to magic express or not?

[UrsulasShadow]

Good to know. What about your luggage. Do you still get it sent to your room that night. If we land at 6:00 do you think we would have the luggage by 9:00 or 10?

I'm not sure when we got our luggage. We went to Calif Grille for Christmas dinner that night, and didn't get back until 12:30 or so. Our luggage was in the room when we arrived, though.

 

[CleveRocks]

How did you all handle your luggage? When we used ME in May, it took 4 hours or more for our luggage to be delivered. Can you pick it up yourself from the baggage carosel and bring it with you? This is the only thing that makes me hesitant to use ME for our next trip in March.

"Waiting" for my bags didn't bother me even a little bit. No matter where I fly, I ALWAYS bring a carry-on with supplies for the first 24 hours of my trip just in case the AIRLINE delays my luggage. So I wasn't sitting and waiting and fretting about when my DME luggage arrived. Mine arrived about 3.5 hours after I landed. It "magically appeared" in my room at CBR. We found it when we got back from the Trindad North quiet pool, enjoying the beginning of our vacation. You'd be surprised how LITTLE room it takes to pack a swimsuit, pool shoes, PJs, complete change of clothes, and toiletries. You don't exactly have to CRAM that into even a small carry-on and still have room to spare. Like I said, I've always traveled that way anywhere I go, so when I prepared for using DME back on May 8, its 4th day of operations, I did nothing different than I would do any other time. Except that I didn't have to wait at baggage claim for my luggage and lug my luggage around.

To me, the baggage delivery service of DME made me feel like a VIP, it made me feel like I was being treated to something very nice. I wasn't worried about my airline transporting my bags for the first 1000 miles, and I wasn't worried about Disney and BAGS Inc. transporting it the final 20 miles to my resort.

-- Eric

 

[UrsulasShadow]

"Waiting" for my bags didn't bother me even a little bit. No matter where I fly, I ALWAYS bring a carry-on with supplies for the first 24 hours of my trip just in case the AIRLINE delays my luggage. So I wasn't sitting and waiting and fretting about when my DME luggage arrived. Mine arrived about 3.5 hours after I landed. It "magically appeared" in my room at CBR. We found it when we got back from the Trindad North quiet pool, enjoying the beginning of our vacation. You'd be surprised how LITTLE room it takes to pack a swimsuit, pool shoes, PJs, complete change of clothes, and toiletries. You don't exactly have to CRAM that into even a small carry-on and still have room to spare. Like I said, I've always traveled that way anywhere I go, so when I prepared for using DME back on May 8, its 4th day of operations, I did nothing different than I would do any other time. Except that I didn't have to wait at baggage claim for my luggage and lug my luggage around.

To me, the baggage delivery service of DME made me feel like a VIP, it made me feel like I was being treated to something very nice. I wasn't worried about my airline transporting my bags for the first 1000 miles, and I wasn't worried about Disney and BAGS Inc. transporting it the final 20 miles to my resort.

-- Eric

I agree, Eric, and very good advice about the carryon, no matter where you go.

 

[MsDisney5]

We just returned on Feb 9th. The Magic Express was so easy and fast to use. We arrived at MCO at 9:35am and were checked into our room at Animal Kingdom Lodge by 11 am. Our bags were in our room when we returned from lunch. We had torrential downpours with thunder and lightening, so the pool was closed for most of the afternoon. But, we were prepared with all essentials in our carry-ons just in case. On our return to the airport, we were told to be at ME stop at 4:35pm for pick-up, we had a 7:35pm flight. It was completely smooth & speedy trip back . Although, where they left us out was quite a hike (esp for my parents) to the Spirit Counter check-in.

 

[CleveRocks]

Although, where they left us out was quite a hike (esp for my parents) to the Spirit Counter check-in.

Hello from across the bay!

Yes, that is quite a long hike from DME dropp off to Spirit's counter. It would have been even longer with all our luggage, and we were lucky enough to grab one of the few available skycaps.

 

[BrerRabbit_fan]

I still stick to the towncar because I like the grocery stop. Also, my type A mind freaks out at the thought of going to even one more resort before arriving at mine.

 

[kaytieeldr]

"Waiting" for my bags didn't bother me even a little bit. No matter where I fly, I ALWAYS bring a carry-on with supplies for the first 24 hours of my trip just in case the AIRLINE delays my luggage.

Would that be because any given airline is several hundred times more likely to 'misdirect' a piece of luggage than is DME?

Good to know. What about your luggage. Do you still get it sent to your room that night. If we land at 6:00 do you think we would have the luggage by 9:00 or 10?

Yes, I absolutely think you would - if not before that.

Although, where they left us out was quite a hike (esp for my parents) to the Spirit Counter check-in.

