Airtran check-in at the resort??

[JerseyGirl53]

I'm sorry if this has been answered before...I was reading on the Airtran website about checking-in at the resort (POLY) and getting your boarding pass and luggage tags. It seems that this is an independent service(BAGS). My question is can we do this if we are not taking ME? We may be using a town car. Thanks for your help.

 

[JerseyGirl53]

Anyone?

 

[Jestocost]

Yes, you can use the RAC service whether you are using the DME bus service or some other way to get to MCO. Unlike the inbound luggage transfer service, RAC is not technically part of DME and is a separate service.

 

[JerseyGirl53]

Yes, you can use the RAC service whether you are using the DME bus service or some other way to get to MCO. Unlike the inbound luggage transfer service, RAC is not technically part of DME and is a separate service.

Thanks!!!

 

[Uncleromulus]

I believe though that since Airtran charges a baggage fee--and since BAGS cannot collect that fee--you have to somehow contact Airtran and pay the baggage fee in advance if you want to use the RAC service.
I'm still not clear how you "prove" to BAGS at your resort that you actually did this in advance.

 

[gracie1]

What if you are using the ME but taking your luggage with you? Do you still have to pay for the luggage before leaving? We are staying at POP. We don't want to use the ME tags that disney sends for the luggage, we want to take it with us.

 

[Missytara]

If you are using ME, but taking your baggage with you, you pay the fee at the airport check-in.

If you use RAC, they will leave a notice in your room the day before with a number to contact "BAGS" via phone to pay the baggage fee with a credit card. You will receive all the instructions on how to check out.

Then you go to the RAC with your confirmation number that you paid your baggage fee and they will check-in your baggage and take them to the airport.

If you want assistance to get your baggage to the lobby, go to the guest services desk about three days before you leave. Ask them to come by about 30 to 45 minutes before you need to leave, if you are leaving directly to the airport after checking your bags. If you have time during the day, like I do, you can just give them a time to pick you up when you feel you will be ready to go.....

 

[gracie1]

Thanks for the info. Do I still have to go to RAC to pick up the ME?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sort of - the Magical Express bus picks up relatively close to the RAC counter at each resort, but the exact location varies. ASK at your resort. Also remember if you choose to use Magical Express, you NEED a reservation. If you're just using RAC, you don't

 

[gracie1]

Thanks. They have all my airline info, so I guess it is reserved already But I will double check with them at check in time to make sure they have my information

 

[Missytara]

At POR, for instance, the RAC is inside the check-in area, off the lobby.

The ME area is just outside the doors near the guest services area. There is usually an official looking CM with a clipboard.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Missytara: So it's Bags you actually call, not Airtran, to pay the fee? Seems they could easily enough just take a credit card at the BAGS station at the resort.
But I'm obviously missing something---.

 

[Jestocost]

Missytara: So it's Bags you actually call, not Airtran, to pay the fee? Seems they could easily enough just take a credit card at the BAGS station at the resort.
But I'm obviously missing something---.

Yes, you do pay through BAGS. The RAC desks were not set up to accept any kind of payments and, for whatever reason, BAGS has determined (for now, at least) not to upgrade them to do so. As a result, the call-in-advance option is the only one available at this time. FWIW, there apparently is some connectivity issue with United as it relates to baggage fees, so United passengers using RAC have their fees waived.

 

[MissRoseDarrensAngel]

I used BAGS to pay for my suitcase and my mother's case (she had her stuff and my sister's kids in hers) with my credit card the day before departure. Then the following day, we did RAC with the BAGS #, then our suitcases were tagged and boarding passes were printed there. We went to park for a few hours, had a late lunch at resort then got on the DME to Orlando Int'l. We got to bypass airport checkin, went through security, and got to our gate with 2 hours still to spare. Our suitcases were waiting for us when we got back home to Michigan.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Can someone give me a timeline for checking in for my return flight? In the past I have travelled with SW so it was not an option. This year we are using AirTran. My flight is at 10am so my DME pick up will be around 7am. When do you think I should get my boarding pass and check my bag? I know I can check in 24hrs in advance. Help

 

[kaytieeldr]

FWIW, there apparently is some connectivity issue with United as it relates to baggage fees, so United passengers using RAC have their fees waived.

Psst! Maybe not. I mean, maybe it's not a connectivity issue. Last time I used RAC, there was a computer problem so I was there for a lonnnng time. More than once, a CM told a Guest that because United is a Disney partner, United passengers using RAC were exempt from the baggage fee. Now, granted, this was last October; a different CM/location might give a different reason

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you plan to select your seats at check-in, I don't have an answer for you. If you've already paid for and selected your seats, there's no need to check in 24 hours in advance. You would simply bring your luggage to the RAC counter on your departure day, some time between 5:30 and 6:30 AM. Your luggage needs to be checked in at least three hours prior to your flight's departure, and you'll want to allow extra time in case there's a line. You also need to be waiting for the DME bus with your entire party present, fifteen minutes before your assigned time because that's the time the bus leaves your resort.

 

[shoes99]

Can someone give me a timeline for checking in for my return flight? In the past I have travelled with SW so it was not an option. This year we are using AirTran. My flight is at 10am so my DME pick up will be around 7am. When do you think I should get my boarding pass and check my bag? I know I can check in 24hrs in advance. Help

I would go to RAC at 6am, check you bags and get your boarding passes.
You cannot go to RAC the night before, it has to be the same day and they recommend getting your bags to RAC 4 hours in advance of your flight.
DME picks you up 3 hours prior to your flight.
You bags with RAC will go on a separate truck to the airport.

 

[tikkipoo]

We're staying at POR, flying Airtran - our flight is later in the day. Will the bell service hold our carry-on bags after we check in to the airline and check out of the hotel?

 

[Missytara]

You must check your bags between the hours the RAC is open, which is 5:00 am to 1:00 pm. My flight is at 6:00 pm, so I will arrive back at my resort before 3:00 pm to catch the ME bus; which is after the counter closes. Therefore, you do have to check your bags out before you leave the resort for the day.

Also, if you want baggage services to help you with your bags to the lobby, you will need to contact them about two to three days before you leave.

I just stop by the counter on the way back from the parks on Wednesday night or first thing on Thursday morning. I ask them to come pick me up around 8:00 am or so. Then I do the RAC, grab breakfast at the food court and then head on over to the parks for one last hurrah. I make sure I am leaving the park no later than 2:00 pm to make sure I make it back to the resort before 3:00 pm; the buses are fairly prompt.