Using ME but getting own luggage?

[AnninIowa]

With all the travel restrictions, I'm wondering if more people are getting their own luggage at the airport while still using Magical Express? I plan to do this for our upcoming trip as we have a later arrival and I can't be without my toiletries!

Seriously, with all the people who complain about their luggage not arriving to their rooms until hours later, I wonder if they even KNOW that they can get their bags at the airport themselves? Just don't put on the ME tags, get your bags after you get off the plane, THEN go to the ME check-in. I think a lot of people *think* the ME pick-up have them on a schedule, when they just take people as they come.

 

[BlindTyldak]

We're splitting it, putting our tags on mine and DH's luggage but picking up DD's, which will have the toiletries in it and swimsuits and such. One small bag and a coloring book carryon shouldn't be too much trouble, I would think.

 

[MIDisFan]

For us, having the luggage delivered to the room was the best part of ME. We had an early flight so we didn't need our bags right away and to be honest I don't know how long it took before they were delivered to the room. We went out into the parks right after checking in and when got back in that night the bags were in the room.

Now if your flight doesn't get in until later in the evening you would be better off grabbing your bags at the airport and putting them on the bus. Our friends flight arrived at midnight and a CM advised them to not use the ME tags and get their own luggage.

 

[CleveRocks]

We're arriving about 9:45 p.m. or so.

About 5 days in advance, we're shipping a small box to our resort, full of toiletries and other banned items. I'll send it so that I can call the resort to confirm they received it BEFORE we leave home, so I can be assured this plan will all work out.

We're doing this to take advantage of the DME automatic baggage delivery, which will help us get to our resort quicker that late at night with a 6 year old and 4 year old (we won't have to wait at baggage claim).

When we get to our resort, we'll ask at the front desk AND at Bell Services for our DME bags to be held until morning. In addition, we'll put the Do Not Disturb sign out on our doorknob so we don't get started by a knock at the door in the middle of the night. Our carry-ons will have our usual first 24 hours of supplies, minus of course anything liquid or gel.

 

[Paticake]

We are also doing a split; we are not arriving until 9:25 pm and I was told now it can take up to 5 hours for bags (usually 1-3 hours) and I will need a few things before bed.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Everybody's different. I'm just budgeting for "those" things to be purchased at the gift shop in my planning. Heven help, though, the airline that loses the checked bag with my conditioner in it!

 

[twinklebug]

We are also doing a split; we are not arriving until 9:25 pm and I was told now it can take up to 5 hours for bags (usually 1-3 hours) and I will need a few things before bed.

I had planned to pick up our luggage on the MCO end as we wouldn't be landing until 8:30pm & so didn't tag them with the ME stickers.

As it turned out I would have been better off just stickering them anyway... our luggage never made the transfer in BWI and I wasted an hour looking for them on the carosel, another 45min in line to make the lost luggage report (BWI was having a very hard day) and ultimately ME was the one to ID the bags and bring them to us (with a call at 2:45am saying they had been delivered to Bell services)

Lesson learned. Plan on buying Toothpaste & facial soap at the resort store & pack your jammies & swimsuit in the carry on. But I knew that... just didn't think I'd be one who'd need it.