Let WDW Handle My Luggage?

[Tom]

A few weeks ago I started a thread asking for opinions on Magical Express and whether or not I should let them get our luggage or we should grab it at the Orlando airport and take it on the ME bus with us. I got various opinions, extreme in both directions, and then the thread died - which I did NOT bump back to the top because I'm not arrogant like that, haha.

Anyway, here's our scenario: 6 of us, 3 rooms/packages at POR, all under my name. Arriving via Delta at Orlando airport around 1:00pm or so. Checking in, freshening up, and heading to MK for dinner and parade.

So, what do you think? Do I trust WDW to get our luggage in our proper rooms before I go to bed, or do we just blow off their service, take it from the carousel to the ME bus ourselves and know that we'll have our luggage as soon as we check in?

 

[shaelyn]

Well, there's pros and cons. When I went down a couple weeks ago, we got our own luggage, but I half wish I had just let Disney handle it, because it was a pain to lug it around since it was our first time using ME and we weren't familiar with the system.

You're getting in early, so if your rooms aren't ready yet, you'll just have to stow the luggage anyway. I'm not sure if you'd have to retreive it yourself or if they'd drop it in your room for you, but it's something to consider.

When we went, we found that most people brought their own luggage with them. You're getting in early enough that you don't have to worry about not getting your luggage in time for bed, as I've heard some people complain. And with 6 people, it'd probably be less of a headache to not have to watch the bags go arouuuund and arouuuuund on the carousel. I'm sure your rooms will be close together and it won't be that big a deal to swap them if they end up in the wrong rooms. And besides, each room has specific guests listed in that room, right? Even if you booked it? So in theory, they sdhould be able to match the bags to the rooms.

Wow, what a long post to have absolutely no useful thoughts. Sorry!

 

[Nansafan]

You are getting in early enough to let Disney handle your bags. I wouldn't do it if I were arriving at night but at 1:00 PM, I would, I have and I will again this August. As everyone suggests, just make sure you have necessities like medicines and the like in a carry-on that you keep with you. We always take a change of clothes and bathing suit with us in our carry-on just in case the luggage is lost by the airlines.

 

[Tom]

Ok, so 2 people have agreed that since we're getting in early it would probably be safe to let WDW get our luggage. I just hate not having my stuff in my possession, ya know? But I'll also be on Valium (prescribed to me today by my doc!!!) for my poor flying abilities...so I won't give a @#!$ about the luggage anyway! :sohappy:

 

[MinnieSummer]

I voted for taking it yourself only because I don't like to arrive and not have my luggage with me. When I fly in I only take one piece of luggage with me though. Having 6 people in your party makes a big difference. If any of them are kids I would definitely let ME get the luggage. If they are not kids, and everyone only has one piece, I would get it. To me, it's just easier knowing that the airline didn't lose my luggage before I leave the airport, rather than getting back to my room at 9:00 pm and finding out that they did.

 

[DisneyMissy]

We went this past March and we let Disney handle our luggage with no problems. We got to Pop around 11:30 or so, checked in, went to the MK and came back to the room about 5 and our luggage was there waiting for us. We also used it to take our luggage back to the airport. It was great, one less thing we had to worry about. I had some extra things in a carry on that we would need right away.

 

[EchoOfOphelia]

I say, let em' do it! Its a TON more likely that the airline will loose your luggage, so if Disney looses it, its at least in the right city and there's a chance of getting it back.

We did it on our honeymoon and one of our bags was late getting to our room, but only by about 20 minutes. It was enough for me to panic though

 

[Miss Bell]

We have used it 3 times now, both to and from the airport, and I have had no complaints. We usually get in early to mid afternoon, check in, and hit the parks. Our luggage has always been waiting in our room when we get back. I say go for it: it saves you time, and doesn't cost a thing.

 

[Chape19714]

JPVonDrake provides some insight, as posted in another thread:

Do keep in mind, since DME began on May 5, 2005 Disney has NEVER lost a bag once it has been left in their care. In the event the airline does not deliver an expected bag to the DME processing area, Disney will automatically inform the airline and start the airline's lost luggage process for you. Disney will also keep you informed the throughout the entire process should this happen.

In most cases, due to the way the luggage is delivered and processed at DME, the airline will be informed to begin the process of tracking your bags significantly faster then if you yourself waited at the luggage claim to retrieve your luggage and discover one of your bag missing, and then went to lost luggage to report it. Also remember, when you report your luggage missing, the airline first have to investigate if your luggage was delivered to baggage claim but was not taken by another passenger at the airport thinking that it was theirs. With DME, this eliminates that possibility. The airlines knows it misplaced the bag before landing, and can immediately begin tracking it's journey from your home town to Orlando.

