Checking bags from resort

[Swimmergirl]

Do you have to notify Disney in advance if you intend to check your baggage at the resort? We usually fly Southwest, and in the past they didn't provide the check in service, but we'd like to give it a try this year. Any tips? Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

Nope, you don't need to tell anyone. You just have to be on a participating airline, which SW is, and then be completely done with your transaction no less than 3 hrs before flight departure. You do not need to be taking DME back to the airport.

 

[DebbieB]

Do you have to notify Disney in advance if you intend to check your baggage at the resort? We usually fly Southwest, and in the past they didn't provide the check in service, but we'd like to give it a try this year. Any tips? Thanks!

No, just show up at the Resort Check-in desk. I've done it the past 2 trips for Delta then took my rental car back to the airport. It's nice to not have to drag the bags from the rental car area or stand in line to check-in bags.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Depending on what time you get there, you may find quite a line at the Resort luggage check in!!!

 

[Swimmergirl]

Thanks everyone for your replies! So it this completely separate from Magical Express? We've never used ME and we'll have a rental car. Will I be in line with magical express people to drop off my luggage, or do they do it elsewhere? Our flight leaves around 4, so we'll probably drop off luggage in the late morning, so hopefully we won't have much line.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Different from ME. It's easily spotted at whatever hotel you are staying at.

Keep in mind these are NOT Disney employees--and a baggage "tip" is expected just as though you were using curbside luggage check in with a Skycap at the airport...

And do NOT preprint your boarding pass. Let them do that for you when you are checking your luggage.

 

[n2mm]

Different from ME. It's easily spotted at whatever hotel you are staying at.

Keep in mind these are NOT Disney employees--and a baggage "tip" is expected just as though you were using curbside luggage check in with a Skycap at the airport...And do NOT preprint your boarding pass. Let them do that for you when you are checking your luggage.

I agree!!

 

[sharona]

How far in advance can we check our bags? Can we do it the night before?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

How far in advance can we check our bags? Can we do it the night before?

The hours for Resort Airline Check-in (RAC) are 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You can check in any time during those hours for a flight on the same day, as long as you complete your RAC check-in at least 3 hours before your scheduled flight departure.

You cannot use RAC the night before your flight.

They used to say the flight had to be between 3 and 12 hours after your RAC check-in, but now the published rules no longer prevent guests from checking in more than 12 hours ahead of time, as long as the flight is that day.

For more details, see http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/airport-service/.

 

[Dizneydaz]

We have a rental car and have used resort airline check in since they started offering it. I LOVE IT! Not having to deal with our checked luggage when returning the car is priceless.

I wouldn't recommend doing it in the late a.m. The area they do it in is Luggage Services (at least at POP) so with check out at 11 a.m. that area can get really busy with everyone checking out.

We like to take our luggage in pretty early. There is usually less of a line. Once we get dressed for the day that's when we'll take it.

First time we used it I didn't know we had to have all bags there at once. Once your party has checked in you can't add more bags in. Also (so we've been told) all members of your party must be there with their I.Ds

 

[sharona]

The hours for Resort Airline Check-in (RAC) are 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You can check in any time during those hours for a flight on the same day, as long as you complete your RAC check-in at least 3 hours before your scheduled flight departure.

You cannot use RAC the night before your flight.

They used to say the flight had to be between 3 and 12 hours after your RAC check-in, but now the published rules no longer prevent guests from checking in more than 12 hours ahead of time, as long as the flight is that day.

For more details, see http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/airport-service/.

Very helpful - thanks!