Magical Express

[Missytara]

I stand corrected. Edited my post to remove the inaccurate information.

Like how you corrected your post. Katie's response was not a lecture, she was giving the complete info on how complicated RAC can be for a first timer. There are specific times you can do RAC and DME and katie was trying to make that clear not just to you, but everyone. There is not anything worse than someone coming on here, saying Disney failed to do something because they were not aware of how it worked.

Katie provides some of the best transportation info out there.......

 

[Sophiesmom]

Like how you corrected your post. Katie's response was not a lecture, she was giving the complete info on how complicated RAC can be for a first timer. There are specific times you can do RAC and DME and katie was trying to make that clear not just to you, but everyone. There is not anything worse than someone coming on here, saying Disney failed to do something because they were not aware of how it worked.

Katie provides some of the best transportation info out there.......

Not trying to ruffle any feathers here. Although I don't post often, I have been a member of DisBoards since 2003 and have been to WDW countless times.

I'm sure that Katie provides great transportation information. Having said that, I found her tone unnecessarily condescending. I travel frequently and know how to follow guidelines and directions for services such as this. Her post suggested otherwise. I was recounting my own experience. The fact remains that we checked our luggage in ( with RAC) hours before the suggested time and our luggage did not make it on our flight. It was delivered to our home at 2am -- yes, 2am and they rang the doorbell.

As I said in my original post on this thread, this ONE bad experience has not prevented me from using DME and RAC since that time and will not prevent me from using it in the future.

 

[bumbershoot]

[

Not trying to ruffle any feathers here. Although I don't post often, I have been a member of DisBoards since 2003 and have been to WDW countless times.

I'm sure that Katie provides great transportation information. Having said that, I found her tone unnecessarily condescending. I travel frequently and know how to follow guidelines and directions for services such as this. Her post suggested otherwise. I was recounting my own experience. The fact remains that we checked our luggage in ( with RAC) hours before the suggested time and our luggage did not make it on our flight. It was delivered to our home at 2am -- yes, 2am and they rang the doorbell.

As I said in my original post on this thread, this ONE bad experience has not prevented me from using DME and RAC since that time and will not prevent me from using it in the future.

Well, as an outside reader, I didn't find it to be condescending. Remember that posts are not just to the person, but to everyone out there lurking. And if a reply isn't crystal clear, those other people will just continue to think that what happened was whatever they thought happened.

She was just trying to clarify. What if you were not a seasoned traveler and had, in fact, done it wrong? Wouldn't you like to know that for the future? And what if others went away from your post saying "I will be in line to drop luggage off 3 hours in advance" and, of course, that would end up being wrong? She's right to want to know the exact situation.


I'm really glad your luggage got there so quickly. When Delta has misplaced DH's luggage (twice now, but there's no one else for Delta to blame like RAC, since it hasn't been Disney-related flights) they have gotten it to him around 24 hours later. Since he has a very limited wardrobe, and losing his one bag means he has NO clothes at home, it's been very fortunate that he usually doesn't have to work when he gets home from a trip, because there's nothing much for him to wear. 24 hours is great that it wasn't lost entirely, but still difficult. Those times we would have been overjoyed to have them bring it to us at 2am, because it would allow for him to go to work the next day if needed, without someone being up for an hour waiting for the washer to finish with the clothes he wore on the flight!

 

[maxiesmom]

[

Well, as an outside reader, I didn't find it to be condescending. Remember that posts are not just to the person, but to everyone out there lurking. And if a reply isn't crystal clear, those other people will just continue to think that what happened was whatever they thought happened.

Exactly. Most of us posters on the transportation board try to make the facts very clear, in case someone is reading who isn't so sure how things work. Nothing condescending in a clear explanation.

Also, you were blaming Magical Express for something that was a Resort Airline Check In issue. Magical Express has nothing to do with handling your bags on the way back to the airport, unless you have hauled them to the ME bus. If you are going to post about a bad experience, make sure you are blaming the right entity. Don't scare people away from Magical Express with an problem that they had nothing to do with.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Arriving at MCO, I got to DME to see a long line waiting for the bus to POR. I waited for 30 minutes before a bus showed up. I set the timer on my watch just to see. Luckily all of us in line fit on that bus. I'd have hated to be waiting for that long and not make that bus. As the person behind me said "this is not magical."



I'm thinking of trying a town car next time since it's cheaper than renting a car. The only downside would be me having to handle my own luggage - DME has spoiled me regarding that.

The 2nd to last time I used DME I was in a long line for Pop and did NOT make it on the first bus and to wait for a 2nd. We waited about an hour.

The last time I took DME was before SouthWest participated with RAC. That bus made multiple stops at other resorts and we had little time at airport to check luggage and get through security. I didn't like the stressful feeling of wondering if we were going to make our flight. Also on that bus was a family with multiple family members who were vomiting.

Now I pay the $100 for a town car. It's nice to have someone waiting for me at baggage claim who helps me with my luggage. We also make a grocery stop. I do use RAC for my return home. I get picked up 2 hours before my flight and am back to the airport before I was using DME getting picked up 3 hours in advance.

The $100 I pay is minimal compared to the total cost of my trip. I like starting and ending my trip with the extra level of personal service I get from a town car service.

All that said for a first timer I think I would recommend DME. Chances are you will have great service from them and the video they show on the way to the resort is fun to get you even more excited about your trip.

 

[smallblackstars]

I love using the DME. Any time I have used it I would say the time from the airport to the resort is average and we have never waited more than 2 hours for our luggage. Anything we desperately need I will take in hand luggage. I also like the 'magic' of going to the DME desk and getting on the 'Mickey bus' and watching the video on route to the resort. It's a nice start to our holiday!

 

[goofy4tink]

A few thoughts here.....DME/RAC 'usually' works very well. As with everything in life, there can be glitches. I have to ask about the luggage that didn't make it to you at the end of the flight.....why are you so sure that your bags weren't delivered by RAC in a timely fashion? It could very well have been the airport or the airline that dropped the ball. Not saying it was, but just that it could have been. We have also heard reports of the RAC people putting the wrong destination tags on a bag...so, always be sure to check what your tag says, at any airport/baggage checking area.

We try, here on the Transportation board, to be clear and concise when handing out info. There is no wiggle room for pixiedust and hugginess (is that a word or did I just make one up???). We need to give info that is clear and to the point. And if that comes off as abrupt and condescending, I apologize. I have also been accused of posting in that way. But, it's best to post that way vs all cutesy which can confuse people.

So please, be nice to each other. Life is way too short for petty arguments and bickering. Go, have a nice day.