This whole DME thing is going to make my head explode

[Gina]

This whole DME thing is seriously giving me heartburn.

Our ressie is for me, DS, my aunt, and my dad. We always go to WDW together. We have one reservation because we have one room. Simple, right? Thing is, we all live in different places and towns. When I made the reservation, they assured me it would be no problem to have our luggage tags sent to different addresses, the different address they already have on record for us.

I called the DME number this morning to make sure of all that, and they acted like no one has ever asked that question. Then she acted like getting the computer to send tags to different addresses for one reservation would be the greatest programming feat of all time.

They said that they can send the tags to me, and I can send them to the other members of our party. Or, we can just not worry about the tags, which would pretty much defeat the whole purpose of using DME. I'm sorry, but a trained chimp could get the computers to route the tags properly. This is NOT that complicated of a thing!!

Sorry, I'm just really aggravated with all this...

 

[dudspizza]

Then again, what is hard about you dropping each person's tags in the mail to them? You will get them over a month ahead of time. Just a thought.

duds

 

[Gina]

Then again, what is hard about you dropping each person's tags in the mail to them? You will get them over a month ahead of time. Just a thought.

duds

It's not that it's hard, it's that it's stupid and pointless when any C-student could convince a computer database to do such a simple thing. It's one more thing I don't have time to do, is all, and it's unnecessary.

 

[GEM]

Are you all flying out on different flights, or are you flying out together? If you fly out together, just wait until you get to the airport that morning and give everyone their tags. No big deal. Or, just stick them in the mail. Also no big deal. Definately not worth making yourself sick over!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

They said that they can send the tags to me, and I can send them to the other members of our party. Or, we can just not worry about the tags, which would pretty much defeat the whole purpose of using DME. I'm sorry, but a trained chimp could get the computers to route the tags properly. This is NOT that complicated of a thing!!

Yes, it's possible to get inbound luggage delivery without the yellow tags. However, lately, DME guests have been receiving their envelopes 4-6 weeks ahead of time. So there should be plenty of time for you to mail the luggage tags to everyone in your party.

Were you calling Disney's Magical Express Guest Services at 866-599-0951 or were you calling elsewhere at Disney?

Assuming that everyone is on different flights home, it will be important to make sure that the right return flight information for everyone is in the system, so that DME can schedule the proper pickup times at your resort. You can wait till you're at WDW to do this, but you might as well do it from home to avoid having to waste vacation time doing so.

 

[momoftriplets]

I'd call back & talk to someone else. CM's are human, too & some just don't want to "go the extra mile". Maybe you would get someone who is a bit more willing to help you out. Good Luck & have a great trip!

 

[Edd]

I agree with Duds. The ride is free and you are complaining about doing a little extra work. Something is wrong.

 

[Lewisc]

It's not that it's hard, it's that it's stupid and pointless when any C-student could convince a computer database to do such a simple thing. It's one more thing I don't have time to do, is all, and it's unnecessary.

DME is a free service. It would be a complete waste of money to not only program the database to accept extra addressees but also spend the extra $ on postage, handling and printing. They'd also have to program the computer to split the group. Normally the vouchers are in one booklet. I'd go so far as to say it would stupid and pointless for Disney to do that.

DME tags are sent to a TA, if you book through one. You might find a TA that's willing to mail the tags and vouchers directly to your various family members.

It's not necessary, the CM at the DME desk can re-print the vouchers. Guests can give the CM their airline luggage tags along with a description of the bags.

If it's too much work for you ask the other members of your group to send you a self addressed stamped envelope. You might train a chimp to mail the tags and vouchers to the rest of your group.

 

[Gina]

I agree with Duds. The ride is free and you are complaining about doing a little extra work. Something is wrong.

Whatever. You know darn well that the ride isn't "free"... the cost is built into what we pay.

Call me Spock, but I hate it when things are illogical... and there is no logical reason why they can't send tags to different addresses. There just isn't, and that's my point.

Anyways, we'll just arrange to meet outside the airport instead of at the gate, and I'll distribute the tags then.

 

[Lewisc]

Whatever. You know darn well that the ride isn't "free"... the cost is built into what we pay.

Call me Spock, but I hate it when things are illogical... and there is no logical reason why they can't send tags to different addresses. There just isn't, and that's my point.
Anyways, we'll just arrange to meet outside the airport instead of at the gate, and I'll distribute the tags then.

DISNEY DOESN'T SEE THE NEED TO SPEND THE MONEY TO DO WHAT YOU WANT. I think you have it reversed, there isn't any logical reason for Disney to spend the money to comply with your request.

Program the computer. Print extra booklets. Pay extra postage. No logical reason.

