" about your luggage no longer applies to many. Now, we do have to worry about getting our bags and making sure they arrive to the proper resort. If I had tags, I wouldn't be worrying. I chose my travel date b/c of DME and its convenience. It has only added pre-trip stress. So much for "care free" and making it easier on me.

The whole "the tags were printed w/ink that wasn't waterproof and they had to re-do and reorder" is a load of baloney. What business goes ordering thousands of tags w/o knowing if they're water resistant in the first place? After 10+ years working in advertising, that is one thing that you'd be "hot" about ... that the tags will withstand weather. I can't imagine anyone giving an ok to print w/o knowing if the tags are water/weather resistant. Come on.

So, now I'll prob. wind up getting the luggage myself. But, if I give the CM's my luggage, how are they supposed to know which resort to take them to!? If they're dealing w/a lot of passengers who don't have the DME tags b/c of this mess up, how can they keep track of which luggage goes where? I'd be less concerned if I had the DME tags. But, now I have to worry about my luggage making it to the resort?

All in all, I'm going to have to pull my own luggage and take care of it myself. Yes, this is a free service ... and I've been promised that I don't have to worry about my luggage and can be "care free" coming off the plane. Well, you know what? I won't be "care free". I'm going to have to deal w/the luggage situation which I didn't think would become a problem b/c of what Disney kept advertising since JANUARY! And, they've had plenty of time to resolve the tag issues as they would have started printing tags long before announcing the service!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Daxx's Wife-

You are absolutely right that the CM's won't have any idea which resort the bags go to!

It's what I call an "epiphany" moment. The sudden realization that there is something VERY wrong that you just hadn't seen before.

So finding the bags will only be half the battle. The CM's will then have to tag them somehow to make sure they all get to the proper resort. And if there ARE bags that the airline lost then folks will have NO CLUE where to start looking for their bags because they won't know who lost them. Of course if Disney loses the bags then theoretically they would just have to check four or so other resorts, assuming the bags were picked up and transported. YIKES! This is worse than I thought.

Even WITH the tags I still want to know how the CM's know how many bags each family has. There are three of us, and we will likely check 5 bags. How will they know to look for five, and how will they know when they have all five?

I am glad I am not traveling in May. I guess maybe they decided it was too late to try to fix things for the first few weeks of May - might as well just pick up the ball at mid-May and run with it!

I hope your trip goes well, despite the headaches with DME!

 

[safetymom]

If you are giving them your baggage claim tickets they will know exactly how many bags you checked.

I think everyone needs to wait and see how Disney handles it when the first people start using it. So far the only information anyone has is from CM's that they talked to on the phone.

Disney has done this with the Cruise lines so it might not be as bad as a lot of folks think it will be.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

SafetyMom-

I meant I am wondering how they will know how many bags I checked after they get the tags working properly.

They will mail the tags to me, I will tag my bags. The plane lands, they get my bags. But they won't have the claim checks once the system gets up and running so they won't know how many they are looking for. It is common sense for them to grab all the tagged bags, but how will they know when they have all of the bags that they are supposed to have? For example, if my family and another family are on the flight with a total of 9 checked bags how will they know to look for 9 as opposed to 7 or 10?

It just seems like such an enormous task. The number of cruise passengers must be lower than the number of park guests, so it seems like it would be very complicated. Find the bags, make sure ALL of the bags are accounted for, put the bags on the truck to the proper resort. Lots of room for error. But I DO hope they can make it work, especially if they plan to charge for the service in the future!