Vote on your ME experience!!!

[ktink]

Just curious with our upcoming trip, on the ME service. Please vote and feel free to make any comments. I'll take the good and the bad.

 

[ktink]

Looks like the few that have voted has had a wonderful experience. Anyone else?

 

[ktink]

BUMP

 

[scouthawkk]

I wouldn't call it a "magical" experience, but we used it with no real problems. The only one complaint I have is that we had a hard time finding the Disney rep with the Mickey hand. But once we found her, it was no problems from there. We got in at 9:30 on a Tuesday morning, and were at Ft. Wilderness and checked in before 11. Have no idea when luggage actually arrived, because we took off for a while. When we got back around 4:30, we just went to the front check-in area to get our carry on stuff they stored for us, and took the regular luggage back with us.

 

[ktink]

Thanks for the info Scouthawkk!

 

[ktink]

 

[LittleDino]

We used it on May 7th (the 3rd day it was running.) We had absolutely no problems with it. It was as quick as it can be and we didn't have to wait at all. We did have to pick up our own luggage since we never did receive luggage tags, but that didn't bother us (it actually gave me peace of mind knowing our luggage was with us at all times.) Considering the positive reports now, I think we'll let them handle our luggage for our trip next month.

 

[scouthawkk]

Thanks for the info Scouthawkk!

my pleasure. i just wish we could go back again...but with ds turning 3 in two weeks, we can't justify the cost of additional tickets. guess i'll have to wait for our next planned trip in 2007. already saving up for that one!

 

[ktink]

Thanks littledino, it makes me feel better knowing it went so well on the first days of operation.

Scouthawwk, I know what you mean, we won't be going back for a couple of years. (says DH) We'll see what I can do about that.

 

[Sandi]

Worked perfectly for us. Everything was smooth and very timely. Our luggage actually beat us to our resort (and it wasn't because we waited a long time for our bus or anything). Returning to the airport was seamless. I give ME two thumbs up.

 

[purplevalentine]

We got in by mid afternoon. It wasn't that easy to find the Mickey handed reps. Hard to see when you are trying to look through crowds of people. But after that everything went as smooth as silk. I was around when my bags arrived to our room. By the time we rode the ME bus to the resort, got dropped off, checked in and found our room it was approx. 15 -20 mins later that our bags arrived. We were on our way out to MGM and my sister was complaining that she wished she had packed another pair of shoes in her carryon luggage. Low and behold bell services knocked on the door and our luggage arrived! It was just as easy on our way home. We flew Delta so we got to check our luggage and get our boarding passes at the resort. Bell services held our carryon luggage and we were off for a couple of hours of fun at MGM before our evening departure. My only problem was no luggage when I got home. That wasn't Disney's fault but the airline. Didn't get it until the following evening! I would definately use ME again for future visits.


KAREN

 

[lessernobleman]

We used DME for the first time last week and have no complaints. Of course, I did my homework and knew what to expect. I'm happy to report that it went much more smoothly than anticipated! We landed on Sunday 8/14 at approximately 3:45 p.m. and arrived at POFQ at about 5:00 p.m., even after stopping at SSR and OKW. Luggage arrived in our room no more than two hours later. This was our first time flying into Orlando, so we were a little lost when we first got there.

Just in case you haven't left yet, and for others reading this post. If you don't see a Disney greeter (we didn't), proceed to Level 1 on the A side. If you see a bunch of people in line waiting to get on buses, remember that you have to first check in at the DME desk first (it's huge, you can't miss it.)

A couple of other pointers for the return to the airport:

1. There are certain airlines with which you can get your boarding passes and check luggage right at the resort. If you fly with an airline that does NOT participate in this services, as we did (Southwest), you can go to the concierge desk at your resort and they will print your boarding passes for you! You still have to bring your luggage to the bus, but the driver will load it for you (remember to tip!)

2. When you arrive at the airport, there will probably be a bunch of skycaps waiting there to help you with your luggage. Use them!!! Being a relatively inexperienced flier, I was expecting the hassle of waiting in line while I checked all of our luggage. Using the skycap service eliminated all of that. It was totally worth the $12 I tipped him for our 6 checked items! We were through security and at the gate in a fraction of the time it probably would have taken otherwise.

