Sticking it to the Magical Express

[eljefe45]

Fair points. I expect I'll put Wifey on the bus with my son because he wants to be on the bus. Working the system as I was thinking is not worth the risk.

I'm obsessive, can't help it, but I expect most people on the boards are, we're just obsessive about different things.

 

[gigi1313]

we did exactly what you are thinking of doing... dh went and got the car, drove to the resort and checked us in and then installed the carseat... kids/i rode DME and had our luggage delivered... it worked great! we then all piled in the car and went out to dinner at Chef Mickey's...

we did it for a few reasons... we travel heavy, had a stroller/carseat/toddler/etc... did not want to be dragging all of us, our carryons, the aforementioned, plus five suitcases into the rental car, and install the carseat in the rental car garage... it would be a pita... plus, the kids like DME and i don't mind it... dh liked getting to the resort and having us checked in asap (btw, we were not asked for my i.d.!)

 

[goofy4tink]

Fair points. I expect I'll put Wifey on the bus with my son because he wants to be on the bus. Working the system as I was thinking is not worth the risk.

I'm obsessive, can't help it, but I expect most people on the boards are, we're just obsessive about different things.

I really think that's going to be the best idea. Your son will love it. Your wife will enjoy the ease of it..nice and relaxing. You can always stop along the way and get some stuff, rather than have groceries delivered..save some money that way as well.
You're right...we're all obsessive about something. Me?? It's all about saving a few dollars wherever I can.

 

[paults]

we did exactly what you are thinking of doing... dh went and got the car, drove to the resort and checked us in and then installed the carseat... kids/i rode DME and had our luggage delivered... it worked great! we then all piled in the car and went out to dinner at Chef Mickey's...

we did it for a few reasons... we travel heavy, had a stroller/carseat/toddler/etc... did not want to be dragging all of us, our carryons, the aforementioned, plus five suitcases into the rental car, and install the carseat in the rental car garage... it would be a pita... plus, the kids like DME and i don't mind it... dh liked getting to the resort and having us checked in asap (btw, we were not asked for my i.d.!)

ID for what?

 

[tjmw2727]

ID for what?

To check in to the resort. Some CM's require all adults to be present when checking in esp during free diing and other promotions.

 

[Lewisc]

Wrong? Nope. It just isn't what Disney intended when they put DME into action.

True. I don't think Disney intended guests would claim their luggage and have the driver stow them under the bus.

 

[gigi1313]

To check in to the resort. Some CM's require all adults to be present when checking in esp during free diing and other promotions.

what TJ said...

 

[cm8]

seriously? Is waiting for luggage so bad? Half the time the luggage is there before us..... it amazes me that people are so impatient these days. We live in a world of instant gratification........ this is not intended at anyone in particular... just an observation in general...

seems like it is getting worst too

 

[Tiggr88]

I can understand why someone may not want to deal with getting their luggage, especially if they have bulky things and young kids to keep track of.

It makes you wonder if Disney would ever add the luggage service as a separate service without using DME, even for a fee. Likewise, I wonder if anyone would want to use it.

I could see the advantage of having Disney take my bags even if I get a car. Not sure I would actually do it, but I might. I know it is not DME, but in essence they already offer this on the return side by having the check-in and luggage drop-off service at the resorts without having to use DME.

Doesn't seem like much of a stretch. Of course, the primary reason for providing the free transportation and luggage service was to entice people to stay on-site and to keep them on property the entire time, so I'm not sure they would see it as worthwhile once they know you've made other transportation arrangements. But they might be able to charge a modest fee to cover any additional costs.

 

[goofy4tink]

I can understand why someone may not want to deal with getting their luggage, especially if they have bulky things and young kids to keep track of.

It makes you wonder if Disney would ever add the luggage service as a separate service without using DME, even for a fee. Likewise, I wonder if anyone would want to use it.

I could see the advantage of having Disney take my bags even if I get a car. Not sure I would actually do it, but I might. I know it is not DME, but in essence they already offer this on the return side by having the check-in and luggage drop-off service at the resorts without having to use DME.

Doesn't seem like much of a stretch. Of course, the primary reason for providing the free transportation and luggage service was to entice people to stay on-site and to keep them on property the entire time, so I'm not sure they would see it as worthwhile once they know you've made other transportation arrangements. But they might be able to charge a modest fee to cover any additional costs.

A few thoughts. The luggage service for the return to the airport has absolutely nothing to do with Disney or DME. It is provided by RAC (remote airline checkin)....each airline has to be able to tie into that system before their passengers are able to use it. Think of it as curbside checkin...but the curb is way far away!! So, really nothing to do with DME.

