ME question...

[SeaSpray]

...so if I understand this correctly... On the last day of our trip (staying at AKL), we simply bring our luggage down to the lobby to the ME area, hand them our luggage (then go off for a final lunch), and we won't have to see or deal with the luggage again until we land in Boston?!?!?!

This is a beautiful thing!!!

And I'm so glad that we decided to stay at Disney World for a couple of days following our Disney cruise in August, too. Imagine not having to deal with all that cruise luggage on the last day!!!

P.S. I apologise for the fact that this has probably been discussed in a million threads, but this will be our first time using ME, and I had no idea how convenient of a service it really is!!

P.P.S. We still support the limo companies; we'll be using a stretch limo to take us from MCO to Cape Canaveral before the cruise, and then from Port Canaveral to Disney World after the cruise!

P.P.P.S. Do all of the Disney resorts handle the ME luggage in the same manner? For example, I know that the value resorts don't have bell services, but the moderates and deluxes do. Are there differences in this particular area??


Thanks!

 

[mlwear]

ME can be great, but be expected for the unexpected...

I LOVED using ME for our arrival. No problems. Left the airport, hopped on ME, arrived at our resort, hit the parks and our luggage was in our room when we returned. FABULOUS.
BUT, on our departure day we went to get our boarding passes and drop off our luggage. Uh-oh. Our flight in had been canceled so we ended up switching flights, I guess this put a "flag" on us. We did have to go through extra security every step of the way through out the airport (no complaints--this is our world now). Even though we were flying Delta, a participating airline, we couldn't get our boarding passes from the resort (it was a security issue because of the inbound flight snafu) and they couldn't go ahead and check our luggage. Ugh. We had to put our luggage in the holding area, then we went to the parks and returned when ME specified. I am sure we were the exception, but nothing ever works 100% perfectly.) Having the luggage held wasn't a big deal. Now, waiting on ME was a little annoying, IMO. The time they told us required that we sit on a bench waiting for the bus for over an hour. If memory serves, we waited for 90 minutes. It wasn't like you could go meander around either because you never knew when the bus would come. We then had to load our luggage onto the bus as it hadn't been checked. The driver did not help at all. Of course, then we had to get our luggage off when we got to the airport and check it ourselves. Not a big deal, but we were hoping for the ME service. I'm sure we would have had that had we not had a flight issue on our way in.
All and all though, there is no extra charge (at least that we can see ). If you hit no bumps, it should be a pleasant addition to your trip.

 

[clkelley]

...so if I understand this correctly... On the last day of our trip (staying at AKL), we simply bring our luggage down to the lobby to the ME area, hand them our luggage (then go off for a final lunch), and we won't have to see or deal with the luggage again until we land in Boston?!?!?!

This is a beautiful thing!!!

And I'm so glad that we decided to stay at Disney World for a couple of days following our Disney cruise in August, too. Imagine not having to deal with all that cruise luggage on the last day!!!

P.S. I apologise for the fact that this has probably been discussed in a million threads, but this will be our first time using ME, and I had no idea how convenient of a service it really is!!

P.P.S. We still support the limo companies; we'll be using a stretch limo to take us from MCO to Cape Canaveral before the cruise, and then from Port Canaveral to Disney World after the cruise!

P.P.P.S. Do all of the Disney resorts handle the ME luggage in the same manner? For example, I know that the value resorts don't have bell services, but the moderates and deluxes do. Are there differences in this particular area??


Thanks!

If you are flying on a participating airline (American, Continental, Delta/Song, jetBlue, United/Ted) you can take your luggage to the Resort Airline Check-In Desk and check it with them and get your boarding passes. Since you are at AKL, just call bell services and they will help you get your luggage to that desk. This desk is open from 5am to 1pm and you must do this at least 3 hours before your flight.

If you are not flying one of these airlines, then call bell services, they will help you get your luggage to storage, then you can go to your lunch, then you need to put your luggage under the Magical Express bus when you board, then retrieve it when you arrive at the airport, then check in at either curbside or the inside desk at the airport just like normal.

Also, you need to book ME in advance (when you arrive at AKL is fine). You will receive a pickup time which will probably be about 3 hours before your flight.

 

[goofy4tink]

Terry, as long as you are flying one of those 'participating' airlines, you should be all set. All the resorts have this ability. It is terrific to get there early in the day, say goodbye to the luggage, get your boarding passes printed out, and then do whatever you like until it's time to head back to the bus. Now, it's my understanding that you don't have to actually use the DME bus for the return to the airport either...so you could get rid of the luggage, get boarding passes and still use a towncar and leave WDW resorts a bit later than you would with the bus.

 

[Lewisc]

NW used to be a participating airline and is rumored to be coming back on board. If you're flying NW ask at the checkin desk a day or two before your departure.

 

[seashoreCM]

BUT, on our departure day we went to get our boarding passes and drop off our luggage. Uh-oh. Our flight in had been canceled so we ended up switching flights, I guess this put a "flag" on us. We did have to go through extra security every step of the way through out the airport ( Even though we were flying Delta, a participating airline, we couldn't get our boarding passes from the resort (it was a security issue because of the inbound flight snafu) and they couldn't go ahead and check our luggage. . I am sure we were the exception, but nothing ever works 100% perfectly.) Having the luggage held wasn't a big deal. Now, waiting on ME was a little annoying, IMO. The time they told us required that we sit on a bench waiting for the bus for over an hour. If memory serves, we waited for 90 minutes. p.

Normally your pickup time back to the airport is such that you "cannot possibly" be waiting around for 90 minutes, otherwise you would miss your flight. If the bus does not arrive by two and a half hours before flight time you should be talking with the resort manager.

Occasionally so many people will be booked for a given time that some will be assigned a bus more than 3 hours before flight time. In that case if it turns out they can get out on a bus closer to 3 hours before flight time you may be kept waiting as you described. The earlier you get your return reservations cast in stone the less of a problem this should be.

If you specifically ask for an earlier bus time, say for allowing time for customs before an international flight, they have to get you out earlier as you requested.

It is not unusual for persons selected for additional screening to not be able to use remote baggage check in. Having your flights changed probably did not influence your being selected.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks so much for all of the replies, everyone!!

We are using Delta for our Disney World trip in May, and JetBlue for our Disney cruise/Disney World trip in August, so it seems that we'll be all set regarding the airlines and checking in before the flights

 

[boomersmom]

does any one know if there is any chance that US Air could become a participating airline?