Help returning on Delta for the first time

[NC State]

Help, we're using Delta for the first time in Feb. We will take SW down to WDW but return on Delta, plus is the first time use Magical Express. Can someone give me some good tips about ME and Delta?

 

[DebbieB]

Help, we're using Delta for the first time in Feb. We will take SW down to WDW but return on Delta, plus is the first time use Magical Express. Can someone give me some good tips about ME and Delta?

Delta changes schedules alot. So keep watching your reservation and seats, especially if you are connecting. I've had them change one of my two flights and make the connection impossible (flight 1 arrives at the same time as flight 2 leaves). They are really good about reaccomodating you to different flights, it has worked to my benefit.

 

[OKW Lover]

ME will get you to the airport in plenty of time to make your Delta flight. I'd suggest checking your bags and getting your boarding pass at the hotel the day you leave.

 

[NC State]

Do they have a 24 hrs check in like SW?

 

[sam_gordon]

All airlines will have check in times that accommodate their flight schedule. Since Delta uses assigned seating, you don't need (and shouldn't if you want to check luggage) to check in online. Here's what you need to know...

*Make sure ME knows your departing flight schedule (ie: Delta flight 722 leaving at 11:30AM).
*ME will schedule you for pickup 3 hours before your flight leaves +/- 15 minutes.
*You will be notified of your pickup time the day before departure.
*You need to be at the ME pickup spot NO LATER than 15 minutes before your scheduled time, ready to board the bus (bathroom breaks done, carry ons/luggage in hand, last minute shopping done).

That covers ME. As far as checking in on Delta & Checked luggage...

*Each Disney resort has an RAC desk (usually near luggage services). The hours are 5am-1pm.
*You can check in for your flight at the RAC desk, but you must be COMPLETED checking in NO LATER than 3(?-I'm pretty sure) hours before your flight.
*You can check your luggage (not carry on) with RAC up to 12 hours before your flight (but remember the process needs to be complete 3 hours before the flight).
*Because of the hours RAC is open, your flight MUST leave MCO between 8am & 1am.

Keep in mind, if you are still getting your bags checked/checking in for your flight at RAC 3 hours beforehand, you could miss your assigned ME bus.

If you miss your assigned ME bus, YOU are responsible for making arrangements to get to the airport... grab a cab.
If your assigned ME bus doesn't show up within 15 minutes after your assigned time (AND you were there at least 15 minutes BEFORE your time), go talk to Guest Services at the front desk for assistance.

 

[Brian Noble]

Delta changes schedules alot.

...but not as often closer in. At this point, most of February's schedule should be pretty firm.

 

[NC State]

Thank you Sam. ME and Delta are all new to me. Any more tips I need to know?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Moderators - could you all make a new sticky, combining the Magical Express threads and putting sam gordon's really really really concise yet accurate information in it? That would be wonderful!

 

[DebbieB]

Do they have a 24 hrs check in like SW?

You can, but there's no rush to do it unless you need a seat assignment. If you are using ME, the resort will do it for you and deliver it to your room.

 

[indymom]

Have flown Delta the past few times. They do change schedules and at time don't notify. We made habit of checking weekly. Sometimes customer service is lacking, but the two main times we had issues we got vouchers (totally unexpected).

Just keep checking flight times----and watch seats! No fee which is what we like

 

[NC State]

I do have another question. Since I have only been on SW, how is the boarding for Delta. Do we line up like SW?

 

[vacationclub]

I do have another question. Since I have only been on SW, how is the boarding for Delta. Do we line up like SW?

No, Southwest is the only airline that does the "running with the bulls" approach to seating. All other airlines figure out where you will be seated before you get on the plane, as opposed to letting people figure it out for themselves based on what's left as they enter the aircraft.

No, you don't have to line up next to posts with numbers, compare notes with people around you, etc. They will probably board based on either row numbers or zone numbers, different airlines have different formulas for this. They simply call your group and you and the others in your group approach in no particular order, scan, then go down the jetway and sit in the awaiting seat.

 

[sam_gordon]

Just to expand a little on what vacationclub said...

When you get your boarding pass, on it will be listed a 'Zone' (ie: Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3). The aircraft will board by zones. IIRC, first on board (zone 1) is those needing extra help. Zone 2 will be "first class", then they break up the plane into segments.

