how manybags can you leave at the resort when taking advantage of the magical express

[alisonarod]

We plan to utilize magical express. So we will leave our luggage at the resort and get free tranfer to the airport. How many bags are we allowed to leave? And will the resort also accept our babies carseat, stroller and carrier or will we need to take this with us on the shuttle to the airport?

 

[CleveRocks]

We plan to utilize magical express. So we will leave our luggage at the resort and get free tranfer to the airport. How many bags are we allowed to leave? And will the resort also accept our babies carseat, stroller and carrier or will we need to take this with us on the shuttle to the airport?

When using the Resort Airline Check-in service at your resort, you are actually checking your luggage with your airline. Think of RAC as curbside check-in, only its pretty far from the curb. In fact, it's EXACTLY like curbside check-in at the airport, right down to tipping the person. The people working RAC are not Disney cast members, they are employees of a subcontractor called BAGS Inc., a TSA-approved company.

The items you check at the RAC desk are exactly the items you would check with your airline if you were checking in at the airline ticket counter or at curside check-in.

Once you check your luggage with RAC, you will not see it again until it's on your home airport's baggage claim carousel. So obviously, DON'T check anything you will want on the bus or on the plane.

For example, will your child be using the carseat on the airplane? If so, then definitely DON'T check it, because as I said, you won't have access to it once you check it.

If you ARE using the carseat on the airplane, but you plan to go out and have fun between the time you check your luggage and get picked up by the DME bus, then you can have your resort's Bell Services store it for you.

If you are NOT using the carseat on the plane, and you are also NOT renting a car during your stay, then I advise you to simply leave the carseat at home. Carseats can't be used on buses (since there are no seat belts to secure them), so if you're not using it on the plane and not renting a car during your stay, you will have no need for the carseat.

As for the stroller, I'm guessing that you will want to gate check that. Gate checking means using the stroller in the airport (NOT checking it with your suitcases), and then when you get to the gate where your flight is departing, you tell the gate agent you wish to gate check the stroller. The gate agent will give you a tag to fill out and will place the tag on the stroller. When it's boarding time, you roll it down the jetway, but just before you board the plane you pull over to the side. You fold up the stroller and leave it there on the floor of the jetway, out of the way of the other passengers. If you are flying to and from Orlando, I guarantee you you will NOT be the only one doing this! At some point, a ramper (airport employee) will come up to retrieve the strollers and load them into the belly of the plane. After you land, once you exit the plane pull over to the side (IN the jetway, don't walk though and enter the airport terminal) and wait for your stroller to be brought up to you -- if you're in the back of the plane it may even be waiting for you.

I realize this is a lot of info. Please post any other questions. There are many of us who've been in your situation before, and we can answer your questions for you.

 

[Disneyof3]

Does anyone know how many suitcases per person is allowed with Southwest? I know most are 2 suitcases per person with a certain weight restriction. On the way down were thinking of adding DS small suitcase into a larger one so on the way back we have the extra suitcase for goodies and new clothes that we buy down there Also do you tip the guys on DME when you get on or when you get off??? Also how much?? Do they expect it or do they appreciate it? The reason I'm asking is when we went on our honeymoon in Dominican, they just take your luggage from you and expect money before you get it back.

 

[CleveRocks]

I don't know the Southwest info ... check out their website!

As for DME and tipping ....
If you use DME as designed, you won't have your luggage with you when you get to the DME bus at the airport. You WILL have carry-ons. You can bring your carry-ons on the bus with you (if they fit under your seat or on the overhead shelf), or the driver will stow them under the bus for you. If the DME driver touches any of your bags, then a tip would be appropriate. $1 per bag is pretty standard, but some people do $2 per bag. if the driver handled none of your luggage and didn't provide any other personalized service just for you, then the driver really doesn't expect a tip. I'm sure it would be appreciated, but under those circumstances it's not realy expected.

Believe it or not, you don't need to tip the person who brings you your DME-checked luggage, if you happen to be in the room when it arrives. because the service is designed so that you can be out and play and don't have to wait around for your bags to be delivered, Disney pre-tips the people for doing each DME baggage delivery.

On the way home, it depends what you do with your luggage. If you are flying one of the "participating" airlines, you can use Resort Airline Check-in and actually check your luggage at your resort (and then not see it again until your home airport). The people manning the RAC desk should be tipped, just as if you were using curbside check-in at the airport. And again, if the DME driver touches any of your bags, a tip is in order. Also, if you used Bell Services to take your bags from your room to the lobby, that person deserves a tip.

I hope this all makes sense.

 

[alisonarod]

Eric, you are most knowledgable. Thank you so much for taking the time to address all of our questions. I realize that you don't have to do that. Just wanted to let you know how much at least I appreciate it. Thanks again.

