Few Qs Re: Southwest, DME vs towncar, and baggage

[AngieMouse86]

Hello all!

Preparing for our trip (just over 3 weeks away!) and am getting anxious about a few things, mostly because I haven't flown in a few years.

Firstly, my BF and I are flying Southwest. We leave LAX and change planes in Chicago en route to MCO; Stupid Q, but I don't have to claim my luggage, correct? I believe it will make its way from one plane to the other but figured I'd ask here, as I know there are many flying pros, lol.

Secondly, I'm suddenly woried about our connecting flights! Been watching too much On the Fly I guess, but it's got me thinking. We land at MDW at Noon and set to depart at 1:05p. In my head this seemed fine but now I'm not certain we'll have enough time to get from one gate to another, don't even know how far they might be at this airport. Would Early Bird Check-In be helpful here, to guarantee staying sitting with my BF? Wasn't going to get it for any of the legs but considering it for all now.

Thirdly, we're all set up for DME but are unsure if we should just rent a van from Tiffany, as the ability to stop at a market and stock up on water & bfast items seems awfully appealing. There are 5 of us total (mom & sisters are flying in slightly ahead of us), so a towncar wouldn't fit us all. $70 doesn't seem so bad split 3-ways for the convenience, considering the high min. order + delivery charge at the grocery services, especially when we don't need much.

Any hints, tips and advice *greatly* appreciated from this flying/WDW novice! :

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

An hour is plenty of time at MDW to make a connection.

 

[JLCJMC]

You will not need to claim and recheck your bags in Chicago. You will remain inside security the whole time you are there to change planes. When you check your bag for your first flight of the day they will tag it with your destination airport (MCO.)
I have recently begun to pay the extra fee for the early-bird check-in, just so there is one less thing to think about on travel days. Do you and BF have different reservations? or are both flights hooked to one? If they are seperate it will make it a little less certain you are automatically togther, but honestly in 15 years of flying SW I have not had a problem being able to sit with at least one member of my party. But if it is causing you concern, my recommendation is to use the early bird for peace of mind. It is also nice not to have to worry about checkin your last day of the trip for the return home flight.
Just my thoughts -- feel free to take or leave any advise -- I hope you have a lovely trip

 

[Alesia]

You do not get your luggage for your connecting flight, and if you're using DME you won't need to get it at MCO, either. You just put the yellow DME tags on them and check them at your home airport and they will be in your room within 3 hours of checking in.

An hour is plenty of time to make the connection.

I would use DME and then get groceries delivered from wegoshop.com or gardengrocer.com if you need them. I think not having to get your luggage from baggage claim is a huge advantage, especially for someone who doesn't fly a lot.

 

[goofy4tink]

For the cost of a van, you can get a lot of groceries delivered, right to your resort. I put in an order for my dd's trip a few weeks ago. Used GardenGrocer and it was terrific. They had her order there, waiting for them. Everything that needed to be kept cold was kept cold. The delivery charge was $15, if I remember correctly. I did add a $10 tip to the order. So, for $25, you saved the time spent in the grocery store, and still got to buy what you need. Much better than spending money for transportation. Yes, there is a $40 minumum but if you add that cost to the $25 for delivery charge/tip, it's still less than what you're spending for a car service. And don't forget...you need to add a tip on for the car service...so, that's another $10 or so. And the time spent shopping.

As far as the rest goes, you've gotten good info. Plenty of time to make the connection, bags will be taken care of..all the way to your resort room.

 

[jayhawk74]

I'm not certain we'll have enough time to get from one gate to another, don't even know how far they might be at this airport. Would Early Bird Check-In be helpful here, to guarantee staying sitting with my BF

The worst case at MDW would be going from Gate B26 to Gate A4 and that should take no more than 30 minutes. As for the Early bird remember when you check in at the 24 hour point for your flight from LAX you will also be checking in for your flight from MDW at that time. So if you believe that you will not need Early Bird for the LAX flight you will not need it for the MDW flight.

 

[PlutoPony]

Before you board in LAX, check which gate you will be landing at in MDW and which gate your connecting flight boards at. If you don't have a smart phone to check that with, ask the gate agent at the desk of your departing gate to check that info for you (do that well before they start boarding though, that's when the gate agents get busy). The SW magazine on board should have a good map with the layout of MDW including gate numbers, etc. and you can scope out where you have to go, etc.

Gate assignments DO change though, so double check the gate info on the monitor when you land at Midway just in case.

 

[AngieMouse86]

JLCJMC, okay, that is good to know. I figured it should be a good amount of time but wasn't sure. Our flights were bought together but you bring up a point about convenience, so I may do the EBCI anyway. Good to know you haven't had a problem sitting next to your party!

Alesia & goofy4tink, does Garden Grocer charge your CC when you make the order or day of delivery? Just curious for budgeting purposes. Also, I've read most bell desks can keep perishables cold, is this true for All Star Sports (if you know)? Also, again not sure if you'd know, if I'm choosing a delivery date in the future, does that guarantee my spot or will I only find out closer to the date? I only ask because I've been looking at their site the last couple days, and each day they've had a little box saying there are no more spots for the next day.

jayhawk74, good tip, thank you.

PlutoPony, ohh yes, I will do that! Probably wouldn't have thought of doing that until the day of, lol. Going to set an alert on my phone from now to do that on the day we leave! Thanks.

Thank you SOO much to everyone for your help, it is so greatly appreciated!