Find a TA that will do what you want. Problem solved.

edited to add

I'm sorry if my post sounds harsh but I can't think of any logical reason for Disney to spend the money to meet your request. I can't think of any logical reason why you can't either use a TA or just drop the voucher and tags in a standard envelope and mail it out.

 

[MycatlovesEeyore]

Anyways, we'll just arrange to meet outside the airport instead of at the gate, and I'll distribute the tags then.

You mean you actually live close enough that you are all going to take the same flight from the same airport?? Sounds like you have your solution right there.

You have probably spent more time trying to set DME and re-calling to confrim than if you had just waited to receive the tags and done what you suggest above.

Sometimes the old saying is correct: "If you want someting done right, do it yourself."

 

[inaminute]

I'm sorry, but a trained chimp could get the computers to route the tags properly. This is NOT that complicated of a thing!!

You know their in-house software programming actually allows employees to do this?

Call me Spock, but I hate it when things are illogical... and there is no logical reason why they can't send tags to different addresses. There just isn't, and that's my point.

You're all leaving from the same airport at the same time on the same flight? And you're complaining that Disney can't send luggage tags the way you want them sent? Sounds logical to me.

 

[dudspizza]

Whatever. You know darn well that the ride isn't "free"... the cost is built into what we pay.

Call me Spock, but I hate it when things are illogical... and there is no logical reason why they can't send tags to different addresses. There just isn't, and that's my point.

Anyways, we'll just arrange to meet outside the airport instead of at the gate, and I'll distribute the tags then.

For your party alone they would be tripling the costs by sending them to 3 different families. Sounds very logical that Disney is saving the cost since it is FREE. You may say that this isn't free, but even if you were using a towncar, limo, renting a car, or driving yourself, you will still pay the same resort costs..... Do they recoup it somewhere, sure, but there is no need for them to triple their costs to appease you.....

No need for head to explode, just meet at the airport and go.

Have a wonderful trip!

Duds

 

[WillCAD]

DISNEY DOESN'T SEE THE NEED TO SPEND THE MONEY TO DO WHAT YOU WANT. I think you have it reversed, there isn't any logical reason for Disney to spend the money to comply with your request.

Program the computer. Print extra booklets. Pay extra postage. No logical reason.

Find a TA that will do what you want. Problem solved.

edited to add

I'm sorry if my post sounds harsh but I can't think of any logical reason for Disney to spend the money to meet your request. I can't think of any logical reason why you can't either use a TA or just drop the voucher and tags in a standard envelope and mail it out.

Here's a logical reason: CUSTOMER SERVICE.

Disney was once known for having the best customer service in the travel industry. Every CM had pride in their work, evey CM was taught when they joined the company that they were joining the BEST, that Disney was the company that always went the extra mile for their Guests, and that more would be expected of them when they joined the Cast.

Now you're saying there is no compelling reason for DME to spend an extra 74-cents on postage to send DME luggage tags to 3 separate locations instead of one? That sounds like DME unwilling to go even an extra millimeter for customer service, let alone the extra mile, and it stinks. It is not only un-Disney-like customer service, it is poor customer service by any company's standards.

And asking the customer to go an extra mile for their own satisfaction is the most illogical idea in the world. I thought the whole point of paying all the extra money to stay in a WDW resort instead of an off-site resort was for that extra Disney atmosphere, the "suspension of disbelief" that was so important to Walt, and the top-knotch level of customer service that made Disney the top dog in the travel industry. Do you think DME should be exempt from this level of higher customer service just because they are located outside of actual WDW property? Or perhaps you think we should hold DME to a lower standard because they are a sub-contractor and not actual Disney employees?

Illogical, Illogical... Norman, coordinate!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

They said that they can send the tags to me, and I can send them to the other members of our party. Or, we can just not worry about the tags, which would pretty much defeat the whole purpose of using DME. I'm sorry, but a trained chimp could get the computers to route the tags properly. This is NOT that complicated of a thing!!

Actually, it's more complicated than you think, due to links with other systems and how DME works. Just like you can only have one reservation per hotel room, you can only have one DME reservation per hotel reservation.

However, I might add this... You don't need the yellow tags to utilize the luggage transfer service. Yes, they help, but they're not neccessary. Just give

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Or perhaps you think we should hold DME to a lower standard because they are a sub-contractor and not actual Disney employees?

DME is NOT a subcontractor. The DME call center, and the DME welcome center are all Disney cast members.

It baffles me why you continue to spread un-true information, when you've been corrected on this matter numerous times.

 

[Lewisc]

The DME packages are printed in some central location, inserted in a window envelope and mailed. The DME representative doesn't have the physical ability to get the DME package, take it apart and put it in sperate envelopes.