It's too late now, but I was told if you notify "someone" (not clear who, maybe the check in counter at your resort) that you'll need a wheelchair at the airport, they can have one (or more) waiting for you when the bus drops you off.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

We just returned from WDW and used ME for the first time and wouldn't hesitate to use it again.

We flew on Continental so we didn't have to worry about our luggage. Our plane touched down at 10:35am and we were at OKW at 11:30am. I believe the bus was also going to SSR, POFQ and POR. Our luggage was delivered to our room at 3:00pm.

For our return trip to the airport (which was delayed 2 days as a result of the snow in the northeast), we were able to use the airline check-in at the resort at about 7:00am. The bus was scheduled to pick us up at 7:20 but it actually picked us up at 7:10am (scheduled for 7:20am). We then stopped at SSR to pick up one couple and were on our way to the airport. We got to the airport at about 8:00am. It was such a pleasure not to have to worry about our luggage.

 

[IlovePiglet]

It's too late now, but I was told if you notify "someone" (not clear who, maybe the check in counter at your resort) that you'll need a wheelchair at the airport, they can have one (or more) waiting for you when the bus drops you off.

The best bet is to find a skycap and have him get a chair for you. Numerous phone calls are placed by DME to request wheelchairs be waiting for guests at the airport but they're never there. I think it's because DME drops at the lower level.
Many times there are wheelchairs left from a previous user and you can just grab it. Otherwise the skycap might have to get one from the 3rd level. I really wish something could be done about this. It really is an inconvenience to those that need it the most.

 

[CleveRocks]

We just returned from WDW and used ME for the first time and wouldn't hesitate to use it again.

We flew on Continental so we didn't have to worry about our luggage.

Always good to hear from another satisfied customer.

But I just want to clear something up so others don't get confused. EVERYONE who uses DME has their luggage handled/delivered to their room on the inbound trip. It doesn't matter what airline you use. "Participating airline" only matters for your trip back home. It's for the trip back home that those who fly a "participating airline" can check in their luggage at the Resort Airline Check-In and then not see it again until it's at their home airport's baggage claim carousel.

So again, for those keeping score at home ...
If you fly into MCO on ANY commercial airline, AND you are a registered guest at a Disney owned-and-operated resort, you get the full DME treatment. On your way out of Dodge, flying a participating airline lets you check your luggage, and flying a non-participating airline means you take your luggage yourself to the DME bus, and get it after the bus arrives at the airport so you can go check it in yourself with the airline.

 

[eeyore45]

I also can be a "type A" personality, and while we had a nice ME experience, and would use it again if free... I did not check our luggage, I did not put the Yellow ME tags on it, we grabbed our luggage, and sprinted to the line to check in on the lower level, this took 25 min, and about 100 people in line in front (did I mention the Type A personality? lol, but 100 people and 20 min is pretty good if you ask me!!)

Then we rolled our luggage to the next destination/rope que for our resort, and waited another 5 min... our bus pulled up (we went to POR, I believe there were 2 other resorts loading/boarding too) It was a nice calm ride to the resort, since we use the DIning Plan we didnt need the grocery stop...

again, all in all, check your watch, it may seem a lot longer than it actually is!!

 

[goofygreb]

Do they frown on people getting their own luggage? We used ME in Oct. and it took 2 days to get luggage!! I would use ME again only if I could get my own bags at the airport and have the driver put them on bus we were on! I have a towncar reserved for upcoming trip, but would cancel if it was not against the rules to get your own bags.

 

[goofy4tink]

Do they frown on people getting their own luggage? We used ME in Oct. and it took 2 days to get luggage!! I would use ME again only if I could get my own bags at the airport and have the driver put them on bus we were on! I have a towncar reserved for upcoming trip, but would cancel if it was not against the rules to get your own bags.

Yes, you can get your own bags. Just do not put the yellow tags on them. Then, when you get to MCO, go to baggage claim, get your bags and then check in at the DME welcome desk. Only one person has to be in the check-in line, so everyone else can stay with the luggage by the bus line entrance. Then you'll just take your bags to the bus line, hand the bags over to the driver who will stow them underneath the bus. Don't forget that is is a nice thing to tip the bus driver if he handles your bags.
I've used DME 3 times now and it has never taken more than 1 1/2 hrs. from deplaning to resort check-in. I'll be using it again in May, Oct, and then Dec!!

 

[maddhatir]

Yes, you can get your own bags. Just do not put the yellow tags on them. Then, when you get to MCO, go to baggage claim, get your bags and then check in at the DME welcome desk. Only one person has to be in the check-in line, so everyone else can stay with the luggage by the bus line entrance. Then you'll just take your bags to the bus line, hand the bags over to the driver who will stow them underneath the bus. Don't forget that is is a nice thing to tip the bus driver if he handles your bags.
I've used DME 3 times now and it has never taken more than 1 1/2 hrs. from deplaning to resort check-in. I'll be using it again in May, Oct, and then Dec!!

ok- my turn

I have a question about bringing your luggage with you on your bus......once you get to the resort- what then??

after they remove your luggage from under the bus-- where does it go?? do you need to take it from there because how does the resort know what room its going to since you didnt put your tag on it????

or........can you slip the yellow tags on your luggage when it is taken off the bus- ???

