Disney's Magical Express/RAC - What "Participating Airline" Really Means!

[DisneyGuess]

Thanks for the info. It was for friends of mine who aren't arriving until that late. I told them to just get it themselves. I wouldn't my luggage staying overnight in the airport either much less spinning on the carousel for who knows how long!

[ruadisneyfan2]

We have an 11:15 arrival in Nov and the instructions in our ME packet say to retrieve our own bags and bring them to the bus.

[bluegrass]

1)Our departure flight out of MCO is at 7:45 am. What time will our ME bus pick us up (usually)? Also, we will have 2 bags that will need to be checked and since the RAC doesn't open until 5:00 how can we do this? Should I take them there the day before? If I do it will be before we leave to go to the parks (7:30 am approx)as I will not be coming back during the day before their 1:00 pm closure.

2) Also, how and when will I get my return boarding pass for my flight back?

[seashoreCM]

Originally Posted by bluegrass

1)Our departure flight out of MCO is at 7:45 am. What time will our ME bus pick us up (usually)? Also, we will have 2 bags that will need to be checked and since the RAC doesn't open until 5:00 how can we do this? Should I take them there the day before? If I do it will be before we leave to go to the parks (7:30 am approx)as I will not be coming back during the day before their 1:00 pm closure.

2) Also, how and when will I get my return boarding pass for my flight back?

Your bus will be leaving around 4:45. Be sure you have your Magical Express confirmation, if not delivered and correct at your room morning the day before checkout day, then gotten from the resort front desk said morning of day before checkout.

You must bring your bags to the Magical Express bus platform. No other choice.

Your airline may or may not have an advance boarding pass pickup via the resort concierge or resort business center computers or it may or may not have advance check in via phone. At any rate you will always be able to get your boarding pass at the airport.

Originally Posted by ruadisneyfan2

We have an 11:15 arrival in Nov and the instructions in our ME packet say to retrieve our own bags and bring them to the bus.

Correct, for actual arrival into Orlandol after 10 PM.

[CleveRocks]

Originally Posted by bluegrass

1)Our departure flight out of MCO is at 7:45 am. What time will our ME bus pick us up (usually)? Also, we will have 2 bags that will need to be checked and since the RAC doesn't open until 5:00 how can we do this? Should I take them there the day before? If I do it will be before we leave to go to the parks (7:30 am approx)as I will not be coming back during the day before their 1:00 pm closure.

2) Also, how and when will I get my return boarding pass for my flight back?

RAC can't be used the day before, it has to be same day, a minimum of 3 hours before flight time. Therefore, anyone flying out before 8:00 a.m. is ineligible to use RAC. As seashoreCM says, you'll have to bring your luggage to the bus; the driver will load them under the bus, and then will unload them for you at the airport, then you will bring them to your airline's ticket counter or curbside check-in.

[Susiesnowflake]

I understand that your bags must be checked at the RAC desk at least 3 hrs before your flight. My flight departs at 9:35 am, so my bags need to be checked by 6:35 am. If I am there by 6:00 am, do you think I will have sufficient time? I am wondering how busy the RAC lines at the Poly are in the early morning.

[goofy4tink]

Originally Posted by Susiesnowflake

I understand that your bags must be checked at the RAC desk at least 3 hrs before your flight. My flight departs at 9:35 am, so my bags need to be checked by 6:35 am. If I am there by 6:00 am, do you think I will have sufficient time? I am wondering how busy the RAC lines at the Poly are in the early morning.

Should be okay..it usually takes about 10 mins once you start the process. There shouldn't be muich of a line at 6am.

[E2ME2]

A little off topic, but ME related-
Do you have to use ME from MCO on the day of arrival of your flight, or can it be later than that. .... say if you stay with someone near MCO, and they take you back to the airport the day of your check-in, can you still hop on board with your luggage??

[goofy4tink]

Originally Posted by E2ME2

A little off topic, but ME related-
Do you have to use ME from MCO on the day of arrival of your flight, or can it be later than that. .... say if you stay with someone near MCO, and they take you back to the airport the day of your check-in, can you still hop on board with your luggage??

As long as your reservation is in effect, then yes, you can ride DME at any time. So....for instance...you arrive in Orlando on a Monday but stay with friends until your WDW reservation starts on Thursday. Your friends drop you at MCO on Thursday morning, and you head to the DME checkin area, with your bags. No problem at all. Just be sure you make that reservation.

[DisneyGuess]

I know that our DME luggage tags will arrive seperate from our resort package Mickey Mail. I thought I read that our DME things will arrive by Fedex, is that right? Or does it come regular mail like the Disney package stuff?

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally Posted by DisneyGuess

I know that our DME luggage tags will arrive seperate from our resort package Mickey Mail. I thought I read that our DME things will arrive by Fedex, is that right? Or does it come regular mail like the Disney package stuff?

The DME packet arrives in a regular business envelope via U.S. Mail.

My most recent DME envelope arrived four weeks before our travel date.

If you don't have it two weeks before travel I would recommend calling DME Guest Services. Then they might use FedEx to make sure you get it in time.

[mamasha]

I called about 3 weeks out and was told it was going out....never came...hoping all goes ok since we need to give ME our claim tickets...no yellow tags for us...not a magical way to start our vacation but hey it's ok we will be indisney later today

[DisneyGuess]

Thanks for the info!
I guess I should have waited a hour before asking, lol, since our DME stuff was in the mail today!!!!!!!

[chirurgeon]

My flight home is at 7:35 pm. I am planning on spending the day in the parks (of course) I need to be out of the room by 8 am. Can I use RAC this early?

TIA

Kim

[goofy4tink]

Originally Posted by chirurgeon

My flight home is at 7:35 pm. I am planning on spending the day in the parks (of course) I need to be out of the room by 8 am. Can I use RAC this early?

TIA

Kim

Sure....the RAC counter opens at 5am. It used to be that you could't use RAC more than 12 hrs prior to your departure time. But, some have said that isn't the case. You should be fine.....just take your checked bags with you when you leave the room, and get them checked at RAC. Then go about your day.