Nervous about using Magical Express

[ZoZo]

Have never used ME before (we usually stay at Shades of Green and aren't eligible for ME). We usually use a town car service (love that free grocery stop!).

Staying at POR this time, so I've signed up for ME for the first time. Have been reading some people's bad experiences about ME (delays, missing luggage, late luggage delivery, etc.). Now I'm nervous, especially since my flight isn't scheduled to arrive until 6:45 pm.

Looking for any feedback you can provide. Thanks in advance!!

 

[disneyag]

We have always had good luck with DME. However, I always pack 24hours worth of supplies in my carryon, just in case I don't get my luggage in time. I think there's a bigger chance of the airlines delaying your luggage than DME. It's GREAT to go right from your plane to the DME bus and not wait at the luggage carousel at MCO.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Because they say it could take up to 3 hours for your luggage to "appear" in your room and because you're supposed to land at 6:45 pm, I would skip the luggage service and grab the bags (just don't put the ME tags on your bags before you leave home) before heading for the ME bus. There is the chance that your luggage could make it to the room in no time but I know I'd hate to be woken up in the middle of the night if they're running late. Spending 20 minutes at baggage claim could definitely be worth it for a later arrival, IMHO.

 

[Tozzie]

Have never used ME before (we usually stay at Shades of Green and aren't eligible for ME). We usually use a town car service (love that free grocery stop!).

Staying at POR this time, so I've signed up for ME for the first time. Have been reading some people's bad experiences about ME (delays, missing luggage, late luggage delivery, etc.). Now I'm nervous, especially since my flight isn't scheduled to arrive until 6:45 pm.

Looking for any feedback you can provide. Thanks in advance!!

There are very few reports of bad experiences with DME but miniscule compared to the amount of people that use it. I have used it 7 times and absolutely love it. I always use the baggage service the best part of DME imo . Relax it is a good service and will be fine. I arrived at midnight last year and had no problems with DME.

 

[goofy4tink]

Have never used ME before (we usually stay at Shades of Green and aren't eligible for ME). We usually use a town car service (love that free grocery stop!).

Staying at POR this time, so I've signed up for ME for the first time. Have been reading some people's bad experiences about ME (delays, missing luggage, late luggage delivery, etc.). Now I'm nervous, especially since my flight isn't scheduled to arrive until 6:45 pm.

Looking for any feedback you can provide. Thanks in advance!!

There really aren't all that many negative reports regarding DME service. Of course, it isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea.
If you arrive, ontime, at 6:45, you should be at POR by 8:15. You may get there by 8!
Whether or not you tag your bags is completely up to you. Believe me when I say that DME just doesn't misdirect bags very often. The airlines are much more likely to misdirect baggage! If you tag your bags, you can expect them in your room by 11ish. You have to expect delivery up to three hours after resort checkin, not airport arrival!!
Even if you decide to grab your own bags, please be sure to pack anything essential in your carryon bags. If the airlines do misdirect any bags, you will at least have what you need for the night and the morning.

If you do decide to get your own bags, don't put the yellow tags on them. Just go down to level 2, baggage claim, and get your bags, then head down to DME on level 1. Your bags will go underneath your bus. The driver will be expecting a tip though. As soon as they touch your bags, a tip is expected. Then, your bags will be handed over to you when you get to POR.

I have used DME many times, always tagging my bags. The only times I haven't tagged my bags was when I had carryon bags only. My times have been anywhere from 50 mins to 85 mins....average has been 70 mins.
If you don't want to wait for those checked bags to arrive in your room, later in the evening, just get them yourself. But....depending on which airline you are arriving on, it could be a longish walk. DME is on Side B. If you arrive on Side A, you will have to go down to level 2 to get your bags, then back up to level 3 (where you arrived), over to Side B (not a long walk, only about 30 secs or so), then down to level 1.

 

[ZoZo]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! I feel much more confident now.

I have a friend who had a bad ME experience several years back (evening arrival and they didn't deliver her bags until after midnight, waking her up!). I think that experience soured her on the whole ME process.