As far as Disney providing a service to transport luggage only...I wish they would. They know people are tagging their bags but not riding the bus, which basically defeats the purpose of trying to keep guests onsite vs renting cars. They should have the capability to discern who has, and who hasn't boarded the bus. The bags are scanned multiple times. So, it should be easy to scan the bags at the resort and then add a charge for bags only delivery if the guests didn't ride the bus. Or you could pay for it in advance.
But I doubt anyone would pay for it. Unless Disney changes the proceedures in place now, making it very hard to just let them take care of your bags while you rent a car.

My issue???? Those that choose to get their own bags and then bring them to the buses with them!! It slows down the whole thing for everyone. The one time it took me 90 minutes to from MCO to my resort (Pop) was the time that Pop was the last of three stops, and there were many families on our bus that brought all their checked bags with them...which added time to each resort stop. It usually takes about 4-5 mins, tops, at each resort. But when the driver has to remove all the stowed bags, then disburse them to the correct family all while having his hand out for the requisite tip...well, it takes about 10 mins, at least, at each resort. One family had at least 8 bags...for 4 people!!! In addition to their small bags. And the funny thing??? I watched this family, in the line for the bus, attaching all their yellow DME luggage tags to their bags, then worrying about not having enough tags for all the bags!!!! They had no clue as to what they were doing. And no, this particular family wasn't coming from an international flight...they were from Texas...they kept saying that it was so much warmer here than in Texas!!!

 

[Lewisc]

Disney never said the purpose of DME is to keep guests onsite. I think the initial press release talked about enhancing the guest experience and part of the park celebration. Only cynical people on the internet say the reason for DME is to keep guests on property.

I'm not sure how Disney could tell a guest using part of a free service isn't allowed. Not very guest friendly. I agree with your other point. Guests who insist on bringing luggage that was checked on the plane on (under) the DME bus are more of an issue then luggage only DME guests.

As far as Disney providing a service to transport luggage only...I wish they would. They know people are tagging their bags but not riding the bus, which basically defeats the purpose of trying to keep guests onsite vs renting cars. They should have the capability to discern who has, and who hasn't boarded the bus. The bags are scanned multiple times. So, it should be easy to scan the bags at the resort and then add a charge for bags only delivery if the guests didn't ride the bus. Or you could pay for it in advance.
But I doubt anyone would pay for it. Unless Disney changes the proceedures in place now, making it very hard to just let them take care of your bags while you rent a car.

My issue???? Those that choose to get their own bags and then bring them to the buses with them!! It slows down the whole thing for everyone. The one time it took me 90 minutes to from MCO to my resort (Pop) was the time that Pop was the last of three stops, and there were many families on our bus that brought all their checked bags with them...which added time to each resort stop. It usually takes about 4-5 mins, tops, at each resort. But when the driver has to remove all the stowed bags, then disburse them to the correct family all while having his hand out for the requisite tip...well, it takes about 10 mins, at least, at each resort. One family had at least 8 bags...for 4 people!!! In addition to their small bags. And the funny thing??? I watched this family, in the line for the bus, attaching all their yellow DME luggage tags to their bags, then worrying about not having enough tags for all the bags!!!! They had no clue as to what they were doing. And no, this particular family wasn't coming from an international flight...they were from Texas...they kept saying that it was so much warmer here than in Texas!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm not sure how Disney could tell a guest using part of a free service isn't allowed. Not very guest friendly. I agree with your other point. Guests who insist on bringing luggage that was checked on the plane on (under) the DME bus are more of an issue then luggage only DME guests.

I think they get away with it by saying the service is transfering people to the resorts. And their luggage along with them. Nowhere have they stated that ME is a luggage transfer service.

I have to ask: If you don't think the main reason for Disney offering ME is to keep people on property and in the Disney bubble, then why do they do it and not charge for it?

 

[seashoreCM]

I'm not sure how Disney could tell a guest using part of a free service isn't allowed. Not very guest friendly. I agree with your other point. Guests who insist on bringing luggage that was checked on the plane on (under) the DME bus are more of an issue then luggage only DME guests.

To encourage Magical Express guests to not bring their checked luggage to the bus, Disney will entertain and process baggage claims at the resort exactly as if the DME bus were a connecting flight.
This is nothing more than a subtle warning that Disney reserves the right not to compensate non-DME guests (guests who did not ride the bus) for luggage lost or damaged by someone other than Disney, namely by the airlines.

 

[goofy4tink]

Disney never said the purpose of DME is to keep guests onsite. I think the initial press release talked about enhancing the guest experience and part of the park celebration. Only cynical people on the internet say the reason for DME is to keep guests on property.

