Disney's Magical Express/RAC - What "Participating Airline" Really Means! - Page 42 - The DIS Discussion Forums

CleveRocks · 04-16-2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MICKEY1024

do the ME busses only pick up at resorts at certain times, i dont see why we really need to be at the airport 3 hours before flying out, we usually just get there an hour and half to 2 hours before our flights to florida. our plan leaves at 5:30 from MCO so what time should we really be leaving All Star Movie to get to the airport???

If you are flying domestically, DME will pick you up about 3 hours prior to your flight, NOT get you to the airport 3 hours prior to your flight.

lovedoggies · 04-21-2008, 11:45 AM

We are flying Southwest and its not listed as a participating airline. So ...

When we are going home, how do we do it? We are going to rent a car and just wanted to use ME for the luggage only. Coming in seems like it would be easy, but how about going back home? Will the resort make sure our bags get taken, or do we need to be there to get them on the ME bus?

We are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge if that makes any difference.

kaytieeldr · 04-21-2008, 11:53 AM

If you are not flying home on a participating airline, you cannot use Resort Airline Check-in/Magical Express to transport your luggage. Period.

These passengers - Southwest's among them - would, if taking DME back to the airport need to bring their luggage to the bus themselves. Any such Guest NOT riding the bus cannot use the homebound luggage transport service.

goofy4tink · 04-21-2008, 12:10 PM

I will chime in also.....
one more time...'participating' means nothing whatsoever when you arrive at MCO. Any airline guest can use DME to it's fullest. Now, it's for your return to MCO that 'participating' matters. And even at that, it's not really about DME!
It's the use of the RAC (remote airline checkin) system that uses the 'participating' airlines. Those guests flying home on those airlines are able to check their bags at the resort front desk, and then get their boarding passes issued. You do not even need to use DME to get back to the airport to use this service...just have to fly home on a 'particicpating' airline. Those not using a 'participating' airline, and who choose to use DME, you just have to show up at the bus stop about 15 mins before the time you've been given. Then, your bags go underneath the bus, and you'll hop on. You will be handed your bags at the airport terminal and off you'll go.

If you are using a rental car to get back to the airport, then your luggage goes with you. Your luggage goes on the DME bus only if you are on it! You can not send your bags with DME, bac to the airport, while you take another way.

IlovePiglet · 04-21-2008, 09:22 PM

Unless someone in your party is actually riding the bus you will not be able to use the service just for luggage transfer.
And as the previous posters have already mentioned, SW is not one of the airlines offering resort check in so you'll have to take the luggage back with you.

lovedoggies · 04-21-2008, 11:31 PM

Thanks for all the info everyone. We'll just take the bags with us in the rental car. That'll be much easier, I think!

Dizzytime · 04-23-2008, 04:48 PM

Sorry if this has been asked, I tried to read through all the posts but..

US Air being in 'Test Phase' for baggage pick up, I'm wondering if that means they are offering it at only a few resorts presently and will expand to other resorts? Or could it mean they could be dropped at any time at the resorts they are now serving? Probably both! hah!

We really like the service and all things (air fares) being equal we'd like to consider US Air, but obviously reluctant if we book and they end up discontinuing their pickup service after the 'Test Phase'. We are staying at the Beach Club for our next trip in December.

Again, very sorry if this has been covered, still 'earing my ears'!

Hope you all are having a wonderful day.

goofy4tink · 04-23-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dizzytime

Sorry if this has been asked, I tried to read through all the posts but..

US Air being in 'Test Phase' for baggage pick up, I'm wondering if that means they are offering it at only a few resorts presently and will expand to other resorts? Or could it mean they could be dropped at any time at the resorts they are now serving? Probably both! hah!

We really like the service and all things (air fares) being equal we'd like to consider US Air, but obviously reluctant if we book and they end up discontinuing their pickup service after the 'Test Phase'. We are staying at the Beach Club for our next trip in December.

Again, very sorry if this has been covered, still 'earing my ears'!

Hope you all are having a wonderful day.

I believe they are at a select group of resorts presently. There is no way of knowing if they will continue and enlarge the grouping or if they will just leave the program. As you are probably aware, the only issue is the RAC system, not the use of DME.

Dizzytime · 04-23-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goofy4tink

I believe they are at a select group of resorts presently. There is no way of knowing if they will continue and enlarge the grouping or if they will just leave the program. As you are probably aware, the only issue is the RCA system, not the use of DEM.

Sounds right to me, guess there's no way of telling so maybe stick with another airline that has confirmed they're in.

Too bad for US Air, I don't see the downside really. I know the technical end is way beyond me but seems by now they'd figure out if they can or can't, in our not, and I imagine they could grab more bookings if they locked into it.

Anyway, thank you very much for your reasons, I really do appreciate it!

