DME on non-participating airline?

[Tina]

Has anyone used DME and did NOT fly on a participating airline? We're flying Independence in November and haven't decided whether to try DME or use a town car service (as we have in past years). Luggage is not an issue as we usually don't check our bags. How early does DME depart the resort for the return to the airport? I know participating airlines allow you to print your boarding pass at the resort. With Independence, we will not have this added feature - although we have no problem using a kiosk at the airport.

 

[CleveRocks]

Has anyone used DME and did NOT fly on a participating airline? We're flying Independence in November and haven't decided whether to try DME or use a town car service (as we have in past years). Luggage is not an issue as we usually don't check our bags. How early does DME depart the resort for the return to the airport? I know participating airlines allow you to print your boarding pass at the resort. With Independence, we will not have this added feature - although we have no problem using a kiosk at the airport.

Since there are so few participating airlines compared with the total number of airlines that serve MCO, MOST people who've used DME flew on non-participating airlines. I was one of them.

On the way back to MCO, your DME bus is usually scheduled 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours before your flight departure. I've read that most town car companies pick up about 2.5 hours in advance. With all else being equal, is the extra 15 to 30 minutes on your last day worth the $100 or so for the ride?

-- Eric

 

[CarolynNC]

I just returned from a trip to WDW using DME and flying Southwest. I thought the service was excellent. I could have carried my tote and suitcase on board but decided to just lug my tote and let DME take care of my suitcase. It was the best choice because my flight had so many carry on bags they had to gate check a bunch. It couldn't have been easier. I put the tags on my bags before I left my home airport, went directly to the DME desk to check in on arrival, and then was led outside to my bus. The best thing about using DME is the early check in at the resort. My flight arrived around 8:40 AM and I was checked into my hotel room by 9:30 AM. I dropped off my tote, went to the food court to purchase my refillable mug and a danish. My luggage was in my room when I returned around 10:30 AM.

My return was scheduled 3 hours prior to my return flight. MCO was very busy and I didn't feel like the pickup was too early.

 

[Tina]

I'm confused. Are you saying Southwest is a participating airline or not?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm confused. Are you saying Southwest is a participating airline or not?

All airlines "participate" in Disney's Magical Express. Actually, there is no such thing as a participating airlines list for the overall Magical Express service -- because the airline doesn't need to do anything special for Magical Express.

There is an optional feature called Resort Airline Check-in to allow you to check your luggage directly from you WDW resort all the way to our home airport. Resort Airline Check-in only applies on the day that you fly home. A limited number of airlines participate in Resort Airline Check-in. But, again, you can use the complimentary motor coach transportation for yourself and your luggage regardless of which airline you fly.

Southwest "participates" in Disney's Magical Express.

Southwest doesn't participate in Resort Airline Check-in.

 

[Tina]

Ok... maybe I'm still a little confused. I thought the luggage transfer portion was only on participating airlines. If Southwest does not participate, how did the poster above use the luggage tags and let DME handle the bags? Sorry if I'm not catching on. I really AM smarter than I appear in this thread!! LOL

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Ok... maybe I'm still a little confused. I thought the luggage transfer portion was only on participating airlines. If Southwest does not participate, how did the poster above use the luggage tags and let DME handle the bags? Sorry if I'm not catching on. I really AM smarter than I appear in this thread!! LOL

The luggage transfers for inbound travel happen after the airline relinquishes control of the luggage at MCO. So there's nothing for the airine to "participate" in.

For luggage on the day you fly home, if you can't use Remote Airline Check-in because your airline doesn't participate in Remote Airline Check-in, your luggage simply goes on the Magical Express motor coach (in the luggage bay) with you. When you get to the airport, you check in and check your luggage -- just as if you were arriving by taxi, rental car, or towncar service.

 

[CarolynNC]

Ok... maybe I'm still a little confused. I thought the luggage transfer portion was only on participating airlines. If Southwest does not participate, how did the poster above use the luggage tags and let DME handle the bags? Sorry if I'm not catching on. I really AM smarter than I appear in this thread!! LOL

Hi Tina,

If you put the yellow DME tags on your bags when you check them in at your home airport all you need to do is check in at the DME desk in Orlando. They scan your paperwork, verify your flight information, and ask how many bags you have. You go merrily on your way. In the meantime they go pull your bags and send them to the hotel.

You also have the option of pulling your own bags prior to checking in at the MCO DME desk. (don't put on the yellow tags) If you only have carry on luggage just check in at the desk and they'll point you to your bus. The DME driver will stow your luggage under the bus.

Since Southwest is not a participating airline you cannot check your luggage at the hotel for your return to the airport. If you want to tour a park or do some shopping just leave your luggage at bell services. When it's time for your airport pickup you can grab your luggage from bell services and the DME driver will stow it under the bus for the return trip. When you get dropped at the airport you'll need to check your luggage just as you normally would on a return flight.

On our trip to the hotel we watched a WDW infomercial. On the way back to the airport we watched Monsters, INC. Some of the parents had a hard time getting the kids to leave the bus. I kept hearing them say "You can finish watching it at home."

I thought it was a great service, one I wouldn't mind paying a reasonable price for once the freebie ends.

 

[Tina]

Thanks everyone. I understand how it works now. I was under the impression that your airline pulled the DME bags and forwarded them onto Disney. Now it sounds like its the actual airport that pulls them.