Disney's Magical Express *Arrival* procedures About This Page:

[disneydadrrm]

We have used DME for our last four trips to WDW. Twice we received the yellow tags and twice we didn't. Both times we had to spend extra time checking in at the DME desk (describing luggage etc,) and the last time we ended up waiting in line for our bus for over a half hour with no place to sit. Our feeling is that the service at DME has gone down-hill as of late. This last trip our luggage arrived at the room in a timely manner, trip before that our luggage arrived at the room at 8:30 pm (a full 10 hours after the plane landed at MCO). At WDW you never see people soliciting "tips" but on the DME buses the drivers are posting signs saying tips are "greatly appreciated". For what? We carried our own carry-on bags aboard the bus. Next trip we are going back to limousine service, at least we will know are bags will get there when we do (which will be sooner than the bus would get us there). Disneys' Magical Express is to us another good idea gone bad.

[djstweety]

ok we used the service last week...it worked wonderful. arrived at airport about 10:30 a.m. room was not ready and I was still waitng for my daughter to arrive..I needed her half of the dinning plan payment before I could complete check in. So we went and ate lunch...by the time we had finished lunch, daughter had arrived. we checked in...they took us to the room and our luggage was in the room waiting for us.

[norm & linda]

If you haven't recieved your package two weeks before your arrival make sure you call to confirm you're in the system!

Here's a little blurb i copied at one point and I'm glad I did:

If you haven't received luggage tags, double-check that you are in the Magical Express system, or have your travel agent do so. The number to call is (866) 599-0951. Disney's Magical Express requires a reservation that must be selected prior to arrival into Orlando International Airport. Disney will not be able to provide this service to guests without an advance reservation for Disney's Magical Express.

We didn't recieve our tags, called and for some reason we weren't in the system. However they shipped them out right away (via courier to Canada which was awesome) and we received them the next day.

Our ME experience last year was really good. we arrived at 7:15 pm. we did have to wait 15 minutes before the bus left. The bags were delivered to our room before midnight, but we had packed our essentials and contingency 1st day clothes in a carry on so it was no big deal. The kids loved the ME -- much more than a taxi, so it was totally worth it and we're going to do it again in 4 days. The only change we made for our return trip last year was to book a car, because our flight was 6 am and we were able to get an extra hours sleep that way.

Linda

[happyhedgehogs]

We're flying Southwest, which doesn't offer the "straight from the plane to the resort" luggage service yet. We're still planning on using DME, though. I assume we'll go through baggage claim just like any other plane trip, then just take our luggage down to the DME area. Is this correct? From that point, does our process differ from the normal process?

[djstweety]

No, I just few southwest. put the luggage tags provided by DME on your luggage when you check them at the airport. They will arrive later in your room. The only time you have to worry about your luggage is on the way back. When you go home. You have to take your own luggage back to the airport and check them in your self...no big deal. Just pack light.

[cgai729]

okay, let me see if I understand this..... You CAN pick up your luggage at the baggage terminal and take it with you on the Magical Express bus if you want, is this correct??
Pardon my ignorance...

Thanks for all the great tips!!! Cyndi

[bradk]

yes, you can if you want to.

also, in regards to how DME handles luggage late at night. normally they'll knock on your door to deliver your luggage. after midnight, the procedure is they will leave a 'silent' voicemail on your phone. your phone will never ring, but your voicemail indicator will light up. the message will tell you that they have your bags and you can call at any time throughout the night to have them delivered right then. otherwise automatic delivery resumes at 8 am.

so there's no real extra step for this except to watch your phone.

[jhoshowski]

Just remember if you want to pick up your own bags, do NOT put the yellow DME tags on them. Bags with the DME tags never make it to the carousel.

[DisneyLover-Jenn]

Is there a limit to the number or size of the bags you can bring on the express?

[applejenn]

We used DME this past August, had no problems except we did not get our luggage until 1130pm and we arrived at 1145am. It had rained the whole day and my boys were froze in the AC in our room. Our room has always been ready when we get there. We had a short wait at MCO as well. We plan on using it again next year when we go, for the price you cant go wrong I think anyway

[bradk]

no limit for DME in terms of bags, the airline takes care of that

[teddygurl28]

okay, i know this was answered 2 times already, but im a total nut about going away on vaca and this is my first time going to disney without my parents so i am trying to make sure i get everything right! I am doing the me, but my flight doesnt land until 1015pm (if there are no delays) im kind of hesitant about letting them take my luggage, so if i skip putting on the luggage tags can i just go to the baggage claim-get my bags and then find the disney counter? by waiting for my bags the me bus wouldnt leave without us since they know we were coming right?!

[OffKilter_Lynn]

Originally Posted by teddygurl28

so if i skip putting on the luggage tags can i just go to the baggage claim-get my bags and then find the disney counter?

Yes, if you don't put the yellow DME tags on your luggage, you can claim them yourself from the luggage carousel and take them with you to the Magical Express desk (level 1, 'B' side)

by waiting for my bags the me bus wouldnt leave without us since they know we were coming right?!

The buses don't leave at set times; as guests come and check in they're assigned buses and the bus leaves when ready. As long as DME knows you're coming, you'll be transported to your resort when you arrive.

Relax! Have a wonderful trip and welcome to the boards!

[teddygurl28]

Thank you so much! I have quite some time before i leave ( i dont go until the end of august) but i figure its never too early to start getting everything in order

[vbradl1]

my family of 8 is going in August and have decided that we need to rent a van for such a large group. We intend to take ME to OKW and then rent a car on property. However, if we end up having to rent from the airport (looks a little cheaper), my family will still take the ME and I'll drive the van (i hate driving on FL freeways, so I hope this doesn't happen). If the yellow tag is on my luggage, will I need to ride the bus or will the still deliver them with my family's bags?