What's the process to cancel ME?

[ScottNBecky]

We have the option of getting free limo service from MCO to our resort, anyone know the process to cancel Magical Express? We have it booked, but didnt know if there was a set procedure or anything to let them know that we would not be using it. Thanks in advance.

 

[Edd]

Keep the ME as a back-up to the primary service. You don't need to let ME know you will not ride it.

 

[ScottNBecky]

EDD they dont wait for you to make sure you arent showing up? I dont want to have others wait around thinking we may ride it.

 

[dizplanner]

No you are not assigned to any specific bus on arrival. After you checkin you are directed to a line to wait and then onto a bus going to your resort. You may have to wait on the bus until it is full enough (or they have waited long enough - I don't know what "enough" is).

On your return to the airport you are assigned a specific bus at a specific pickup time. So I would tell them when you check in at the resort if you are not using the return trip. However they will not wait for you - if you are late for your pickup time, you are left and will have to find your own way to the airport.

However if your limo service is a definate, just call your resort to cancell your DME reservations.

 

[Edd]

Of course they don't wait for you to show up. 5000 passengers a day !! If you don't cancel it is always there for you, should something happen with your other transportation. On the return you will be given a time to pick up the bus back to the airport. If you can use it, fine, if not, don't. If you cancel the reservation than the back up is gone.

 

[ScottNBecky]

Thanks for the answers guys!!!! We will keep it as a backup.

 

[Vijoge]

Thanks for the answers guys!!!! We will keep it as a backup.

Just remember not to put the yellow ME luggage tags on your bags if you're not using ME.

 

[Edd]

If you put the yellow tags on your luggage your luggage will be sitting in the resort room when you arrive, no matter whether you take DME or not.

 

[Amyshubby]

If you put the yellow tags on your luggage your luggage will be sitting in the resort room when you arrive, no matter whether you take DME or not.

Is this still true? I thought Disney was cracking down on people transporting their luggage but not taking the bus?

 

[Edd]

No, Disney is not cracking down on only those using the luggage feature. Disney is obligated to transport all luggage that has the yellow Disney tags on them. Are you a rumor mill? Where did you get your information?

 

[Amyshubby]

Are you a rumor mill? Where did you get your information?

I have to say Edd, many times I have found your responses on this board to be a little confrontational.


I have seen numerous posts in the past where people renting a car ask about using the DME to transport their luggage but not any people. The responses invariably caution them not to do so because 1) its against the rules and 2) Disney tends to close loopholes and they would be a taking a chance by not having at least one person ride the bus. For example:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1606043

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1652328&referrerid=&highlight=car luggage

http://www.disboards.com/showthread...&highlight=magical+express+rental+car+luggage

http://www.disboards.com/showthread...&highlight=magical+express+rental+car+luggage

These are just a few of the threads. I have seen many other similar ones.

I don't have a problem being corrected if I'm wrong. No need to be so nasty.

 

[CleveRocks]

Is this still true? I thought Disney was cracking down on people transporting their luggage but not taking the bus?

As an avid DISboards reader, I can say with 100% certainty that I've never read one single post reporting any experience with Disney cracking down on people using DME for luggage-only.

I am well aware of what Disney says in its guest literature, and if I wasn't the first one here I was certainly one of the first here to call DME to ask about the details of the policy that they tell guests (you know, that they will handle an entire party's luggage even if only one member of the party rides the DME bus).

I've read here of people speculating that such a crackdown could happen based on Disney's past behavior in analogous situations (and I would tend to agree with that speculation), but I've not read a single post stating that any such crackdown has started, even a little bit.

So, without any abrasive tone and with no axe to grind , I'd have to say that any statement that DME has started cracking down on the luggage thing is purely a rumor and is not based on any facts.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yep, Eric is right. I'm also an avid DME propoant, but I have yet to hear of anyone not getting their luggage if they aren't on the bus, but the luggage was tagged. Is it the 'right' thing to do? Probably not. But, at this point in time, Disney just doesn't seem to care. So, if you decide to use private transport to the resort but still tag your checked luggage, you should be fine.

Now...putting on my moderator hat....can we please try to be a bit less confrontational here? No need for sarcasm, or those 'dry wits' here. Let's start off the new year playing nicely with each other..no put downs, no sarcasm, no belittling. Wow, this is going to be a pretty dry and boring place isn't it??!!!