 

[NC State]

Thank you for the information.

 

[DebbieB]

No, Southwest is the only airline that does the "running with the bulls" approach to seating. All other airlines figure out where you will be seated before you get on the plane, as opposed to letting people figure it out for themselves based on what's left as they enter the aircraft.

No, you don't have to line up next to posts with numbers, compare notes with people around you, etc. They will probably board based on either row numbers or zone numbers, different airlines have different formulas for this. They simply call your group and you and the others in your group approach in no particular order, scan, then go down the jetway and sit in the awaiting seat.

Now with the fight for carryon space because of bag fees, Delta and most other airlines method is for everyone to crowd together in front of the podium as soon as preboarding is called and then when the individual zone is called people push & shove to get on first. In my book, Southwest is much more orderly.

 

[vacationclub]

Now with the fight for carryon space because of bag fees, Delta and most other airlines method is for everyone to crowd together in front of the podium as soon as preboarding is called and then when the individual zone is called people push & shove to get on first. In my book, Southwest is much more orderly.

Absolute complete rubbish. Please, pushing and shoving? Really? There's no more pushing and shoving as there is with any group of people all being told they may now approach an area. It's called a line.

SW planes are about as crowded in the overheads. Just flew them this week...the typical announcements on each flight...."please use any space you can find as the overheads are mostly full". Same announcement, any plane, any airline.

 

[dtstampz]

Actually, if you have the Delta gold card you are allowed priority boarding. Even if your seat is in zone 3 or 4, you get to board in the zone 2 group and have a much better chance of finding room in the overhead bins.

 

[DebbieB]

Absolute complete rubbish. Please, pushing and shoving? Really? There's no more pushing and shoving as there is with any group of people all being told they may now approach an area. It's called a line.

SW planes are about as crowded in the overheads. Just flew them this week...the typical announcements on each flight...."please use any space you can find as the overheads are mostly full". Same announcement, any plane, any airline.

Not rubbish. I frequently fly Delta & USAirways. It happens. I had a first class award ticket on USAirways last May, so I could board right after preboards. I had a heck of a time getting through the crowd to board because everyone starts gathering as soon as it gets close to boarding time and no one wants to move because they want to be ready when their zone is called. It drives me nuts when you have to get around people and you look at the zone on their boarding pass and they are not even close. They call zone 1 and zone 5 people are standing in the way. I have status on both Delta & USAirways so I'm always zone 1 or 2 and the choice is either to get up early and find a place up front to be ready or wait until they call for boarding and fight through the crowd. When a new zone is called, people push forward.

At least with Southwest, there's no reason to start lining up early.

 

[vacationclub]

Not rubbish. I frequently fly Delta & USAirways. It happens. I had a first class award ticket on USAirways last May, so I could board right after preboards. I had a heck of a time getting through the crowd to board because everyone starts gathering as soon as it gets close to boarding time and no one wants to move because they want to be ready when their zone is called. It drives me nuts when you have to get around people and you look at the zone on their boarding pass and they are not even close. They call zone 1 and zone 5 people are standing in the way. I have status on both Delta & USAirways so I'm always zone 1 or 2 and the choice is either to get up early and find a place up front to be ready or wait until they call for boarding and fight through the crowd. When a new zone is called, people push forward.

Nothing you described there is either pushing or shoving. What you've described is a completely natural function of a crowd. Perhaps you could try saying "excuse me". I've never seemed to have this issue. People are free to stand where they want, and if they are in your way...either in the bathroom or the terminal, ask them to make way....just like you are forced to do when southwest forces you to have these encounters to comply with their boarding policy to be in a certain place at a certain time.

At least with Southwest, there's no reason to start lining up early.

You are joking, right? That was a joke? Southwest is the only airline that forces you to stand in a line. To "line up" early per their instructions. The other situations you describe don't include lining up, just standing around the outside waiting for a group to be invited to approach after which a line will naturally form. It happens on every airline, in every airport, every day. Wow.

OP, please report any pushing or shoving.

 

[sam_gordon]

Actually, if you have the Delta gold card you are allowed priority boarding. Even if your seat is in zone 3 or 4, you get to board in the zone 2 group and have a much better chance of finding room in the overhead bins.

That's something new. Cool!