Nervous: Checking luggage for a flight

[ThunderMTexpert]

My DH and I don't fly often.. ok, EVER, and we are flying to Disney THIS DECEMBER!! We are worried about checking our luggage. Both bags are too large to be carry-on's, and we prefer to bring our own shampoo, cologne, etc., rather than the small samples that are allowed on carry-on's. I am so nervous that the airline--Southwest-- will LOSE our luggage. Once we get to Orlando, The Magical Express is coming to pick us up at the airport. The man I spoke with from Magical Express said that they would be mailing us some yellow stickers soon to attach to our bags so that they know to pick ours up & ship it right to our hotel on grounds. I love the idea, but again-- what if they leave before ours are out? My DH suggested he & I carry our luggage to the hotel ourselves. That soothes me somewhat, but if Southwest loses our luggage??
Has anyone ever had an airline lose their luggage for good? Or had their trip ruined b/c of lost luggage? I know this is a bit silly, but I need some reassurance!
Thanks in advance!

 

[amyy]

I have never had an airline lose my luggage for good. Once I want to North Carolina and my luggage didn't get there until the next day. They delivered it to where I was staying. I had packed a change of clothes in my carry on so it was no big deal.

I can't answer the questions about ME but I think they are leaving the airport all the time. I am just guessing but I would think there is at least one bus an hour if not more. Actually do they have a separate bus just for the luggage? Last year we did go down to the luggage thing to watch it all go through and make sure they had pulled ours. Of course they had already taken care of it and we did waste some vacation time. (and we fly quite a bit but for whatever reason we just wanted to make sure it had been pulled) I don't think we wil do that again Wed as I have only ever heard positive things about ME. It does take a couple of hours for your luggage to get delivered to your room so plan for that. This year I have decided not to pack body lotion and a few things. Instead I am going shopping at Basins in DTD (or the GF) the day we get there. I thought it would be a nice treat.

I hope you have a great trip and happy planning.

 

[PEANUT1]

when I was on a conference in disney my luggage was lost but then I received it later the same night. it will be fine. use the Magical express sitckers and you will be fine.

put things you'll need for the day in your carry on (meds/change of clothes/batihng suit) so if there is a delay, its no big deal.

 

[disneyag]

I have been flying for more than 30 years and have only "lost" my luggage twice. In both cases, I received it the next day. The Magical Express is a great program--no need to wait for your luggage at MCO. However, pack a carryon with all your medications and anything you might need for 24 hours in case your luggage is delayed. In all the times I have used DME, my luggage was waiting for me in my room when I returned from the parks. Have a great trip!!!

 

[Fastcars]

If you are flying non stop to MCO chances of lost luggage go down dramatically

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

As far as ME leaving before your luggage comes out.... ME leaves when the truck is full but there are multiple trucks going to and from the airport to gather luggage. Your luggage won't get left behind. It may take a couple hours to get it delivered to your room but that is normal.

 

[souda]

We used ME in May 07 and our luggage was not on our bus. They load the luggage on separate trucks and leave the airport when the truck is full. The bus that you are on may leave before the truck with the luggage. Our luggage arrived at our room in WDW about 5 hours after we arrived.

 

[ThunderMTexpert]

Our flight IS non-stop, so that DOES helps our chances dramatically? One post stated that it would. I'm assuming that travelers don't just walk up to a baggage claim & take ANYONE'S luggage, so that helps, too. Would it be possible for us to watch them load out luggage onto the separate cart & then get on the ME to our hotel? Or are they are usually separate from each other in distance & time?

