Magical express problem

[Disneydreamer16]

I know we arent supposed to be doing this but we have a family of 5 staying in a room at pop century. Does anyone know if this is going to pose a problem with the magical express tickets? Any info would be helpful...thanks

 

[Deadmanwalking]

If you have a digital camera and a printer - take a picture of your luggage and print it off. This greatly speeds the check-in at DME if your bags aren't tagged.

For clarity:

To the OP - It's really not worth the risk to try and circumvent Disney's rules. They've been "playing this game" a lot longer than you have. There are so many possibilities for them to catch you out and they have every legal right to evict you from the property if you're caught.

DME won't transport your whole party because they'll only issue tickets to registered guests. Mousekeeping will spot extra items in the room that indicate more guests than are registered and any CM could pick up on something that will get them wondering...

Even staying at a Value Resort, you've invested a fair amount of money. Do you really want to risk ruining the vacation?

For anybody using DME - there's lots of information available on how the system works if:
- the tags don't get to you in time
- you're required to clear customs on arrival at MCO
- you're flying home domestically on a partner airline and want to use Resort Airline Check-In

Search, or just ask, someone will get you the info.

Sorry but I just don't buy the watch out they'll figure it out statements. Sure they aren't going to be able to get 5 people on the DME, but be honest about the possibility of housekeeping figuring out how many people are staying in a room. When the people aren't in a room they aren't going to be counting socks and underwear so exactly how do you expect them to pick up on it. Maybe if you are dumb enough to leave a sleeping bag out, but unless they knock on your room at 2 in the morning and do a head count even seeing 5, 6 or even 7 people in a room doesn't mean anything. Have you people never heard of other people dropping by your room when your there?

Sure the extra magic hours will be a problem and one person will be left out, but each time I've had them check the extra magic line they look at my room key see how many people are in the room and wave the whole group of us through, they don't check names of everyone in the room that would take way to long.

So why try and put the fear of god into someone over 5 people in a room. The fact is craming 5 people in a value room will be punishment enough.

 

[Monty]

Sorry but I just don't buy the watch out they'll figure it out statements. Sure they aren't going to be able to get 5 people on the DME, but be honest about the possibility of housekeeping figuring out how many people are staying in a room. When the people aren't in a room they aren't going to be counting socks and underwear so exactly how do you expect them to pick up on it. Maybe if you are dumb enough to leave a sleeping bag out, but unless they knock on your room at 2 in the morning and do a head count even seeing 5, 6 or even 7 people in a room doesn't mean anything. Have you people never heard of other people dropping by your room when your there?

Sure the extra magic hours will be a problem and one person will be left out, but each time I've had them check the extra magic line they look at my room key see how many people are in the room and wave the whole group of us through, they don't check names of everyone in the room that would take way to long.

So why try and put the fear of god into someone over 5 people in a room. The fact is craming 5 people in a value room will be punishment enough.

Fear of god? Hardly!

I pointed out what I consider to be a significant risk that could really trash an expensive vacation. If the OP chooses to go ahead anyway, that's entirely up to them. I invest several thousand dollars in my Disney trips, I personally don't see the logic of putting a good chunk of that at risk, that's all. :shrug:

 

[robynchic]

There are some indications that more than x number of people are staying in the room.

For instance, where are they going to have the fifth person sleep? In the bath tub? Also, there are usually only 4 towels available. So...are two people going to share a towel?

Also, let's say that there are a 14 year old boy, 12 year old girl, and 10 year old boy. I don't think that the 10 year old would be wearing the same sizes as the 14 year old. If anything is left out, then they could catch on.

As another person said, Mousekeeping is trained to spot extra people. Do you really want to chance it?

 

[robynchic]

I think it's pink. :shrug:




:lookaroun






:lol:

Pink, purple, one of those types of colors. So...pink and purple hawaiian print duffle, then? :lol:

 

[ThumperDude]

I still have a strange, uneasy feeling about leaving my luggage behind at the airport for Disney to pick up. To many things can go wrong. I mean, I check them in here in Tulsa and the next time I see them, they 'magically' appear in my POR hotel room. That's just not natural. I know I'm being over cautious. But what are some of the more major problems guest have incountered with DME? And what steps do I need to take on my part to insure problems do not occur? The only thing my travel agent has told me about is to attach the special tag on my luggage and get on the bus. It just seems all to simple.

 

[wonka]

It is all too simple, which is the point The tags you put on your bags aren't just tags that say DME or anything. They have barcodes which contain information such as your name, hotel and room number. It's not so much magic as much as it is someone else doing the legwork for you, but it sure seems like magic when you're not pulling a suitcase along behind you in the airport.

When it was first introduced, I remember hearing stories of people not getting their tags in time for their trip, not getting their luggage delivered until long after they had arrived, etc. Most of the bumps were smoothed out relatively quickly, and I haven't heard too many bad stories since.

