ME concerns?

[rrkman]

Is this service pretty dependable or should we expect problems? I'm sure that Disney handles this pretty well but the airlines aren't always the most dependable services out there. Does anyone else have concerns that they will get to their room and have no luggage?

 

[Deb in IA]

Does anyone else have concerns that they will get to their room and have no luggage?

You will NOT have your luggage for 1 to 3 hours after check-in. For us, it was right at 3 hours.

 

[rrkman]

then why would anyone use the yellow tags instead of just getting the luggage yourself and putting it under the bus that you are on?

 

[Deb in IA]

For the luxury of not having to claim it, lug it, load it, unload it, cart it through check-in, and having to tip Bell Services to tote it up to your room.

 

[Bob P]

Rrkman, you should read this thread from yesterday:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1062099

 

[rrkman]

Thanks....I'm sure it will go smoothly, but I will still prepare for the worst.

 

[goofy4tink]

See, the thing is...if you get to your resort at say, 10:30 in the morning, you quite possibly won't be able to get into your room for a few hours. So...when you do get into your room, the chances are good that your luggage will be there. But, if you check in and are able to get right into your room, there is no way that DME can get your bags to your room that quickly. All that luggage is loaded on trucks that then have to go to the different resorts, get unloaded and then disbursed to the guests rooms. That takes time.
So, pack a carryon bag with anything you might need. If you are concerned about not getting your bags soon enough,then you can always omit the yellow tags and just claim them yourself in Orlando and then take them to the DME check-in area with you and then under the bus.

I really wish Disney hadn't said in all of its' advertising....your bags will magically be waiting for you in your room (or something to that effect). If you check in after the official check in time, then the chances of your bags being in your room before you are slim also....those rooms are definatly assigned until you actually show up at the front des...or at least that's what they have told me upon check-in.

 

[CleveRocks]

then why would anyone use the yellow tags instead of just getting the luggage yourself and putting it under the bus that you are on?

Deb said it right, LUXURY. Sure was noce not to have to lug the ol' luggage around. Plus, it's a time saver. You don't have to wait around baggage claim. For those who complain about needing their luggage immediately for swimming or a dinner reservation, I usually chuckle and shake my head and wonder why they didn't already plan to pack such stuff in their carry-on. Because AIRLINES are so good at delaying luggage, I would never risk ruining the first day of my vacation by not being prepared with 24 hours of supplies in my carry-on. Sounds like a lot, but it's not -- it takes up very little room! Try it for yourself. A complete change of clothes, PJs, toiletries, medications, bathing suits. That's a very small mass there, and very easily fits into a carry-on and leaves you room for more, too.

It took me 53 minutes from the time I got into the DME line until I got dropped off at CBR. My luggage "magically arrived" inside my room about 2 or 3 hours later, but I didn't even know it until I got back from the pool with my kids. I love DME, and like some others on DISboards, I feel that the luggage delivery service is the best part of DME.

 

[rrkman]

thank you all for your responses. Certainly is a luxury to have someone else deal with getting your luggage...I'm sure we'll take our chances with it and enjoy our vacation no matter what happens.

 

[tmt martins]

thank you all for your responses. Certainly is a luxury to have someone else deal with getting your luggage...I'm sure we'll take our chances with it and enjoy our vacation no matter what happens.

They had an artical in the paper today with like 30 million peices of luggage missing or late with 200,000 never showing up.

The funny thing was that was only 1% of total bags handled So your chances are good .We had no problems in OCT .

 

[Val-Mike]

We're using ME too for the first time (trip is in 32 days now). Yesterday we received all of our paperwork/itinerary from WDW (booked it ourselves this time). We also booked our own airfare w/ Southwest. WDW sent us 4 tags, but this board refers to "yellow" tags? Am I missing something? Any suggestions? We do plan to pack change of clothes/RX's on our carry-ons by the way.

 

[goofy4tink]

We're using ME too for the first time (trip is in 32 days now). Yesterday we received all of our paperwork/itinerary from WDW (booked it ourselves this time). We also booked our own airfare w/ Southwest. WDW sent us 4 tags, but this board refers to "yellow" tags? Am I missing something? Any suggestions? We do plan to pack change of clothes/RX's on our carry-ons by the way.

You have received the standard Disney pretrip stuff..most likely those are those plastic (credit card sized) castle luggage tags. But, they are not the 'DME luggage tags'. Those are, indeed, bright yellow. You should get your DME packet, with tags, about 2-3 weeks before you leave. Most people seem to be getting them about 15 days beforehand. These yellow tags are very similar to those put on at the airport, by the airlines. You should be getting two tags for each person on the reservation. Put one on each piece of checked luggage and you should be good to go.
Packing a carry-on is always a good idea..that way you don't have to worry about freshening up, or changing into a swim suit when you get to WDW. Have a terrific trip!!!

 

[CleveRocks]

Val-Mike, you received your itinerary, etc., but you have yet to receive your DME packet. Inside the packet will be your DME luggage tags. They are sticky paper, yellow in color, the same type of sticky paper as those airline luggage tags that get put on each time you fly, the tags with the 3-letter airport code on them. The yellow DME tags are yellow and about half the width of the airline tags that will be put on when you check in your luggage at your airport.

Your DME tags will already be pre-printed with all sorts of info and a barcode or two -- you don't write anything on them. All the instructions about using DME are in the DME packet/booklet you will receive. They generally mail them out 21 days prior to departure.

HAVE FUN!