Checking luggage at DVD when flying southwest

[treehugnmama]

Last time we were at wdw they had started checking luggage at the resort when flying southwest but it was a trial and only at values. Has this started happening at all dvc's?

Also we will be coming from vero arriving around noon at wdw staying the night and flight leaves the next am at 9. Any suggestions on a dvc for ease of checking luggage. We will be spending the half day at resort. Dad is not mobile(kidney failure). Parking close to room or elevator needed. He has a ha pass if that helps. Ty

 

[CarolMN]

All of the WDW DVC resorts now have the RAC (Remote Airline Checkin) service. You can get more information on this over on the Transportation Board. Check out the Sticky Threads in particular.

Southwest is a participating airline. We used RAC for SWA on our last stay at the BWV.

You'll need to bring your checked luggage to the RAC desk at least 3 hours before your plane is scheduled to depart.

You need to be at the ME bus stop ready to board at least 15 minutes before the bus is scheduled to be at the resort.

If you tell us which resort you will be staying at, someone can help you with the location of the RAC desk - or you can just ask someone at the front desk or bell services when you arrive at the resort.

You will need to have ME reservations made in advance. MS can help you with that.

P.S. Sounds like you will have a car. Missed that on my first read. You do not have to ride the ME bus back to the airport to use the RAC luggage service. You just need to be staying at the resort. You do not need ME reservations to use jsut the RAC service. All of the resorts have HA parking of some sort.

 

[treehugnmama]

Thanks am I correct that you do not have o use me to use rac? We will have a rental. I know one of us will ride me to okw we stay there for 5 nights then vero for 5 then with a 9 am fligt out we thought we would spend the last night at wdw so wdw would deal with our luggage. The last night they have okw ssr and akv available. I have not stayed at ssr but whatever one will be easiest for rac that is where we will stay. Suggestions on that? Also can we check in our luggage with rac the nigt before? We will pack at vero as if we will not see luggage again till we get home

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks am I correct that you do not have o use me to use rac? We will have a rental. I know one of us will ride me to okw we stay there for 5 nights then vero for 5 then with a 9 am fligt out we thought we would spend the last night at wdw so wdw would deal with our luggage. The last night they have okw ssr and akv available. I have not stayed at ssr but whatever one will be easiest for rac that is where we will stay. Suggestions on that? Also can we check in our luggage with rac the nigt before? We will pack at vero as if we will not see luggage again till we get home

You are correct - you do not need to use ME to use RAC.

Copied this from one of the Sticky Threads on the Transportation Board:

* Bags may be checked starting at 12 hours prior to flight, up until no later than 3 hours prior to flight departure time. (Bag check process must be COMPLETE by the 3hr mark, regardless of what time the guest gets in line) Please note that this information is subject to change without notice. There have been times when the 3hr mark has been increased to 4hrs. Please check with your particular RAC desk for more details.

* Although policy is that they can check luggage starting 12hrs prior to flight, some RAC desks may check luggage greater than the 12 hour mark (still same day only). Again, please check with your particular RAC desk for more details.

*Desk is open from 5am-1pm, daily.

You cannot check your bags the night before.

I do not know the answer to your question about the easiest location to use RAC. I haven't stayed at any of the resorts you mentioned.

Hoping someone else will chime in and give you some feedback on that.

 

[treehugnmama]

Than for your help

 

[Checkers]

We stayed at OKW in March and used the RAC there. Since you have a car it would be very easy to use the RAC. It is located across from Bell Services and was very easy. Haven't stayed at SSR or AK so I can't help you with those but I am sure they are conveniently located as well.

 

[treehugnmama]

i think okw is our best bet but the kids want to try another one seeing aS we are spending a week there. I thought okw would be easy too as we could park right by our room. maybey ak kidani might not be too bad either with the underground parking...trying to minimize walking for my dad.

 

[castleri]

If you choose OKW be sure to request first floor or elevator building for medical reasons since only two buildings have an elevator. All the buildings at SSR have elevators so you can pull up to the entrance and let people off and then park. Most parking there is also close to the buildings. When we have a rental we usually drop everyone but the driver and all the luggage at the SW line outside and then the driver returns the car. By the time the driver gets to the terminal the luggage is checked and everyone is ready to head to security. If we are leaving later in the day we are happy to be able to check the bags at Disney now when we don't have a car so we don't have to take them on the bus. It seems to me that the RAC desks are all relatively close to the bell service stations. At AKV you would be able to get the bags to the RAC station without having to put them in the car and then take them out again - at least at Jambo since the RAC area is right outside the main entrance. Since you will have to get them there before 6 am this might be your best choice and the resort is one that can be really nice to just spend the day at the pool and looking at the animals.