ME Luggage - Many ?s

[ReggieB]

I spoke to someone today too. She tried to be very helpful, and was really very pleasant. I was a little annoyed that although they did have my reservation in their system, a number of details were incorrect (wrong flight number, and they had me leaving the same day as arriving!!!) Now those problems sound to me like data entry problems, someone has keyed in the wrong info...but then thinking about it maybe there is some issues with the software they are using too, bugs could easily cause many of the glitches that people are getting with their ME reservations not showing up. Not that I am letting Disney off the hook yet! If my info is wrong on their computers (although it has been changed now) aren't the tags that they have alledgedly sent me going to be wrong anyhow?

Aaaagghhh! I am heading for the kitchen and a glass of wine ...I did promise myself I wouldn't get hassled, but I have had one of those days!!!

 

[tamu91]

find a CM at the airport. They will come with us to retrieve our luggage and tag it there with us, and that's it. So worst case is that we need to wait for our luggage w/ a CM. [/url]

I wonder how many CMs Disney plan on dispatching to the airport I thought ME was suppose to save us time and grief but far from it IMO. I'm thinking about skipping ME all together and renting a car.

My real concern is this. If your luggage does not make it to your resort, how will Disney guarantee that it even made it to MCO? Unless you claim your own bag and hand it over to the CM. I can just see the line now. Can I get a FASTPASS now, please

 

[ReggieB]

As someone so rightly pointed out on another thread, handing over your luggage claim tags is pretty unacceptable, as that is your proof of ownership of the luggage. Try claiming that back from the airline, or your own insurance without that important piece of info.

 

[ken skellington]

Just spoke to ME - here is my version of the ME saga! The CM was very nice - I appreciated his honesty. I told him that I would not hand over my baggage claim receipt, he said that I could get my bags and carry them on ME or they will get my info. and give me the baggage claim receipt back for me to hold on to - they will then get my bags. I am thinking I will just get my bags and then check them in with a CM myself. In any case - I will be seeing my bags CLAIMED in Orlando - I may even just bring them on the bus, we'll see. They took my info. - AGAIN - he said that the flight info. did not transfer to the the new ME system. I am right there with the rest of you - I am frustrated and feel extremely hasseled by this "hassel-free" system they call Magical Express! If it were not for the DIS boards I would be arriving completely clueless. Think about those people who actually trust that things will go as advertised with ME.

Oh, and he said I may still get my tags before we leave on the 11th - I am not waiting by the mailbox!

 

[ReggieB]

If it were not for the DIS boards I would be arriving completely clueless. Think about those people who actually trust that things will go as advertised with ME.

I said exactly the same thing to my husband. At least they are blissfully unaware! My husband says I know too much!!

 

[arizonacolbys]

Well, I just got off the phone with CRO, after calling the DME number this morning & not really learning much. I spoke to a very nice CM at CRO, that I believe was able to offer me more info on our DME tags.

She verified all my info in the computer & at first said it looked like everything was all set. Then, she looked further down under the notes & mentioned that due to the overwhelming response to DME, they actually ran out of DME information packets & tags to send out to guests.

Then, what she told me about how to proceed on our arrival day was a little different from what DME told me - she stated that when we get to our departing airport (Continental out of Cleveland) & check our luggage, they will actually tag our bags there with large Mickey head luggage tags. She also mentioned that CM's will be at the airport in blue jackets near where towncar services normally pick up guests with signs for direction.

She mentioned waiting for our luggage & verifying that it is ours, then it will proceed to our resort. While, I'm not crazy about waiting on our luggage, I would actually feel a little better seeing my luggage come off the plane before I board the DME bus.

So, I'm not sure if the CM I spoke with at CRO is correct, but she seemed to have more info & was definitely more giving of info than the CM at the DME number I spoke to this morning.

 

[Daxx]

I am right there with the rest of you - I am frustrated and feel extremely hasseled by this "hassel-free" system they call Magical Express!