K&K · 04-26-2008, 11:09 PM

With Delta charging to check a second bag starting next week, does anyone know if you can use RAC to check that second bag even though there is a $25 fee or do you have to take it to MCO and check it?

jhshmh · 04-26-2008, 11:56 PM

For our return to Orlando Airport we will nto be flying home. We do need the Magical Express to take us to Oralndo Airport We are visiting family in West Palm Beach. Will I have to provide a return flight anyway(even though we do not have on until a few days later form West Palm. Or can I tell them I need a return of the transportation to Orlando to pick up a rental car.
TIA

goofy4tink · 04-27-2008, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhshmh

For our return to Orlando Airport we will nto be flying home. We do need the Magical Express to take us to Oralndo Airport We are visiting family in West Palm Beach. Will I have to provide a return flight anyway(even though we do not have on until a few days later form West Palm. Or can I tell them I need a return of the transportation to Orlando to pick up a rental car.
TIA

Just find a flight that leaves at a time that would get you to MCO at about the same time you need to rent a car. For instance, if you need to be at the car rental counter at 2:00, to pick up your car, find an airline that departs at about 4:00ish. DME will pick you up at about (that 3 hrs beforehand), getting you to the airport about 1:30ish. That gives you time to get to MCO and to the car rental counter.

momandseandodisney · 04-27-2008, 10:34 AM

can anyone help me locate the phone # for magical experess, I have to book ours. also how far in advance should we book it?

goofy4tink · 04-27-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momandseandodisney

can anyone help me locate the phone # for magical experess, I have to book ours. also how far in advance should we book it?

You really should book DME with whomever you booked your resort stay with. DME won't take any info from you too far in advance.

Dopey Sharon · 04-27-2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momandseandodisney

can anyone help me locate the phone # for magical experess, I have to book ours. also how far in advance should we book it?

1-866-599-0951

I would call about 2-3 months before your trip.

04-21-2008, 11:53 AM	#618
kaytieeldr Reserving the right to make jokes out of typos - but NOT the people who make them - since 2012 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: There is no Pixie Dust on the Transportation Board!!! Posts: 34,327	If you are not flying home on a participating airline, you cannot use Resort Airline Check-in/Magical Express to transport your luggage. Period. These passengers - Southwest's among them - would, if taking DME back to the airport need to bring their luggage to the bus themselves. Any such Guest NOT riding the bus cannot use the homebound luggage transport service. __________________ "I'd like to stop people from passing off narrow-mindedness and intolerance as family values." Alan Shore, Boston Legal Message Board Etiquette Rule 1: Read the sticky threads! Rule 2: Read the whole first page, then post Rule 3: Apples don't equal monkeys º Rule 4: Yes, YOU In the words of Bartles and James, "Thank you for your support"

04-21-2008, 12:10 PM	#619
goofy4tink Likes little devils I know I'm getting old...I get it, I really do Prisoner of Toy Story Mania Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central Ma Posts: 44,676	I will chime in also..... one more time...'participating' means nothing whatsoever when you arrive at MCO. Any airline guest can use DME to it's fullest. Now, it's for your return to MCO that 'participating' matters. And even at that, it's not really about DME! It's the use of the RAC (remote airline checkin) system that uses the 'participating' airlines. Those guests flying home on those airlines are able to check their bags at the resort front desk, and then get their boarding passes issued. You do not even need to use DME to get back to the airport to use this service...just have to fly home on a 'particicpating' airline. Those not using a 'participating' airline, and who choose to use DME, you just have to show up at the bus stop about 15 mins before the time you've been given. Then, your bags go underneath the bus, and you'll hop on. You will be handed your bags at the airport terminal and off you'll go. If you are using a rental car to get back to the airport, then your luggage goes with you. Your luggage goes on the DME bus only if you are on it! You can not send your bags with DME, bac to the airport, while you take another way. __________________

04-26-2008, 11:09 PM	#625
K&K Dreams Really Do Come True! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 102	With Delta charging to check a second bag starting next week, does anyone know if you can use RAC to check that second bag even though there is a $25 fee or do you have to take it to MCO and check it? __________________ DW Kristen, DH Kevin, DD Kayleigh, and DFD Bella

04-26-2008, 11:56 PM	#626
jhshmh Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 123	ME question For our return to Orlando Airport we will nto be flying home. We do need the Magical Express to take us to Oralndo Airport We are visiting family in West Palm Beach. Will I have to provide a return flight anyway(even though we do not have on until a few days later form West Palm. Or can I tell them I need a return of the transportation to Orlando to pick up a rental car. TIA

04-27-2008, 10:34 AM	#628
momandseandodisney DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,443	can anyone help me locate the phone # for magical experess, I have to book ours. also how far in advance should we book it? __________________ Who's all going . . . ? Disney MOM 30 DS 13

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04-21-2008, 11:45 AM	#617
lovedoggies Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 172	We are flying Southwest and its not listed as a participating airline. So ... When we are going home, how do we do it? We are going to rent a car and just wanted to use ME for the luggage only. Coming in seems like it would be easy, but how about going back home? Will the resort make sure our bags get taken, or do we need to be there to get them on the ME bus? We are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge if that makes any difference.

04-21-2008, 09:22 PM	#620
IlovePiglet Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 210	Unless someone in your party is actually riding the bus you will not be able to use the service just for luggage transfer. And as the previous posters have already mentioned, SW is not one of the airlines offering resort check in so you'll have to take the luggage back with you.

04-21-2008, 11:31 PM	#621
lovedoggies Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 172	Thanks for all the info everyone. We'll just take the bags with us in the rental car. That'll be much easier, I think!

04-23-2008, 04:48 PM	#622
Dizzytime DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 685	Sorry if this has been asked, I tried to read through all the posts but.. US Air being in 'Test Phase' for baggage pick up, I'm wondering if that means they are offering it at only a few resorts presently and will expand to other resorts? Or could it mean they could be dropped at any time at the resorts they are now serving? Probably both! hah! We really like the service and all things (air fares) being equal we'd like to consider US Air, but obviously reluctant if we book and they end up discontinuing their pickup service after the 'Test Phase'. We are staying at the Beach Club for our next trip in December. Again, very sorry if this has been covered, still 'earing my ears'! Hope you all are having a wonderful day.

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