My wife and I went down a few months after they started the service. We put the tags on, checked our bags at the airport and they "magically" appeared in our room. I can't tell you how long it took due to the fact that we got there in the afternoon and immediately went to the parks. We didn't return until 10 or so and there they were.

For the return trip, we checked our bags at the hotel (Pop Century). We told them the flight information and we didn't see the bags again until we picked them up after landing.

We had a great experience with DME and will definately be taking advantage of it again this year. Especially since we'll be travelling with two children this time. :lookaroun

My advice would be to not put anything you are absolutely going to need when you get there, in your DME tagged bags. We purposely put our cameras, sunblock, sunglasses and other assorted things we'd need for park enjoyment in our carry ons.

As for things that could go wrong nowadays, I guess the airline could lose your luggage and you wouldn't know about it for quite some time since you would have taken off in the DME bus before anyone would have a chance to realize they are missing. :veryconfu

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey there Wonnka, You are correct about the missing luggage but Disney has a procedure for that as well. Once you check in, if your luggage isnt found on that flight, the procedure to find it is immediately started. This would be done faster than you yourself would even know that your luggage had gone astray as you wouldnt even have to wait until all of your bags come out on Baggage Claim.
Hey Tulsa, I have been using DME pretty regularly since it's inception and it ROCKS!!!!!!!!!! Monty Mon is right on about the carry on thing. I usually put in a change of clothing (Shorts bathing suit etc) whatever I would need for the first 3 hours down in Florida. In addition I pack any prescription medications, glasses, contact lenses, camera equipment, jewelery, money, traveler's checks etc that is more expensive or cannot be easily replaced. Everything else may be packed in your checked bag without any worries. Any liquids, gels, aerosoles eetc packed in your carry on must be less that 3 ounces (travel size) and packed into a clear quart sized ziploc bag for inspection at the security area in your airport. Your total trip time will take between an hour to an hour and a half from the airport to your resort. Sit back, enjoy the ride and let Mickey take care of you!! Seriously it will be fine and if you have any other questions, post them and Ill do my best to answer!!! Belle

 

[wannabeBelle]

Fear of god? Hardly!

I pointed out what I consider to be a significant risk that could really trash an expensive vacation. If the OP chooses to go ahead anyway, that's entirely up to them. I invest several thousand dollars in my Disney trips, I personally don't see the logic of putting a good chunk of that at risk, that's all. :shrug:

Exactly!!!! If the OP chooses to not believe what is being told to them not only by me and several other people, but by JPVonDrake who is known for having the official word on all things Disney, then by all means proceed. However if they are caught, it will be a very upsetting and large problem. I cant imagine things will go happily after that. Belle

 

[Disneydreamer16]

I appreciate everyones input. We just dont have the money to upgrade to anything that will hold 5 people. It was cost hundreds more than we are paying. As for getting caught with that many people in the room, we arent too worried about it. We have done it before in the past with no problems. I do realize there is a risk but as long as you are careful about it there shouldnt be a problem. Im sure we arent the only people doing this either.
But i do thank everyone for responding anyway

 

[surfsupdon]

This past January, we had 2 people registered to a room at Wilderness Lodge, using Magical Express. My sister decided to come last minute, booked her her flight, but never upgraded the room ressie or DME.

When we arrived at the Welcome Center, the nice CM took my name and asked how many in my party. She then printed out three passes for Magical Express over to WL.

Just my story on the matter.

Five or more happens in resort rooms all the time. I wish we had stats on how many get caught/ how many are evicted/ etc...

 

[Hakunamatata]

Five or more happens in resort rooms all the time. I wish we had stats on how many get caught/ how many are evicted/ etc...

It really doesnt matter how many get caught or evicted....its against resort policy, therfore it simply is wrong.

 

[Dwarful]

On our last trip we had 3 rooms at CSR for 12 people..including 6 kids (cousins). Somehow every single pair of shoes, flip flops and crocs those kids had ended up in our room by day 3! Mousekeeping never said a word, but they must of thought we had some serious shoe issues!

Now, as far as what others have posted, I agree. Unless one of the party of five is 2 or under your whole group won't be getting on that bus.

 

[DisneyChik17]

On our last trip we had 3 rooms at CSR for 12 people..including 6 kids (cousins). Somehow every single pair of shoes, flip flops and crocs those kids had ended up in our room by day 3! Mousekeeping never said a word, but they must of thought we had some serious shoe issues!

I can only imagine what Mousekeeping thinks of our room. We are "space" people. So we take an air mattress and everyone has there own bed. I also pack like I might never return. I took so much last time we went I was a little surprised when we got back. (I wore almost everything though.) Mousekeeping may watch the rooms, but they can't report because of a lot of stuff otherwise we would have been long gone. LOL!