Daxx's Wife here. I hear you, friend! And, I'm going through it with you. You have some hope -- your vaca. is further out than mine. It would be an absolute miracle (or major pixie dust and Disney Magic) for my tags to arrive before the 5th. With my luck, they'll show up at home on the 6th and they'll be useless.

Just glad that I am not arriving in Orlando w/o a clue. I know what I'm going to have to do and will just do it. What else am I going to do? Screaming and ranting sure won't help -- it'll just make me look like an idiot!

What do you think they're going to do to make it up to everyone that's been burned?

due to the overwhelming response to DME, they actually ran out of DME information packets & tags to send out to guests.

You've got to be kidding me! Don't you think that they would have over-ordered these things just to be safe? And why wouldn't there be an overwhelming response? It's "free" transport to your resort *and* you don't have to deal w/your luggage. Who is not going to want to respond to this? Makes me crazy that Disney's acting so clueless about this whole thing. Everyone knows that it would be huge -- except for them? What?! Yikes!

 

[seashoreCM]

What do you think they're going to do to make it up to everyone that's been burned?

Nobody has been or will be burned unless they show up at the Magical Express welcoming area and Disney refuses to transport them.

And there are plenty of ways Disney can make it up to these guests once they show up at Guest Relations.

ME hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

 

[mhochman]

Then, what she told me about how to proceed on our arrival day was a little different from what DME told me - she stated that when we get to our departing airport (Continental out of Cleveland) & check our luggage, they will actually tag our bags there with large Mickey head luggage tags.

I'm not saying this isn't true, because, of course, I have no way of knowing. But I find it very unlikely that Disney sent mickey tags to every airport and every airline (or at least the participating ones). We are flying Song (a participating airline) one the 5th (no tags yet), and I will certainly ask about this. But I do expect that I'll get a funny look at the check-in desk.

 

[arizonacolbys]

I found it odd, too, but figured I'll ask when we check our bags. It's just funny to me that everytime I talk to someone about DME, I get completely different answers. I'm not real worried about it at this point. If I have to wait for my luggage on the carousel, it still beats paying over $100 for a towncar service.

I'm not saying this isn't true, because, of course, I have no way of knowing. But I find it very unlikely that Disney sent mickey tags to every airport and every airline (or at least the participating ones). We are flying Song (a participating airline) one the 5th (no tags yet), and I will certainly ask about this. But I do expect that I'll get a funny look at the check-in desk.

 

[mhochman]

I'm not real worried about it at this point. If I have to wait for my luggage on the carousel, it still beats paying over $100 for a towncar service.

I couldn't agree more. I posted elsewhere that I knew when I signed up for the very first day that I was likely to experience problems. We'll have one bag, which I plan to grab before I head to the welcome desk so I can hop right on the next bus.

I also think that regardless of what we're all being told about that first day, and many of us are hearing slightly to significantly different things, when we arrive at MCO all of that is out the window and we'll just go with the flow. The first ME CM you see will direct you and that's what you'll end up doing. If he says that under no circumstances am I to grab my own bag, I won't. I don't want to screw up their system (anymore than it clearly already is).

 

[astrobooze]

New to the board but just as confused.

Booked my trip over two months ago (going to WDW at the end of this month --booked online thru WDW's Travel Company and Flying on Delta) and after an address fiasco (which is now resolved) we finally got something in the mail yesterday. Trouble is I'm not exactly sure what it is. It was a clear envelope with a bunch of confirmation slips (including one that said I was confirmed for ME)...and two...I guess they were luggage tags (they don't match the description given by others on this board as to what they should look like --they're plastic with a 50 years Celebration Emblem on the front and they included a blank card to slide in the back). I'm not sure if that's all I'm supposed to get. I had talked to someone at WDW and they told me I would be recieving a "vacation package"....and I had thought that maybe yesterday thats what I got. However today I have read on this board that others have recieved a package with maps, etc....and I have yet to get anything resembling that.

So aside from that, we're staying at WDW for 7 days....and more than likely we will have three or four pieces of luggage to check....and all I have are two luggage tags....i think....

