Need some DME clarification

[VS85]

I would prefer to handle my luggage myself (ie - take the bags down to the DME area and have them load it under the bus). Once we get to the hotel and the luggage is unloaded, are we able to claim it there and take our bags up to our room ourselves? I don't want to wait 3 hours for the bags to arrive to the room. Just wondering if bell services will "let" you take your own bags up.

Secondly, if we are using Southwest, how does the return flight work? I will be checking in 24 hours ahead or using EBCI. Is the resort still able to print a boarding pass and are we able to check in our bags at the resort so that we don't have to deal with them in the airport? I've read about people not being able to check their bags at the resort because they checked in early, but want to confirm with the DIS.

Finally, I'm still debating on EBCI for the return trip. Our flight is at 3:30 on a Friday. Is there any way to "predict" how busy family boarding will be based on the day/time, or is it consistently crazy? I would like to sit next to my boyfriend on our return flight.

Thank you!!

 

[magicaldisney]

Yes, you can take your own bags. Just remember do NOT put the yellow luggage tags provided in your ME packet on your luggage. Once you land, get your luggage, take it to the ME bus. When you get to the resort you will get your luggage from the bus and can take it with you.

We use EBCI with Southwest and have been able to use RAC with no problems. You need to bring your luggage to RAC more than 3 hours before your flight, which shouldn't be a problem because you will need to leave your room before that time anyways.

 

[minnie mum]

I can't comment on anything about SW, since I've never used them.

Yes, you can claim your own luggage at the airport and load them under the DME bus. Just don't put on the ME tags.

Yes, you can get your own luggage when you arrive at the resort (tip whoever is unloading the bags) and hand carry it to your room. Assuming your room is ready. If it isn't ready, you can have bell services store it for you.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just wondering if bell services will "let" you take your own bags up.

Of course you can. They aren't even handed to BS, they are handed to you, when taken off the bus.

I've read about people not being able to check their bags at the resort because they checked in early, but want to confirm with the DIS.

There have been circumstances when people haen't been able to check bags. Iv'e read of unexplained times with SW, especially as they were transitioning with AirTran. I've read of it happening when your ticket is flagged and that is found out when checking in. I've never read of it being because you're too early? I mean, all airlines that I know of allow you to check in 24 hours in advance (with EBCI they check you in at 36 hours then you can SEE that checkin at 24 hours) and RAC allows you to check your bags at, what, 5am with the resort for a flight all the way at the end of the day...and it works just fine for most.

There are never any guarantees, because the airline/TSA might flag you randomly, but I believe that for the most part people get their bags checked with RAC no problem. As long as their flight fits in with the time needed pre-flight and RAC's business hours, of course!

 

[sam_gordon]

Once you land, get your luggage, take it to the ME bus. When you get to the resort you will get your luggage from the bus and can take it with you.

Yes, you can claim your own luggage at the airport and load them under the DME bus.

Just so there's no confusion, at the airport, you will hand your bags to the driver and he will load them on the bus. At the resort, the driver will unload the bags and hand them to you (and be expecting a tip at that point).

 

[goofy4tink]

Do not use the yellow tags. Then, when you arrive at MCO, you will arrive in Side A. DME is on Side B. So, you'll take the tram from the gate area to the main terminal. You are on level 3. You need to go down to level 2, baggage claim, Side A. With bags in hand, go back up to level 3 and cross over to Side B....just cross thru the main terminal area. You will see bright neon Side B signs overhead. Go down to level 1, ground transportation. All the way to the end you'll see DME. You will give your bags to the driver.
When you get to your resort, the bags will be handed to you. The driver will expect a gratuity for handling your bags.
You can keep your bags with you as you check in and go to your room. If your room isn't ready, the bags will go to Bell Services. When you are able to get into your room, just stop at BS and get your bags. Again, they will expect a small tip.
As far as SW goes, as long as you don't have to sit in the front if the plane, you should be able to find two seats together. I'm seldom concerned about family biarding. I'm more concerned with the number of fliers now paying for EBCI! Unless you end up in the mid-C group, you should be able to sit together. If you're overly concerned, pay for EBCI.

 

[VS85]

Do not use the yellow tags. Then, when you arrive at MCO, you will arrive in Side A. DME is on Side B. So, you'll take the tram from the gate area to the main terminal. You are on level 3. You need to go down to level 2, baggage claim, Side A. With bags in hand, go back up to level 3 and cross over to Side B....just cross thru the main terminal area. You will see bright neon Side B signs overhead. Go down to level 1, ground transportation. All the way to the end you'll see DME. You will give your bags to the driver.
When you get to your resort, the bags will be handed to you. The driver will expect a gratuity for handling your bags.
You can keep your bags with you as you check in and go to your room. If your room isn't ready, the bags will go to Bell Services. When you are able to get into your room, just stop at BS and get your bags. Again, they will expect a small tip.
As far as SW goes, as long as you don't have to sit in the front if the plane, you should be able to find two seats together. I'm seldom concerned about family biarding. I'm more concerned with the number of fliers now paying for EBCI! Unless you end up in the mid-C group, you should be able to sit together. If you're overly concerned, pay for EBCI.

Thank you! This was super helpful. Much appreciated

 

[codimouse]

Just so there's no confusion, at the airport, you will hand your bags to the driver and he will load them on the bus. At the resort, the driver will unload the bags and hand them to you (and be expecting a tip at that point).

Yes

 

[englanddg]

As everyone has said, you'll be fine. I do this every trip because, frankly, I am paranoid about lost luggage. As a side note, when you get off DME at some resorts, Bell Services may approach you and want to take your bags for you to your room (CBR springs to mind, where they load you on that van to take you to your "island" section), and they will also expect a tip. $1 per bag handled is what I do.

 

[clr055]

When we went to WDW in 2009 I was also very worried about my luggage with having such a late arrival (10 p.m.) so I picked them up and brought them down to the bus with me. Was super easy and not a big deal at all. This year I will be using the full DME luggage service as we are landing at 5 p.m. and would prefer not to deal with it. I was really worried in 2009 about having a hard time finding the baggage claim area and the DME area but they were very clearly marked, was not an issue at all.

I paid for the EBCI for our upcoming trip. I have just read too many posts about entire families boarding with family boarding and it causing issues to get a seat together that I didn't want to mess with it. I also like that it checks me in and I am not relying on my faulty memory (which will be on overload at that point anyways) to get that done. To me it was worth the money. My DD13 has flown alone before (she is so brave *sniffles*) but it would really dampen our trip if we were not seated together.

 

[anonymousegirl]

For me , the value of EBCI is on the return trip when you do not have to be watching your clock like a hawk. Let Southwest check you in at 36 hours and forget about that 24 hour check in--it has been done for you!