 

[northern michigan]

Just in case you haven't left yet, and for others reading this post. If you don't see a Disney greeter (we didn't), proceed to Level 1 on the A side. If you see a bunch of people in line waiting to get on buses, remember that you have to first check in at the DME desk first (it's huge, you can't miss it.)

.

Where does everyone typically find the WDW ME greeter? Must you ride the monorail across the airport after arrival to find the greeter?

Is this huge DME desk on Level 1 side A? Is this anywhere near baggage claim?

 

[ktink]

Wow! I'm really glad that all of you have posted with your good experiences! And thanks lessernobleman for the extra info.

 

[lessernobleman]

Where does everyone typically find the WDW ME greeter? Must you ride the monorail across the airport after arrival to find the greeter?

Is this huge DME desk on Level 1 side A? Is this anywhere near baggage claim?

I'm pretty sure that baggage claim is on level two. DME check-in is on level one. Whether you come in on the A or B side of the terminal depends on which airline with which you fly. Just remember that you can only cross from one side to the other (A to B or vice-versa) on level three.

The DME desk is along the inner wall, near Alamo and Avis. According to the airport map, the Mears shuttle desk is nearby as well. Seriously though, it's hard to miss the DME desk, and there is a huge queue area for guests waiting for buses.

As far as the greeters are concerned, once you are downstairs they are all over the place. We only saw one greeting incoming guests arriving off the trams as we were leaving.

 

[3mickeys&me]

Thanks for the info, its very helpful!!

 

[CleveRocks]

I've read numerous posts from people saying the DME Welcome Center is on Level 1. Now, I know next to nothing about the Orlando airport, but unless I'm absolutely crazy I clearly recall that we had to go down one level from the airport's main level to wait in line at the DME desk, and then we had to go down ANOTHER level to get to the bus queues.

Am I crazy , or has this changed since May 8???

And by the way, I LOVED DME. 53 minutes from getting in the DME desk line to being dropped off at CBR, luggage came 3.5 hours later but we were prepared with fully-stocked carry-ons so we didn't have to "wait" for our suitcases in order to start enjoying our WDW vacation.

-- Eric

 

[lessernobleman]

I've read numerous posts from people saying the DME Welcome Center is on Level 1. Now, I know next to nothing about the Orlando airport, but unless I'm absolutely crazy I clearly recall that we had to go down one level from the airport's main level to wait in line at the DME desk, and then we had to go down ANOTHER level to get to the bus queues.

Am I crazy , or has this changed since May 8???

I don't know if used to be like that, but it definitely is not now. The desk and queue area are right next to each other.

-Ron

 

[LakeAriel]

How far in advance of your flight home do they make you leave? Another words if your flight is sceduled for 2PM when do they want your luggage and when do you need to board their bus???

 

[zak'smom]

Our ME experience WAS magical!!! When I contacted ME our original flight was to arrive in Orlando 10:30PM so the CM told me I might want to get my bags myself if I did not want to be awakened at some ungodly hour. SO, I did not put the yellow tags on the bags, thinking we would just get them from baggage ourselves. We got to the Pittsburgh airport very early, checked in and were asked if we wanted to fly standby on an earlier flight. We jumped at the chance, landing in Atlanta four hours early. Again, we were bumped to standby leaving Atlanta fifteen minutes after we got there. SInce we had just gotten seats on the plane, I was concerned about the luggage. I had no clue as to what was happening to our bags. We arrived in Orlando at 6PM and very easily found the Mickey-handed people who directed us to the huge desk. We explained our problem to the CM who assured us she would track down the stickerless bags, which may not have made it out of Atlanta!! She asked us to identify the type bag we had and told us not to worry, she would take care of it.

Since we pack a change of clothes and necessities in the carryon, we thought we would be set for the next day in the AK. But, at 11:00, there was a knock on our door - our bags had arrived!! We were both very surprised. No yellow tags and ME found the bags and delivered them in about 5 hours. I was just glad they made it to Orlando!!!