Downtown Disney check in

[fuse04]

We are satying at AKL and Wilderness nexy year and flying with Virgin. Has anyone tried the Downtown check in? Is it worth it? We will not be hiring a car and will be using airport transfers. Would DT check in give us more time to soed in Disney?!!!!

Fuse04

 

[El Tel]

Hi Fuse04! What a fine county you live in
We used Virgin's Downtown Check-in when we went in 2000. They stopped it in 2002 but it's good it's now up and running again.
I found it to be very useful - especially if you have no car, or a car with a small boot. It certainly saved the aggro of lugging cases around, or leaving them on car seats. It took a little while to drop of the bags but it feels like a weight off your mind.
We were able to stay at Disney as long as possible - just needing sufficient time to get ourselves to the airport and through security. I guess things may be slightly different now because of the longer time needed to get through security checks though.
I'm flying with First Choice instead of Virgin this year for the first time. The one thing that I wish First Choice had is a DD check-in service. (The jury is out on the pros and cons of flying to Sanford.)
Hope this helps.

 

[rpbert1]

Fuse04, we did it this year in July and will definetly do it next year, we went down about 10:30 and there was only 1 other family there and a couple came when we where there, took about 20mins and was really worth it , as we did not have to get the cases from car to the airport and then we would have had to queue.
you get boarding cards and seats allocated ,and told us to be there 1 hour before departure, although might have to be there earlier now, although i do not think the situation here had the same effect in the states.
Definetly well worth doing it

 

[Netty]

We would highly recommend it. we used it at the end of august this year, and we were told to be at the airport 1 hour before boarding. other passengers on our flight who didnt use it were in the airport check in queue for 1 1/2 hours.

 

[mikki.young]

I agree it is a big plus for Virgin. I have managed to have a car which makes it a little easier but I know a lot of people use a taxi to get there. I like being able to arrive at the airport later. The only downside is that it is not as easy to change clothes before flying which we used to do when getting rid of the luggage at the airport.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I would also highly recommend the DTD check in, although we generally have a lazy last day we still find it useful to get rid of the suitcases early , just for us makes it easier later on.

 

[fuse04]

Thanks for the useful advice. I had seen somewhere a post about it not being worthwhile and was surprised by that so I thought I would post a thread myself. We will certainly try it next year because, as you say, gettng rid of the luggage and just being able to enjoy what time is left has to be a bonus.

Fuse04

 

[Goofyish]

What transfers are you using?

If they are the Virgin ones then you may be picked up quite early for your flight and from your last resort (Wilderness Lodge).

So if you drop off your bags first thing you will need to get a bus back to a resort and then a bus to whatever park you want to visit - this may eat away at any extra time you have gained by using DTD check-in

If you are not already doing so I would suggest booking your own Towncar Transfers, then you can set your own return time to the airport.

 

[fuse04]

Nice tip Goofyish. We are flying with Virgin but booked holiday via Thomas Cook Signature. Originally I had asked for Magical Express transfers but might change this nearer the time.

We have the 17:50 flight but I might see if we can change that to the 19:40 to gove us more itme in Disney!

Assuming we have the 17:50....any suggestions for what time we should leave for the airport?

Fuse04

 

[Goofyish]

The biggest time at the airport is getting through security. The time this takes really depends on the lines. It took us about 30 mins in December.

Also, do you want to spend time in the duty free shops?

I think arriving about an hour before you flight should be ok, so to allow for traffic and a little contingency I would say to leave WDW about 2 to 2 and a half hours before your flight time - really depends on worried you are about not getting there on time LOL

I've read the Magic Express picks you up very early for your return to the airport.

If you chose to book your own Towncar transfer then take a look at the following companies (both sponsors of the DIS Boards ):

FL Tours

Tiffany Towncars

The Towncar transfers are great - you get picked greated at baggage reclaim by your driver, helped with your bags and then taken direct to your resort - via a grocery store if you need to stock up on those vital in-room snacks and drinks
You can arrange to get picked up for your return journey from where ever and when ever you want The Towncar company will probably call you at your resort a few days before to confirm pickup details

I've used both and can recommend either.

 

[fuse04]

Can't say we are bothered about the duty free stuff and Mickey will have probably cleaned me out by then, and if he hasn't the family will have!!!

Was thinking of maybe getting a cab to the Virgin DTD check in early and perhaps a character breakfast somewhere before spending some time in a park.

We will be on the DDP so not sure about the groceries?

I do like the idea of being picked up from whereever we are as that would avoid another trip to the hotel for pick up.

Goofyish....I see you like POR, we did that this year (first ever trip) and thought it was great. Booked gaian for next year but then thought it is a shame not to experience some of the other hotels.

Fuse04







Fuse04

 

[PotNoodle]

The Check In was brilliant!

We booked in nice and early and were in and out of there within ten minutes so we could have a good five to six hours spare to enjoy the rest of the day.

Also, I recommend the transfer system from Downtown as well. Saves the hassle of having to go back to your hotel or finding your own way to the airport.

Plus, on arrival at Orlando Airport, the queue for the Virgin Airlines Check-In looked a real nightmare!!! - So, that's worth avoiding.

 

[Goofyish]

Goofyish....I see you like POR, we did that this year (first ever trip) and thought it was great. Booked gaian for next year but then thought it is a shame not to experience some of the other hotels.
Fuse04

POR is our favourite resort out of all the ones we have stayed at (not that many so far). Even liked it more than AKL

 

[fuse04]

The Check In was brilliant!

We booked in nice and early and were in and out of there within ten minutes so we could have a good five to six hours spare to enjoy the rest of the day.

Also, I recommend the transfer system from Downtown as well. Saves the hassle of having to go back to your hotel or finding your own way to the airport.

Plus, on arrival at Orlando Airport, the queue for the Virgin Airlines Check-In looked a real nightmare!!! - So, that's worth avoiding.

Can you tell me more about the "transfer system from Downtown"?

thanks
Fuse04

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

Can anyone help with the question 'transfer from Downtown Disney'I'm interested too.

 

[PotNoodle]

Can you tell me more about the "transfer system from Downtown"?

thanks
Fuse04

Easy, just 50-metres along from the Virgin Check-In, are several bus stops.

The first being for Virgin Holidays.

There was probably a good two dozen waiting to get to the airport and three Mears Mini Buses picked us up and got us to the airport within half an hour.

However, doing this may mean you miss out on looking around the shops and duty free, if that's your sort of thing.

 

[BiGGy]

We are flying back to manchester at the end of our holiday. Can we use DTD check-in on the morning?

Many thanks

Doris(BiGGys wife)

 

[PaulaSB12]

Just did the downtown check in this morning. It cost me $15 for a taxi down with tips and $5 to check in because I was flying with Virgin not travelling with Virgin holidays. There was a small queue but I got through first as I am travelling premium economy. I am spending a relaxing morning (mostly because I can't do anything else I had a large sundae and a large chocolate milkshake at Ghiradellis and am stuffed!!) down town with a couple of hours on the net and playing games at disney quest. Then its back to the hotel for the magic express (might take a sandwich for the airport as I will be there for a bit longer than virgin would have me back for, but no check in and no luggage. BTW I asked about handluggage and you can take solid food througgh so anyone wanting to buy some Ghiradellis chocolate can do it!!

 

[BiGGy]

thats great thanks for the info Paula, enjoy the last few hours


rgds
Chas

 

[Goofyish]

We are flying back to manchester at the end of our holiday. Can we use DTD check-in on the morning?

Many thanks

Doris(BiGGys wife)

AS long as you are flying Virgin you can use DTD checkin - which ever UK airport you are going to