 

[Edd]

From the Disney contract with Orlando International Airport:

Page 4:

Luggage Staging Facility.

a) The company (Disney) operates a staging area at the Airport for collecting and transporting Guest luggage from the airport to a resort and for storage and processing of luggage of guests returning to the airport from a resort or DCL ship for departure (the "luggage staging facility").

b) The company (Disney) shall be responsible for negotiating with airlines or fixed base operators operating at the airport for an arrangement whereby guest luggage is identified and separated from other passenger luggage for purposes of being transported to the "luggage staging Facility" prior to, and instead of being processed through the terminal baggage claim. Any and all payments, fees or costs payable to the airlines, a fixed base operator or otherwise on account of this activity shall be the exclusive responsibility of the company (Disney).

c) Transportation of guest luggage from the airplane to the "luggage staging facility' and from the "luggage staging facility" to a point off airport property (luggage transportation services) shall be performed exclusively by approved service providers. The company (Disney) shall have the responsibility for negotiating with approved service providers for an arrangement for luggage transport services. Any and all payments, fees or costs payable to approved services providers for luggage transport services shall be the exclusive responsibility of the company (Disney).

I added the word (Disney) after company to clarify who company was referred to.

This is the basis of the luggage transfer contract with OIA. It comes from a copy of the Disney contract and states in specific terms that Disney will take care of the luggage if it is tagged by guests who are arriving Orlando to go to a Disney resort. It is good enough for Disney and the Orlando International Airport, it should be good enogh for anyone who wants to come up with some kind of statement that would dispute this agreement.


Page 7 item 9 states:

DCL guests shall be deemed included in the definition of Guest and the Service to such guests shall be subject to the terms of the agreement and addendum as ammended.

This means if you are traveling DCL and using other transportation than Disney you can still use the Disney tags and your luggage will get to the appropriate ship.

 

[goofy4tink]

All very true Edd. But, and this is the thing that is debatable......Disney tells their guests that they intend DME to be used as a guest shuttle service, with luggage delivery as a perk. They have said, via their website, that you may not book luggage delivery service by itself. Now.....obviously, that is open to interpretation.
If, and I say 'if', the guest uses DME as Disney intends for it to be used, then obviously, everything you copied is right on the money. Disney has contracted to get all tagged baggage to their resorts. But, nowhere does Disney say that you can just tag your bags and take any mode of transport you wish, and your bags will be delivered to your room. Luggage delivery is described as a perk of riding the DME bus. If DME is used as Disney states it wants it to be used, then there will be no tagged bags being delivered to the resort while the bag owner takes a rental car. Sorry if that upsets anyone, but as I see it..that's how Disney means it.
The contract with OIA is based on the guest using DME as it was intended to be used. We all realize the bags will get to the resort, even if you arrive via a yak!

 

[Edd]

As you say everything is based on interpretation. Disney is contracted to pick up all luggage that is tagged with their tags and if that is the case, than any statements made after the contract are superfluous.

Besides if you plan to ride a Yak to MCO you better figure out how to get your bags aboard a plane arriving MCO without you on board.

 

[clkelley]

I don't think there will EVER be a time when ALL yellow tags are not whisked to the sorting facility and on to the resorts. There is just too much volume. However, what I think WILL eventually happen is a guest that does not ride the bus, the bags will be held at Bell Services/Luggage Services. When the guest calls wondering where their bags are, they will be informed that there is a $$ charge for transporting their bags since they did not ride the DME bus and it will be charged to their room. Then their bags will be delivered to their room.

Also on the flip side, it appears from posts I've read here that there are so many folks claiming their own bags that it's becoming a problem on the buses, so when folks arrive at the DME welcome center with their bags, they will need to turn them in there to be transported on the trucks, OR pay a fee to carry bags on the buses above normal carryons.

 

[MOmousefan]

We have only used DME once (Last June) and it worked as advertised. HOWEVER, there was one glitch. Three of us used DME going to MCO, but my daughter and her fiance were picking up a car they had purchased and it was waiting at the airport. We walked to the DME area and there was a man with the big white hands who greeted us and asked idf we had any questions. I explained that they had used DME but were picking up a car, would their baggage still be transported to PoP Century? "No Problem" he assured us. They left to get their car while I checked in at the DME counter.
I presented both tickets to the lady at the counter who informed me that they (DD and F) had to be present to have their baggage transferred. By now DD was long gone. To make long story short, after getting a suprvisor everything was straightened out and all bags shipped.
From a security standpoint, I can see the danger in shipping a bag with no one present, but the original CM with the hands could have saved us all a hassle by just having DD go up and confirm their presence.