Thanks for the help!

 

[hockeybabe]

Correct me if I am wrong here, but I think you would have to take it yourself. Generally, your luggage arrives on a different form of transportaion, like a van or a truck, and unloads at a different part of the resort, where it is sorted and then delivered to your room. There may be a possibility of putting your yellow tags on the bags when you get to the resort, but then you would have to find the ME area of your resort, and see if someone would take them from you there to put your bags into their holding spot. I'm not sure if they would do that.

However, why don't you just take your bags with you into the resort and if your room isn't ready, have bell services hold them and deliver them when your room is ready? Sure, you'll be tipping the driver of the bus and bell services too, so it will cost you a little more, but in the long run, I think it would be most convenient for the service you are looking for.

On a personal note, we used ME in Sept., and after checking in, headed to the parks, came back that night, and there were our bags. Perfect!

 

[maddhatir]

Correct me if I am wrong here, but I think you would have to take it yourself. Generally, your luggage arrives on a different form of transportaion, like a van or a truck, and unloads at a different part of the resort, where it is sorted and then delivered to your room. There may be a possibility of putting your yellow tags on the bags when you get to the resort, but then you would have to find the ME area of your resort, and see if someone would take them from you there to put your bags into their holding spot. I'm not sure if they would do that.

However, why don't you just take your bags with you into the resort and if your room isn't ready, have bell services hold them and deliver them when your room is ready? Sure, you'll be tipping the driver of the bus and bell services too, so it will cost you a little more, but in the long run, I think it would be most convenient for the service you are looking for.

On a personal note, we used ME in Sept., and after checking in, headed to the parks, came back that night, and there were our bags. Perfect!

we can take our bags ourselves-- they have wheels so it is not a problem at all. as other posters say-- TYPE A i really dont think there is going to be a problem with them delivering and i would pack a carry one with additional items....so WHY am i trying to convince myself

if i did just take my own bags it would be much cheaper than taking a town car and would just have to tip a few people..........

hmmmmmm

 

[pigby]

In October, it took one and a half hours to get from ASMo back to the airport - we almost missed our transatlantic flight - never again.

 

[anita967]

We just used ME at the begining of the month and it was great. We were scared at first after we landed because there was a huge long line for check-in. But it went really fast. The 1 person in line rule really helped. Then we waited in line for our bus for maybe 10 minutes. The bus filled up fast and we were on our way. We were in the MK about 2 hrs after we landed and checked in. Our DS and DD got impatient for the luggage and went to the front desk about 3 hours after we got there asking for our suitcases and they brought them right up to the room. We will use ME again.

 

[CleveRocks]

I have a question about bringing your luggage with you on your bus......once you get to the resort- what then??

after they remove your luggage from under the bus-- where does it go?? do you need to take it from there because how does the resort know what room its going to since you didnt put your tag on it????

or........can you slip the yellow tags on your luggage when it is taken off the bus- ???

There would be no use for you to put DME tags on your luggage after it arrives with you at your resort, in the bus cargo hold. The driver will unload it for you, and then it's yours to do with as you will. You can have Bell Services deliver it to your room for you, just as if you arrived by towncar, taxi, or large passenger ostrich.

The DME tags don't have a room number, but they do have the reservation number, resort name, name of the "head" person on the reservation, and the name of the exact user of that luggage (the reservation was in my name so my name appears twice on my tags, on my wife's tags there's my name and then her name, etc.). Bell Services would know what room to get your bags to because they'll get that info from the front desk, the same as if you arrived by any other means.

 

[goofy4tink]

There would be no use for you to put DME tags on your luggage after it arrives with you at your resort, in the bus cargo hold. The driver will unload it for you, and then it's yours to do with as you will. You can have Bell Services deliver it to your room for you, just as if you arrived by towncar, taxi, or large passenger ostrich.

The DME tags don't have a room number, but they do have the reservation number, resort name, name of the "head" person on the reservation, and the name of the exact user of that luggage (the reservation was in my name so my name appears twice on my tags, on my wife's tags there's my name and then her name, etc.). Bell Services would know what room to get your bags to because they'll get that info from the front desk, the same as if you arrived by any other means.

Yep, what Eric said!!! If you are going to grab your own bags, you'll have no need of those yellow tags. They are there for the express purpose of signaling the baggage people to not put that bag through to the baggage claim area and to send it to the DME people.(simplified, I know). So, you get your own bags, they go under the bus, and when you get to your resort, the driver gives you the bags, you check in and if your room isn't ready, bell services will keep your bags until the room is ready. Simple.