A variety of travel questions... Thanks

[ash901]

I know some of these are going to sound so basic, but I haven't flown since 05 and it was without kids! DH has flown several times, but I like getting advice from been there done that folks!! Please add any helpful tips that you me use personally! Thank you

1. I sent our flight info to my TA. Is there anything else I need to do regarding DME? Does it cost anything or just a tip?
2. About how long does it take from landing to POR?
3. We are flying Southwest. 2 free checked bags per person. Are there any restrictions to items I can pack in those bags? (ex amounts of liquids, blow dryer, etc)
4. Departure. Will the hotel front desk give me instructions?

 

[karly05]

1. You should not need to do anything else. Your TA should give your flight info to Disney and Disney should mail you an envelope with your DME yellow sticky luggage tags and directions. There is no charge to ride DME. If the driver stows a bag/bags for you underneath the bus, it is customary to tip. You're welcome to tip if he doesn't handle bags, but that's up to you. One year, I had no bag for the driver to handle, but I was the last one on the bus/only one going to POFQ, so I was kind of a "special trip," and I tipped the driver a couple of bucks just for the ride.

2. In 1 trip to BC and 3 to POFQ, it always seems to take me right around 90 minutes from the time I step off the plane into the gate area until I get off at my resort. Things will vary, of course, but that seems to be a regular average for me.

3. You should probably check out the TSA website as far as what is allowed in checked bags. You can pack larger quantities of the usual liquids like shampoo, etc. (I will pack a small tube of sunscreen in my carryon 3-1-1 bag but a proper bottle in my checked bag.) I know people have discussed here packing food and drink. Check TSA for banned substances/items but I don't think there are many of those.

4. Apologies if I'm misunderstanding the question, but... The day before your departure day, a packet will be left on your door with instructions for taking Magical Express back to the airport. You will be given a pickup time for the bus, and you are expected to be at the bus stop ready to go 15 minutes before your assigned pickup time. On departure day, you can go to the RAC counter in the lobby between 5 am and 1 pm and check bags and get boarding passes. (Someone can clarify, but you have to check your bags I think at least 3 hours before your flight departure time - but that's also about when your DME bus will leave, so you'll have to have the bags checked before then, anyway.) If you've checked your bags and gotten your boarding passes before you leave the resort, then when you get to the airport you can go straight to security and head for your gate.

I take DME every year and it is one of my favorite perks of staying onsite - it makes getting back and forth so easy!

 

[Woodview]

Have you checked what Weight is allowed for each Checked Bag

Or Combined weight for the 2 bags ?

 

[ash901]

Have you checked what Weight is allowed for each Checked Bag

Or Combined weight for the 2 bags ?

Checked bags can't exceed 50lbs, I believe.

 

[alliecat523]

Generally, restricted items are flammable items and dangerous good (firearms, lighters, fireworks, etc). They will ask you to agree that you aren't carrying these items if you check in online.

General travel items (sunscreen, flat irons, blow dryers) are all ok.

ME will give you a packet with full instructions on what to do the day before you leave.

 

[alliecat523]

Checked bags can't exceed 50lbs, I believe.

Yes, for SW it's 50lbs and 62 inches (l+w+H). Other airlines vary.

 

[ash901]

Yes, for SW it's 50lbs and 62 inches (l+w+H). Other airlines vary.

I forgot about the dimensions. Thank you

 

[seashoreCM]

1. Keep track of things to be sure you get the envelope for Magical Express. Come two weeks before your vacation, if you have not heard from DME, then call again or call DME directly at (toll free) 866-599-0951

4. Although your Magical Express bus may be scheduled to pull out of your resort a tad less than 3 hours before your flight, a few guests in the past have reported that to be not enough time to comfortably get through security and then take the airport tram to the boarding area let alone be at the gate early enough to actually benefit from Southwest's early boarding or A boarding pass. If your DME confirmation is not at your room morning of the day before the day you check out or if it is incorrect, then go to the front desk that morning to get and/or optionally correct that before heading for the parks. (Note: A bus time of 2:40 or less before flight time is an error on DME's part.)

Find the DME boarding area at your resort before the end of your vacation and watch a few guests dejectedly board the bus back to the airport. You don't want to be frantically asking around at the last minute.

 

[smiths02]

#3 If you are letting the luggage service take your checked bags (rather than picking them up yourself from baggage claim and taking them to Magical Express, which you have to do if you are arriving after a certain time at night), be aware that it can take several hours for your bags to be delivered to your room. Have enough things in your carryon to get you through 24 hours or so

 

[Sandi]

smiths02's advice about having everything you might need for the next 24 hours is excellent. To us, that includes a change of clothes, swimsuit, nightclothes, toiletries and meds. Also, just because you CAN check two bags per person for free doesn't mean you should. We find that one checked bag and one carry-on per person for Disney is sufficient. At some point you need to store all those bags and there isn't a lot of storage space in any of the Disney resort rooms. Another piece of advice for packing is to put sets of clothes -- shorts, shirt, undies, socks -- in ziplock bags before you throw them in the suitcase. We have had the experience of flying down when there were thunderstorms in Orlando. If there is lightning and they have the bags half way unloaded, the bags will sit in the rain while the workers seek safe shelter. Our bags were soaked, but the stuff inside was dry because it was all bagged up. Have a fun trip.

