transfers/participating airlines

[boatlover30]

Has anyone used the transfers lately when getting OFF the ship? Do you check your luggage the night before? Or the morning you get off? Also do you know if Southwest is participating yet? I know they are know officially participating at WDW resorts but wondered if this has carried over to DCL yet. Thanks!

 

[musicgirl]

This was great when we used it, even if it was a few years back.

I believe you have to take your own bags through customs so you would do the luggage just like normal. After you are done with customs, you will then check your bags in with the airline. It was pretty easy at least at that time.

 

[kcashner]

The above post is outdated info. If you are on a participating airline and have a departure after 11:25 am AND have requested onboard check in, you will place your bags outside your room between 9 pm and 11 pm on the last night and not see them again till you arrive at your home airport. You do NOT have to carry the bags thru Customs.

What you MUST do is to show up at the desk where they check you in (you used to pay luggage fees there, but recently these are being added to your KTTW account). If you do not check in at the desk indicating that you are off the ship in a timely fashion, your luggage will be pulled and you WILL have to take it to the airport on the bus.

Southwest is doing a trial program of participating with Magical Express. As of 2 weeks ago, they have not expanded this to the cruise line although it is widely rumored that if the WDW trial period goes well it will be expanded to the cruise also.

 

[sayhello]

Southwest is doing a trial program of participating with Magical Express. As of 2 weeks ago, they have not expanded this to the cruise line although it is widely rumored that if the WDW trial period goes well it will be expanded to the cruise also.

Oh! This is good to know! I *LOVE* flying Southwest to Florida, and if they participate in Magical Express, that makes it even better!

Sayhello

 

[boatlover30]

I know that Southwest has been participating for some time but only at a couple of the value resorts. It was not a well-known thing. Just recently though I'm told they expanded throughout WDW. I was unaware that it was just a trial. I thought that had been done at the values. I sure do hope they expand to DCL. Thanks for the info.

 

[clten]

What you MUST do is to show up at the desk where they check you in (you used to pay luggage fees there, but recently these are being added to your KTTW account). If you do not check in at the desk indicating that you are off the ship in a timely fashion, your luggage will be pulled and you WILL have to take it to the airport on the bus.

This is only true only if you have a flight before 1pm and have to be off the ship by 8am. If your flight is later than 1, you don't have to check-in with anyone on your way out until the customs agent.

 

[mmouse37]

Has anyone used the transfers lately when getting OFF the ship? Do you check your luggage the night before? Or the morning you get off? Also do you know if Southwest is participating yet? I know they are know officially participating at WDW resorts but wondered if this has carried over to DCL yet. Thanks!

As mentioned, you must already be signed up for the Onboard Airline Check in program before leaving the ship (you can sign up at the port at check in and then reconfirm onboard). You must be on one of the participating airlines and you must be taking at least one leg of DCL transporation (most obvious is the leg from ship to airport).

Your airline boarding pass and airline luggage tags will be delivered to your stateroom the night before you disembark. You put your luggage out the night beforeand won't see it again until your home airport. You leave the ship with just your carryons.

The following is not directed to the OP but to anyone who was thinking...hey...I will just have DCL handle my luggage and then I can get a smaller rental car!! That would solve many a luggage dilemma, but sadly does not work that way.

You can't use this service to just have DCL take your luggage for you, meaning you can't use this service if you are renting a car or using a car service and just want DCL to handle your luggage to the airport...that won't work. The luggage handling is a perk for those on the onboard airline check-in program (people that paid for transfers).

We have done this program for our last three cruises and it works great! For our upcoming Wonder cruise, though, we have to claim our own luggage as we are driving ourselves to WDW for a few days and not going straight back to the airport. DCL will not transport your luggage to WDW from the ship. You are responsible for that.

MJ

 

[kcashner]

I know that Southwest has been participating for some time but only at a couple of the value resorts. It was not a well-known thing. Just recently though I'm told they expanded throughout WDW. I was unaware that it was just a trial. I thought that had been done at the values. I sure do hope they expand to DCL. Thanks for the info.

We were at Animal Kingdom Villas in December 2009 and were told that it was a trial program. That's when I asked if Southwest was participating on the cruise line. The CM made a phone call and told me "Not yet, but if it meets with Southwest's approval at WDW, they will probably expand it to the cruise line also."

 

[debm]

We are on AirTran flying out of Orlando. Does anyone know if they are a participating airline? Thanks.

 

[mmouse37]

We are on AirTran flying out of Orlando. Does anyone know if they are a participating airline? Thanks.

Yes, AirTran participates in the Disney OAC program.

From the DCL website:


Some info from the DCL site.

When you register for Onboard Airline Check-In, you are entitled to:
Receive your boarding passes and check your luggage for your return flight before you disembark the ship
Skip luggage claim at the port terminal
Bypass the airline check-in counter at the airport
Here's how it works: Reserve air or ground transportation through Disney Cruise Line® and sign up for Onboard Airline Check-In when you check in for your cruise at the port or a Walt Disney World® Resort Hospitality Desk. On the day prior to disembarkation, your airline boarding passes and valet luggage tags will magically be delivered to your stateroom, along with a letter answering common questions you may have. Attach the tags to your luggage and leave your bags outside your stateroom the evening prior to disembarkation. Disney Cruise Line® will collect and deliver your luggage to your airline. When you arrive at Orlando International Airport, proceed to security with your boarding passes already in hand and continue on to your scheduled departure gate. It's that simple!

Available to Guests flying out of Orlando International Airport on domestic flights (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) on AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Northwest Airlines, United/Ted Airlines and US Airways — it's the perfect ending to a magical cruise vacation! Pre-registration is required and scheduled flights must be after 11:25 a.m. on the day your cruise ends. Guests are limited to two bags per person and each piece must not exceed 50 lbs. Additionally, some Guests may be selected to check in at the airport and unable to use this service.

MJ