SOLUTIONS:

1) The packages are sent to a TA. The OP could find a TA that would mail them out to each family member.

2) DME has a procedure to process passengers that either don't get or lose their DME packages. The CM at MCO will reprint the transportation voucher. They will have a CM manually pull the suitcases from baggage claim. SOUNDS LIKE GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ME. The OP gets to use DME without anyone having to mail the vouchers to other family members.

I can't think of any logical reason for Disney to re-program the computer, spend money on postage and handling for a phantom problem. The OP can use a TA, mail the stuff to family member, meet them at the airport or go to the DME desk without the vouchers. The OP wants Disney to spend money, on a free service, for a problem that doesn't exist.

Here's a logical reason: CUSTOMER SERVICE.

Disney was once known for having the best customer service in the travel industry. Every CM had pride in their work, evey CM was taught when they joined the company that they were joining the BEST, that Disney was the company that always went the extra mile for their Guests, and that more would be expected of them when they joined the Cast.

Now you're saying there is no compelling reason for DME to spend an extra 74-cents on postage to send DME luggage tags to 3 separate locations instead of one? That sounds like DME unwilling to go even an extra millimeter for customer service, let alone the extra mile, and it stinks. It is not only un-Disney-like customer service, it is poor customer service by any company's standards.

And asking the customer to go an extra mile for their own satisfaction is the most illogical idea in the world. I thought the whole point of paying all the extra money to stay in a WDW resort instead of an off-site resort was for that extra Disney atmosphere, the "suspension of disbelief" that was so important to Walt, and the top-knotch level of customer service that made Disney the top dog in the travel industry. Do you think DME should be exempt from this level of higher customer service just because they are located outside of actual WDW property? Or perhaps you think we should hold DME to a lower standard because they are a sub-contractor and not actual Disney employees?

Illogical, Illogical... Norman, coordinate!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

There is one "owner" for each room reservation.

If the guest will be using DME, there is one DME reservation associated with that room reservation.

There is one mailing address associated with the DME reservation — either the travel agency that "owns" the reservation or the guest who made the reservation.

The DME packet, which includes yellow luggage routing tags, travel vouchers, and instructions, is sent to the mailing address. It's sent 4-6 weeks before travel to give travel agencies plenty of time to provide the packets to their customers. This means there's plenty of time for a guest to send luggage tags to another guest who is on the same hotel reservation but who resides at a different address than the guest in whose name the reservation was made.

There's a lot of flexibility in DME. Guests can arrive on different flights. Guests can choose to use of not to use the inbound luggage transfers. Guests can use DME roundtrip or one way (ether way) only. Guests can use Resort Airline Check-in (if on a RAC-participating airline) without DME. or DME without RAC, or both together. DME is even designed to allow luggage transfers for people who failed to receive the yellow luggage routing tags.

Guests using DME do not pay a dime higher room rate than guests who use other means to travel to their WDW resort hotel.

However, it seems that DME is not designed to send packets to multiple addresses for the same room reservation. The OP is very upset about this. Fortunately, there's a very simple work-around. The reservation owner (travel agent or primary guest) simply mails some yellow luggage routing tags to the other address(es).

 

[MickeyCrazed]

It's one more thing I don't have time to do, is all, and it's unnecessary.

I understand you are irritated over the situation, but it sounds like you just don't want to do something that you feel is Disney's responsibility.

Honestly, these type of computer upgrades do cost a bit of money, and I don't see this upgrade being worth the $$ that Disney would have to put into this to satisfy the small population of customers that it would benefit.
I personally would rather have them put money into something that benefits the majority of visitors rather than a small minority.

And please don't blame your anger on not having time to do it yourself... otherwise, you would not have time to post your story to these boards.

Peace out... don't sweat the really small stuff, and have a magical vacation!

 

[MickeyCrazed]

However, it seems that DME is not designed to send packets to multiple addresses for the same room reservation. The OP is very upset about this. Fortunately, there's a very simple work-around. The reservation owner (travel agent or primary guest) simply mails some yellow luggage routing tags to the other address(es).

Unfortunately, it sounds like the computer progam was built to automatically mail the tags 4-6 weeks prior to arrival. Who ever built the program probably did not think about a work around for guests who do not live at the same address, but are sharing a room during vacation.

It seems simple to us, but it really is not cost effective to have someone sit there and mail out yellow tags manually. I agree with the previous poster that Disney should go above and beyond in some circumstances to keep the whole experience magical, but they have to draw the line somewhere. It may not be what Walt would do, but unfortunately, we are in a different generation now... one that never seems to slow down and think things through.