I'm sorry to ask...

[Diamond_Girls]

but I cannot find the thread regarding SWA becoming a preferred airline for the Magical Express (where we do not have to grab our own bags and take them to the bus when we arrive). Has (or will) SWA become a preferred?

Thanks for your help!

 

[DebbieB]

I don't believe they are preferred. They will still pickup your bags on arrival, it's on your return that you have to carry the bags to the bus.

 

[Diamond_Girls]

I'm so confused! When I reserved the magical express I was told that I would have to pick up my bags at the airport and take them to the bus to Disney World. She didn't say anything about the return trip.

It would make sense that if not preferred, they wouldn't pick up the bags at the airport. It seems that no matter what airline you are on, they could take your bags to the bus when leaving. At that point I could see that we have to grab our own bags and take them to the check-in...?

Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, it's all still a little confusing

ALL airlines are considered "participating" for ARRIVALS. You will (or should) get yellow DME luggage tags before your trip - assuming you've reserved at least ten days in advance. Attach one tag to each piece of checked luggage. Follow your NORMAL airport check-in procedures, go through Security, get on the plane, land in Orlando.

When you get off the plane in Orlando, you can go DIRECTLY to the DME counter and check in. You will be sent to wait for or board a bus to your resort. While you're doing this, DME employees are pulling all the luggage with the yellow tags after it's been removed from your any-airline Domestic flight. Once you board the bus and the bus driver has scanned your something (pass, card, something they give you at the counter) your luggage is put on a DME Bags Inc. truck and transported to your resort, where it's delivered to your room within a (usually) reasonable amount of time. You do NOT have to be in the room. Disney takes care of tipping Bell Services/Luggage Assistance.


For your return flight, IF you're on a participating airline, you can check in for your flight at the Airline check-in counter at your resort AND check your luggage through to your home airport. If you're not flying on a participating airline, and you've left your luggage with Bell Services because your flight leaves much later than checkout time, you can either pick up your luggage from them and carry it the fifty or so feet to the DME bus, or you can ask Bell Services to carry it for you and tip them.

 

[goofy4tink]

I flew SW last month. I had no problem with my bags. Everything worked fine at MCO. When it was time for me to leave Pop, I left my bags with bell services and went off to eat breakfast and such. Then, about 20 minutes before I was due to be at the bus area for my return to MCO, I went to bell services and retrieved my bags and took them on the bus with me. It's all very easy.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm so confused! When I reserved the magical express I was told that I would have to pick up my bags at the airport and take them to the bus to Disney World. She didn't say anything about the return trip.

It would make sense that if not preferred, they wouldn't pick up the bags at the airport. It seems that no matter what airline you are on, they could take your bags to the bus when leaving. At that point I could see that we have to grab our own bags and take them to the check-in...?

Thanks!

I can see where you are confused. Everyone going to a WDW resort, regardless of what airline they are flying, can have their luggage taken directly to their resort. If you have put your yellow airline tags on them, that alerts the baggage handlers to put it aside for the DME truck. So, you don't have to worry about going to baggage claim for your stuff. Just check-in at the DME desk, get your voucher stamped and hop on the bus.
Now, for your return....the ability to send your luggage ahead, without you, is not run by Disney per se. It is run by the particular airlines...TSA people. So, it really doesn't have anything to do with the resort. Now, if you are flying a non-participating airline, you can still leave your bags with bell services at your resort, then retrieve them when it's time to board the bus. Your bags go under the bus and you go on it!! It really works just like any shuttle service if you are flying non-part. airlines. It's not so much that you don't get all the perks...it's that those part. airlines get one more perk!! It sure would be nice if all airlines could participate though. I sure do like not having to lug my stuff all over the airport and then go through that check-in hassle at MCO.

 

[Diamond_Girls]

Awesome! Thanks for clarifying and I'm very glad that we do not have to wait for baggage claim when I arrive in Orlando. It will be that much quicker to get to Mickey's! We'll just walk off the plane and head for level 1 on the A side...

which leads to another question - anyone know or remember how you get from Southwest to the ME checkin?

Thanks so much for the help, I really appreciate it!

 

[goofy4tink]

I believe that SW is on A side of the terminal. I know that when I fly Song I come in on the B side. So, you would go off to your right when you get off the monorail...I think??!!! And then down to level 1.
Just be sure to have those yellow tags on your bags....you don't want your stuff stuck at MCO while you sit in your room wondering where they are!