Insanity at Orlando International

[EDuke98080]

Hi All! Just returned from a trip to the World and had to share the craziness at the airport this AM. We flew out Southwest and the line to check bags was the longest we have ever seen. It took over and hour to get through the check bags line. The security line was actually shorter and moving more quickly than the bag check line. We arrived 2 hours and 15 minutes ahead of our 8:45 scheduled departure and ran to board and just barely made the flight. Anyone traveling soon may want to allow some extra time, we were really stressed.

 

[kaligal]

If you give the guys outside ten or twenty dollars, they check your bags for you and you don't have to stand in that line.

I know it won't help you this time, but maybe next time.

Sorry about your line, hope the rest of the trip went well!

 

[k5jm]

If you give the guys outside ten or twenty dollars, they check your bags for you and you don't have to stand in that line.

I know it won't help you this time, but maybe next time.

Sorry about your line, hope the rest of the trip went well!

We use the curbside check-in also. We tip about $2 per bag and then it is off to Security.

 

[ADP]

We left this past Monday, and yes the airport was insane. Southwest was estimating their inside terminal line to be a 60 minute wait. We went outside to curbside check-in and only waited 20. It was worth every penny of the tip we left.

 

[lugnut33]

I don't remember which two days it is, but there are two days each week where Southwest Airlines goes absolutely crazy from morning until mid-afternoon because all the cruiseline people are trying to fly back home. We got caught up in it last August and the line was over an hour long. However, by the time we actually left at 2 pm, it was right back down to about a half hour.

 

[dburg30]

Wow, this would be great information for folks in the transportation forum...

 

[chirurgeon]

When we came home from DAP, we spent out last night at POP and used the airline baggage check in there. I was well worth the one night there. POP is the only hotel that SW has airline and baggage check in currently. I am still debating spending my last night at POP just so I can take advantage of this. Being able to go straight to security was great.

Kim

 

[sshaw10060]

I would add you don't need to be staying at a resort to use the baggage check. After our last 2 cruises we have rented a car, driven to POP, dropped off our owners Locker and checked our bags for the flight home. We then go to DTD for a few hours and some lunch before heading to the airport where we can walk straight to the security line. Works like a charm. I would even consider a cab ride if I was staying at a non-value and wanted to check bags on SW.

 

[CdnDisneyNut]

When we came home from DAP, we spent out last night at POP and used the airline baggage check in there. I was well worth the one night there. POP is the only hotel that SW has airline and baggage check in currently. I am still debating spending my last night at POP just so I can take advantage of this. Being able to go straight to security was great.

Kim

Did not know that SW was a partial airline using Magical Express. Is this just a pilot or is it permanent.

thanks for the info

 

[yitbos96bb]

Even better, many times the curbside guys are waiting by the busses with carts... they'll wheel them to the checkin and then check you in... its GREAT!

Just make sure you tip them... $2 per bag is generally the custom. If the bags are heavy, I'll throw in extra. Also if you are late and he can get you to your flight on time, give him extra.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Did not know that SW was a partial airline using Magical Express. Is this just a pilot or is it permanent.

thanks for the info

Pilot. Not sure Why its not perm yet... I think its been going on since June 2009.

 

[chirurgeon]

I would add you don't need to be staying at a resort to use the baggage check. After our last 2 cruises we have rented a car, driven to POP, dropped off our owners Locker and checked our bags for the flight home. We then go to DTD for a few hours and some lunch before heading to the airport where we can walk straight to the security line. Works like a charm. I would even consider a cab ride if I was staying at a non-value and wanted to check bags on SW.

I'm not sure this will work anymore. They asked us for our room number when we dropped off our luggage.

Kim

 

[NancyIL]

I would add you don't need to be staying at a resort to use the baggage check. After our last 2 cruises we have rented a car, driven to POP, dropped off our owners Locker and checked our bags for the flight home. We then go to DTD for a few hours and some lunch before heading to the airport where we can walk straight to the security line. Works like a charm. I would even consider a cab ride if I was staying at a non-value and wanted to check bags on SW.

Isn't that perk supposed to be just for people actually staying at the resort? I had to show my ME letter when I checked my bags at WL last month.

 

[disneyholic family]

the guys out front are great -
i don't know if they still will let you check bags there for international flights, but last year i was able to check in my bags on the curb at the airport in detroit.....the woman working there clued me in that she doesn't weigh the bags.....a good thing to know, given that i was majorly overweight (my bags that is...well me too )...
she just checked them right in without charging me overweight (on my NWA flight to amsterdam)...
i tipped her $20 and she deserved every penny of that and then some...(in addition to not weighing them, she was very careful about how she tagged them - priority care etc etc...i wanted to kiss her she took such good care of my luggage)...

but i don't know if you can still check international bags at the curb...
i would think not, with the heightened security, but it certainly is great if you can...

 

[sshaw10060]

Isn't that perk supposed to be just for people actually staying at the resort? I had to show my ME letter when I checked my bags at WL last month.

I have never been asked for a room number etc. The company that handles the check-in is paid per bag by the airlines not by Disney.

 

[NancyIL]

I have never been asked for a room number etc. The company that handles the check-in is paid per bag by the airlines not by Disney.

I wouldn't encourage people to try to get away with something that isn't intended for them.

 

[Cyrano]

I am glad with Virgin that we can check in our cases at DTD in the morning and do not see them till we land at home Orlando -> London -> Aberdeen.. done

 

[EDuke98080]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I tend to shy away from curbside bag check because the last time I used it I saw my suitcase 2 1/2 weeks later . Next time I will do more research on the boards about the airport prior to our trip! (I guess I fell down on the job this time) I hope others will benefit from my posting and everyone's great suggestions!

Erika