Checking in for Southwest flight at Magic Kingdom?

[choover2576]

I'm wondering if I should pay for early bird check-in or try to check in 24 hours before my Southwest flight. We will be at the Magic Kingdom the day before our flight. I don't have Internet on my phone, but I will have my ipod Touch that I can use to get on Disney on WiFi.

Is the WiFi in the parks reliable? I'm pretty frugal but wondering if I should just pay the $ 50 for our family so we won't have to worry about it. Any thoughts?

 

[MrPTato]

I decided to forgo the early bird figuring I would just check in right at 24 hours. I forgot and it sent us to the end of the B group. Peace of mind would say to do it.

 

[rwdavis2]

Pay for it. It is worth the peace of mind. You can go to City Hall and have them print boarding passes if you want.

 

[anonymousegirl]

If you go to city hall be prepared for long lines, especially in the first hours the park is open.

 

[MADnNOLA]

I have always set the alarm on my phone to go off 24 hours plus 15 minutes before my flight. That way I have time to stop what I am doing (eating, at a show or an amusement) and pull up the site and check in. It has worked great for me, and saved me the $$. I have found the wifi in the parks works well for me.

 

[goofy4tink]

I always get EBCI for my flights home, especially when at WDW. The peace of mind is worth it. At least it is for me.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Yes you can check in at City Hall... as others have said, be prepared for a line.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I'm as frugal as the next person, but I always pay for EBCI for the flight home. I know it's $50, but in the grand scheme of things it's worth it. How are you going to feel if the WiFi chooses that exact moment to not work or the battery in your device dies or you're stuck on an indoor ride with no service, or...or...or...? Just too many variables. And there's often many, many families eligible for family boarding leaving Orlando. So even if you get a mid-B position, you may actually be among the last people to board. It's not worth the stress.

Then I just get the passes printed at the resort before we leave.

 

[Teacup53]

I am also in the buy EBCI for the trip home camp. It is easy to get caught up in whatever is going on enjoying your last day that you forget. I have done it once thankfully I was traveling alone so it didn't really matter because I ended up getting a great seat despite my B58 boarding position because there were single seats at the front of the plane.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I'm wondering if I should pay for early bird check-in or try to check in 24 hours before my Southwest flight. We will be at the Magic Kingdom the day before our flight. I don't have Internet on my phone, but I will have my ipod Touch that I can use to get on Disney on WiFi.

Is the WiFi in the parks reliable? I'm pretty frugal but wondering if I should just pay the $ 50 for our family so we won't have to worry about it. Any thoughts?

I find park wifi pretty bad. I actually turn off wifi and work off my dataplan because the park wifi gets so bogged down.

As for the "guest relations" timing is going to be an issue. Get there too early and they can't check you in yet, get there late and you are not going to get a good number.

If your seat and/or sitting together are deal breakers I would pay for EBCI