We're trying to plan flights to/from DW and wondered about the timing of check-in vs. arrival time. Obviously we'd like to get there as early as possible so we can make the most of the day - so we'd like to take an early flight time (from Toronto or Buffalo). But we're also afraid that our room wouldn't be ready, and we'd be stuck, waiting with our luggage. Can we leave it at the resort and start "exploring" until the room is ready?
Same for check-out. We'd like to use the parks or even the resort pool for as long as possible on the last day, so we're looking at a late flight out. SW in particular, has an 8:55pm flight from Orlando to Buffalo. If we do so, can the luggage remain at the resort for the hours between check-out and departure to the airport, or are there other options? And if we do take a late flight out, how late does the Magical Express run?
Thanks for any advice.
To answer some of your concerns. I can only answer from flying from Buffalo, the days that we used to fly out of Toronto there was no ME.
Flying from Buffalo is very easy and because you have driven across the border and are flying within the US, you have no customs to clear when arriving in Orlando. We usually take an early morning flight, arrive at Orlando and do not collect our bags (we put the ME tags on before leaving Buffalo). We head straight to ME and get onto our alloted bus, head to our resort. If we take an early flight and land at 10:00 am. We are usually at our resort anywhere from 11:00 to 11:30.
Once at the resort, we check in, get our tickets etc. If the room is ready, they will let you check in. If it isn't, and have carry-on stuff with you etc. you can check it at the luggage room and then head out to the parks.
A couple of times, we have taken a laptop and also a small carry on with our stuff for the water park. The laptop they stored in a safe for us, and we changed into our bathing suits etc. in the washroom and then checked our luggage into the luggage room and headed off to the water park.
After 3:00 (and as late as you want, even 12:00 midnight) you can either go back to your resort or call them to find out your room number, then you can head to your room. Your bags should be in your room within 3 hours of you checking into your resort.....we have never had a problem with that.
When leaving the resort, we always take the late flight. ME picks you us 3 hours early from the time of your flight....so if your flight is 8:55 pm. you must be at your resort, out front by 5:55 (probably more like 5:45 ). When you check out of your resort in the morning, you just take your luggage to the luggage room again, they will store it for you until you get back from the parks.
It really is very easy. Sometimes on the last day, we even just check out and lay by the pool all day, then shower and get ready in the pool bathrooms etc.