I am very disappointed in the lack of just clear educational information that WDW has NOT provided. But I am very grateful to this board for filling in some of the information gaps. It does make me feel better that we're not the only one's unsure of just what is going on...

Is there anyone who can clarify the difference between the "Vacation Package" and what it is I might have recieved yesterday (described above)? Does anyone remember reading or hearing somewhere that with ME you only get two luggage tags?

I know I'm going eventually to have to call WDW (again)...and I am dreading it....I'm hoping to get some straight information without the "spin" you get when you call WDW....

Thank you all in advance!

 

[ReggieB]

I found it odd, too, but figured I'll ask when we check our bags. It's just funny to me that everytime I talk to someone about DME, I get completely different answers. I'm not real worried about it at this point. If I have to wait for my luggage on the carousel, it still beats paying over $100 for a towncar service.

I have thrown in the towel, I have booked alternative transportation. The first time we went we used Mears, which was okay, but not great. Second time we drove, last time we used a town car service...I am a complete stress puppy, and it's always about the small things! I found myself much more relaxed with the town car, yes $100 is a lot, especially when the alternative is free, but my husband will tell you $100 is a small price to pay for an unstressed ReggieB!!! We have a car taking us to our local airport too, I usually have lost the plot by the time we get to the long stay car park and are waiting for the shuttle bus. I have cancelled my ME reservation with a CM, as I didn't want you all waiting around for me to show up!! As I am such a worrier I might check with a CM at the airport to make sure, don't want to hold those buses up!!

As you can tell I need a vacation, kudo's to all of you that can stay calm about it all!! Oh and good luck....!! I am so looking forward to my trip...2 weeks today!!!

I bet you I will still lose my luggage though....see still worrying!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

But I find it very unlikely that Disney sent mickey tags to every airport and every airline (or at least the participating ones). We are flying Song (a participating airline) one the 5th (no tags yet).

It is possible that Dsiney sent speical tags (Mickey head or other) to some of the participating airlines at some major airposrt. The airport check in agent won't know you are on magical Expres unless he sees your ME tag already attached.

 

[LisaS]

New to the board but just as confused.

Booked my trip over two months ago (going to WDW at the end of this month --booked online thru WDW's Travel Company and Flying on Delta) and after an address fiasco (which is now resolved) we finally got something in the mail yesterday. Trouble is I'm not exactly sure what it is. It was a clear envelope with a bunch of confirmation slips (including one that said I was confirmed for ME)...and two...I guess they were luggage tags (they don't match the description given by others on this board as to what they should look like --they're plastic with a 50 years Celebration Emblem on the front and they included a blank card to slide in the back). I'm not sure if that's all I'm supposed to get. I had talked to someone at WDW and they told me I would be recieving a "vacation package"....and I had thought that maybe yesterday thats what I got. However today I have read on this board that others have recieved a package with maps, etc....and I have yet to get anything resembling that.

So aside from that, we're staying at WDW for 7 days....and more than likely we will have three or four pieces of luggage to check....and all I have are two luggage tags....i think....

I am very disappointed in the lack of just clear educational information that WDW has NOT provided. But I am very grateful to this board for filling in some of the information gaps. It does make me feel better that we're not the only one's unsure of just what is going on...

Is there anyone who can clarify the difference between the "Vacation Package" and what it is I might have recieved yesterday (described above)? Does anyone remember reading or hearing somewhere that with ME you only get two luggage tags?

I know I'm going eventually to have to call WDW (again)...and I am dreading it....I'm hoping to get some straight information without the "spin" you get when you call WDW....

Thank you all in advance!

Welcome to the DIS boards! From your description the luggage tags you received are not DME tags. Based on the description provided by the few people here who have actually received their DME tags, they are made of heavy paper similar to the paper used for the routing tags the airlines attach to your bags when you check in for your flight. They are pre-printed with your name, reservation number, name of your resort, etc. The latest word from Disney is that you should receive your DME tags 5-10 days before your departure date, though obviously that is not the case for those of us traveling in early May. Given you are leaving at the end of May, you still have a week or two before they would even be sending out your tags, so you might actually get them before your trip!