 

[jerseygirl81]

If you are concerned you could pack at least a change of clothes and a few toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deod etc) in a carry on. You could also purchase travel insurance. Linda

 

[aubriee]

If you put the yellow tags on your luggage, it will never come out onto the luggage carousel. It will remain behind the scenes. As soon as it comes off the plane there will be a DME worker there to grab it and put it on one of the DME trucks. All luggage with the yellow tags are then taken to WDW where they are sorted according to resort, and then taken to that resort for delivery to your room. The only luggage that gets onto the MCO luggage carousel are those without yellow tags. No tourist will ever have access to your bags. If you want to see your luggage, then you will need to leave the yellow tags off, go to baggage claim, claim the luggage yourself, then carry it onto the DME bus yourself. I don't recommend this. Relax and let DME handle your luggage. It will be in your room waiting for you when you return from the park that night.

We have used DME since the first week it was in existence (eleven times thus far). We love the service and have never had a problem.

 

[jheigl]

I don't fly extremely often, but we go to WDW every year on Southwest and have never had a problem with our luggage.

 

[MinnieLee]

We have flown Southwest for years and have never had a problem with luggage or ME. We make two trips a years to WDW and have used ME since it started. Have also used them to fly to Baltimore and had to go to Oklahoma with a lay over in Chicago and everything arrived safe and sound. Your yellow tags will arrive about one month before you leave. If it makes you relax a bit, pack a change of clothes in your carry on bag and any essentials (make sure you pack your prescriptions in your carry on also if you have any). We always take first flight out so many times our room is not ready. We just leave the carry on with bell services and are off to the parks. When we get back our luggage is always there. May trip DH and son in law brought golf clubs and they also arrived safe and sound.

With Southwest make sure you print your boarding pass the day before your departure. Guest services will print boarding passes for you the day before you leave also.

Everything will be great and have fun!

 

[happymommy]

Have you considered bringing less and just carrying on? That is what I do - if I need anything extra (like our snorkels in Hawaii) I shipped them ahead of time in a box. We do laundry on vacation, and summer clothes don't take up much space. I only bring one extra pair of shoes as well, so it all fits into a carry-on.

 

[Lorix2]

We have flown on Southwest only 2 twice, non-stop both times and never had a problem with luggage.

When we landed, we went to the baggage carousel and retrieved our luggage ourselves. I never used the ME yellow tags, so they would not be pulled. We took them to the bus and the driver loaded them on.

I suggest putting something on the handle that will help you easily idenitify your luggage and visible to someone that might confuse yours for theirs.

Have faith, it will fine.

 

[Hootch]

carry on with a days worth of clothes for both. Airlines are very good about getting your lauggage back to you quickly.

My bag was sent elsewhere two years ago going to WDW. I didn't follow my own suggestion and didn't have clothes. We were in DTD the first night so I bought some new clothes for the next day. I could have charged the airlines for the clothes but since I was going to buy some Disney clothing anyway I didn't.

The airline delivered my bag to the resort who put it in our room.

 

[bookmama]

oh please don't worry. magical express is lovely. we used it last year and we had two babies. Our luggage got there just fine. in fact it was in the room when we got there. (after the room was available that is)

 

[ThunderMTexpert]

If you put the yellow tags on your luggage, it will never come out onto the luggage carousel. It will remain behind the scenes. As soon as it comes off the plane there will be a DME worker there to grab it and put it on one of the DME trucks. All luggage with the yellow tags are then taken to WDW where they are sorted according to resort, and then taken to that resort for delivery to your room. The only luggage that gets onto the MCO luggage carousel are those without yellow tags. No tourist will ever have access to your bags. If you want to see your luggage, then you will need to leave the yellow tags off, go to baggage claim, claim the luggage yourself, then carry it onto the DME bus yourself. I don't recommend this. Relax and let DME handle your luggage. It will be in your room waiting for you when you return from the park that night.

We have used DME since the first week it was in existence (eleven times thus far). We love the service and have never had a problem.

I understand now: before the general public gets to sort thru the bags, Disney's behind the scenes taking the ones w/ yellow tags. I guess I didn't understand fully before. This comforts me much more! & Since it's a direst flight, where else could the luggage go?! Thanks to ALL who have responded!