I always bring enough in my carry-on for the first 24 hours of my trip (have had my luggage "misdirected" by airlines a couple of times in the past). I think I'll give it a chance this time!

 

[mtblujeans]

We have always claimed out own luggage and taken it to DME with us. We get to our resort and we have our bags in hand....

 

[delilah]

We used MME in August. Had no problems with it at all. I brought 24 hrs of supplies in my carry on, but, my luggage arrived within an hour of checking in. We stayed at AKV, arrived about 11am. Our room was ready at arrival. We went to our room to freshen up a bit, and met our bags on the way to lunch. Leaving was just as easy. Only confusion was paying baggage fee to check a bag, but, that was really my fault. Great service.

 

[Tozzie]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! I feel much more confident now.

I have a friend who had a bad ME experience several years back (evening arrival and they didn't deliver her bags until after midnight, waking her up!). I think that experience soured her on the whole ME process.

I always bring enough in my carry-on for the first 24 hours of my trip (have had my luggage "misdirected" by airlines a couple of times in the past). I think I'll give it a chance this time!

If you arrive late and have enough in your carryon for your first 24 hours then you can ask that bell services holds your bags until the morning, I did this last year when they still offered 24 hour baggage services and the next morning I called and they promptly delivered my bag.

 

[crazy4stitch]

We have always used ME, never had any problems, but like others I take in my carry on things for the first few hours, meds, swim suits, etc. My kids (and I) love the video they play, just can't get enough of the mouse!

 

[kristenrice]

If you pack everything you need for the first night/next morning in your carryon, then I would just ask that Bell Services hold your luggage until the morning. That way, you won't have to worry about a late delivery waking you up. I know I just did the same thing in June (we had a studio for our first night and switched to a 1BR the next morning so I didn't bother getting the luggage delivered) except I can't remember where I directed the request. I *think* I might have told the front desk when we checked in that we wanted our DME bags to go to bell services. Sorry...I can't remember...

Anyways, you do not need to worry about DME. It is a great service and really adds to the whole "Disney experience". I love getting off the plane, heading downstairs and knowing that all I have to do is sit on the bus and let Disney take care of everything.

 

[Missytara]

Most bad experiences you hear are of people's own making. I saw a couple who complained insessantly about the service, but they didn't bother to read the information about the service and didn't bring the packet with them that had the transportation vouchers, etc.

Also, a delay in luggage is going to be caused by the airline, not ME.

Give it a try; I think you will really like it. To me, it is a real vacation when you have someone else take care of your luggage and give you a ride to and from the airport.

 

[lustergirl]

Relax- there is nothing to worry about. We have always used DME and have never had any problems!!

 

[twinklebug]

I had the opposite happen, where ME saved the start of my vacation:

Our afternoon trip down involved a transfer at BWI. Well, it wasn't one of SWA's good days at that airport due to weather and other causes. We had to run for our transfer flight which was down in another terminal (I hope they consolidated SWA by now) and got there just as the ramp agent was closing the door laughing "oh , you have plenty of time"

Got to MCO - and because I didn't trust ME to grab our bags for us, planned on picking them up and bringing them with us on the bus. Well, according to the luggage claim personnel, everyone's luggage that went through BWI that day was lost. The claim line took close to 2 hours to get through. When it was my turn I mentioned that Disney ME was to take us to the resort, but we did not tag our bags, they simply said they'd give the description of the bags to the ME luggage handler and have them send it on.

It worked! Although I would have preferred if we had our pjs and the phone didn't ring about 3am, that call relaxed me enough to actually sleep the rest of the night away.

That's the primary reason I love vacationing with Disney: They take care of everything for us, no worries. ME is a wonderful extension of their services. IMHO, Mears has been doing a great job as the contractor for this service. OP - tag your bags, relax and start enjoying your vacation from the moment you land

 

[ZoZo]

Thanks again for all of the feedback! I'll definitely give it a try this time.