Is it normal to retrieve your own bags from storage?

[Mal46]

Sort of related - preCOVID I left my luggage with Beach Club Bell Services on my departure day. Hours later, I went to the desk and gave them my ticket. They brought out a shopping bag, and nothing else. It was not my shopping bag. They had to go back to get my luggage.

If what they brought out was better than what I left, it would have been easy to just take it. (For example, if somebody had thrown some old stuff in the shopping bag and they were given all of my luggage instead of their bag, they might have decided to forget the shopping bag and take my luggage, if they were dishonest.)

And on arrival day (on a different trip) I left my luggage with Beach Club Bell Services because my room was not ready. I went back later to get something out of my suitcase. The Bell Services castmember just let me in, showed me where my stuff was, and walked away. It would have been easy to steal from someone else's bags if I were dishonest.

All of this!!! At first I was looking for guests with similar experiences, now reading through said experiences is frustrating me. And that's the thing, what happens when the dishonest guests take advantage of this behavior? And the walking away, that would have sent me through the roof. My bellman was kind enough to roll ONE of our suitcases out for us, hahaha. Thank you so much for sharing!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I’ve stayed at Disney every year since 1986, sometimes a couple times a year, and I have never had this happen. Sounds like you were being punished for the tip situation.

 

[Mal46]

I’ve stayed at Disney every year since 1986, sometimes a couple times a year, and I have never had this happen. Sounds like you were being punished for the tip situation.

Which is understandable. I did have the tip ready for him when we were leaving, but that is neither here nor there. Thank you for your input!

 

[Gehrig1B]

C’mon folks… the paranoia is real. What would you think if hundreds of bags were taken off your flight and left for anyone to just lift off the luggage carousel? Oh, wait…

 

[PrincessGidget]

Just an interesting FYI regarding luggage storage….

This past summer I had to help out my SIL who does group sales. Her normal people were not available and she needed someone on sight to get the group checked in, luggage stowed then on a bus to the park. I was just finishing up a family vacation at WDW so volunteered. Then I had a thought, how am I suppose to tip bell services for a group of 40? Will SIL’s company reimburse me?

Over the years I have become friendly with a CM in bell services at SSR (say hello to Mark from Wisconsin if you are at SSR- but he retires 12/26/23) so I asked him his professional opinion. He told me, the bell people at the values DO NOT WORK FOR DISNEY AND DO NOT NEED TO BE TIPPED. (I know OP was at a moderate, this is just FYI)
When the group arrived, they went into the baggage storage area two or three at a time and stowed their own luggage. Same thing on pickup.

 

[focusondisney]

Thank you for bringing this up. I didn't want to believe that the tip - which was ready to be left with bell services before this incident - was the reason this happened.

It certainly shouldn’t have. Tip or not is your option. It’s customary, but not a mandatory fee for service. These employees are getting paid to provide a service. They’re not like wait staff making below minimum wage & expected to make all their money on tips. I wouldn’t be surprised if that bellman hadn’t spread the word to not assist you tho. Terrible. Lately I don’t get any poststay surveys. This would be something I would definitely remark on if they did send one.

 

[Mal46]

Just an interesting FYI regarding luggage storage….

This past summer I had to help out my SIL who does group sales. Her normal people were not available and she needed someone on sight to get the group checked in, luggage stowed then on a bus to the park. I was just finishing up a family vacation at WDW so volunteered. Then I had a thought, how am I suppose to tip bell services for a group of 40? Will SIL’s company reimburse me?

Over the years I have become friendly with a CM in bell services at SSR (say hello to Mark from Wisconsin if you are at SSR- but he retires 12/26/23) so I asked him his professional opinion. He told me, the bell people at the values DO NOT WORK FOR DISNEY AND DO NOT NEED TO BE TIPPED. (I know OP was at a moderate, this is just FYI)
When the group arrived, they went into the baggage storage area two or three at a time and stowed their own luggage. Same thing on pickup.

Very interesting, thank you! With a large group, is the luggage stored together (in close proximity) or, because it's such a large group, was it a store-it-where-it-fits situation? Also, A VERY HAPPY RETIREMENT TO SSR MARK FROM WISCONSIN!!!

 

[Mal46]

It certainly shouldn’t have. Tip or not is your option. It’s customary, but not a mandatory fee for service. These employees are getting paid to provide a service. They’re not like wait staff making below minimum wage & expected to make all their money on tips. I wouldn’t be surprised if that bellman hadn’t spread the word to not assist you tho. Terrible. Lately I don’t get any poststay surveys. This would be something I would definitely remark on if they did send one.

Thank you so much for this!!! It was particularly confusing because he was so adamant about NEVER being at the front. We tipped the bellman who delivered our luggage immediately. I was just completely frazzled by our check-out day and forgot to get the cash, which is 100% my fault. And the funny thing is, I got the survey, but it only let me comment on food service and housekeeping. Again, thank you for your kind words!

 

[Mal46]

C’mon folks… the paranoia is real. What would you think if hundreds of bags were taken off your flight and left for anyone to just lift off the luggage carousel? Oh, wait…

I get that you and Pluto think some are being dramatic, but the thing is, I came here to see if it was normal to retrieve your own luggage, then others pointed out the discrepancies in this experience. That's when I realized no one had checked my ticket and no one was around to make sure I didn't help myself to someone else's stored bags. This isn't the airport, this is a Disney hotel. That was the point we were all discussing. Have a great day!

