Changes in Resort Airline Check-In?

[cigar95]

This may have changed a long time ago, and I just now noticed.

Back in the early days of RAC, one could not check in for a flight on line, then go down to the RAC desk and check in one's bags - the system would say that I was already checked in, and would not accept the bags. This bit me in the rear one time, as I needed an extra line at the airport since they could not accept my bags. I think it was 2009. One had to check in for the first time at the RAC desk. We had first-bag-free on both airlines, so there was no issue with paying at the RAC desk. (For the record, I always fly United or Delta to WDW - other airlines may differ.)

When we checked in yesterday at the resort desk to fly home, there was another guest who had already checked in online and was just dropping off their bags - just the opposite of what I thought was possible.

So what's the deal - can I now check in ahead of time and then go to RAC just to deliver my bags? I'm assuming that they still can't take payment there, that has to be done at the time of the check-in?

The sooner I know that I have Pre-Check on my boarding pass, the easier I sleep!

Thanx.

 

[DebbieB]

This may have changed a long time ago, and I just now noticed.

Back in the early days of RAC, one could not check in for a flight on line, then go down to the RAC desk and check in one's bags - the system would say that I was already checked in, and would not accept the bags. This bit me in the rear one time, as I needed an extra line at the airport since they could not accept my bags. I think it was 2009. One had to check in for the first time at the RAC desk. We had first-bag-free on both airlines, so there was no issue with paying at the RAC desk. (For the record, I always fly United or Delta to WDW - other airlines may differ.)

When we checked in yesterday at the resort desk to fly home, there was another guest who had already checked in online and was just dropping off their bags - just the opposite of what I thought was possible.

So what's the deal - can I now check in ahead of time and then go to RAC just to deliver my bags? I'm assuming that they still can't take payment there, that has to be done at the time of the check-in?

The sooner I know that I have Pre-Check on my boarding pass, the easier I sleep!

Thanx.

I've checked in with Southwest at 24 hours with no problem.

 

[Dacky619]

I've checked in with Southwest at 24 hours with no problem.

We have as well, in 2008, 2009, 2010, etc... Never had a problem checking in well before using RAC and not just on SW. I wonder if we have just been lucky or if the OP had someone that didn't really know what they were doing.

 

[cigar95]

Just to clarify - you checked in online and then later went to the RAC desk with your bags?

When I had my original experience, SW was not yet part of the system. I'm thinking that bringing SW into the system would have had to result in changes, since passengers almost have to check in close to 24 hours ahead.

(Also to clarify, I was not using Magical Express - this was strictly the bag check service.)

 

[bradisgoofy]

I had this same problem less then two years ago. I checked in on my phone app the night before and when I went down the next morning they spent 20 minutes trying to get my boarding pass. They even called Delta direct. I was told they couldn't take my bags because they couldn't print luggage tags.

 

[jerseygal]

I've checked in with Southwest at 24 hours with no problem.

Checked in Southwest 24 hours in advance this past December. Had no problem, bringing our luggage to the Resort Desk the morning of departure so that it could be sent to our destination airport. Worked WELL!

 

[cigar95]

It would not surprise me to learn that the procedures and options are different for different airlines. Next visit, the answer is I'll check at the desk a couple days before departure.

 

[Missytara]

Checked in Southwest 24 hours in advance this past December. Had no problem, bringing our luggage to the Resort Desk the morning of departure so that it could be sent to our destination airport. Worked WELL!

SW is unique, because you have to check in online at the 24 hour in order to get your boarding number/letter - cannot remember the name. That is why you did not have a problem.

Other airlines, once you check-in, you have already done so and you USED TO be locked out of the system. That was before SW was brought on at RAC.

As pp's stated, once SW was brought on, with the hitch that you must check in online at the 24 hour point, they had to update the entire system to allow everyone now to check in advance if they wished to do so.

I spent quite a long time behind a couple several years ago that checked in the night before on their laptop in their room. They were in line at RAC the next morning at RAC and were essentially locked out of the computer. They had already checked in - pre-SW days.

 

[bumbershoot]

There are also occasional glitches, and sometimes the airline has a random security check that requires you to go to the desk with your luggage. All sorts of reasons for funky things to happen, it seems.

 

[dis_guy]

There have been some enhancements in the last while it would seem. Travelling internationally, it used to be that we couldn't use RAC either. On our last trip we were asked by a lady from baggage services at CBR if we'd like to check our bags. I said that I didn't think we could and she asked where we were going and on which airline and it seems we were good to go. We decided to check our roll aboards at the last minute and they handled the fee and luggage tags without issue even though we had already checked in online and had our e-boarding passes.

 

[bigmochick]

Checked in Southwest 24 hours in advance this past December. Had no problem, bringing our luggage to the Resort Desk the morning of departure so that it could be sent to our destination airport. Worked WELL!

I have a 7:45 PM SW flight and am wondering about carry-ons. Do these follow the same procedure or will the resort hold them so that we can carry-on on our return flight?

 

[disneyeveryyear]

I have a 7:45 PM SW flight and am wondering about carry-ons. Do these follow the same procedure or will the resort hold them so that we can carry-on on our return flight?

If you have carry-ons, you can leave them with Bell Services while you spend the day in the parks, DTD, etc. If you have laptops, electronics, they will lock them up for you and give you a specific claim check.

Make sure you get back in time to get your carry-ons back from Bell Services and still be ready for ME 15 minutes before your scheduled time.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I have check in for both a SWA flight and on another trip it was a United. Flight. When I got there I showed my board pass and was all set to hand over my bags