Another luggage question MCO/DME

[canyoncam]

I am flying in from another city than my nephew. He is 20 and has never flown solo before. Very competent young man, yet since our flights are only an hour apart I would prefer to wait by the gate for him (same airline). Our flights are scheduled to arrive at 8:05 and 9:00 pm. I will have checked luggage on my flight. By waiting for him I would be too late to collect my bag from baggage claim as MCO will have pulled it by then. I hate to take the time to track it down. If I utilize DME luggage service they would not deliver until I am in bed, as I have never received bags less than three hours after our resort arrival time. I know I could hold delivery for next day by speaking to bell service on arrival. Do you think this is my best option? I think I just want confirmation, thank you!

 

[bumbershoot]

Yes you can have bell services hold them. Please also out the do not disturb sign on the doorknob. Be sure to pack for the night and morning in carryon!

 

[Alesia]

That's what I would do

 

[sponica]

I am flying in from another city than my nephew. He is 20 and has never flown solo before. Very competent young man, yet since our flights are only an hour apart I would prefer to wait by the gate for him (same airline). Our flights are scheduled to arrive at 8:05 and 9:00 pm. I will have checked luggage on my flight. By waiting for him I would be too late to collect my bag from baggage claim as MCO will have pulled it by then. I hate to take the time to track it down. If I utilize DME luggage service they would not deliver until I am in bed, as I have never received bags less than three hours after our resort arrival time. I know I could hold delivery for next day by speaking to bell service on arrival. Do you think this is my best option? I think I just want confirmation, thank you!

Also have a back up plan in case you're delayed or he's delayed. If you're delayed, is he waiting for you or do you want him to go straight to the Magical Express? If he's delayed, are you going to sit and wait or will you leave? I would have the contingencies planned out BEFORE you leave for your trip (to the best of your ability)

When you get to the resort, ask bell services to hold the bags until the next day and throw the DND on the door.

 

[sam_gordon]

Another option (not ideal) is to collect your bags, then go back to the Atrium area (before you enter security) and people watch/eat there while you're waiting for your nephew's plane.

Personally, I would let Disney collect the bags and put out the Do Not Disturb sign (assuming you're talking DME for transport).

 

[canyoncam]

Also have a back up plan in case you're delayed or he's delayed. If you're delayed, is he waiting for you or do you want him to go straight to the Magical Express? If he's delayed, are you going to sit and wait or will you leave? I would have the contingencies planned out BEFORE you leave for your trip (to the best of your ability)

When you get to the resort, ask bell services to hold the bags until the next day and throw the DND on the door.

Good idea on backup plan! Hadn’t thought about that. Thank you!!!

 

[sponica]

Good idea on backup plan! Hadn’t thought about that. Thank you!!!

The last thing you need is to be sitting on your plane in another part of the country stressed out because he landed before you, and as a 20 year old decided to take the bus himself when you thought he'd wait for you...because that's what I'd do if I got there before someone else. Granted I didn't fly alone until I was in grad school, but I traveled by train on the northeast corridor alone frequently...

 

[bumbershoot]

Granted I didn't fly alone until I was in grad school, but I traveled by train on the northeast corridor alone frequently...

I was flying alone, cross country (literally, Seattle to Miami) from the age of just turned 18, and I’d go alone too.

Gates are busy busy places and aren’t really made for greetings anymore. And they don’t announce the planes that are coming *in* FYI. So you would need to be watching monitors or following his flight on flightaware etc to be sure if where he is.

That said, if flights are on time, an hour is a fairly short time to wait at a gate.

 

[sponica]

That said, if flights are on time, an hour is a fairly short time to wait at a gate.

Unless you're like me and airport time moves backwards...

 

[canyoncam]

I was flying alone, cross country (literally, Seattle to Miami) from the age of just turned 18, and I’d go alone too.

Gates are busy busy places and aren’t really made for greetings anymore. And they don’t announce the planes that are coming *in* FYI. So you would need to be watching monitors or following his flight on flightaware etc to be sure if where he is.

That said, if flights are on time, an hour is a fairly short time to wait at a gate.

Well aware of this. As I said he’s very competent and I am not worried about anything happening to him. But with only two flights at all under his belt and a very busy airport with our flights being so close wanted to be there for him. Even I get nervous about finding my way in a strange setting. If the luggage has an easy solution I can work out the monitoring and meeting him at gate. Last year I met an accomplished traveler in the atrium and we both found that stressful as busy as it was.