 

[goofy4tink]

As you say everything is based on interpretation. Disney is contracted to pick up all luggage that is tagged with their tags and if that is the case, than any statements made after the contract are superfluous.

Besides if you plan to ride a Yak to MCO you better figure out how to get your bags aboard a plane arriving MCO without you on board.

Okay, but the sake of 'discussion', let's agree that the regular, run of the mill person has no idea, nor do they care, about what the contract that Disney has with OIA says. They will be told, by Disney if they ask, that yes, they are supposed to ride the DME bus, and then their bags will be delivered to their resort room. I know...I've made the call on several different occasions, pretending to be Joe Shmoe, WDW guest. If you call Disney directly, and ask them if you can send your tagged bags with DME but you take a towncar (for instance), they will tell you that you are expected to ride the bus in order to have your luggage delivered. That, and only that, is my point.

I don't think there will EVER be a time when ALL yellow tags are not whisked to the sorting facility and on to the resorts. There is just too much volume. However, what I think WILL eventually happen is a guest that does not ride the bus, the bags will be held at Bell Services/Luggage Services. When the guest calls wondering where their bags are, they will be informed that there is a $$ charge for transporting their bags since they did not ride the DME bus and it will be charged to their room. Then their bags will be delivered to their room.

Also on the flip side, it appears from posts I've read here that there are so many folks claiming their own bags that it's becoming a problem on the buses, so when folks arrive at the DME welcome center with their bags, they will need to turn them in there to be transported on the trucks, OR pay a fee to carry bags on the buses above normal carryons.

I have to agree with you. At some point, who knows when, Disney could very well decide to charge extra for luggage delivery. If you do not board the bus, your bags will be delivered to the resort, but there will be a small fee attached to it's being delivered to your room. Not a big deal.

As for those numerous bags being brought to the bus at MCO, oh yeah, there sure are. I realize that waiting an addtl 5-8 mins is not a huge deal. But, when you're sitting on a bus, while 10 bags are disbursed from under the bus, well, you get nudgy. You want to get to your resort and start your vacation. It's annoying to have to sit there, while those who brought their bags with them, have to get their bags, and then, hopefully, hand over a tip to the driver. I wish they would charge a per bag fee for that also.

None of these issues are huge ones. I don't believe there are that many people who are tagging their bags and hoping into towncars. But, I have noticed more and more people bringing their bags to the bus with them, rather than wait for delivery to the resort. Deal breakers? No, just an annoyance for those guests, like me, who want to get started on their vacation.

 

[goofy4tink]

We have only used DME once (Last June) and it worked as advertised. HOWEVER, there was one glitch. Three of us used DME going to MCO, but my daughter and her fiance were picking up a car they had purchased and it was waiting at the airport. We walked to the DME area and there was a man with the big white hands who greeted us and asked idf we had any questions. I explained that they had used DME but were picking up a car, would their baggage still be transported to PoP Century? "No Problem" he assured us. They left to get their car while I checked in at the DME counter.
I presented both tickets to the lady at the counter who informed me that they (DD and F) had to be present to have their baggage transferred. By now DD was long gone. To make long story short, after getting a suprvisor everything was straightened out and all bags shipped.
From a security standpoint, I can see the danger in shipping a bag with no one present, but the original CM with the hands could have saved us all a hassle by just having DD go up and confirm their presence.

And that's the issue in a nutshell...ask any four people the same question, and you will probably get two different, possibly three, answers. I have, in all reality, heard many more stories from guests who have rented a car, taken a towncar service, but still had their bags sent to their rooms than stories from those who have not gotten their bags delivered because they didn't check in at the DME welcome desk.
We can sit here and post that your luggage will get to where it's supposed to be (your resort), but.....Disney can do whatever they wish. Yes, they have that contract with OIA (MCO) to remove all tagged bags. But...do they have to deliver those bags to your room, free of charge, if you don't ride the bus? That's a whole different story.