Using Magical Express without luggage tags

[FLYNZ4]

We just had a change of plans... I am currently on a biz trip in Florida, and my wife & daughter will be flying into MCO later this week, joining me in Orlando. Since I have business meetings in Tampa... they will just take DME to the resort rather than having me pick them up.

I doubt that we will get luggage tags in time for their trip. The DME person said that if we give them our baggage claim checks at the DME check-in area... that they will go pick up our bags for us even though they do not have luggage tags. It sounds to me like a good opportunity for lost luggage.

Which of the options would you suggest:

a) pick up your own luggage and carry it over to the bus
b) give them your baggage claim ticket, and pray

Thanks in advance.

/Jim

 

[fkj2]

I'd probably get my own bags. It'll be a lot less concern if they know where they are and less inconvenience if the luggage gets misplaced.

 

[corinnak]

I used this option in March with absolutely no trouble. Mind you, I am not saying there couldn't be trouble, but I was traveling with a 2 year old on my own and the idea of just getting on the bus with him, not having to wait for bags or move them around the airport on my own with a toddler totally negated my worries about the luggage. I put TSA approved locks on the bags, packed a change of clothes in my backpack and tried not to worry.

I guess if your daughter is a little older, and somewhat helpful, collecting the luggage would be less stress inducing. It's simpler, too, if the baggage claim is on the same side of the airport as the DME desk, because if your airline has baggage claim on the A side, and Magical Express is on the B side, then that's a longer, more complicated way to bring the luggage.

Anyhow, for me, the small risk of lost or delayed luggage was outweighed by my loose-cannon travel partner. He is a wild one. I was entirely satisfied with my tagless DME luggage delivery experience, FWIW. If I had been traveling with my reliable 7 year old instead, I probably would have collected the luggage myself, I must say.

 

[FLYNZ4]

Corrina,

On the plus side... our daughter is 24... so she can carry her own bags

On the minus side... their luggage will be in baggage claim area B. (United)

/Jim

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Either way would work .

Downside of getting your own is the time it takes to do it (small I know)and walking it to the bus (remember when this was the only way)

I would just let ME do there thing and retrieve it. ME has been very good to us even though we had some situations (split travel,split people taking it)and have never had a problem at all.

 

[LisaS]

If I didn't have DME tags, I would get my luggage and take it to the bus. What happens to bags without tags is that they go onto the baggage claim carousel and go round and round until all arriving passengers have claimed their own bags. An airline/airport employee removes the bags that are left over and sets them aside. Some time later, DME employees come along with a list of the bags they need to find. They check all the unclaimed bags, comparing baggage claim numbers. They put DME tags on the bags and put them back on the carousel where, I assume, someone behind the wall at baggage claim pulls them off the belt and puts them on a truck destined for WDW.

I would rather claim my own luggage and take it to the bus than have it sitting unattended next to the baggage claim carousel. But I tend to be the cautious type.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'll tell you what I do, and you can guess my vote. I don't use the luggage tags. I just feel too nervous at the thought of being separated from my luggage when I check into a hotel. I never use the luggage tags, I always get my luggage at baggage claim and take it on DME with me. I hope you're leaning towards option a.

 

[corinnak]

Corrina,

On the plus side... our daughter is 24... so she can carry her own bags

On the minus side... their luggage will be in baggage claim area B. (United)

/Jim

Jim,
DME is now on side B, so it would be pretty easy for them to claim their bags and just take the elevator downstairs, so no minus there.

Another plus of picking up their own bags would be having access to the bags right away, of course.

 

[winjos]

I would pick up the bags and take them on the bus.

We used DME on Saturday, Nov. 4th. We arrived at noon and we did not receive our bags until 4:30 pm. The bags come when they come. There is no tracking of the bags and they have no idea when they will get to the resort (they have a 3 hour window they say they will get your bags there).

I looked everywhere for a number to call just for DME luggage handling and no such luck. I was getting worried that my luggage didn't make it to MCO. If that happened, who does one call? Luggage services at BWVs were absolutely no help and a bit rude to boot!

Here's our experience:

Sept. 2005: 3+ hours
May 2006: 2 hours
Nov. 2006: 4.5 hours

If you want your bags because you need to change or get ready for lunch/dinner (with all the regulations for carry-on luggage now a days, it is easier to pack everything in check in), I would pick up my bags.

Just my 2 cents.

Good luck!

 

[FLYNZ4]

Thanks to everyone for all of the tips. Your suggestions matched my expectations.

I just talked to Deb, and she said they will pick up their own luggage and take it to the bus. The fact that DME is now on side B is a plus . Is this a recent change? I seem to remember it being on side A.

I have already been in Florida working away... and my DW/DD arrive tomorrow for a nice short 6 day trip to WDW. It is nice having the AP to squeek an extra trip in inexpensively.

/Jim

 

[corinnak]

Hi Jim!
I used DME in March and it was on the A side - I used it in October and it had moved to the B side. The change came along with the extending the DME service, I believe. I don't remember exactly when that happened, though.

Hope you all have a great time!