Curbside luggage drop off and rental car return

[Cameo]

When we return to the airport we usually just return out rental car using the proper lane to get to rental cars. Then we are stuck hauling all our bags/strollers/luggage back through the garage, up the elevator, etc. Is there curbside check-in for Northwest Airlines and if so, how do we get to it and then get to rental car return? I am always nervous and a little confused when entering the airport (and we are usually running late), so I would like to know exactly where to go to get this accomplished. Thanks!

 

[safetymom]

Just get in the lanes for departing flights. You will see signs that tell what airlines are in terminal a or b. Go to the Northwest curbside check in, drop off your luggage and get your boarding passes, then return the car. I do this all the time at MCO. It's very easy. Just be sure to be close to your car. If it is crowded and you step away from the car, they tow very quickly. So show the skycap your ID and then have someone else get the boarding passes while you wait by the car.

 

[pdchris]

Speaking of curbside luggage pickup, what's the usual tip per bag?

 

[safetymom]

$1-2 per bag.

 

[pugdog]

One thing to remember about curb side is that 87% of all bags lost are done so at curbside. mainly because they put on the wrong tags all the time.
Just one thing to keep an eye on.

 

[safetymom]

I have never seen a percentage that more bags are misrouted from curbside. It's up to every one no matter where you check in to make sure that your bags are tagged correctly.

 

[cruiseonmagic]

I am always nervous and a little confused when entering the airport (and we are usually running late),

Ok now. Those could be major flaws in your plan. While you are running late, and are nervous and confused, you are going to go to the departure level, drop your bags, then drive back around the airport to get to the rental return, then go back across to the terminal, go back to where you just were. At the very least, save some time by finding a computer at your resort to print your boarding passes before you leave. You can check in on line up to 24 hrs before your flight. Then instead of waiting in line outside in the line for boarding passes, you can go to the luggage check kiosk. They scan the barcode, print the luggage tags, and you're all set.

"pugdog One thing to remember about curb side is that 87% of all bags lost are done so at curbside. mainly because they put on the wrong tags all the time." Where in the world did that come from?

 

[Cameo]

Good point about printing boarding passes from the hotel, but unfortunately we are staying at the Poly and as far as I can tell they have no place to print boarding passes. My DH will have his laptop, so we can choose seats, but not print. For the life of me, I don't know why Disney doesn't get up to speed with modern technology. I guess the Poly is not a convention hotel. Maybe that's why.

Thanks for the replies. I feel a little better about where to go. I just HATE dragging all the luggage, bags, sleeping kids, stroller across the parking garage and up to check-in.

 

[pugdog]

If I remember right it was in Continast (sp) magazine. It was a survey theyu did by looking at all complants to airlines and the FAA.
It also said only about 3% of luggage is lost but the vast majority was due to curbside check in.

 

[cruiseonmagic]

Good point about printing boarding passes from the hotel, but unfortunately we are staying at the Poly and as far as I can tell they have no place to print boarding passes.

The Contemporary business center has access with printers.

 

[Cameo]

Do you have to pay to use the business center at the Cont.? Especially since we are not staying there, I would assume it's not just free to anyone, is it? Last time I tried to use a business center (not at Disney) and print my boarding passes, I got all the way through the process and then they would not print. And I was being charged by the minute to use the computer.

 

[safetymom]

The business centers charge $10 for 15 mins of computer time. There is an additional printing charge.