Theoretical Magical Express Question

[chrispo86]

I have a question pertaining to the Magical Express service, and this is purely theoretical and hopefully I won't have to worry about it. If by some chance my luggage got damaged by the airline, what happens? The only reason I ask this is because the last time I flew (not to Florida) my suitcase came out with a big hole torn in it. Will Disney note the fact that it was damaged before they send it off to the resort? Otherwise, how can I tell if it was the airline or DME that damaged the bag, and therefore who to talk to about correcting it?

As I said, purely theoretical and hopefully an unnecessary question, but I'm curious none the less...


Any experiences?

 

[seashoreCM]

Because Disney's Magical Express has been around for something like 4 years and I have been on The DIS longer than that and no Magical Express guest has reported a situation like this together with any unhappy resolution here on The DIS, I can reasonably conclude that:

Should this happen (from your point of view all you see is that the suitcase just did not show up in your room) you report it down at the resort front desk and you'll be taken care of.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

I could imagine someone's being told to go back to the airport to take care of it, in which case the DME guest could expect to go back via DME and return that day via DME after the problem was resolved (and return to the airport via DME on check out day) except I know of no recorded instance of that happening.

Instead I believe that DME, Disney bound, is made to look as much like a connecting flight as is practicable.

 

[Edd]

If your luggage gets torn a bit or damaged wouldn't that suggest you might need new luggage. If you see how luggage gets tossed around all the time you probably the bag isn't for carrying stuff around, but for protecting the clothing you need to carry with you. I would just get new luggage instead of looking for someone to buy it for you.

 

[chrispo86]

If your luggage gets torn a bit or damaged wouldn't that suggest you might need new luggage. If you see how luggage gets tossed around all the time you probably the bag isn't for carrying stuff around, but for protecting the clothing you need to carry with you. I would just get new luggage instead of looking for someone to buy it for you.

Yeah, but when a suitcase that's in good condition comes out at the baggage claim with the whole corner of the bag torn and hanging off and the things inside showing, I think the airline should be taking responsibility for that...

...Because that's what happened to me the last time. I now have brand new luggage, and I'm just afraid to see that happen again...

 

[bicker]

If your luggage gets torn a bit or damaged wouldn't that suggest you might need new luggage. If you see how luggage gets tossed around all the time you probably the bag isn't for carrying stuff around, but for protecting the clothing you need to carry with you.

Good point Edd. While the airlines have some obligation to use reasonable care in their handling of luggage, most passengers expect standards of care that are far beyond unreasonable. You can reasonably expect to seem some measure of wear after each flight.

However, with the baggage delivery service, by the time you get your luggage, the airline is already out of the picture. And while I think Disney does have a sunny disposition and works to try to make guests happy, don't expect they'll take unrestricted responsibility for whatever patrons care to complain about. Disney has gotten in trouble by kowtowing like that before, and I would not expect them to be so blind and trusting ever again. Also do keep in mind that if push comes to shove, it is the last service provider that the suspicion for damage would fall upon (if push comes to shove if push comes to shove if push comes to shove if push comes to shove if push comes to shove). The airlines are therefore pretty much indemnified by your use of the baggage service Disney offers. Not that they generally take much responsibility anyway.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

If by some chance my luggage got damaged by the airline, what happens? The only reason I ask this is because the last time I flew (not to Florida) my suitcase came out with a big hole torn in it. Will Disney note the fact that it was damaged before they send it off to the resort? Otherwise, how can I tell if it was the airline or DME that damaged the bag, and therefore who to talk to about correcting it?

According to the Terms and Conditions in the Magical Express booklet that's mailed several weeks before travel, Disney provides exactly the same liability for loss or damage as the airlines. In fact, the paragraph even starts off, "Consistent with airline baggage policies, Disney's liability for loss or damage..."

In other words, if luggage is lost or damaged, the Magical Express passenger files a claim with Disney, not with the airline. How Disney works things out with the airline (including who ultimately pays the claim) might make a difference to the shareholders of Disney, but not to the Magical Express passenger.

If my bags were delayed, lost, or damaged, I'd rather deal with Disney than with the airline. I think it would be a more pleasant experience.

I always make sure I keep the checked luggage receipts that I get from the airline until I'm reunited with my bags.

I could imagine someone's being told to go back to the airport to take care of it, in which case the DME guest could expect to go back via DME and return that day via DME after the problem was resolved (and return to the airport via DME on check out day) except I know of no recorded instance of that happening.

Actually, I could not imagine such a situation.

Instead I believe that DME, Disney bound, is made to look as much like a connecting flight as is practicable.

I agree!

When two or more airlines are involved as part of a connecting flight itinerary, the final airline takes responsibility for baggage issues.

When using Magical Express for inbound service to WDW, you can think of Magical Express as the final "airline" when it comes to issues with checked bags.

 

[bicker]

According to the Terms and Conditions in the Magical Express booklet that's mailed several weeks before travel, Disney provides exactly the same liability for loss or damage as the airlines. In fact, the paragraph even starts off, "Consistent with airline baggage policies, Disney's liability for loss or damage..."

In other words, if luggage is lost or damaged, the Magical Express passenger files a claim with Disney, not with the airline. How Disney works things out with the airline (including who ultimately pays the claim) might make a difference to the shareholders of Disney, but not to the Magical Express passenger.

Great find, HH.... thanks for highlighting that.

Actually, I could not imagine such a situation.

I think, eventually, that is a possibility. I can imagine you not liking that, though.