 

[Hope73]

WHat would we do without you. I can't wait for the next trip.

 

[CleveRocks]

WHat would we do without you. I can't wait for the next trip.

Cool ... when are we going???

I enjoy WDW, and enjoy it when others enjoy it, too. It's my pleasure to help. There are LOTS of people here on the DIS who enjoy doing the same. As you get more experienced, maybe you'll be one of those, too!

 

[Tink Wanna Be]

Does anyone know if Southwest airline currently participates with Resort Airline Check In? When I booked my trip, the CM said they didn't yet, but might be added by the time we travel (which is next week!).

 

[clownchk]

Does anyone know if Southwest airline currently participates with Resort Airline Check In? When I booked my trip, the CM said they didn't yet, but might be added by the time we travel (which is next week!).

When I booked last month (I had my flights on SW) the CM said YES tha tthey are participating in ME now, but I didn't ask about RAC. I would think yes!

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Does anyone know how many suitcases per person is allowed with Southwest?

According to the SWA website, they currently allow 3 checked bags per person. With Spirit and some others starting to charge for checked bags this policy may change. Keep checking their website at http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage.html to make sure their policy doesn't change between now and your departure date.

Does anyone know if Southwest airline currently participates with Resort Airline Check In? When I booked my trip, the CM said they didn't yet, but might be added by the time we travel (which is next week!).

When I booked last month (I had my flights on SW) the CM said YES tha tthey are participating in ME now, but I didn't ask about RAC. I would think yes!

The answer is all airlines can participate in DME on the flights into Orlando (MCO), but only certain airlines can participate in the RAC. Southwest is currently not participating in RAC, although on the Travel Board there has been a lot of discussion about ongoing efforts to make it happen. So, although you can have your baggage delivered to your resort via DME when you arrive, on the return trip home you will have to have your baggage loaded on the DME bus and take them to the checkin gate at the airport yourself.

 

[kimis]

Does anyone know how many suitcases per person is allowed with Southwest? I know most are 2 suitcases per person with a certain weight restriction. On the way down were thinking of adding DS small suitcase into a larger one so on the way back we have the extra suitcase for goodies and new clothes that we buy down there Also do you tip the guys on DME when you get on or when you get off??? Also how much?? Do they expect it or do they appreciate it? The reason I'm asking is when we went on our honeymoon in Dominican, they just take your luggage from you and expect money before you get it back.

While you can check in 3 bags per person with Southwest ME will only give you two tags per person. You can carry on one bag plus a personal item like a brief case, purse, ect....

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Also do you tip the guys on DME when you get on or when you get off??? Also how much?? Do they expect it or do they appreciate it? The reason I'm asking is when we went on our honeymoon in Dominican, they just take your luggage from you and expect money before you get it back.

Although tipping isn't forced, the drivers let you know in no uncertain terms that tips are appreciated. They often announce it over the buses speakers at the beginning of the trip, and there is a sign hanging somewhere near the driver saying they are allowed to accept tips. The amount is up to you. I won't say that they expect it (although they probably do), but I'm sure they appreciate it. However, your luggage will not be held hostage if you decide not to tip.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

While you can check in 3 bags per person with Southwest ME will only give you two tags per person. You can carry on one bag plus a personal item like a brief case, purse, ect....

Oops, I forgot about that (and I should certainly know better). Thanks for the clarification, kimis.

 

[Disneyof3]

I don't know the Southwest info ... check out their website!

As for DME and tipping ....
If you use DME as designed, you won't have your luggage with you when you get to the DME bus at the airport. You WILL have carry-ons. You can bring your carry-ons on the bus with you (if they fit under your seat or on the overhead shelf), or the driver will stow them under the bus for you. If the DME driver touches any of your bags, then a tip would be appropriate. $1 per bag is pretty standard, but some people do $2 per bag. if the driver handled none of your luggage and didn't provide any other personalized service just for you, then the driver really doesn't expect a tip. I'm sure it would be appreciated, but under those circumstances it's not realy expected.

Believe it or not, you don't need to tip the person who brings you your DME-checked luggage, if you happen to be in the room when it arrives. because the service is designed so that you can be out and play and don't have to wait around for your bags to be delivered, Disney pre-tips the people for doing each DME baggage delivery.

On the way home, it depends what you do with your luggage. If you are flying one of the "participating" airlines, you can use Resort Airline Check-in and actually check your luggage at your resort (and then not see it again until your home airport). The people manning the RAC desk should be tipped, just as if you were using curbside check-in at the airport. And again, if the DME driver touches any of your bags, a tip is in order. Also, if you used Bell Services to take your bags from your room to the lobby, that person deserves a tip.

I hope this all makes sense.

WOW Cleverocks you are great. Thank you soooo much. That is great information and I understand it totally.