Will they let my luggage use ME only

[abaldacci]

Just a thought. We are renting a car and will be arriving early at 8:40 am.
I was just thinking about letting my luggage go with ME where I did not have to handle it. What do you guys think.

 

[malibuconlee]

I've read in other threads that they will not take your luggage if you don't check into the ME desk. You have to take ME yourself for your luggage to go as wel.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Disney's Magical Express isn't a luggage-handling service - that's just a side benefit of it.
While you don't travel with your luggage, my understanding is if you don't board a bus, your luggage doesn't get transported from the airport.

 

[CarolA]

There is a driver on here for ME. He has posted that they scan your ME ticket as you board the bus... no scan, no luggage!

 

[Alexander]

That really stinks for those of us who prefer to rent a car and then have the ME people get our room as we're waiting in line to check in and they are just "wheels down" at the airport! I really can't wait for this ME to end! I am so tired of hearing reports of people not getting their rooms because ME guests are taking them first.

 

[dcgrumpy]

That really stinks for those of us who prefer to rent a car and then have the ME people get our room as we're waiting in line to check in and they are just "wheels down" at the airport! I really can't wait for this ME to end! I am so tired of hearing reports of people not getting their rooms because ME guests are taking them first.

I don't understand what you mean by that? How is someone else getting your room?

 

[Lewisc]

There is a driver on here for ME. He has posted that they scan your ME ticket as you board the bus... no scan, no luggage!

Some strategies for people to try and post back:
1) Let the driver scan your ticket and then leave the bus. What will the driver do make you board the bus at gunpoint?
2) Sell your ME voucher to someone on the plane who was planning on taking a cab.
3) Split up your family. Put the ME tags on the bags of the guests who will be taking the bus. Post back and tell us who got to the resort first, the bus pax or the driver of the rental car.
4) Call when you get to your resort and ask where your luggage is. Tell them you saw a long line at the Disney Welcome Center and you decided to grab a cab. I don't know if they'll send your luggage from the airport, make you go to the airport to get it or charge you a delivery fee.

I wouldn't have the nerve to try this strategy and it may be hours before you get your luggage but I'm curious what Disney would do.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Some strategies for people to try and post back:
1) Let the driver scan your ticket and then leave the bus. What will the driver do make you board the bus at gunpoint?
2) Sell your ME voucher to someone on the plane who was planning on taking a cab.
3) Split up your family. Put the ME tags on the bags of the guests who will be taking the bus. Post back and tell us who got to the resort first, the bus pax or the driver of the rental car.
4) Call when you get to your resort and ask where your luggage is. Tell them you saw a long line at the Disney Welcome Center and you decided to grab a cab. I don't know if they'll send your luggage from the airport, make you go to the airport to get it or charge you a delivery fee.

I wouldn't have the nerve to try this strategy and it may be hours before you get your luggage but I'm curious what Disney would do.

We're trying option #3. I'm taking ME with the kids while DH picks up our minivan.

 

[CarolA]

This "ME" folks got my room theory runs rampant around here. What happens is that when the ME guests check in the resort is informed they are on their way. That way they can begin to get ready for them. However, I have met ME guests who waited until 3 pm to get thier room so it's not like they automatically get a room or you would automatically get a room if they weren't coming. Let's face it, if you arrive at 8:40 AM and the resort was full the night before ME or not, you aren't getting a room when you get there,

If the resorts don't start preparing for the busload of guests we will have posts that say... "I had to wait in line for an hour because I got there just after the bus and they hadn't done ANYTHING to prepare for the 50 familes"

If you have VERY specific details on your room request then even with ME your chances are not as good to get in early. That has always been true.

Since the inception of ME, I have checked in at Disney twice while not taking ME. In both cases my room was ready... now all I ever request is Non-smoking. Personally I don't think the ME folks are taking all the ready rooms.

Please don't get off the bus... if the bus driver is good and notices you left he might want to wait for you... I don't think your fellow passengers are going to be thrilled with that!

As to the "long line" theory... don't think that will work. I have seen the ME lines and so far they aren't that long. If I was Disney and you pulled that stunt I would deliver your luggage and charge you!

 

[Danthesand]

This "ME" folks got my room theory runs rampant around here.

Theory?

I am a DVC member and regularly visit that section of the DIS boards.

About a month and a half ago, a DIS and DVC member reported back on her recent experience checking in at the Boardwalk after arriving via a cab about 10am.

Was told her room was not ready, but that it would be by early afternoon. Fine; per policy, rooms aren't guaranteeed until 4pm, but because her daughter wasn't feeling well, they decided to wait in the lobby.

After a short time, shel started noticing something.

Busload after busload of ME guests were arriving, checking in, getting key cards and heading toward the elevators. Early afternoon came and went, and she kept checking with the desk but was continually told "no, your room is not ready yet."

By 3pm, she'd had enough and demanded to talk to a manager.

She really pushed the manager, and he ended up telling Carol that "the Boardwalk is "testing" a new policy whereby we try to insure that a room is readyu for all guests arriving via ME. Specifically, when their flight lands, we are contacted by ME so we can assign them a room that will be ready upon their arrival at the resort."

In other words, the DIS member asked, even if someone checks in early like me, if they don't arrive via ME, those who do -- even if they arrive after me -- are going to get the first rooms that are available.

The manager finally admitted that this is indeed the policy.

 

[CarolA]

Theory?

I am a DVC member and regularly visit that section of the DIS boards.

About a month and a half ago, a DIS and DVC member reported back on her recent experience checking in at the Boardwalk after arriving via a cab about 10am.

Was told her room was not ready, but that it would be by early afternoon. Fine; per policy, rooms aren't guaranteeed until 4pm, but because her daughter wasn't feeling well, they decided to wait in the lobby.

After a short time, shel started noticing something.

Busload after busload of ME guests were arriving, checking in, getting key cards and heading toward the elevators. Early afternoon came and went, and she kept checking with the desk but was continually told "no, your room is not ready yet."

By 3pm, she'd had enough and demanded to talk to a manager.

She really pushed the manager, and he ended up telling Carol that "the Boardwalk is "testing" a new policy whereby we try to insure that a room is readyu for all guests arriving via ME. Specifically, when their flight lands, we are contacted by ME so we can assign them a room that will be ready upon their arrival at the resort."

In other words, the DIS member asked, even if someone checks in early like me, if they don't arrive via ME, those who do -- even if they arrive after me -- are going to get the first rooms that are available.

The manager finally admitted that this is indeed the policy.

Things happen

I too am a DVC member also. One of my two trips was DVC. I got the room when I arrived around 11 am....

I read that story, but it appears to be the exact opposite of what happened to me. I got there and got a room with no wait.

 

[Danthesand]

I too am a DVC member also. One of my two trips was DVC. I got the room when I arrived around 11 am....

I read that story, but it appears to be the exact opposite of what happened to me. I got there and got a room with no wait.

Depending upon the resort, check-in day and villa category, it is entirely possible that a DVC member could arrive early via non-ME transport and get a ready room. For the "conflict" to occur, ME guests would have to be simultaneously showing up at not just the same resort, but also for villas in the same category as a "waiting" non-ME arrival.

The latter is what happened to the poster I mentioned. Yes, it's "luck of the draw," but it is happening. The DVC members who are likely being most impacted are those arriving by cab, car or car service on heavy turnover periods like Sunday morning.

To avoid this problem, for our upcoming visit we are arriving on a Tuesday and are actually going to some trouble to use ME, just to insure we don't get shoved to the back of whatever villa assignment queue emerges that morning.