 

[CleveRocks]

I still have a strange, uneasy feeling about leaving my luggage behind at the airport for Disney to pick up. To many things can go wrong. I mean, I check them in here in Tulsa and the next time I see them, they 'magically' appear in my POR hotel room. That's just not natural. I know I'm being over cautious. But what are some of the more major problems guest have incountered with DME? And what steps do I need to take on my part to insure problems do not occur? The only thing my travel agent has told me about is to attach the special tag on my luggage and get on the bus. It just seems all to simple.

I can understand your apprehension. We're always taught that if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. But that doesn't always apply to Disney. In the business world, Disney is often a model for two things: customer service and staff training. DME is a combination of both, plus some hi-tech wizardry.

DME was supposed to end in October 2006, to coincide with the end of the Happiest Celebration on Earth. But because DME was such a huge success with Disney guests and Disney suits alike, it was extended through at least the end of December 2011. If there were widespread luggage problems, DME wouldn't be so popular and so successful.

So how do they do it? A lot of it depends on technology. DME luggage tags have barcodes. These barcodes really have no information other than your reservation number. But once they access the Disney database with your reservation number, they have more than enough info for their (luggage) needs.

The DME luggage tag barcodes are scanned 5 separate times between airplane and the inside of your resort room. In addition, the trucks that transport the luggage from airport to resort are tracked by GPS. In other words, Disney knows where your luggage is at all times.

What happens if your airline messes up and your luggage doesn't even make it to MCO on your flight? GLAD YOU ASKED!

When you check in at the airport's DME Welcome Center, they ask if you DME-tagged your bags, and how many bags you checked. If your bus voucher is scanned (meaning you boarded the DME bus) and all of your luggage isn't found in the computer system pretty darn quickly, they start looking for your bags. DME is responsible for finding your bags for you. They act as your agent. If the airline accidentally sent your bags to MCI (Kansas City) instead of MCO, the airline will eventually get them to the right place. At that point, DME will deliver them to you.

It's times like this that DME has, undoubtedly, been it's worst enemy as far as public opinion goes. Let's say your AIRLINE misdirected your luggage from your home airport to MCI. DME will help track it down, it will be flown to MCO where it belongs, and DME will get it to your resort and then to your resort room. Let's say this takes 10 hours. You don't know your bags were misdirected by the airline, all you know is that Disney told you to expect it 3 hours after you checked in, and here it is 10 hours after you checked in. You get mad at the DME process, when in fact it saved you a lot of time.

Let's say you didn't use DME. You wait at the baggage claim carousel ... and wait ... and wait ... and wait. Once you realize your bags aren't coming, you have to wait in line at your airline's baggage office, behind all the other people with the same problem. Then you fill out forms. You get to your WDW resort much later than you wanted, and you're annoyed. With DME, you wouldn't have to go through all that, they do it for you.

The utilidors under Magic Kingdom are NOT underground. They are the first floor of a massive building. The "ground" of Magic Kingdom is the second and third floors of that massive building (Fantasyland is the 3rd floor, pretty much everything else is the 2nd floor). It seems impossible that all of Magic Kingdom is actually the roof of a building, but yet it's true.

Disney has been making the near impossible happen for years. DME's luggage delivery is just the latest great thing from them. BELIEVE.

 

[Monty]

Excellent answer Eric! :sohappy:

 

[DisneyMusician2]

I have never had an issue...THe truth is the AIRLINE is the biggest culprit of your bag problems. DME simply transports them ground-wise. What is not "natural" is the airlines routing your bags on a different flight than you are on so they have the opportunity to get lost before you even arrive at your destination!

 

[DisneyMusician2]

More on topic, if you have too many people for a room, you need to find another way, or get yourself into a suite. You are doing people a disservice as well as creating a hazard by cramming too many guests into the same space!

 

[Deadmanwalking]

Fear of god? Hardly!

I pointed out what I consider to be a significant risk that could really trash an expensive vacation. If the OP chooses to go ahead anyway, that's entirely up to them. I invest several thousand dollars in my Disney trips, I personally don't see the logic of putting a good chunk of that at risk, that's all. :shrug:

I don't actually see the big chunk at risk. Worst case is they ask you too leave, and in that case you get a refund on those unused hotel days... so you end up in a cheaper offsite hotel. Not the end of world now is it?

 

[wannabeBelle]

I am not so sure if you get a refund actually. JP would probably be more the authority on that one though. Belle

 

[Deadmanwalking]

More on topic, if you have too many people for a room, you need to find another way, or get yourself into a suite. You are doing people a disservice as well as creating a hazard by cramming too many guests into the same space!

What people are getting a disservice? And what harard are we talking about? Sure you cram an extra person in your room the odds of a fight over which TV channel to watch or who is next in the bathroom... but lets be honest here, it ain't like you cramming people into a phone booth.

I can accept the goody goody that says its wrong because its against the rules, I don't agree with them but if they want to live by other peoples rules let them have fun living that way... but trying to claim it is somehow a hazard? If the amount of space required for x number of people were any true hazard half of the apartments and hotels in New York city would be shut down.