Using Magical Express luggage tags?

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petriedish's picture
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Using Magical Express luggage tags?

So, we are making our third visit to WDW in December and we have never used the luggage tags to check our bags straight through to our resort.

Our first visit, we didn't book with enough time to receive the tags. The second trip, we tried but the airline lost our luggage (for 3 days!...but that another story and the Disney hotel staff were all so amazingly helpful) so our bags were eventually couriered to us after they found them.

I am a little nervous to use this service, mainly because we have connecting flights and have to go through customs. We are traveling from Halifax, NS Canada and connecting through Philly. Any Canadians have any experience using ME luggage tags?

Since we are connecting through an American Airport the final leg will be a domestic flight, which eases my mind a little (usually we connect through Toronto or Montreal, but we are flying with an American Carrier this time....us airways, they had the cheapest fares by about 50-100 bucks each which is a considerable savings)

So I guess this question is international flyer specific....but any advice would be appreciated (even if its just to tell me not to worry so much) Have people found this service to be usually quite reliable?

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We've never had an issue (been 4 times now). We fly from Toronto to Orlando direct so we haven't dealt with connecting flights.

However, I don't think ME tags would make any difference when it comes to connecting flights. Any problems with connections would be the same whether it's a Disney bag or not. The tags are just treated extra special only at Orlando as far as I know.

If you have to go and get your bags in Philly to connect to the next flight, you could always put the tags on at that point I suppose.

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I live the US but did have a connecting flight in Atlanta for my 2011 Disney trip. I didn't have any issues with my luggage.

I flew through Philly coming back from Europe a few years ago. I didn't have any issues with my luggage after going through customs. It made it back to Hartford with me.

I know you are looking more for advice from your fellow Canadians. I wanted to give you my experience with both having a connecting flight to Disney and flying internally into Philly. I think you'll be ok. I agree with Ken, any luggage issues shouldn't have anything to do with ME tags.

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petriedish's picture
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I think you're right, any connection issues wouldn't really be impacted by having ME luggage tags....I guess I'm just a little once bitten twice shy and worried about not having any luggage again (that would be no fun!)

I tend to be a worry wart...it seems like a pretty reliable service, I think I'll try it this time

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Mandy's picture
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I have never had any issues with the tags. The only issue was when I traveled with my high school marching band/choir and our bags got to our rooms at like 1 or 2 am with the chaperons delivering the bags. Never had any lost luggage.

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Personally I'd tag them. You're going to have to claim your luggage in Philly to get through Customs and then recheck it, so that negates the international part of the concern. I also have to say if they lose your luggage with a ME tag and report it to Disney, Disney works on finding it and it gets delivered to your room. My sister's luggage was lost last May and Disney told her she'd have it by the next morning. Around 1 am we get a knock on the door, its the bellman bring her bag!

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And this is who they send to look for the missing luggage...

petriedish's picture
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Well how could I not trust a team like that!...hahah Thanks KenJ

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I agree with the advice you've been given. Since you're travelling internationally (although Canada to US doesn't really seem international does it? But maybe that's just b/c I've spent a lot of time in Canada.....), you'll probably have to get your bags in Philly to go through customs. If they're tagged already and happen to be lost, though, Disney will work on finding them.

I hope your trip goes well. I also hope you go out of a gate in the same terminal which you fly into when you arrive Philly. I always connect through Philly when I fly back to NY and it's not my favorite airport. People are ok, but I really don't like the shuttle transport between terminals there. And I've never actually sat in a seat during a layover. Seating seems really limited so I usually end up sitting in a corner, on the floor, with my head propped on my carryon. Ugh.

petriedish's picture
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Jamieoliver....it does seem silly to call it international travel I agree. I spent everyweekend in vermont when I was a child (lived in Montreal at the time so it was a short drive....and I never thought of it as international thats for sure hahaha...but the border gaurds might disagree Smile

I fly into terminal B and out of terminal C...our layover is 1h and 40 minutes so it should be plenty of time atleast.
On our way back we have a long layover (almost 3 hrs...blerg)

I've never flown through Philly before, its too bad to hear that the terminal shuttle is frustrating (but its an airport...I'm not really in love with any of them)

Thanks for the reassurance everyone!

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It's been a few years since we flew out of Halifax, but don't they have pre-clearance for American customs now just like Toronto? This would mean you are considered a domestic flight right from Halifax - wouldn't your luggage also be pre-cleared, and not require you to handle it in Philly?

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Halifax is listed as preclearance on the CBP website (per google). Which is good b/c I can't imagine clearing passport control and customs in Philly, checking luggage, and changing terminals in an hour and forty minutes!!

I still say tag the bags and let Disney work it's "magic". But then again I'm lazy and I hate standing by the baggage carrousel and prefer it to appear in my room. What would be really magical if it appeared in my room, unpacked, ironed, and folded, but I guess even Disney's magic has limits!! laugh

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petriedish's picture
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I think I will definitely use ME this time...I just have to stop being such a worrier (which is easier said then done for me)

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petriedish wrote:
I think I will definitely use ME this time...I just have to stop being such a worrier (which is easier said then done for me)

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm also a "worry wart". I analyze everything to the "nth" degree and think of worst case scenarios all the time. Ugg. It drives JanJ crazy at times! silly

However, in mickey I trust, and I've found that their service is second to none. A Disney World trip is one of those times that I feel totally relaxed.

Deep breath and Ahhhhhh... Cool

Everything will be fine! awesome

Allie's picture
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We used ME luggage tags our last trip from Minnesota and had no issues. Like everyone else gas said, the transfer in Philly shouldn't be affected by the tags.