DME Time at SSR

[momtocnc]

We are staying at SSR. Our flight to go home leaves at 10 am. Would we be picked up about 7 am or what? I was not sure if the resort location made a difference in the pick up time. Also, about how long does it take to get to SSR. Are there many stops on the way?

One more thing.... with Resort Airline Checkin, would we be able to do this with this time ( we are Airtran, so I know they participate) or is it easier to just check in at the airport when you have a morning flight?

Thanks for all the info! You guys have been great in answering all my questions! Looking forward to our Thanksgiving trip, the first for our 5 yo twins and it has been almost 20 yrs since DH or myself have been!!!!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

We are staying at SSR. Our flight to go home leaves at 10 am. Would we be picked up about 7 am or what? I was not sure if the resort location made a difference in the pick up time. Also, about how long does it take to get to SSR. Are there many stops on the way?

One more thing.... with Resort Airline Checkin, would we be able to do this with this time ( we are Airtran, so I know they participate) or is it easier to just check in at the airport when you have a morning flight?

At SSR, the DME pickup times are usually at :00 or :30 after the hour, so with 10:00 a.m. scheduled departure, DME will probably schedule your pickup for exactly 7:00 a.m. You should be at the SSR DME pickup location (near the main lobby) 10-15 minutes before your DME pickup.

Yes, by all means use Resort Airline Check-in (RAC)! It's great. Think of it as curbside skycap service right outside the SSR lobby. There can be a line at the RAC counter, so allow enough time. If you want bell services to assist you with your bags from your room to RAC, you might want to get on their schedule ahead of time. Again, allow enough time -- or even take care of that before breakfast. (RAC opens at 5:00 a.m.) And remember that DME does not pay for any of your tips on check-out day.

 

[beccasmom]

We just returned from WDW, using DME services. The pick-up time for our 10:00 a.m. flight was 7:20 a.m. and the bus arrived at exactly that time. There were not many passengers at our resort (OKW). We then went to SSR and there were a great many people there (probably around 20); I think we arrived there right around 7:30. We got to MCO somewhere close to 8:30; I don't remember the exact time. Traffic was surprisingly light for a Friday morning.

My thoughts -
- We checked in at RAC at 5:15 a.m. (simple for us because we stayed near the Hospitality House and were able to bring our bags over to RAC pretty easily). There was only one other person there at that time and virtually no wait. Rising at 4:30 was another story, but it saves a lot of time in the end and is worth the slight "imposition" on your sleep time!
- We went back to our room after that, but could have easily taken the first ME bus that got to the resort. We did that the last time and were able to have a leisurely breakfast at MCO before going straight to the gate.
- RAC is great; saves a lot of time! We specifically chose USAirways because of this (I hope SWA offers it at all the resorts soon!).
- The security line at MCO at that time was not bad, but I think we were just lucky. I have seen it much more crowded on other trips.
- By the time we got through security, it was roughly 8:50 a.m. We stopped to pick up some breakfast to eat at the gate. Boarding started at 9:30. Because we did not need to stop at check-in, I cannot state how long the wait was there - of course, that varies depending on airline anyway.
- The ME bus drops you off in the middle of the drop-off point for Terminal A or B, not at individual airlines. So you may have to schlep your bags a distance; perhaps something to consider.
- Luggage fees - If you need to pay luggage fees, the number to call is on the information you will receive in your room the day before you leave.
- It is really great just to go right to your gate! I highly recommend RAC and think it is a great service.