Information Wanted From Anyone Who Has Flown SWA and used ME

[simba2]

Trying to decide whether to go through with our plans to use ME. We're flying SWA, which is a non-partner airline. For any of you who have flown SWA AND used ME, I'd like to know: (1) Where did the bus drop you off? Did they drop you at SWA even though they aren't participating in the program? (2) Anyone have any problem getting their luggage?

 

[Lucky'sMom]

We just returned from our trip. Our travel dates were May 6 departure, May 13 return. We did not receive our ME luggage tags. It was no problem. Upon arrival in Orlando, everyone using ME gets in the Magical Express line. Once at the desk, the CM will ask you to identify what type of luggage you have (they have a chart with pictures of different types of luggage). They take your luggage claim tickets as well. Then you are directed to another set of lines that are divided by WDW resorts. They tell which bus to get on. I'm not sure how long it took our luggage to arrive. We arrived around 1 pm, left for the parks around 4 pm (no luggage yet), and then returned to our room after 9 pm and the luggage had "magically" appeared. When we departed WDW, we brought our luggage to the bus stop, the bus came, the driver placed it below, and then dropped us off at the airport. The airport departure location was not terribly convenient. But this is true no matter what airline you use. They drop you off a floor above the ticketing floor. We waited in so many long lines at MCO that we wondered if we would make our flight. First, the SWA line was HUGE! We had to drag all of our luggage through the line, get in weighed and tagged, and then drag it to the scanner. Then, after we dropped off of luggage, the security line was HUGE! After you get through both of these lines, you still have to board the "train" to get to side of the terminal where the planes depart from.

The only advantage a "participating airline" passenger would have is that they would avoid the long airline check-in line. It was also a pain to get our luggage to that point. My husband had to rent a cart, we never could have carried all of our luggage to that point.

All of the SWA employees we encountered were great. Very friendly and helpful.

Good luck!

 

[bizeemom4]

Is there anywhere onsite that you can checkin online to avoid the lengthy wait at the SWA counter?

 

[Bowen9475]

I think a lot depends on day and time of travel. We flew SW out of MCO on Monday May 9 at 2 p.m. The ME bus picked us up at our resort at 11:00, we were at the airport by 11:45. The SW ticketing line was long but moved quickly. We were through ticketing, checking luggage and security and eating lunch by noon. Our lines all moved very quickly.

 

[LisaS]

We flew SWA on our trip 5/8-5/14. I can't comment on the ME questions. After reading stories about the long wait for luggage delivery, we opted to do a one-day car rental to get ourselves and our luggage to WDW. We tried to use ME on the way back to MCO but they sent us to MCO in a taxi. Can't complain -- got dropped off right in front of SWA's check-in area at MCO!

I did want to comment on the lines, though. On our return trip (Saturday 5/14), we got to MCO around 4:30pm for a 6:25pm flight. The line to check in at SWA was so short and moving so quickly I barely had time to get my driver's license out of my purse before it was our turn at a podium. Lines at security weren't bad, either. It took us less than 10 minutes to get through. It seems like the day of the week and the time of day you travel makes a huge difference at both SWA checkin and the lines at security.

 

[Lewisc]

Is there anywhere onsite that you can checkin online to avoid the lengthy wait at the SWA counter?

The lengthy wait is to check luggage. If you only have carryon luggage you could either print your BP at one of the kioshes in the airport or print them after midnight at the hotel.

 

[klinlin]

I flew SWA from MCO in March. I had checked in on line (was at mom's not Disney) and we checked our luggage curbside with very little wait. Can't we do that with ME? DOes anyone know if we can checkin in line somewherw at WDW?