 

[Miffy]

I have gone in the back a couple of times at different resorts in order to locate my luggage, but I've never just gone into the back and gotten my stuff unsupervised. That is definitely odd.

OP, is there a reason why you haven't mentioned the resort? I"m curious because we're at POFQ right now and I'll be leaving my bags with bell services for a while on checkout day. So now I'm a bit concerned.

Thanks.

 

[Mal46]

I have gone in the back a couple of times at different resorts in order to locate my luggage, but I've never just gone into the back and gotten my stuff unsupervised. That is definitely odd.

OP, is there a reason why you haven't mentioned the resort? I"m curious because we're at POFQ right now and I'll be leaving my bags with bell services for a while on checkout day. So now I'm a bit concerned.

Thanks.

No need to be concerned, we didn't stay at POFQ! From what I'm reading, this isn't something that happens often. I didn't mention the resort because I didn't want to put anyone on blast, I just wanted to know if there were any shared experiences. And from the very helpful replies, POFQ hasn't been mentioned at all. So enjoy your stay! And try the gingerbread cookie at MVMCP if you are attending!

 

[nw6675]

C’mon folks… the paranoia is real. What would you think if hundreds of bags were taken off your flight and left for anyone to just lift off the luggage carousel? Oh, wait…

Yes, that was previously pointed out.

 

[fla4fun]

C’mon folks… the paranoia is real. What would you think if hundreds of bags were taken off your flight and left for anyone to just lift off the luggage carousel? Oh, wait…

I think the difference is that with a luggage carousel, you are surrounded by all the other passengers who will call you out if you take their bag. That is a little different than someone having access to a bag storage area with no one else in sight to monitor which bags they take or if they open bags and rifle through the contents.

I wouldn’t hesitate to use bell services, but I have never trusted them with anything of value and this thread has indicated to me that I was right to be cautious. It is the same as I would never put valuables in a checked bag that comes out on the luggage carousel.

 

[Mal46]

I think the difference is that with a luggage carousel, you are surrounded by all the other passengers who will call you out if you take their bag. That is a little different than someone having access to a bag storage area with no one else in sight to monitor which bags they take or if they open bags and rifle through the contents.

I wouldn’t hesitate to use bell services, but I have never trusted them with anything of value and this thread has indicated to me that I was right to be cautious. It is the same as I would never put valuables in a checked bag that comes out on the luggage carousel.

Thank you for saying ALL of this!!!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Which is understandable. I did have the tip ready for him when we were leaving, but that is neither here nor there. Thank you for your input!

I don’t think it’s ok or understandable to “punish” someone for not tipping. It’s childish and unprofessional. Even if you didn’t tell him you’d leave money at the front and he knew you had no intention of tipping, this is not ok. That would be like a waitress telling you to get your own food from the kitchen if she thinks you’re not going to tip. Now, of course tipping is important but no one should be retaliated against for not doing it.

 

[Raya]

This happened to us at Wilderness Lodge pre-covid (although I don't remember which year). We arrived just after noon. The front desk took the bags and said they would be waiting in the room for us when we got back from the park. We got back after 10pm to no bags. Called down, and were told the bags would be up soon. At midnight I called again and they told me I could come down and get them myself. So I did. No ticket check, no escort. Employee pointed to an unlocked door behind the bell desk, I went in, found the luggage and left with it. No one confirmed it was mine.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

We have been on 40+ trips and, a number of times I will ask a CM about getting a cart to use for our luggage, we drive to WDW so we have a LOT of stuff and sometimes I will just use a cart During those times, I have never been told that the carts were ONLY for the bell hops and was actually told where I could get one or they will get me one. I have been asked if I wanted a bell hop to help us, but 99% of the time I will move my own luggage. This way we can start unpacking as soon as we get to our room, plus if it's something that I can do, I will just do it myself, especially luggage at a resort or hotel. Then I can use the tip $ for me to have a Makers on the rocks

 

[Mle8308]

Similar thing happened to us at Wilderness Lodge. Grocereies were delivered to the resort but never brought to our room. I finally went down and got them myself.

No tip for that, right?

They won't deliver groceries to your room unless you ask and are in the room to receive them.

 

[Mal46]

I don’t think it’s ok or understandable to “punish” someone for not tipping. It’s childish and unprofessional. Even if you didn’t tell him you’d leave money at the front and he knew you had no intention of tipping, this is not ok. That would be like a waitress telling you to get your own food from the kitchen if she thinks you’re not going to tip. Now, of course tipping is important but no one should be retaliated against for not doing it.

Thank you for saying this, I truly appreciate it! I included the tip part of the story for full disclosure. One member of our party was ill and our last full day was difficult. On check-out day, I was so worried about getting us, and all of our stuff, out on time, the cash just slipped my mind. I genuinely didn't want to believe this was "payback" but you weren't the only replier who suggested the tip COULD be the reason and not that this was commonplace. This reply makes me feel better because it had been on my mind since yesterday. Thank you again!

 

[Mal46]

This happened to us at Wilderness Lodge pre-covid (although I don't remember which year). We arrived just after noon. The front desk took the bags and said they would be waiting in the room for us when we got back from the park. We got back after 10pm to no bags. Called down, and were told the bags would be up soon. At midnight I called again and they told me I could come down and get them myself. So I did. No ticket check, no escort. Employee pointed to an unlocked door behind the bell desk, I went in, found the luggage and left with it. No one confirmed it was mine.

This is a bummer because we were thinking about staying at WL next year. I'm so sorry you are part of this circle. Thank you for sharing!