 

[shoppingnut]

I have use DME numerous times and had no problems whatsoever. Only one trip did I collect my luggage on the way in and that was because we landed at 10:00pm, but if it were earlier, I would have let it go with DME. With 6 people that is a lot to keep track of with carryons and all, especially if you have young kids with a stroller or two in tow. I just carry on with me anything I might need in the first few hours of checking into my hotel, like if I decide to go to the pool when I get there, I'd take my swimsuit and hairbrush in the carryon.

DME reduces the chance by 100% of someone else walking off with your luggage from the carousel, since DME luggage is pulled behind the scenes at the airport and isn't put on the carousel.

 

[Tom]

Thanks for all the responses so far. I think I'm going to copy and paste the highlights to an email to the other 5 members and convince them that we should all just relax and trust the system!

 

[mattfz]

Thanks for all the responses so far. I think I'm going to copy and paste the highlights to an email to the other 5 members and convince them that we should all just relax and trust the system!

Let them do it!

 

[AEfx]

It's just not worth it to me.

Saves about 10 minutes of your time going and getting the bags yourself.

Airlines loose luggage. I don't want to have to wait until it doesn't show up hours later at WDW to start figuring out where it may have landed, or at what point it got lost (i.e. did Disney loose it or did the airline).

Getting luggage in Orlando is so easy, and the ride to the resort is much more relaxing knowing everything is with you. I also like to hit the parks immediately after checking in, and it sure is nice to take the few minutes to get everything put away and have fresh clothes/etc. before doing so.

The "convienenice" just isn't worth it for me, but then again, I don't travel with 15 bags. If you do, the convenience factor may be greater for you, but then again, so is the risk.

AEfx

 

[Monty]

It's just not worth it to me.

Saves about 10 minutes of your time going and getting the bags yourself.

Airlines loose luggage. I don't want to have to wait until it doesn't show up hours later at WDW to start figuring out where it may have landed, or at what point it got lost (i.e. did Disney loose it or did the airline).

Getting luggage in Orlando is so easy, and the ride to the resort is much more relaxing knowing everything is with you. I also like to hit the parks immediately after checking in, and it sure is nice to take the few minutes to get everything put away and have fresh clothes/etc. before doing so.

The "convienenice" just isn't worth it for me, but then again, I don't travel with 15 bags. If you do, the convenience factor may be greater for you, but then again, so is the risk.

AEfx

As JPvonDrake pointed out, DME would initiate the trace on your missing luggage sooner than you could should the airline misroute your luggage. By knowing that it didn't get to MCO, they would start the trace immediately rather than wait until all the luggage has made it to the carousel for pick up and you've realized it's missing. Then they have to determine if another passenger claimed it before they start to track it in their system. DME reports it missing sooner, advises you that they have done so and when it's found, still deliver it to your room.

Nothing personal, but you're way too worried over something that:

A) Rarely happens. and
B) Isn't that big a deal if it does, so long as you've carried basics in a carry-on.

 

[wannabeBelle]

I agree with the yea sayers. I have used DME with the luggage transfer service 5 times thus far and havent had a problem yet. As JP VonDrake pointed out, it is actually safer to let Disney handle it from the background than to chance someone else walking off with it from the Carousel in error!!! I say give it a shot, pack a nice carry on, and just relax and let Disney do it's thing!!! Belle

 

[WDWFREAK12]

i personally find disney very trustworthy but i still wouldnt want to trust my valuable with them

 

[wannabeBelle]

i personally find disney very trustworthy but i still wouldnt want to trust my valuable with them

Would you trust your valuables with airline personnel going to any destination? I frankly do trust Disney more than most but I always advocate packing a carry on with any valuables on you as well as prescriptions, eyeglasses cameras, videocameras or anything else either very valuable or not easily replaceable. In addition I carry a change of clothes and whatever items I need for the first 4-6 hours of my trip as I know I will not have immediate access to my luggage!!!! Belle

 

[shoppingnut]

i personally find disney very trustworthy but i still wouldnt want to trust my valuable with them

With all the people that touch your luggage in the airports after it's been checked, Disney personnel are the least of your worries. Besides, as Belle said, pack any valuable items and carry them on with you, are not supposed to pack them in a suitcase anyway, that is just asking for trouble.

 

[wannabeBelle]

With all the people that touch your luggage in the airports after it's been checked, Disney personnel are the least of your worries. Besides, as Belle said, pack any valuable items and carry them on with you, are not supposed to pack them in a suitcase anyway, that is just asking for trouble.

Well said SN!!!! Belle

 

[disneytati]

I agree with the yea sayers. I have used DME with the luggage transfer service 5 times thus far and havent had a problem yet. As JP VonDrake pointed out, it is actually safer to let Disney handle it from the background than to chance someone else walking off with it from the Carousel in error!!! I say give it a shot, pack a nice carry on, and just relax and let Disney do it's thing!!! Belle

I agree. Let them do it!