I agree with you -- Disney should be proactive in providing information to us about what's going on with DME. The packet you received should have stated you are confirmed on DME but that your DME tags will be sent to you separately approximately 5-10 days before your departure date, etc., etc. LOTS of people are getting confused that the plastic tags they received are their DME tags and that they are all set, which is NOT the case.

 

[mhochman]

We'll have one bag, which I plan to grab before I head to the welcome desk so I can hop right on the next bus.

OK, well I just called ME because I was afraid they didn't have my flight info. They had me in with a reservation but, guess what...no flight info. She said that it wouldn't really have mattered, but they have it now. Anyway, she told me that if I don't receive my tags that I am not to collect my own bag(s), that I am to give the claimcheck ticket to a CM who will get my description of the bag and take care of it for me. (If you recall, last week when I called I was told that I can bring my own bag to the bus). I'm guessing too many people said they would just pick up their own bag and they realized they wouldn't have room on the busses. So I guess that's the official word right now.

Incidentally, the nice woman I spoke with told me that it will work exactly like the Disney Cruise bus service, down to the CM wearing a large Mickey glove so you can find them in the main terminal. She actually said that they modelled the service after the cruise service and that she, in fact, was transferred over from the cruise service. I remember the cruise bus service running very well, so I think all will go well on Thursday.
Michael

 

[WaterWish]

Based on the description provided by the few people here who have actually received their DME tags, they are made of heavy paper similar to the paper used for the routing tags the airlines attach to your bags when you check in for your flight. They are pre-printed with your name, reservation number, name of your resort, etc.

I have made my own tags on my computer. I will print them out and mount them to card stock, both sides. They are about 6" x 3", bright yellow with a large resort name, then smaller underneath it has the dates, my name, and my reservation number. Then I'll cover them with clear packing tape as a kind of "lamination." Finally, and this is the important part, I am printing out a little "mini" version of the tag, which I will attach to my claim checks so the CMs can get an idea of what they're looking for. I figure this has to be the next best thing to having the genuine Disney tags.

 

[MomLC]

I have just received my tags but they are not the "pre-printed" ones some of you are talking about. Mine have Tinkerbell on the front and a slip for my information to be printed on the back but just basic information; name, address, phone #. Nothing about the resort, confirmation #'s, etc. Should I be expecting some other tags from Disney or just use the Tinkerbell ones they sent me? Maybe I'll go with the CM to help with claiming my luggage then let them take it from there. Thanks for the info.

 

[LisaS]

I have just received my tags but they are not the "pre-printed" ones some of you are talking about. Mine have Tinkerbell on the front and a slip for my information to be printed on the back but just basic information; name, address, phone #. Nothing about the resort, confirmation #'s, etc. Should I be expecting some other tags from Disney or just use the Tinkerbell ones they sent me? Maybe I'll go with the CM to help with claiming my luggage then let them take it from there. Thanks for the info.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but those are just regular luggage ID tags -- a souvenir of your trip to WDW. They are not Magical Express tags. The ME tags are preprinted with things like your resort hotel (so that your bags get loaded on the correct truck) and your reservation number (so that once at your resort, they get delivered to the correct room). I believe there is also some sort of barcode on the tags -- not sure what info that contains.

Disney really should be including a note with those packets that inform people that those tags are not the ME tags. It is causing a lot of confusion!

 

[Daxx]

Nobody has been or will be burned

Hey - any way you fry it up, some of us are burned. I was promised no hassles and I've had nothing but hassles. I was promised that I wouldn't have to worry about my luggage, that it would be taken care of behind the scenes. Well, I do have to worry about my luggage and I'm going to have to get it myself b/c it looks like everybody elses luggage. That's being burned. Sorry, but they didn't go the whole 9 yards for me as they said they would.