 

[ash901]

Thank you all for wonderful advice. I will be sure to refer to this as we get closer. 67 days!!

 

[sequoia 14]

As relates to #2, when we took DME to POR it took us almost 2 hours. We waited on the bus for 30 minutes and then we were the last stop after Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, POFQ and then finally Riverside. Make sure you use the restrooms before getting on board.

 

[advcfam]

As relates to #2, when we took DME to POR it took us almost 2 hours. We waited on the bus for 30 minutes and then we were the last stop after Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, POFQ and then finally Riverside. Make sure you use the restrooms before getting on board.

Was Saratoga Springs the first stop? What time of day did you travel?

 

[goofy4tink]

I know some of these are going to sound so basic, but I haven't flown since 05 and it was without kids! DH has flown several times, but I like getting advice from been there done that folks!! Please add any helpful tips that you me use personally! Thank you

1. I sent our flight info to my TA. Is there anything else I need to do regarding DME? Does it cost anything or just a tip?
2. About how long does it take from landing to POR?
3. We are flying Southwest. 2 free checked bags per person. Are there any restrictions to items I can pack in those bags? (ex amounts of liquids, blow dryer, etc)
4. Departure. Will the hotel front desk give me instructions?

1. Hopefully, your TA made the DME reservation for you. If you don't have anything in the mail from DME at the 30 day mark, I would call them and make sure they have you in the system. It costs nothing (it's really included in our room rates), and a tip is expected only if the driver stows your luggage beneath the bus. In your packet you should receive a yellow luggage tag for each person listed on the reservation. If you need more than 1 tag per person, you can call DME and they will send you more. Attach a yellow tag to each checked bag and say goodbye to it. You can expect to get it delivered to your room 3+ hrs after resort checkin. Be sure to pack a carryon bag for each person with anything they may need for the first day...just in case a checked bag gets misdirected by the airline!! No tip is required for baggage delivery by DME..it's been taken care of.

2. I have been on buses that went directly to POR and on others that had it as the last stop. No way of knowing beforehand. I always figure on up to 90 mins from gate to resort..usually it's less than that. This is after 20+ rides.

3. No restrictions other than what the SW website will mention as you check in. Flammables, weapons, etc.

4. You will receive a notice in your room/under your door, the day prior to checkout. It will give you your DME p/u time. You can check your bags at the RAC (resort airline checkin) counter any time after 5am and before 1pm. The only stipulation is that you must be done, and walking away, from the counter no less than 3 hrs prior to flight time. So, if you have a flight that takes off before 8:30, it's going to be hard to get done. For the DME bus, you need to be out at the bus stop, ready to go, carryon bags in hand, at least 10-15 mins prior to your stated p/u time!

Hope this helps!!!

 

[Hopefully]

1. Hopefully, your TA made the DME reservation for you. If you don't have anything in the mail from DME at the 30 day mark, I would call them and make sure they have you in the system. It costs nothing (it's really included in our room rates), and a tip is expected only if the driver stows your luggage beneath the bus. In your packet you should receive a yellow luggage tag for each person listed on the reservation. If you need more than 1 tag per person, you can call DME and they will send you more. Attach a yellow tag to each checked bag and say goodbye to it. You can expect to get it delivered to your room 3+ hrs after resort checkin. Be sure to pack a carryon bag for each person with anything they may need for the first day...just in case a checked bag gets misdirected by the airline!! No tip is required for baggage delivery by DME..it's been taken care of.

2. I have been on buses that went directly to POR and on others that had it as the last stop. No way of knowing beforehand. I always figure on up to 90 mins from gate to resort..usually it's less than that. This is after 20+ rides.

3. No restrictions other than what the SW website will mention as you check in. Flammables, weapons, etc.

4. You will receive a notice in your room/under your door, the day prior to checkout. It will give you your DME p/u time. You can check your bags at the RAC (resort airline checkin) counter any time after 5am and before 1pm. The only stipulation is that you must be done, and walking away, from the counter no less than 3 hrs prior to flight time. So, if you have a flight that takes off before 8:30, it's going to be hard to get done. For the DME bus, you need to be out at the bus stop, ready to go, carryon bags in hand, at least 10-15 mins prior to your stated p/u time!

Hope this helps!!!

Resort Airline Checkin (RAC) desk hours of operation are now 5 AM to 12 noon - no longer 1 PM

 

[goofy4tink]

Resort Airline Checkin (RAC) desk hours of operation are now 5 AM to 12 noon - no longer 1 PM

Duh! I knew that!!! Thanks for catching it, and correcting the info!'

 

[ash901]

Great Info! Thank you all!