Magical Express

[erinshaneb]

We used the magical express the last time we went in 05' and I wasn't that happy with it..It took 3 hours for our luggage to appear and nobody made us aware of that before hand...I think it was the first year they had, but not sure..anyone here use it ? Is it the same ? I will be traveling with a 3 year old so any help with luggage would be great, but if it will take additional time I need to be aware up front..thanks

 

[DisneyJoe]

Luggage can still take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours to get to you.

I always recommend that people pack enough in their carry-on to last them until their luggage arrives, or claim your luggage yourself.

 

[Rob562]

I don't know what it said in the DME literature when the service started in '05, but the paperwork we got for our trip this past September said in multiple places that it can take up to 3 hours after check-in for the luggage to be delivered. They also say to pack any essentials and valuables in your carry-on, and suggest you consider a change of clothing in case you want to swim, etc.

On our trip I don't know how long it actually took, as we rested in the room for a little bit and then went to Epcot for dinner and Illuminations. The bags were in the room when we returned. (You don't have to wait for the bags, they'll deliver them even if you're not in the room. Whish is kinda how Disney intended it to work... You check in, then go to the parks to start spending your money, and then the bags are there when you get back... )

If you don't want the delay in your luggage delivery, you can always leave the yellow tags off and pick them up from baggage claim. But you'll then have to deal with lugging them around yourself down to DME and then once you get to your hotel. (And you'll also have to wait at the airport longer for the bags to come out at baggage claim).
If you want to use the free DME luggage service, you'll have to be OK with the terms of it, which includes the delay in delivery.

And one of the "invisible" benefits of DME's luggage service is that if your bag is delayed by the airline, DME acts on your behalf to track it down and get it delivered.

-Rob

 

[erinshaneb]

Thank you for all the input..i must not have read all the terms that close in 05..I will talk to my dear hubby and see what he wants to do..we normally head to the hotel..unpack get situated and then head out..he is routine man so the going out before everything unpacked may throw off the time line continum or something:brick:..ha haa haa..thanks everyone

 

[Gig 'Em Mickey]

You can always claim your own luggage and then go to the DME counter. That way you know your luggage is on the same bus as you.

 

[MichWolv]

A month ago, our luggage took almost exactly 3:00 hours. We were literally in the room about the declare the literature false (since it says up to 3 hours) when our luggage showed up!

As others have noted though, if you just don't put the yellow tags on your bags, you can pick them up from baggage claim yourself, go down to DME and load the luggage on the bus that you get on. Then it'll be with you when you get to your resort.

So the only reason not to use DME is if you're renting a car.

 

[TURKEY]

Depending on when/where you stay it also can have an effect on the delivery of your bags.

The All-Stars used (not sure if they still do) to sort bags for all 3 themes at one central location and then deliver.

Thunderstorms can delay baggage delivery as well. If its a severe enough storm, there will not be workers on the tarmac at the airport to pull the bags from the plane. This delays them from getting to the carousel or the DME people.

 

[TURKEY]

And one of the "invisible" benefits of DME's luggage service is that if your bag is delayed by the airline, DME acts on your behalf to track it down and get it delivered.

-Rob

Does DME ask for your claim checks when you land even if you have the yellow tags on the bags?

 

[Rob562]

Thunderstorms can delay baggage delivery as well. If its a severe enough storm, there will not be workers on the tarmac at the airport to pull the bags from the plane. This delays them from getting to the carousel or the DME people.

That's a good point. While thunderstorms may delay your baggage, it wouldn't delay you from checking in with DME and getting on the bus. So if you're getting your luggage delivered by DME, you can just go downstairs and leave. If you'd decided to get your bags yourself and didn't put the DME tags on your luggage, you'd have to stand there in baggage claim until the weather cleared enough for the baggage handlers to get back out to work. Then you'd have the DME ride on top of that.

You can avoid all that by taking DME, going to a park, and being OK with not having your luggage until that evening.

Does DME ask for your claim checks when you land even if you have the yellow tags on the bags?

The paperwork says to have them ready when you go to check in for DME. I don't recall if they took them or scanned them when we checked in, though.

-Rob

 

[cattprez]

my mum and i are going to the World in may and have decided... because its free we will take the DME for the first time... im not going to put the tags on my bags because i dont want to be without our luggage...we are going to collect them at the carosel and take them to the buses

 

[Nansafan]

We love DME! We've used it every trip since it started and enjoy the freedom. It has been common practice in our family (long before DME was a dream in an imagineer's mind) that you pack in your carry-on: prescription medications, spare glasses, complete change of clothes (socks and undies), extra something suitable for sleepwear (i.e. t-shirt) and a bathing suit. You never know if the airlines will lose your luggage so you must be prepared. We started this in 1989. My sister was flying home to San Diego after coming to Chicago for Christmas. Her bag was lost and she didn't receive it until 2 weeks later.

 

[Bolna]

It is always a very good idea to pack all your essentials and what you will need for the first 24 hours in your carry-on luggage - whether you take ME or not! I learned this the hard way when we arrived in South Africa, but our bags did not and the next plane that could bring them was due to arrive in 24 hours...

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hi there all, Definitely make sure you pack essentials in a carry on. These should include all items that are difficult to replace while on vacation including all prescriptions, glasses, spare contacts etc. Also anything of value should be carried on your person as well such as jewlery, camera equipment, cash, travelers checks, etc. Your luggage goes through a great many checks within your trip and anything can go wrong. Having these items on you or a member of your family minimizes the chances of losing something important/valuable. That having been said I have been using DME since about 20 days after it's inception and think it is great!!!! There isnt a more carefree or easy way to start your vacation. I always pack a change of clothes in my carry on to compensate for the warmer weather in Florida, as appropriate. I get to the hotel, check in, get to my room or leave my carry on with Bell Services if my room isnt ready and head for a park. The one time I was hanging around the resort my luggage arrived within one hour of my arrival. Generally I go off and enjoy myself and when I come back my bag is in my room already. I love not having to collect my bags at the airport and just getting on the bus and starting my vacation!!! Belle

 

[eroyee]

We love DME too. have never had any problems. checked into the resort, went to DTD and our bags were magically in our room when we returned!! We will use it again and again........

 

[fosse76]

Keep in mind, checked-luggage does not ride on the bus with you. The tags allow the baggage handlers to route the bags to a truck which then delivers them to Disney separately...which is why there is a delay. You might already be in line for a bus to your first bus before your luggage even leaves the airport. The only luggage that is on the busses is the luggage that you bring to the bus with you.

 

[lbrad]

We love DME too. have never had any problems. checked into the resort, went to DTD and our bags were magically in our room when we returned!! We will use it again and again........

We had no problems with DME this Nov. I also willl use it again & again!
Not many things in life are free...I like to take advantage

 

[frank2271]

Original Fort Wilderness Cabins

Does anyone have any pix of the original cabins? I have been told that they were once just "Airstream" trailers. Is this true?

Frank

 

[Monkeymama]

I didn't realize that we could pick up our own luggage and then take the ME. Thanks for that tip--I think I will be more comfortable with that. I have always used a rental car so this will be a new experience...

 

[Uncle Lupe]

So do these magical luggage tags keep your bags from being misplaced as often?

 

[Monty]

So do these magical luggage tags keep your bags from being misplaced as often?

In a manner of speaking, yes!

If you've checked your bags with the DME tags and they get lost by the airline, DME does all the work to track them down with your airline for you. In some instances, the bags may very well be delivered to your resort room before you come back from the parks even though it was lost. :king: