Any problems with checkout when flying Southwest?

[cw_disney_bound]

I did not know until I received my travel plans that our hotel (Poly) does not offer the convenient checkout when you're flying Southwest. No one told me this, so I am extremely disappointed. Is it a hastle to cehckout when flying SW, or is it not a big deal? What's the difference? If checking in any issue?

 

[justcantwait]

Southwest is not a participating airline at any of the resorts. Getting to your hotel is not a problem. Put the yellow tags on your luggage, take the Magical Express bus to your resort and your luggage will be delivered. On the way back, you can check in at the resort concierge desk at the hotel, or at guest services in the parks or DTD, 24 hours before your flight. Then, you take the ME bus back to the airport, but you have to carry your own luggage with you (don't put the yellow tags on). Check your luggage at the airport, go to the gate, and get on the plane. HTH

Kathy

 

[cw_disney_bound]

Thank you. I wish I had known that. I would have selected another airline.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

What they mean by not offering convenient check out is that certain airlines (not SW) actually allow you to "check-in" for your flight at the hotel. They take your bags for you and bring them to the airport. You ride ME back to the airport w/o seeing your checked luggage again. You will receive your boarding pass at the hotel and will get to skip that process when you arrive at MCO. Instead you just go straight to security.

 

[Echo queen]

Southwest is not a participating airline at any of the resorts. Getting to your hotel is not a problem. Put the yellow tags on your luggage, take the Magical Express bus to your resort and your luggage will be delivered. On the way back, you can check in at the resort concierge desk at the hotel, or at guest services in the parks or DTD, 24 hours before your flight. Then, you take the ME bus back to the airport, but you have to carry your own luggage with you (don't put the yellow tags on). Check your luggage at the airport, go to the gate, and get on the plane. HTH

Kathy

Just to clarify: you put the yellow tags on the bags before you check them in at the airport that your departing from? I may book my air with SW, just wanted detail. Thanks

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Just to clarify: you put the yellow tags on the bags before you check them in at the airport that your departing from? I may book my air with SW, just wanted detail. Thanks

Yes, ME sends the tags about 2 weeks prior to your trip. I put mine on before we leave the house. Disney will take care of the rest. If you WANT to pick up something at baggage claim, leave the yellow tag off of that bag (we usually put a small carry-on sized suitcase with everything we will need for the day through to baggage claim and DH picks it up while I check in for ME).

 

[Echo queen]

Thanks

 

[Downrivermama]

Thank you. I wish I had known that. I would have selected another airline.

We have done it a couple of times. It really isn't that bad. You can have the boarding passes printed at the resort. I have had great luck doing curbside bag check-in. Alot less crowded than the line at the counter.

 

[BKMETV]

Is there a list of airlines that participate in resort check-in?

 

[mom2alix]

Is there a list of airlines that participate in resort check-in?

Here's a link that really explains what "participating airline" means. FWIW, we've never used ME with a participating airline (non-stop flights are more important to me) and it's not a problem at all.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=944813

 

[BKMETV]

Thanks for your answer...I decided to book this morning as I knew exactly what I wanted. Early morning, non-stop from Detroit. Booked with Airtrans for four of us for $900 which I didn't think was too bad. Both kids have window seat (very important as it's their first time flying)...and thanks to your info I know I can use the ME if I want to.

Ev