I'm not sure how Disney could tell a guest using part of a free service isn't allowed. Not very guest friendly. I agree with your other point. Guests who insist on bringing luggage that was checked on the plane on (under) the DME bus are more of an issue then luggage only DME guests.

And you honestly think that Disney put DME into service out of the kindness of their hearts??? Come on now...we all know Disney doesn't work that way. They have to pay, per person, for this service...so of course we are paying for it in the long run. But, while Disney may not have come out and actually admitted to putting it into service in order to keep us hostage, one does find it easy to make that assumption. I mean, really...does anyone really think that Disney was going to come out and put that in a press release??? They said they were enhancing our stays. You know...kind of the same way they took away E-nights and put in those stupid 'character caravans' to the resorts early in the morning. They actually stated that guests wanted more resort character interaction vs E-nights. Yep, those lasted, what??? 6 months???

And then, there is that statement, by Disney, that DME is not a luggage delivery system..that you must ride the bus in order to get your bags delivered. So, Disney has made a statement about using only part of the service. We all know that isn't true, but one has to assume that Disney makes this statement in order to keep more guests from renting cars..otherwise, many, many guests would either rent cars, or go with a car service, and allow DME to transport their checked bags..with no fears at all.

At this time though, many are too cautious to allow DME to take their bags when not riding the bus. And that's what Disney wants.
Personally I would prefer that people let DME take care of their bags while they either rent a car or take a car service. Fewer people on the bus with me. Much preferable to those who bring all those bags with them to the bus!!!

 

[hoffmann2828]

I can't believe that people think Disney is "devious". Yes, they are a business and are therefore IN business to make money and not lose it.

That being said, you are forgetting that this is a FREE and OPTIONAL service. Why are people acting as if this is a way for Disney to kidnap them? We all have free will the last time I checked. So, if you want to rent a car, take care of your own bags!

You all forget that this is actually RUN by Mears! First off, Mears used to make you PAY for this service directly. Secondly, would Mears have taken just your luggage without you riding? No. Why should Disney be any different?

Not to mention there is a reason airlines will take your bags OFF the plane if you don't ride. Know why? Terrorism. Even if you paid for the flight, they won't let your bags go without you. They aren't in the business (on passenger flights obviously) to transfer your bags, they are in business to transfer YOU. They bring your bags along because they are a necessary item, but the main intent is not to be a luggage valet service.

 

[goofy4tink]

I can't believe that people think Disney is "devious". Yes, they are a business and are therefore IN business to make money and not lose it.

That being said, you are forgetting that this is a FREE and OPTIONAL service. Why are people acting as if this is a way for Disney to kidnap them? We all have free will the last time I checked. So, if you want to rent a car, take care of your own bags!

You all forget that this is actually RUN by Mears! First off, Mears used to make you PAY for this service directly. Secondly, would Mears have taken just your luggage without you riding? No. Why should Disney be any different?

Not to mention there is a reason airlines will take your bags OFF the plane if you don't ride. Know why? Terrorism. Even if you paid for the flight, they won't let your bags go without you. They aren't in the business (on passenger flights obviously) to transfer your bags, they are in business to transfer YOU. They bring your bags along because they are a necessary item, but the main intent is not to be a luggage valet service.

Nope..not free by a longshot. No, you don't hand over cash 'technically'. But, Disney has to pay for that service somehow. They are charged by the rider. This is why you don't get to just jump on board the bus and have to 'checkin'. They need to submit a count of daily riders in order to be charged. I 'think' it's MCO that charges them. But, it could be Mears as well. Not to mention....those Mears employees have to be paid somehow. So, the buses are technically Mears buses, the drivers are Mears employees..who do you think is paying them?? Yep, Disney. Back when Mears ran it's own shuttles, you paid Mears directly. Now...you are paying for it within your resort room rates. Even if you don't use DME, you are still paying for it. No, it's not a ton of money..probably a mere few dollars per room reservation. But, someone has to pay for it. Disney is not doing it gratis.

Devious?? Nope, don't think I said Disney was devious. But, they know what the market will bear. They know they can add a few dollars to each resort reservation and then offer a 'free' service to get guests and their baggage to the resorts. No one notices that small amount, so no one begrudges it. It's hidden. Now..if you started charging each DME passenger $5 to ride?? Who knows. Or if they started charging for baggage delivery without riding the bus??? Again, who knows. But, I still maintain that Disney does very little out of the goodness of their hearts. There is a profit in there somewhere..otherwise Disney wouldn't do it. Nothing devious about it. But do you really think they are going to publicize it by saying....'we're giving you a ride to your resort so you aren't tempted to rent a car which will allow you to head to US/IoA or offsite dining!!'?? Sure does sound better the way they put it...'part of the magic'.